Philadelphia Phillies: OF Brandon Marsh acquired for C Logan O’Hoppe

Just as the trade deadline looked like a snooze fest for fans in Philadelphia, the trade news began to pour through. The first bit of big news to come across the trade wire for the Philadelphia Phillies is the acquisition of their new starting center fielder Brandon Marsh. The team received Marsh in a deal for MLB top 100 prospect Logan O’Hoppe in a move that has answered one question but posed another in its place.

The Phillies now have their starting centerfielder for the foreseeable future, which was a major question mark. This move has also led to the designation of Odubel Herrera, which fans have clamored for, for some time now. The question that the trade provides focuses on the exchange of value, specifically, why the Phillies would send O’Hoppe in this deal.

Marsh is certainly a talented center fielder defensively but has only hit for a .239 average over his young career. Granted, Marsh was the Angels’ top in 2020 and heading into the 2021 season, but he has disappointed in his first two seasons. O’Hoppe, meanwhile, has risen fast, becoming a 100 prospect in all of baseball earlier this season.

The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired their centerfielder of the future in Brandon Marsh, but questions can fairly be asked about the price they paid.

There’s likely a combination of reasons for this decision. The honest truth of professional sports is that sometimes teams have to overpay for a need. That’s understandable but not the full explanation. Additionally, O’Hoppe’s path to the pros was obviously blocked by Phillies star J.T. Realmuto, who isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Finally, the Phillies also signed impressive catcher prospect Rickardo Perez, who has impressed so far and looks to become one of the team’s top prospects shortly (currently 16 per MLB.com).

Earlier this season, it was reported that O’Hoppe was on a list of untouchable prospects heading into the deadline. Clearly, that was not the truth; however, there remains the possibility that the rumor was leaked to increase the trade value of one or more players listed. That certainly makes sense for fellow fast-rising prospect and “untouchable prospect” Ben Brown; however, that is purely speculative.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ scouts must be certain about Marsh’s value. If not, this deal has the potential to be remembered in infamy for years to come. For now, Marsh should be given the benefit of the doubt. After all, he did not negotiate this deal, and he’s still young (24), but there is still time for him to develop into the player the Angels once thought he was.

In a corresponding move, Odubel Herrera has been designated for assignment. More on that later.