Philadelphia Phillies: DFA’d OF Brett Phillips discussed between Rays and Phils

The trade deadline is mere hours away, and Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies‘ front office are hard at work looking to make the necessary additions. At the forefront of trade, discussions have been starting pitchers such as the Angels’ Noah Syndergaard, the Reds’ Tyler Mahle, and more. Conversations surrounding outfield upgrades have been a bit more, in a word, creative. With names like Ian Happ, Michael A. Taylor, and Ramón Laureano available, there seems to be no shortage of targets, including one player recently designated for assignment.

According to Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest in recently DFA’s outfielder Brett Phillips.

Phillips was designated for assignment to make room for the Rays’ newly acquired center fielder José Siri from the Houston Astros. The Philadelphia Phillies are one of three reported teams to have reached out to Tampa Bay in reference to Phillips, as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have done so as well. Both the Red Sox and the Yankees have been quite busy at the deadline so far — unlike the Phillies.

With the trade deadline looming, the Philadelphia Phillies have contacted the Tampa Bay Rays about recently designated outfielder Brett Phillips.

In his time with the Rays this season, Brett Phillips certainly disappointed. His average down to .147, his on-base-percentage, .225. He is by no means an offensive upgrade in the outfield. The Phillies, however, are not necessarily looking for offense. What Phillips brings to the table is his impressive glove. Is that enough to make him worthwhile? Not inherently, but if the cost is slim to none, the argument could be made that there’s no risk.

This is not the first time that Philadelphia has been tied to an outfielder at the deadline. The Phillies have confirmed interest in Ramón Laureano, Michael A. Taylor, and Jackie Bradley Jr. (Heyman), and now Phillips. In addition to those names, the Phillies could target Brandon Marsh of the Los Angeles Angels, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports. What’s interesting about Marsh, aside from his youth, is the potential of Philadelphia receiving Noah Syndergaard, who they’ve been tied to, as well in a deal with the Angels.

It’s been a quiet deadline, and a deal for Brett Phillips (or Brandon Marsh) certainly wouldn’t change that. Perhaps Dave Dombrowski has avoided this deadline knowing that it was not flush with mid-level talent, or perhaps we will see things change in the next couple of hours. Only time will tell, but a deadline without a notable move would certainly be a disappointment for Philadelphia.