One of the best things about Dave Dombrowski running your team is that you never know what’s coming next (in a good way). You’re always in the mix for good players, so no star is too big to reach for.
One day you wake up and boom, now you have Trea Turner.
That’s what makes the trade deadline for Dombrowski teams especially fun. Everything is on the table, allowing fans to dream big.
Dombrowski’s always aggressive and willing to go the extra mile to get the players he wants. If he sees a hole, he tries to actually fill it rather than just patching it over with a bench player or a so-so prospect.
That makes our jobs easy as we look at three bold trade deadline predictions for the Phillies.
3 Bold Phillies Trade Deadline Predictions
1. Dombrowski Reunites With Former Ace
Dombrowski’s affinity for building super-rotations is well-known. He did it in Detroit, when he assembled one of the greatest starting rotations in recent memory with Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, David Price, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello. He did it again in Boston, bringing together Price, Porcello, Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi. Both of those teams made it to the World Series, so you can’t argue with the results.
Now he has the chance to do something similar in 2023. The Phillies already have Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, but you know Dombrowski would love to add a third star to that mix.
And wouldn’t you know it, his old pals Scherzer and Verlander are both available! They’re both older and more expensive now, sure, but they’re also still pretty good. They also have tons of playoff experience and have led their teams to championships in the past, which is what Dombrowski is trying to do here.
Trading with division rivals is tough, but do you really think that’s gonna stop Dombrowski? The Mets need to move at least one of those guys, and Dombrowski will find a way to make it happen.
2. Philly Adds Some Pop
As star-studded as our lineup is, it’s weirdly light on pop. Kyle Schwarber is the only guy with more than 15 homers right now and we rank 10th in the National League in long balls, which is surprising.
We could really use some thump at the corner infield spots, where Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa just haven’t been getting it done. Getting either a first or third baseman who can hit the ball out of the park would be nice.
Fortunately, those types of players aren’t super hard to find and shouldn’t cost a bundle of prospects, either, especially if we go for an older guy. Carlos Santana is a name that would make sense. The Pirates are still rebuilding and have no need for a 37-year-old first baseman on a one-year deal. Plus he already played with us in 2018, so it helps to have a guy who can handle the market.
Beyond Santana, we also like Jeimer Candelario on the Nationals and C.J. Cron on the Rockies, both of whom are a bit younger than Santana. Regardless, we expect Dombrowski to get someone who can help us in the power department, especially with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner struggling there.
3. So Long, Craig Kimbrel
Dombrowski has certain players he seems to like, and Kimbrel is definitely one of them. Not only did Dombrowski trade four prospects to bring him to the Red Sox, but he also acquired him again by signing him to the Phillies last year. Kimbrel has rewarded that trust with another All-Star season at closer, going 6-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 30 saves.
However, we all know how insanely valuable relievers become at the deadline, and with Kimbrel on a one-year deal, he’s definitely expendable. Setup man Matt Strahm’s numbers are virtually identical to his, so he could step in and close if Kimbrel gets traded. Gregory Soto also has closing experience (52 career saves), so he’s an option as well.
If Dombrowski can use Kimbrel to land a bigger fish or fill a more pressing need, he’ll do it. Kimbrel’s also 35 and has been shaky in the postseason, as Dombrowski saw first-hand during Boston’s 2018 championship run. Perhaps he’d rather have a younger or more reliable closer for the stretch run, as Kimbrel’s put a lot of miles on his arm during his 14-year career.
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