As Deadline Rumors Start to Emerge, Don’t Worry About Who the Phillies May Have to Trade to Get the Players They Need (2024)

The Phillies played one of their worst games in a long while Wednesday night, losing to the Boston Red Sox 8-6 at Fenway Park.

Cristopher Sanchez hadn’t pitched since last Tuesday and looked rusty. So did Spencer Turnbull, who hadn’t pitched in 11 days. Whit Merrifield made a throwing error. David Dahl threw to the wrong base. Alec Bohm missed a ball that was probably fieldable. It was ugly all around.

And yet, as bad as it was, there were the Phillies, in their final at bat, with the tying run at the plate.

They’re never out of a game. In fact, in their 21 losses this season, 13 times they had the tying or go-ahead/winning run on base or at the plate in their final at bat. That means only eight times in 67 games were the Phillies more than one swing away from victory.

Think about that for a moment. That’s almost unfathomable.

Which is why, now that we are 48 days away from the trade deadline, stories are popping up on all the national platforms, and even some local ones, talking about what teams are going to do at the deadline.

It’s unanimous that the Phillies are going to be all-in on this season and will look to supplement the current team with even more to ensure it can get over the hump in the postseason and win the franchise’s third World Series.

Almost everyone is saying the same thing, too, the Phillies will look to add an outfield bat, preferably a right-handed one, and maybe another arm for bullpen depth. There may also be deals at the minor league level to ensure they have enough pieces who can fill in at the major league level if injuries continue to crop up in August and September as they have already in April, May, and now June.

There have been a lot of hot rumors, one that was especially interesting was for Chicago White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. which, believe it or not, was first brought up on aCrossed Up podcast last month. Not that Bob or I would be so smart as to come up with that one. No, that came from erstwhileCrossed Upfill-in (although we haven’t heard from him in a bit) Anthony Jr. who made the recommendation more than a month ago.

The name resurfaced at the end of May onThe Phillies Show with MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, longtime Phillies beat writer and current PHLY contributor Jim Salisbury, and former GM and current TV analyst Ruben Amaro Jr.

Then there was the hacked tweet (since deleted) by ESPN’s Buster Olney that said the teams were finalizing a deal, which of course, wasn’t true, but got everyone stirred up.

Still, since then, there has been more speculation about it, and bothESPN andThe Athletic have linked the Phillies and Robert.

Trading for Robert would cost the Phillies. Not only was the 26-year old an All-Star and Silver Slugger winner who got a small number of MVP votes in the American League last season, but he’s under team control for three more seasons after this one (2026 and 2027 are team option years). You aren’t getting him unless you’re parting with multiple top prospects. At least two of Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, Mick Abel, and Starlyn Caba would have to be part of it.

A lot of Phillies fans like to clutch the pearls of these prospects and don’t want to see them go away in exchange for existing talent. It’s understandable. How can you sustain being a contender if you start trading away your best prospects every year?

But here’s the thing –

There are no guarantees that the prospects amount to anything. Or that you didn’t get the value in return for them.

So do you make a deal if it gets you that much closer to a championship? You’re damn right you do.

The Phillies have also been linked to Kyle Tucker in Houston (Don’t see that happening, but you never know), Lane Thomas and Jacob Young in Washington (don’t think they’re going to sell, because they’re gonna be in the Wild Card race… book it) and Jake McCarthy in Arizona (that’s more realistic, in my mind).

Still, they don’t have to do anything until the deadline. A 46-21 start and a 10-game cushion ion the N.L. East affords them the ability to wait til the last minute to see what’s what around the league and see which teams are going to ultimately sell that right now aren’t slam dunk sellers, and who knows what new names will emerge in that time.

That’s the long way of saying it’s too early to talk trades. Way too early. Aside from the White Sox, Rockies, A’s, Angels and Marlins, every other team is either in a playoff spot or still within 5 1/2 games of one.

Until we get into mid-to-late July, this conversation is an exercise in futility. Instead, I decided to put together a list of former Phillies who are currently active in MLB to see how they’re doing. And with few exceptions, most are not doing well.

Here’s the list. Please note, all stats listed were from before Wednesday’s games:

BOSTON

• Nick Pivetta – The Phillies smacked him around Wednesday for the second time since trading him to the Red Sox in 2021, but otherwise Pivetta has been good for the Red Sox this season despite missing a month with an injury.
• Chase Anderson – He’s actually been a useful bulk reliever for the Red Sox this season (1.150 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings). He was terrible for the Phillies in 2021 and didn’t finish the season with them. Since being waived by the Phils in August of 21, he’s been with seven teams (the Rays twice) in less than three seasons.
• Joely Rodriguez – I watch an inordinate amount of baseball and swear I had no idea he was still in the majors. The Phillies acquired him from the Pirates for Antonio Bastardo in 2015. He did nothing here and was traded to the Rangers in 2017. He’s bounced between the minors and majors with the Sox for the past two seasons. Crazy.

4/10/17: NYM @ PHI: Jay Bruce (4th of season, 245th of career, 2nd of game) off Joely Rodriguez pic.twitter.com/LaikXAs8ay

— Mets Home Run a Day (@MetsHRADay) January 13, 2024

BALTIMORE

• Cole Irvin – When this guy pitched for the Phillies he seemed like just another soft-tossing lefty who would get shelled at the major league level. But, to his credit he found himself in the obscurity of Oakland, who purchased him from the Phillies in 2022. The A’s traded him to the Orioles, and so far this season, he’s been excellent (6-2, 2.87ERA, 1.181 WHIP).
• Craig Kimbrel – The Orioles are experiencing the same song and dance the Phillies did. He’s mostly done his job as the closer for the O’s, but has the propensity to have innings implode on him from time to time, costing his team the game. Baltimore would be foolish to rely on this guy to put games away in October. We’ll see.

CRAIG KIMBREL LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/v04jvX7ade

— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) April 28, 2024

TAMPA BAY

• Zach Eflin – Not having as good a season as he did in his first year with the Rays (2023), but he’s been decent (3-4, 4.06 ERA, 1.150 WHIP). If the Rays fall out of contention. (I should have said, “when”), it wouldn’t surprise if he’s on the block at the deadline. Still, the Phillies would have been better off resigning him then signing Taijuan Walker last year, but I digress.
• Chris Devenski – The 2022 Phillies will always cherish those four innings he pitched in September during the push to the playoffs. Yep, it earned him an NL championship ring. He’s not been good for the Rays this year (5.73 ERA, 1.455 WHIP in 22 innings).

CLEVELAND

• Ben Lively – The Phillies acquired him from the Reds before the 2015 season for Marlon Byrd. He’s somehow stuck around all these years without a lot of major league success – until this year. He’s been a fun story for the surprising Guardians. Lively has bene a staple of their rotation and is 6-2 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.114 WHIP. Good for him.
• Carlos Carrasco –OK, he never pitched for the Phillies, but it fits the mold of this story. He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies in 2003. Yes, 21 years ago. He was the key prospect that was sent to Cleveland in the 2009 trade for Cliff Lee. Carrasco had about five really good seasons with Cleveland before being sent to the Mets, where he wasn’t that great. He’s back with the Guardians now as their fifth starter. They should probably upgrade from the 37-year-old. (2-5, 5.50 ERA, 1.444 WHIP).

Wilyer Abreu sigue on fire 🔥 lleva 3 hits en el juego de hoy incluido este doble 🆚 Carlos Carrasco. Está bateando 462 en los últimos 7 juegos 🔥🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/egVnwKSYQz

— VenezolanosMLB (@VzlanosMLB) April 25, 2024

KANSAS CITY

• James McArthur – Coming into the 2023 season, McArthur was viewed as a depth starter for the Phillies. They DFA’d him when they selected the contract of Jeff Hoffman. They ended up trading him to the Royals, where he was turned into a closer. He had a modicum of success last season in that role, but he’s not been good as the closer for a surprising K.C. squad this season. (2-3, 5.27 ERA, 1.427 WHIP, 12 saves). They’ll probably look to upgrade at the deadline.

MINNESOTA

• Carlos Santana – Still going strong at 38 years old. His slash line is meager (.221/.302/.404′ .706 OPS) but he does lead the Twins in homers with 10. He’ll always be remembered in Philly for getting so pissed off at his teammates for playing Fortnite in the clubhouse while losing nine straight games in September 2018 that he walked into the room and smashed the TV with a bat. One of my favorite stories of the Kapler years.

DETROIT

• Matt Vierling –The Phillies could probably use him right about now. He was traded to the Tigers along with Nick Maton for Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens prior to the start of 2023. Soto has been wildly inconsistent, and although Clemens has provided a little bit of depth, he’s injured now. Maton didn’t work out for the Tigers but Vierling has been good. (.270/.312/.466; .772 OPS. 20 XBH, 28 RBI).

Matt Vierling opens up the scoring in Detroit with a solo shot. pic.twitter.com/BY9QRw6n2y

— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2024

SEATTLE

• J.P. Crawford – A former top prospect, he finally had his breakout year for the Mariners in 2023. But it may have been a fluke as he is scuffling hard this season (.216/.304/.380; .684 OPS). He was traded with Santana to the Mariners for Jean Segura and Juan Nicasio. While the latter is long forgotten, Segura is beloved mostly because of his impact during the 2022 World Series run.

TEXAS

• Travis Jankoski –His one year with the Phillies (2021) was solid by fifth OF standards, but he wasn’t resigned. He bounced from the Mets to the Mariners to the Rangers, where he had a good 2023 and picked up a World Series ring. He’s been nondescript so far in 2024 though (.239/.286/.304; .590 OPS).
• Michael Lorenzen – The magical no-hitter night aside, Lorenzen wasn’t much of a trade deadline acquisition for the Phillies in 2023. It’s nice to see him have a bounce back so far in 2024 though. He’s been a regular in the Rangers rotation and put up decent numbers to this point (3-3, 3.05 ERA, 1.237 WHIP).
• David Robertson – Part of me can’t believe he’s still effective, but he is. He has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.069 WHIP for the Rangers so far this season. Not bad for a 39-year-old crafty veteran in an age of high-velo relievers.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

• Logan O’Hoppe – Everyone knew this was a tough prospect to lose, but it’s been one of those trades that worked out for both teams. Brandon Marsh has been an integral part of the Phillies for the past three seasons and O’Hoppe was blocked by J.T. Realmuto. He’s having a nice season for a bad Angels team (.270/.322/.449; .771 OPS; 8 HR, 28 RBI).
• Luis Garcia – Another guy who has somehow hung on to a major league career for a lot of years. The Phillies signed him as a free agent way back in 2013. He tolled in the minors and as a call-up through 2018. The Phillies traded him that winter to the Angels for Jose Alvarez. Only one of those guys is still pitching, although Garcia is about a league-average reliever (4.28 ERA, 1.207 WHIP).
• Matt Moore –Talk about a guy who was no good while he was here and remade himself after he left. Moore had a terrible 2021 with the Phillies, first as a starter, and then as a swingman. He signed with Texas in 2022 and was excellent out of the pen. He had a good 2023 as well with the Angels and Guardians. Back with the Angels now, it’s not been as good a year (2-2, 5.11 ERA, 1.378 WHIP).
• Mickey Moniak – He got hot for a few weeks last year and everyone was questioning if the Phillies should have ever traded the first overall pick in the 2016 draft for Noh Syndergaard at the 2022 deadline. This year, Moniak as the lowest on base percentage of all qualified hitters in major league baseball (.211). He’s hitting .172. His OPS is .452. He has just two home runs. He’s playing regularly. Yeah, the Phillies made the right call.

What if I told you, YOU have a higher WAR than Mickey Moniak! #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/Nzgx9oF1Q8

— sandro (@yungsandd) June 7, 2024

ATLANTA

• Travis d’Arnaud – Much like Carrasco, d’Arnaud was a Phillies prospect who never played for the team. He was their first round pick in 2007 and was included in the trade with the Blue Jays that landed the Phillies Roy Halladay. And while d’Arnaud has put together a solid big league career, the Phillies would still make that trade 100 percent of the time. With Sean Murphy missing most of this season so far, d’Arnaud has had to be the Braves primary catcher. He’s been serviceable, but not special (.245/.314/.446; .770 OPS).
• Charie Morton –He made four starts in 2016 for the Phillies, suffered a leg injury and was bought out. Bad choice by the previous regime. Morton has been a very good pitcher since. From 2017-2024 with the Astros, Rays and Braves he’s 87-45 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.198 WHIP. He’s been average this year (3-3, 4.12 ERA) but he was definitely one that got away.
• Luke Williams –He’s still bouncing around. He’s in the minors now but had a cup of coffee with the Braves earlier in the year. We’ll never forget his one awesome night as a Phillie though.

Luke Williams first career homer and it’s a walk-off!!! Have yourself a night, kid! #RingtheBell

pic.twitter.com/SFlXKXZq9S

— Nicholas (@Nick_dodd2) June 10, 2021

WASHINGTON

• Joey Meneses – The Phillies had him on a minor league deal in 2018 and he put up monster numbers at Lehigh Valley (.311/.360/.510; .870 OPS, 23 HR, 82 RBI). They didn’t bring him back though. He bounced around, eventually landing with the Nats and had good numbers in 2022 and 2023. He’s struggling this year though (.232/.292/.296; .588 OPS).

NEW YORK METS

• Jake Diekman – He’s actually had an OK year for a Mets bullpen that has been a disaster. The 37-year-old lefty is 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.219 WHIP. His WHIP is only that high because he’s a little wild (15 walks). He’s only allowed 11 hits in 21 1/3 innings. He was a 30th round pick by the Phillies in 2007. He was part of the Cole Hamels trade to Texas for six players, none of which panned out for the Phillies.

MIAMI

• Sixto Sanchez –This is the cautionary tale of falling in love with a prospect too much. Remember how upset everyone was when the Phillies gave up Sanchez for J.T. Realmuto? Bob and I questioned it a little too. It’s easy to get enamored with the possibility of something. Well, Sanchez has only appeared in 21 games for the Marlins since the trade. Seven of them were this season. He’s 0-3 with a 6.06 ERA and a 1.598 WHIP. Oh, and he’s hurt…. again.

MILWAUKEE

• Rhys Hoskins –We all know about Rhys and his return here two weeks ago. It was fun. It was good to see him. He’s been a good influence with the Brewers. He has 10 homers, including one off Zack Wheeler and a .776 OPS. Good for him. The Phillies wouldn’t be a better team with him right now. Plain and simple.
• Hoby Milner – A 7th round pick by the Phillies in 2012, he never seemed to be a great fit here. He’s found some footing in the Milwaukee pen though. (3-0, 3.73 ERA, 1.117 WHIP). One of Kapler’s “dudes” in the pen when he was here. Of course, the most memorable moment as a Phillie was when Kapler called to the pen for him, and he hadn’t warmed up.

Hoby Milner is probably a wonderful human being, but between Gabe Kapler’s f*ckery and Bryce Harper flat out refusing to swing against him, the associations are all negative.

— Sixto Lezcano (@mleif) June 4, 2024

PITTSBURGH

• Andrew McCutchen – He was well-liked here, even though he was injured one year and completely underperformed in another, but it says a lot about him as a team leader for what he’s doing in Pittsburgh as a veteran with a young team. He’s been passable as a DH, and the Pirates need more offense, but his leadership is part of the Pirates thinking they can sneak into the playoffs and be a tough out.
• Bailey Falter – Don’t look now, but Falter is pitching really well for the Pirates. He made his own bed with the Phillies, which is why he was demoted and later shipped to Pittsburgh for the immortal Rodolfo Castro at the deadline last year, but to his credit, he’s been good for the Pirates in 2024 as their No. 4 in the rotation (3-3, 3.69 ERA, 1.039).
• Josh Fleming – Who? He was actually with the Phillies for 11 days this past offseason. He was claimed off waivers and then waived again. He hasn’t been good for the Pirates. Good thing the Phillies went in another direction.

CHICAGO CUBS

• Hector Neris – Should the Phillies have resigned him instead of the likes of Jeurys Familia, Corey Knebel, and Brad Hand prior to the 2022 season? Yes. That was a mistake. He went to the Astros, had two very good years and won a World Series. He’s now with the Cubs and hasn’t been very good as their closer, although he has a bunch of wins. (6-1, 4.01 ERA, 1.581 WHIP, 9 Saves),
• Mark Leiter Jr. –A 22nd round pick by the Phillies in 2013, he was waived in 2018 and struggled to find a home until 2022 when he landed with the Cubs and has been a solid contributor there since. He has a 3.51 ERA and a 1.247 WHIP so far this season.
• Drew Smyly – It’s amazing how many of these journeyman types were here prior to Dave Dombroski’s takeover. He’s kind of a long man these days. He’s league average. But then again, when hasn’t he been?
• Ben Brown – A 33rd round pick in 2017 by the Phillies, he was the little-known prospect who was sent to the Cubs in a trade for Robertson. Look at him now. He’s made eight starts and 15 appearances for Chicago. He’s 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.084 wHIP with 64 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 53 1/3 innings. That was a win for the Cubs.

ben brown is a starter. putting the bullpen conversation to bed tonight. if that means theres not a spot for jordan wicks or whoever, too bad pitch better. pitch like this. be a road grader for 7 inn. clearing the way for a cubs W. been desperate for this pic.twitter.com/mmAuaKMBXL

— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) May 29, 2024

CINCINNATI

• Nick Martini –You might not remember him either. He was a Spring Training story during the COVID season, but never played for the Phillies. He started hot for the Reds this season but fell off lately and was sent down to the minors last week.

ST. LOUIS

• Kyle Gibson –Yes, he was part to the 2022 World Series team. He’s not really remembered that way because so many people weren’t focused on the Phillies until October when he barely appeared. He was part of a great season for the Orioles last year and is now pitching well for the Cardinals (4-2, 3.76 ERA, 1.265 WHIP).
• JoJo Romero –The reliever the Phillies sent to the Cardinals in exchange for Edmundo Sosa has been excellent this season. Looks like another win/win trade for two teams. Romero is 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA and a 0.818 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and just four walks in 33 innings. Very Matt-Strahm-like.

JoJo Romero, Vicious 84mph Slider. 😤 pic.twitter.com/mXB6I5eRIi

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 8, 2024

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

• Connor Brogdon – He actually had his meltdown that cost him his spot with the Phillies at the beginning of this season. Seems like forever ago. He got shipped to the Dodgers. When he got there, he pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up two home runs and then was placed on the injured list with plantar fasciitis, where he’s been ever since.

SAN DIEGO

• Enyel De Los Santos – The Phillies originally got him from the Padres prior to the start of the 2018 season in a trade for Freddy Galvis. De Los Santos never really figured it out here, and was waived in September of 2021. After a brief stint with Pittsburgh, he was a very good reliever for Cleveland the past two seasons before signing back with the Padres. He’s been solid for them this season.

SAN FRANCISCO

• Spencer Howard – Another top prospect who never panned out, was traded to Texas for Gibson and Ian Kennedy. He wasn’t good there either. Nor with the Yankees. Now he’s with the Giants and he’s been good in 13 1/3 innings (2.03 ERA). This included an appearance against the Phillies where he shut them down.

COLORADO

• Jake Cave –Traded at the end of Spring Training, Cave is getting a good run with the Rockies because of outfield injuries. Despite playing regularly, he’s been uninspiring. David Dahl has done more with the Phillies in one week.
• John Curtiss –One last, “who’s that guy?” for you. Was in the Phillies system in 2019. Had a brief time with the Rays where he was good as a reliever. Then fell off the map again. Had one appearance for the Rockies this year. It didn’t go well. He gave up three hits, including a homer, in 1/3 of an inning. He’s back in the minors.