Might The Philadelphia Phillies Make The Biggest Blockbuster Trade in A Long Time?
With less than two months until the MLB trade deadline, it is anticipated that the Philadelphia Phillies will require an additional outfield bat. Could they bolster an already formidable roster with the addition of one of baseball’s top players?
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, in order to strengthen their squad, the team will have to seek outside of the program.
Kyle Tucker, the slugger for the Houston Astros, has been identified as a possible trade target. Tucker has become one of the league’s top hitters.
With 19 home runs so far this season, Tucker is tied for second in the league in home runs, displaying greater power than before. Although he has hit 29 or 30 in each of the last three seasons, his bat has never been this good.
Right now, the lefty is cutting.266/.395/.584 with the highest WAR so far this season.
After being selected fifth overall in the 2015 MLB draft out of high school, he has been residing in Houston. He has developed into the player who was essentially the greatest option available, and it appears that he will only get better.
The Florida native has the sixth-best odds to win the MVP this season after placing fifth in the league last year.
If the Astros didn’t think they would lose him in any case—which they very well might—they wouldn’t give him up. After the season, it’s anticipated that he will become an unrestricted free agent; at this point, an extension seems doubtful.
This would definitely be one of the massive swings that the Philadelphia front office is known for. The Phillies are in a position to “make an offer that they can’t refuse,” which is probably what Houston would need from a team.
Five MLB prospects in their farm system are ranked in the Top 100: Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Mick Abel, Justin Crawford, and Starlyn Caba.
Now, the main worry is that none of those guys instantly improves them as a World Series candidate. Pitch a top prospect to someone like Tucker, even though they probably won’t deal them all in the hopes of winning a ring.
After that, Tucker’s 2026 free agency becomes a concern and might make giving up a top prospect a reconsideration.
However, given the poor productivity, the outfield does need to be addressed. In terms of WAR this season, the current bunch is ranked 25th among MLB outfields.
When Trea Turner comes back, Edmundo Sosa will probably be shifted to the outfield, but that shouldn’t be the only change done.
