Trade Deadline Preview: Best Realistic Targets for Phillies

The Trade Deadline is now just under a month away, taking place on August 3. It is a very late deadline compared to past seasons, but as we now sit less than a month away, it is time to really begin diving into trade talks about who the Phillies can and should go after.

This deadline is very important for the Phillies; every season, the question of whether this aging core starts to regress shows up, and the noise surrounding it continues to rise. This season, the core, outside of a couple of players, has remained well-performing. However, it is completely possible that next season, whether that be 2027 or, due to a lockout, 2028, this is one of the last few seasons of legitimate contention with this core.

When looking at the Phillies organization, there are three issues surrounding this deadline. A fourth/fifth starter in the rotation to get you through the rest of the season. 1-2 bullpen arms, specifically another setup man and middle reliever, one of whom is a lefty. Finally, an extra bat.

Due to the Phillies having a limited prospect pool, they can’t really go after the top trade targets. That means that players like Tarik Skubal and Aroldis Chapman are probably already off the market. It also really would not benefit the Phillies if they once again use decent prospects to get rental pieces, especially if the always possible outcome of not winning the World Series happens again.

It is very hard to identify who the sellers will be this year. In the National League, there are fewer than a handful of teams that are clear sellers. In the American League, there are a bunch of teams that should be sellers, and whose records reflect that, but because the American League is so weak this season, there are teams well below .500 who very well might decide to buy at the deadline because they feel they could sneak into a playoff spot.

To put the deadline mission simply, Dave Dombrowski needs to make cheap moves that fill out the roster. Not expensive ones that keep you with a bad prospect pool, but won’t be able to push the Phillies over the hump. With all that out of the way, let’s get into actual options.

Starting Rotation Market:

Luis Castillo, RHP – Seattle Mariners

This is a very interesting name that could be moved at this year’s deadline. Castillo is a member of one of the best rotations in baseball, and a team that is obviously going to be buyers, even with their struggles this season.

Castillo has not been that successful for the Mariners this season. He has made 14 starts while appearing in 17 games, pitching to a 4.79 ERA. Those bullpen appearances have been in an attempt by the Mariners to piggyback some of their starts, and with Castillo being the odd man out of a six-man rotation, he has been the one most affected by it.

Castillo could use a potential change of scenery and an organization having confidence in him as a regular starter. He is also under contract through 2027, so this would not be a rental for the Phillies and is expensive enough that the Mariners might like getting the $22 million Castillo’s owed next year off the books.

Lucas Giolito, RHP – San Diego Padres

Giolito is a textbook definition of a cheap rental this season. He signed a one-year deal with the Padres to fill out their rotation and bring some innings. However, this season has been a nightmare for the Padres, and Giolito hasn’t been a bright spot. He has only pitched 29.2 innings this season to a 5.16 ERA, has also been in and out of the bullpen, and is currently sitting on the 15-day injured list.

Now, the Padres are very possibly a team that will be selling this deadline, which is surprising for the Padres, who tend to be perennial spenders. This season will be different, even potentially selling their star closer, Mason Miller.

The Phillies here can get a pitcher to throw in the back of the rotation and hopefully get some innings out of him. Musgrove certainly will be cheap due to his contract and performance, but he has had enough past success that he provides a potentially viable option.

Honorable Mentions: John Means, Logan Webb, Robbie Ray

Bullpen Market:

Yuki Matsui, LHP – San Diego Padres

It is no secret that the lone positive about the Padres’ season has been how successful their bullpen has been. A major reason is because of the success of their lefties, including Yuki Matsui, who has pitched to a 2.01 ERA in 23 appearances.

Matsui would immediately come in and be a major blessing to the bullpen, and is in year three of a five-year $28 million contract, so also a cheap and long-term option. On top of Matsui, the Padres also have lefties Wandy Peralta and Adrian Morejon, who have been used a lot more by the Padres this season and would also be phenomenal additions to the bullpen.

Brooks Raley, LHP – New York Mets

This is a very curious option the Phillies could go after. On one end, it’s a very obvious option. Older lefty who is a free agent after the season and is currently pitching to a 2.16 ERA through 37 appearances. An obvious positive addition to the bullpen if acquired.

On the other end is the fact that you would have to trade with the New York Mets. The Mets might ask for a higher token or just not talk to the Phillies with some in-division tax.

If the Mets do accept a trade from the Phillies, this would be a very valuable addition for the bullpen and would not be very expensive since Raley is a 38-year-old on an expiring deal.

Honorable Mentions: Graham Ashcraft, Luke Weaver, JT Brubaker

Hitting Market:

Isaac Paredes, IF – Houston Astros

Isaac Paredes is the most fascinating player in my eyes on this list. There are a few reasons why.

One: His position. He is historically a third baseman with the ability to play first and second also, so to bring him in, there is a possibility the Phillies would have to trade Alec Bohm.

Two: He has a club option that would keep him through 2027 if opted into. If the Phillies acquire Paredes and he opts into that contract for next season, this helps solve the concern that Aidan Miller won’t be ready at the start of next year, so a hole at third would exist.

Three: He’s on one of the least likely sellers. The Astros are in the crop of American League teams who have a bad record, but are in the Wild Card race. The Astros, because of this and having talent like potential AL MVP Yordan Alvarez and solid players like shortstop Jeremy Pena and starter Hunter Brown, are very likely to try to buy at this deadline. That makes Paredes probably the least likely to be traded for; however, if acquired, would potentially have the greatest impact.

Paredes is having a solid season this year; his slash line is acceptable at .253/.346/.419 with an OPS+ of 114. He would be a right-handed power bat that could finally solve the dreaded hole being the fourth spot in the lineup, immediately bump the statistics for the Phillies right handed bats, and provide a jolt to the offense.

Jake McCarthy, OF – Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have been one of the most underrated teams in the league this season. Their record is not good, and their pitching staff is probably the worst in baseball, but they are underrated because their offense has been top-ten, maybe even top-five in the league this season. One of the players causing this extreme offensive success is Jake McCarthy.

McCarthy is 28 years old, has played all three outfield positions, and has a slash line this season of .302/.343/.513 with an OPS of .856. He has simply been a stellar offensive producer this season with amazing defense to add on.

The Phillies had the luxury of trading away two low-level prospects last season for outfielder Harrison Bader, who was having a solid offensive season for the Minnesota Twins and then was great offensively for the Phillies. McCarthy has a solid likelihood of being this year’s version of the Bader acquisition, the biggest difference being that McCarthy would remain under team control for the Phillies through the 2028 season. Which means the Phillies could finally fill out the outfield if they make this trade.

Honorable Mentions: Mickey Moniak, JJ Bleday, Lane Thomas

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