The Philadelphia Phillies are facing the same questions heading towards the MLB trade deadline as they usually are. They need a right-handed bat and could use some help when it comes to pitching depth. Recent Phillies rumors have indicated that they will, in fact, be pursuing these positions, so these are some names to keep an eye on.
Colby Thomas isn’t the big name that would get Phillies fans excited, but he could become a huge addition if it pans out. The 25-year-old outfielder was a top 100 prospect for the Athletics coming into the season. This trade would be comparable to when Philadelphia traded for Brandon Marsh a few years back.
Thomas has been solely a platoon bat this season, but that’s all the Phillies would need right now. They have been through a cycle of Otto Kemp, Felix Reyes, and now Steward Berroa as the right-handed outfielder off the bench. None of those three have been reliable, and adding someone like Thomas would give them an option to actually have some pop off the bench.
Thomas hit 31 home runs in the minors in 2024 and currently has an OPS of .781 against left-handed pitching. He generates some of the fastest bat speeds in the MLB, showing off some impressive exit velocity numbers. Last season, he exceeded 115 mph on a homer in the MLB. The rest of his game isn’t a pushover either; he has above-average speed and defense, with the ability to play all three OF positions.
Kai-Wei Teng is the exact type of pitcher that Philadelphia would add if they were to target someone who could start games. He has experience starting and coming in in relief this season with the Houston Astros.
Teng does not have overpowering stuff, he’s fastball sits in the low 90s. He heavily relies on his offspeed mix, which is headlined by a pretty wicked slider. The Phillies have been trying to get into the international market for a few years now, and this is another opportunity to get that done.
Seiya Suzuki is a step up from the other trade candidates discussed so far, and he would provide an immediate answer for their RHH hole. He is having a bit of a down year but has had three consecutive seasons with an OPS above .800. His current OPS of .742 would be fourth on the Phillies and the highest among right-handed hitters.
Suzuki would be given a chance to be the cleanup hitter in Philadelphia, providing protection for Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper. His numbers against left-handed pitching would boost the lineup in a major way. He’s hitting .261 against southpaws with an OPS of .806. In terms of realism and lineup needs, this move makes the most sense for Philadelphia.
Byron Buxton is the shift away from realistic expectations to big-time dream scenarios for Phillies fans. This has been wanted for years in Philadelphia, with the only reason it hasn’t been Buxton’s no-trade clause. He wants to be with the Minnesota Twins, and so far there has been no changing his mind. In the event he does have a change of heart, here’s how he’d impact the Phillies lineup.
Buxton would slot into the top four, possibly even being the cleanup hitter himself. He’s hitting .260 with 20 homers, all while playing gold-glove-level defense in CF. His .888 OPS would put him third on the Phillies, behind only Schwarber (.933) and Harper (.893). Buxton may be the only piece where, if acquired, could completely solve the problems with Philadelphia’s offense.
Jhoan Duran has locked down the ninth inning in Philadelphia after being acquired by the Phillies last trade deadline. So why not double up and end the game in the eighth? Aroldis Chapman would give them the most dominant bullpen in the sport by a wide margin.
Chapman has pitched to a .46 ERA across 19.2 innings pitched. He has allowed just one earned run this season, coming all the way back on April 4th. He is still one of the best relievers, if not the best reliever, in the MLB. The addition of him would give the Phillies the most feared pen in the postseason.
The Phillies need to make a move at the MLB trade deadline if they want to make a push this season. They have already made one big move, firing Rob Thomson, and now they are looking for another. All five of these Phillies trade targets could make an impact on Philadelphia’s season in various ways. The Phillies trade rumors should continue to heat up in the coming weeks.
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