The Philadelphia Phillies have some major moves to make heading towards the MLB trade deadline on August 3rd. The Phillies’ list of trade targets features a ton of outfielders who can impact the middle of the lineup.
The Phillies got a very interesting update as we enter the final week before the deadline. It came from Bryce Harper, and it could impact their plans greatly.
Todd Zolecki, a Phillies beat writer for MLB.com, stated the following regarding Harper and his openness in regard to moving back to the outfield:
“Bryce [Harper] said, ‘I don’t know what they are going to do. I haven’t talked to Dave [Dombrowski] about it, but I did bring my outfielder’s mitt just in case,’ and I was like, ‘Well, they would have to get a 1st baseman for you to move. Would you be willing to do that?’ And he said, ‘C’mon, you know I would move if the right guy came along.’
I don’t know if [the Phillies] are going to get a 1st baseman. I don’t think there are that many guys out there. But Bryce has made it clear in the past, and is making it clear now: if you need [him] to go to RF for the last couple of months to help this offense out, he is willing to do it.”
Harper has previously expressed that he would be willing to switch back to RF if the right player came along, but there was never anything that showed validity to that. Now, that has changed a week before the trade deadline.
Harper bringing his outfield glove on the road trip shows just how open he is to a change. This also seems like a tell to Dave Dombrowski, basically urging the Phillies GM to do something; anything.
This being an option certainly expands the list of targets for Dombrowski heading into the deadline. Here’s a look at some of the first basemen that Philadelphia could look at via trade.
Luis Garcia Jr. is one of the best options at 1B; the problem is he’s another left-handed hitter. Would the Phillies make it work? Sure, it’s never a bad thing to get talent in the middle of the order. It’s just probably not the best fit.
Ty France is having a great resurgence this season for the San Diego Padres. The problem is that who knows what they are doing at the trade deadline. They could decide not to sell, making France a completely unrealistic target. If they do trade him, he would give the Phillies some great defense to go along with his bat. He also wouldn’t cost much prospect capital.
Liam Hicks would be a dream acquisition for the Phillies at the trade deadline. It was recently made known that the Miami Marlins would be listening to offers for their versatile young player. Yes, it’s another lefty, but this one is worth it. He’s hitting .278 and is able to play catcher on some days when JT Realmuto needs a day off. Going from Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan to Liam Hicks would be a huge upgrade that would allow Realmuto to get more rest. All while giving Philadelphia an everyday player.
The options are limited, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any players who could have an impact on the Phillies’ season. The option to move Harper back to RF opens up an entire new list of players they could go after. Another potential scenario to watch is Dombrowski making a trade for a third baseman like Matt Chapman or Eugenio Suarez. Following that up with moving Alec Bohm to 1B and Harper to RF.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
