Dave Dombrowski should already have these five trade targets in mind for future Philadelphia Phillies rumors at the deadline.
The defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies will be in the thick of the playoff race yet again in 2023. They’ve added some big pieces to their roster already. When the trade deadline nears, they’ll be expected to make some finishing touches.
The team could be in the market for both depth pieces and guys who may need to play every day. It really depends on what they’re getting from their starters and who is healthy.
Although it doesn’t look like Philadelphia will add any of these players before Opening Day, Dave Dombrowski should have a close eye on these five position players already.
1) Phillies rumors: Matt Chapman is the one star position player to already dream about
Only signing Manny Machado next offseason would have Phillies fans drooling more. The Plan-B to that is trading for Matt Chapman this summer at the trade deadline. It would need to acquire the Toronto Blue Jays to sell. Better teams have collapsed before the trade deadline. Let’s not rule it out.
Third base is definitely the position where the biggest blockbuster Phillies rumors will head toward. Alec Bohm isn’t cut out to play the position. Although his bat has improved, his defense is too much of a liability.
Chapman would bring the Phillies incredible defense and even more power than they already have. He does strike out a ton which might bring in some extra boos. It’s a part of the game of this incredibly talented player.
Toronto gave up a lot to acquire him last offseason so even as a rental the Phillies should expect to send them some good prospects. Depending on how their best bats are performing, it might be the move they need to make.
2) Phillies rumors: Jonathan Schoop is a rebound trade candidate to consider
Jonathan Schoop had a miserable year with the Detroit Tigers in 2022. The only people who had it worse than their starting lineup were the season ticket holders. Schoop batted only .202/.239/.322 for Detroit. They would probably send him to Philadelphia for a mid-level prospect, but are staying wise and hoping he can regain some value.
Schoop has had much better years in his career. In 2021, he slashed .278/.320/.435 for Detroit while adding 22 home runs. It wasn’t all that long ago when he was one of the better hitting second basemen in the game. His resume includes five seasons of 20+ home runs. A good defender as well, the Phillies could view him as a somewhat pricy infield option.
The team will begin the season with Bryson Stott at second base. The lefty had his own struggles in 2022. A position change could always create a little unexpected chaos for the young infielder.
A late-season platoon with Stott and Schoop at second base shouldn’t be out of the question. It might even be another way for the Phillies to replace Bohm defensively late in games or even allow the third baseman to shift to first base to relieve Rhys Hoskins of his glove for the final inning or two.
Schoop is only 31. Last year’s Tigers struggles were contagious. He’s someone the Phillies should keep a close eye on as a rebound candidate.
3) Phillies rumors: Max Kepler is the guy to trade for right now
Among all of the players on this list, the one we should see mentioned in current Phillies rumors is Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler. A known member of the team’s trade block, he is the perfect guy to help get the team through Bryce Harper’s injury.
Kepler is a high OBP, low batting average corner outfielder with good defense. His presence in Philadelphia would allow them to begin the season with Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos trading games as the starting DH. His left-handed bat could fit into the lineup well while Harper recovers. When the 2021 NL MVP does come back, Kepler moves to the bench and into a rotation of finishing every game on defense and getting regular chances to pinch hit.
Kepler is a free agent after the 2023 season which is one of the reasons why the Twins are looking to move him. One problem with this kind of trade at the moment is that they are trying to compete this season. They would want something to help them out right now.
Could the Phillies surprise us all and send Jose Alvarado to Minnesota? The acquisition of Gregory Soto gives them three lefties for the bullpen. Aside from some more controllable younger pieces like Dalton Guthrie, the Phillies might not have enough at the moment. The trade deadline could make more sense, if the Twins don’t trade him first.
4) Phillies rumors: Randal Grichuk is another outfielder to have on the radar
Rumors about the Colorado Rockies trading Randal Grichuk have been too quiet. To their credit, no one ever knows what to expect out of them. Owed another $10.3 million this season before hitting free agency, Grichuk is someone the Rockies should look to move on from when they inevitably fall out of the playoff picture.
Grichuk might be the definition of an average outfielder. He has somewhat quietly averaged 28 home runs and 81 RBI per 162 games in his career dating back to 2014. A lifetime .247/.293/.466 hitter, he’s a decliner fielder who does one thing really well: mash lefties.
Looking at Grichuk’s splits can be a little fishy with Coors Field helping him out at times. However, it’s hard to say his .308/.333/.593 performance last season versus southpaws was all due to thin air.
Any struggles the Phillies may face against left-handed pitchers could lead them to calling the Rockies to inquire about Grichuk. It’s hard to see them starting him often over Kyle Schwarber. Grichuk fits the Phillies best as a depth piece or possibly a replacement for an injured player. The trade deadline is a time to make moves like that. Having Grichuk available to even just pinch hit for Brandon Marsh or Bryson Stott could lead to some big Phillies wins late in the season.
5) Phillies rumors: Michael A. Taylor is the trade target to revisit
Before acquiring Brandon Marsh from the Los Angeles Angels, Michael A. Taylor was the one who made the most sense. The veteran center fielder plays strong defense and has shown he can hit decently. Purely for some outfield depth and not so much his bat, Taylor is a guy the Phillies should have in mind.
The Soto trade with the Tigers created a hole on the Phillies bench. Matt Vierling is no longer there to platoon with Marsh in center field. The pressure is on Marsh to be more than a lefty hitter who starts against righty pitchers. He needs to play every day. But what if that doesn’t work?
The center field market is a barren one except for maybe Taylor who won a Gold Glove at the position in 2021. He’s the kind of player affordable depth piece the Phillies can acquire without giving up a whole lot. He is owed $4.5 million this year and a free agent once the season is over. Kansas City isn’t expect to do a whole lot in the standings, immediately making him someone Dombrowski should check in on every once in a while.
Unlike some of the other names on this list, Taylor won’t be a boost to the offense. He’s more glove, a little legs, and mostly for an alternative option. He’s much different than many of the other starters on the Phillies. It might make him one of the better matches if they find something different is needed.