MLB Rumors: Red Sox-Ohtani package, Cubs dilemma, Phillies-Mets trade

MLB Rumors: Red Sox-Ohtani package, Cubs trade dilemma, Phillies-Mets trade

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim warms up on the pitcher's mound during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on April 17, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

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MLB Rumors, Phillies, Tommy Pham, New York Mets

Tommy Pham, New York Mets. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Phillies trade with Mets for Tommy Pham, Mark Canha on the table

The Philadelphia Phillies possibly stumbled onto an unexpected solution at first base coming into the weekend. On Friday night, Bryce Harper moved to the infield after serving as the designated hitter since returning from injury earlier in the season — and he more than looked the part, making a number of impressive defensive efforts and fitting well.

With the season-long absence of Rhys Hoskins, who suffered an ACL tear in the spring, potentially now no longer an issue with Harper at first base, that could open up the possibilities for the Phillies at the trade deadline. Specifically, it opens doors for Philadelphia to upgrade the lineup with a right-handed bat, as has been noted as a priority by Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

And they might be able to target an unlikely trade partner to make a deal: the rival New York Mets.

Among other options for the Phillies, Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors noted that both Tommy Pham and Mark Canha could be options for Philadelphia to explore as they could now add an outfielder if Harper remains at first base to put less strain on his surgically repaired UCL.

Pham, who signed just a one-year deal this past offseaosn with the Mets, has been out of the lineup with a groin injury for some time, but a return appears to be coming soon. When on the field, the veteran outfielder has been quite good, slashing .272/.356/.475 with nine home runs, 15 doubles and a triple to his credit.

Meanwhile, Canha has a club option for 2024, essentially making the 34-year-old a free agent after this season if a team wants to get his salary off the books. He’s been less productive than Pham, with a .241/.342/.399 slash line with six home runs and 14 doubles, but could still be a veteran hitter to add to the lineup.

While it remains up in the air how aggressively Steve Cohen and the Mets will sell at the trade deadline, Pham and Canha could be moved regardless as both could be expendable to try and make one final push this season. If that’s the case, then the rare trade between division rivals could make a ton of sense for the Phillies to explore.

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