The Phillies are “prioritizing” discovering a right-handed hitter so as to add to their outfield combine, based on Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Gelb provides that Philadelphia is predicted to make a minimum of one commerce to handle its bench combine earlier than the deadline.
The group cleared a spot in its bench combine for a right-handed outfielder Friday by parting methods with veteran utility participant Whit Merrifield. That’s left the membership to seek for a platoon associate for the lefty-swinging Brandon Marsh in left discipline, and their inside choices are pretty restricted — significantly with Johan Rojas patrolling heart usually. Cristian Pache and Weston Wilson are each presently on the membership’s roster, however neither evokes a lot confidence.
Pache, 25, was a tough league-average hitter (99 wRC+) for the Phillies final yr in 95 journeys to the plate however has struggled in the same position this yr. In 109 journeys to the plate this yr, Pache has struggled to a .200/.294/.274 with a wRC+ of simply 65. In the meantime, Wilson has simply 11 video games below his belt on the large league stage throughout the previous two seasons. Whereas he’s hit a strong .261/.431/.391 in that restricted time, it’s hardly a shock that the Phillies could be focused on a extra established choice than Weston, significantly given his considerably middling 107 wRC+ on the Triple-A stage this yr.
Edmundo Sosa, who’s hitting a wonderful .275/.333/.461 (123 wRC+) on the yr and was compelled out of the beginning lineup by the return of Trea Turner from the injured checklist, which can appear to be an apparent answer. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old has been ice chilly on the plate currently, with a slash line of simply .239/.269/.347 in his final 104 journeys this yr. Even setting apart Sosa’s extended chilly streak, the utility infielder has just about no expertise within the outfield, along with his 4 temporary cameos on the grass spanning simply 5 1/3 innings. That might make him a dangerous alternative for normal time within the outfield.
That’s left the Phillies to search for exterior choices as they monitor down a platoon associate for Marsh, who’s hitting simply .149/.222/.170 towards southpaws this yr. Luckily, there are many potential commerce candidates who might enhance on that manufacturing considerably. A take a look at MLBTR’s Prime 50 Commerce Candidates for the upcoming deadline reveals a number of right-handed hitting outfield choices, and whereas high choice Luis Robert Jr. is probably going not within the playing cards for a membership that seems to be in search of a smaller addition items like Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar, and even Miguel Andujar might all capably fill the short-side platoon position the Phillies wish to add a candidate for.
Pillar, specifically, seems to be a robust match for the Phillies are in search of. The veteran has had a resurgent season on the plate with the Angels after struggling throughout his time with the White Sox earlier this yr, and far of that manufacturing has come by the use of crushing lefties. The 35-year-old has hit a wonderful .359/.406/.625 in 69 journeys to the plate towards southpaws this yr, and that sturdy manufacturing is essentially backed up by his profession .282/.318/.470 line towards opposite-handed pitching. Whereas he’s extra of a scratch defender (-1 OAA, -3 DRS) at this level in his profession than the elite heart fielder he was in his youthful days, Pillar might nonetheless be a wonderful platoon bat for a staff just like the Phillies.
Past the aforementioned choices, there are another much less doubtless commerce candidates who might make some sense for the Phillies, comparable to Tigers veteran Mark Canha or A’s slugger Brent Rooker. Rooker has been linked to the Phillies beforehand however could also be an imperfect match for a membership in search of smaller acquisitions, however the 35-year-old Canha might match that invoice properly after a considerably down season on the plate this yr. Nevertheless, that total downturn in manufacturing hasn’t stopped him from being a top quality hitter towards lefty pitching, as Canha has slashed a robust .290/.408/.484 in 76 journeys to the plate towards southpaws this yr. Whereas the slugger is split-neutral for his profession, his lengthier monitor document of offensive manufacturing might enchantment to the Phillies.
