The Phillies Got Better, But at What Cost?
The MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and the Phillies made several moves in hopes of making one final push toward a World Series title. Since reaching the Fall Classic in 2022, Philadelphia has taken a step backward each season. President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski addressed several of the club’s biggest needs in an effort to change that.
Luis Arraez and Caleb Kilian for Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair
The Phillies added a much-needed bat to their lineup by acquiring Luis Arraez. A three-time batting champion, Arraez brings a skill set the Phillies have lacked for years: elite contact hitting. He has struck out just 21 times this season and should slot near the top of the lineup, creating more opportunities for Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber to hit with runners on base. His addition also takes some pressure off Trea Turner, who struggled through much of the season before finding his stride over the past month.
The biggest question surrounding Arraez is how the Phillies will align defensively. Reports indicate the club plans to move Bryce Harper back to the outfield, shift Bryson Stott to third base and slide Alec Bohm across the diamond to first. Arraez is expected to take over at second base, where he has been solid defensively this season.
While those changes improve the lineup offensively, they don’t necessarily make the defense better. If the Phillies are willing to move players around, it may also be worth considering Turner in the outfield. He played more than 40 games there as a rookie, and his athleticism remains one of his biggest strengths. His glove at shortstop, however, has been below average this season.
The Phillies also acquired right-hander Caleb Kilian, who has posted a 4.26 ERA with eight saves over 44 1/3 innings this season. Kilian gives Rob Thomson another reliable middle-inning option and is an upgrade over the revolving door of Seth Johnson, Chase Shugart and Kyle Backhus. He adds valuable depth to a bullpen that has largely relied on Jhoan Duran, Jonathan Bowlan and Orion Kerkering.
As much as I like the additions, I think the Phillies paid a steep price. Ramon Marquez is arguably the second-best pitching prospect in the organization and has dominated Single-A this season. He owns a 1.68 ERA while striking out 14.2 batters per nine innings across 59 innings. With Andrew Painter graduating from prospect status, Marquez had a legitimate chance to become the organization’s top pitching prospect next season.
If Arraez helps transform the offense and either re-signs this winter or plays a key role in bringing Philadelphia a World Series, the price becomes much easier to justify. Until then, it feels like a slight overpay for a player on an expiring contract, even if it was a move the Phillies felt they needed to make.
Phillies Add More to the Bullpen
Moments after acquiring Arraez, the Phillies traded for left-handed reliever Brooks Raley from the Mets in exchange for a pair of lower-level prospects.
Raley was an ideal addition. The Phillies desperately needed another reliable left-handed reliever capable of handling the seventh and eighth innings, and Raley has been exactly that this season. He has posted a 1.96 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, giving Thomson another trustworthy late-game option before handing the ball to Duran in the ninth.
Raley joins Bowlan and Kerkering as the Phillies’ top high-leverage relievers, while Kilian and Jose Alvarado could also work their way into bigger spots if they continue to pitch well. Overall, this was an excellent trade that addressed one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
Phillies Make a Small Move at the Buzzer
Just before the 6 p.m. deadline, the Phillies sent Seth Johnson to the Athletics in exchange for outfielder Colby Thomas.
Many fans wanted the Phillies to add a right-handed outfield bat, and technically they did. However, Thomas has struggled during his limited time in the majors, posting a .628 OPS through 104 games.
This isn’t a move that changes the outlook of the roster. Instead, it gives the Phillies another controllable outfield option while clearing a bullpen spot. Johnson, once viewed as an intriguing pitching prospect, never found consistent success in the majors after converting to a relief role.
Trade Deadline Grade
Overall, I’d give the Phillies a B.
They addressed two of their biggest needs by improving the bullpen and adding one of baseball’s best contact hitters. Arraez brings something the lineup has desperately lacked, a true table setter who consistently puts the ball in play and gets on base.
I would have liked to see the Phillies add another proven right-handed outfield bat. Brandon Marsh has struggled since the beginning of July, with his batting average dropping below .279. However, Bryan De La Cruz has provided an offensive spark since being called up, making it easier to understand why Dombrowski didn’t overpay for another outfielder, especially after the Arraez trade.
I’m also perfectly fine with the Phillies standing pat in the starting rotation. Aaron Nola has looked much better over the past few weeks, and Andrew Painter’s most recent start gave plenty of reasons for optimism that he’s beginning to turn the corner and become the pitcher many expected him to be.
Ultimately, this team’s postseason hopes won’t be decided by the trade deadline. They’ll come down to whether Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez perform like stars in October. If they do, the Phillies have enough talent to make another deep postseason run. If not, even a successful deadline won’t be enough.