This upcoming trade deadline needs to address a few positions, both offensively and defensively, with a roster capable of a real push towards playoff glory. They do not need a total overhaul; they need targeted upgrades that make the lineup deeper, the bullpen sturdier, and the team less vulnerable when the game tightens in October. Right now, this team is built like a win-now club. The roster still leans on established veterans such as Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber, Christopher Sanchez, and Zack Wheeler, because this team has a win-now identity.
I think that the Phillies can have enough talent to make a real postseason run. To make this happen, here are some weak positions that need addressing this season. The goal should be to add a couple of pieces that can help this team become stronger towards meaningful games. What this team, in particular, should be looking for right now is a couple of different things.
Team Needs
The Phillies have drafted decently, adding a couple of prospects who can help them in the future: CF Will Gasparino, RHP Ruger Riojas, RHP Deven Sheerin, and RHP Bo Rhudy. Even tho they drafted a good player, they can still bring good talent to this team, including a good pitcher and/or a position player. The pitching rotation can use a reliever to provide a break in the bullpen and ease other pitchers into key situations in the game. They can also use a positional player on this team because they are looking for someone who can hit left-handed pitching, provide on-base skills, or bring real defensive value in the outfield. It would help to have this because it would encourage the manager to use the roster more flexibly without overexposing weaker bats in high-leverage spots. Here are some of the top five players the Phillies should take at the trade deadline, along with the current depth chart:
1. Traik Skubal RHP Detroit Tigers
2. Bryon Buxton OF Minnesota Twins
3. Adroldis Chapman LHP Boston Red Soxs
4. Jung Ho Lee OF San Francisco Giants
5. Matt Chapman 3B San Francisco Giants
Trade Deadline Moves
The Phillies Need to focus on their pitching, as it is an urgent concern for this playoff-caliber team. I think the team needs to get Skubal and/or Adoldis Chapman. The reason I believe they need to get either of these players is that some pitchers on this team haven’t developed or are injured and need more time to recover. A bullpen upgrade with Skubal and/or Adoldis Chapman can be the difference that the team needs to make a deep run into the playoffs.
The Phillies should also look into the outfield/infield to help produce more offense, because when it comes to facing elite pitching like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers, they need to find ways on how they can crack under pressure, but also question why they have overpaid for the great athletes within their teams’ salary cap. For the outfield, they can try to find an Adolis Garcia replacement by adding Byron Buxton for the Twins, who has been performing well for his team in batting average and hits.
Lastly, the Phillies should, at some point, look into their infield positions, considering they need to build around Trea Turner and get his help when needed, especially at second and third base. Players like Chapman, who have both been performing well at 2nd and 3rd, should be considered so the Phillies can either create depth at those positions or bring in prospects who can help in those roles, ensuring one player is in the lineup all the time.
What Success Should Look Like
Success at the deadline should not be defined by headlines. It should be defined by whether the Phillies leave August with a roster capable of scoring against good pitching, protecting late leads, and avoiding overexposure of weak defensive or offensive spots. If they get the right pieces at the trade deadline, this team will be hard to stop in the playoffs. In the end, the Phillies’ path to success this season is not mysterious. They already have a strong enough core to matter. What they need now is a deadline that supports that core instead of distracting from it. If they add to reinforce the bullpen, get the bats going, they give themselves a real chance to turn this season into something bigger.
