Breaking News: Phillies’ Trade Proposal Lands $50 Million CF in 3-Player Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies have baseball’s best record (64-38), but their outfield is below average as the season enters its final two months.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, dealing for Chicago White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. may provide Philadelphia a lift heading into a potentially deep postseason.
In his July 25 column on “deadline trades I’d like to see,” Bowden proposed a three-player deal that would bring Robert to the Phillies:
The Phillies acquired centerfielder Luis Robert Jr., while the White Sox got centerfielder Justin Crawford and right-handed pitcher Mick Abel.
“I know Phillies fans will be screaming not to include Crawford, a first-round draft pick in 2022 out of high school, who has already reached Double A,” Bowden said in an email. “However, Robert is a better overall player with much more power and could be the final big piece that helps the Phillies win the World Series this year.”
Crawford, the Phillies’ first-round choice out of high school in 2022, is the team’s number three prospect. Meanwhile, Abel, the Phillies’ No. 5 prospect, is now at Triple-A.
Phillies’ Outfield Struggles
The Phillies’ outfield – Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, and Johan Rojas — has a combined -0.9 wins above average, placing them 19th in the majors as of July 24.
Robert would immediately improve the Phillies’ center field position, which ranks 26th in OPS. Rojas has a slightly better batting average (.231) than Robert (.227), but Robert has surpassed Rojas in every other significant offensive category, including wins above replacement (1.2 to 0.4).
Overall, the Phillies’ outfield has been inconsistent. Castellanos, a 2023 All-Star, was struggling but is now improving, lifting his average from.231 to.242 this month. Marsh is hitting.251/.330/.417, but July hasn’t been kind to him, with only seven hits in his previous 43 at bats. Castellanos has struggled to duplicate the numbers he posted as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas appeared in 59 games last season but had a.302 average.
Marsh has a 110 OPS+ this season and is the Phillies’ top outfielder in that measure. Robert had a 116 OPS+, automatically making him the greatest Phillies outfielder in that category. In July, his slash line was.265/.333/.456.
With Marsh in left field and Castellanos on fire in right, the Phillies’ outfield was primed for a deep run. Rojas would be the fourth choice.
Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has proved that he is not afraid to make major moves. This season may provide another opportunity to expand that list of transactions.
Robert’s Trading Market
Robert signed a six-year, $50 million contract deal with the White Sox in 2020 before making his major league debut. However, the former No. 3 prospect in baseball has battled to remain healthy. He has been on the disabled list seven times since his MLB debut in 2020. This season, Robert was placed on the disabled list on April 6 due to a right hip flexor injury.
Robert played more than 100 games for the first time in his career last year. In 2023, he batted.264/.315/.542, hit 38 home runs, and won his first career Silver Slugger. Robert returned to the lineup on June 4. Since his comeback, he has 10 home runs and a.780 OPS.
Robert would expect a large transfer deal because he is committed until next season and has club options in 2026 and 2027.
“The White Sox would ask for shortstop Aidan Miller outright, and the Phillies would decline. They’d then request that right-hander Andrew Painter, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, be included in the transaction, only to be denied,” Bowden said. “However, a deal for Crawford and Abel should be able to get done.”
