After getting hit by a pitch before the All-Star break, it took until Saturday for everyone to find out that Alec Bohm fractured a rib and will be out for 3-4 weeks. That’s a tentative timeline though since any oblique or ribs injury usually comes with extra caution. A minor tweak can lead to a full setback and Alec isn’t exactly known for his patience. So, what can the team do for this non-insignificant, incredibly important stretch of schedule coming up?
Internal Options
Otto Kemp – You have to assume that against lefties at least Kemp will get the majority of starts at 3rd. He is not a good fielder, but he is at least familiar and competent at the position.
Weston Wilson – Wilson looked like our right-handed platoon/bench option to start the season but has completely failed to hit this year. He’s back up now, but he isn’t a real option considering they have stuck with Kemp the last few weeks.
Edmundo Sosa – Sosa could see starts at 3rd against right-handed pitching if no other move is made. Yes, he’s terrible against righties, but he’s the far superior defender at 3rd compared to the other options. Against lefties, he is (or should be) in a full-time platoon now with Stott at 2nd base.
Lehigh Valley – The pick’ns are slim. Rodolpho Castro stinks and acquiring him for Bailey Falter has been one of the most misguided and truly awful moves of the Dombrowski era even if it was small. He can’t hit. There’s no one else worth talking about in AAA.
Reading – This is a reach, but recently promoted 22 year old Carson DeMartini is the best option. He has at least been hitting this year. Double jumping him right into a pennant race is only on my radar because the Phillies did it previously with Johan Rojas. It is not a great option. As for Aiden Miller, he has been so far overwhelmed by AA pitching. Had he been crushing it, I think they would have pulled the trigger. Right now though, it isn’t happening.
Trade Big?
Eugenio Suarez – He is easily the best 3rd baseman and probably the best hitter on the trade block this season. The soon to be free agent is going to the highest bidder, it would be silly for the Diamondbacks to do otherwise. Looking at his splits, he makes very little sense as a hitter. He is right-handed but has a significantly better average against righties. He is not a traditional reverse split guy for his career or even for the season. Huh? What do you mean? His average might be better, but it’s mostly due to absurdly bad luck (.118 BABIP against lefties, .300 against righties with similar K rates). Don’t believe in luck? Then how do you explain HR and Walk rates way up against lefties? He would be a great addition.
One problem is that he will cost a lot for a rental. Not our best prospect, but the next level like Justin Crawford or Aiden Miller. Are we prepared to pay that much? The Yankees and possibly the Dodgers also need a 3rd baseman. NY doesn’t have too many high-end prospects, but they do have George Lombard, MLB’s 33rd rated prospect. I don’t think they would offer him, but if they did that would mean Aiden Miller to beat them. If the cost is Mick Abel (#84) and Aroon Escobar (#94), that might be different.
The other problem is Alec Bohm. His only options are 3rd and 1st, same as Suarez. Are we really going to play midseason musical chairs by moving Bryce Harper to left field next month? That is easier said than done even if it would solve a lot of problems. More likely, they could trade Bohm with prospects for Suarez. Would anyone be that upset? It could even appeal to Arizona since Bohm is under team control for next year.
One thing to know about Arizona, their pitching will be in shambles next season. Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are free agents. Corbin Burnes will not be ready to start the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. They might be more interested in Mick Abel than other suiters. I’ve convinced myself now. I hope I’m not just a delusional homer by thinking Bohm and Abel gets a deal done (Narrator: He was.)
(Thanks to Chris Otto on Bluesky for getting me to consider Suarez)
Jose Ramirez – This is a pipe dream trade I brought up last month for the Guardians 1st Baseman. They probably have no interest in trading his great production and team friendly contract, but if the Phillies offer up Painter, they at least have to consider a negotiation. His situation is different than Lindor’s previously since Ramirez already has a contract, but this is what Cleveland does. Nobody reaches the end.
Trade Not So Big?
Despite being known as Trader Dave before coming to Philadelphia, Dave Dombrowski has lived with smaller moves at the deadline during his tenure. Considering we need someone to hold down 3rd for only a month, this might not be a bad idea. Who else is out there to fill the Bohm role temporarily?
Yoan Moncada – Did anyone see the HR he hit Saturday? He absolutely crushed Seth Johnson’s pitch to right field. Moncada has had an up and down career but right now he can do 2 things: play defense and hit righties. I know what you are going to say, we don’t need more lefties. That’s not completely true. Who are our pinch hit options at the end of games? If they didn’t start, it’s only Stott and Marsh and neither are really good hitters. Plus, what happens if you already pulled the Sosa chord in a Stott start, do you really want Edmundo hitting against a righty closer? Moncada is just a very useful player who might not cost too much (assuming Anaheim even sells).
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – IKF is making around $6m this year. He’s a righty who hits ok against righties. Not so much against lefties though. He does play solid defense at least. He seems ripe to hold down the fort then come in as a defensive replacement once Bohm comes back. This wouldn’t be a popular move, but he would not cost very much.
Miguel Andujar – Andujar has always hit lefties well and is mashing them in VERY limited at bats so far this season. He does not play good defense but would be a serviceable replacement at 3rd who could switch to left field when Bohm comes back. He is only making $3m this season and would not cost very much in a trade.
Note
With the signing of David Robertson yesterday, the Phillies are now into the 4th level of luxury tax. This means every dollar they spend comes with a 110% tax. Considering the bill for the season is already close to $350m, we are talking about significant investments. Granted, any incoming contracts are taxed at a pro-rated share, not the full year share, but still. Expect the Phillies to either move out salary or pay more in terms of prospects in any possible deal.
Philly Front Office 
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