There’s a good chance the Phillies are dead. That being said, did you know that the favorite movie of both Dave Dombrowski and John Middleton is Weekend at Bernies? Yup, their plan at the trade deadline is to act like this roster is very much alive and then supplement accordingly. It might be silly, but it is still probably going to happen. In that event, what is the best course of action this team could take?
I’m operating under the idea that a 2021 Braves situation could be possible with this team where an otherwise dead team brings actual living players on to the roster and winning ensues. It’s not likely, but I’ll take a shot. In my mind, we need any type of lineup upgrade, at least one reliever and preferably two, and a 5th starter. Also, I am not moving Trea Turner or Bryce Harper to right field because I don’t think that’s fair for an exercise like this.
Trade #1 – Taylor Ward (Orioles) for Gabriel Rincones Jr., Dante Nori, and Cade Obermueller
Ward is a right-handed hitting outfielder who has hit for almost no power while walking an AL leading 84 times as of publish time. The crazy thing is that he was a pure power guy last year but changed his whole approach. Anyway, having a guy who simply gets on base would be a godsend to a lineup that is missing specifically that. He is slumping heading into the deadline, but is still walking. I can appreciate that. Leading him off in front of Schwarber wouldn’t be the worst idea, followed by Trea and then Harper or vice versa.
For the most part, these are all depth guys/lottery tickets in terms of prospects. They each have very specific tools but are not complete packages
Trade #2 – Luis Arraez Zach Neto and Kirby Yates (Angels) for Alec Bohm, Gage Wood, and Aroon Escobar
I originally wanted Arraez, but since there is clearly a fire hidden beneath the Neto smoke, why not put the mask on and check it out? Neto is only 25 and has 3 more years of control after this one. He would be the shortstop of the future assuming Trea Turner moves to either 2nd base or the outfield next season. This year though, I’m playing him at 3rd.
Alec Bohm moves in this trade only because we ask the Angels to take on his contract to help grease the deal. The real prize is Gage Wood. Last year at the deadline, only the Padres moved a prospect considered to be in the Top 50 in MLB. That’s what it will take to get Neto.
For the Phillies, giving up early on Wood makes sense. Not because they think he doesn’t have a future, but because the rotation is going to have Sanchez and Luzardo at the top for the long haul. Depending on Andrew Painter isn’t really a thing right now, but there is still hope that he joins those guys at the top.
Trade #3 – Adrian Morejon and Walker Buehler (Padres) for Aiden Miller
No part of me wants to do this deal, but it is the “absolutely going for it” move of 2026. In Morejon we are getting an elite lefty setup man and Buehler is just a cheap throw in 5th starter. To do this, we give away our 2nd top prospect of the deadline, injured Aiden Miller. This is a big risk for both sides.
The Padres are strapped for cash and will not be resigning Morejon in the offseason as he will leave to be a closer somewhere. He is that good. Miller might rebound and become the stud hitting and defense infielder the Phillies envisioned. Potentially 6 years of control of a top prospect in exchange for 3 months of a guy they would lose anyway. Of course, it could always be the Cliff Lee for Andrew Knapp trade in which we never hear from the guy again.
As for the Phillies? No guts, no glory. The addition of Neto for the next 3.5 years makes Miller expendable, even if playing him at 3rd next year or 2nd the year after that was the plan. I didn’t say I was happy about it. The reward is shortening every playoff game. Going from Morejon to Duran means you are only playing 7 inning games. With Wheeler, Sanchez, and Luzardo on the mound, that might be all you need.
The Lineup
- Taylor Ward – RF (R)
- Kyle Schwarber – DH (L)
- Trea Turner – SS (R)
- Bryce Harper – 1B (L)
- Zach Neto – 3B (R)
- Brandon Marsh – LF (L)
- J.T. Realmuto – C (R)
- Bryson Stott – 2B (L)
- Justin Crawford / Derek Hill – CF (L/R)
The Rotation
- Cristopher Sanchez (L)
- Zack Wheeler (R)
- Jesus Luzardo (L)
- Aaron Nola (R)
- Walker Buehler (R)
The Bullpen
- Jhoan Duran – Closer (R)
- Adrian Morejon – Setup (L)
- Orion Kerkering (R)
- Jose Alvarado (L)
- Jonathan Bowlan (R)
- Kirby Yates (R)
- Tim Mayza (L)
- Not Seth Johnson
The Farm
This certainly leaves the Phillies at the bottom of the league in terms of MLB ready minor league talent, but it also doesn’t leave the cupboard completely bare. We still have three superstar lottery tickets in 17-year-old Francisco Renteria, 20-year-old righty Ramon Marquez, and recent 1st round pick Tyler Spangler. They are all further out obviously, but guys to still dream on.
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