With the Philadelphia Phillies on the cusp of greatness after falling short in the 2023 World Series, the team enters 2024 with one goal in mind: bringing a championship back to the City of Brotherly Love. After making significant strides the past two seasons, the Phillies front office is looking to fine-tune the roster with targeted upgrades to key areas. As the trade market heats up, it’s clear that the Phillies are in win-now mode and will pursue players who can address specific needs and push the team over the top. Let’s dive deeper into the trade targets that make sense for Philadelphia as they gear up for another deep playoff run.
Shane Bieber is one of the most coveted starting pitchers in baseball, and if the Cleveland Guardians are willing to entertain trade offers, the Phillies should be first in line. Adding Bieber would give the Phillies a dynamic one-two-three punch in the rotation alongside Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola (assuming they re-sign Nola this offseason). While Wheeler has been the team’s ace, and Nola has shown flashes of brilliance, Bieber could be the missing piece that makes their rotation elite enough to carry them through the postseason.
Bieber’s pedigree as a former Cy Young winner and his ability to perform in high-stakes games make him an ideal fit for a team with championship aspirations. Although Bieber’s strikeout rate has dipped slightly in recent seasons, he remains a top-tier starter who can eat innings and shut down opposing offenses. His postseason experience is an added bonus for a Phillies team that will need steady hands in October.
However, acquiring Bieber won’t come cheap. The Guardians are in the midst of a retooling phase, so any deal will likely require the Phillies to part with one of their top pitching prospects, such as Mick Abel or Andrew Painter. The Phillies would need to weigh the cost of their farm system’s future against the immediate boost Bieber could provide to their title hopes.
The Phillies’ bullpen has been a rollercoaster in recent years, sometimes looking dominant and other times faltering in key moments. Enter Josh Hader, one of the most feared relievers in baseball. Hader would bring instant credibility to the back end of the Phillies’ bullpen and provide a proven closer who can handle the highest-pressure situations. His combination of elite velocity, swing-and-miss stuff, and playoff experience would be invaluable down the stretch and into October.
Hader is entering the final year of his contract with the San Diego Padres, making him a prime trade candidate if the Padres decide to reset after a disappointing 2023 season. The Phillies would have to give up notable assets to acquire him, but considering the importance of a lockdown bullpen in the postseason, it could be worth the price. Hader’s ability to shorten games and take pressure off the rest of the relief corps would help the Phillies manage their starters’ workloads and close out tight games with more confidence.
Additionally, pairing Hader with other strong bullpen arms like José Alvarado or Craig Kimbrel (if re-signed) would give the Phillies a dynamic and deep bullpen capable of matching up against any lineup.
The Phillies’ outfield has been a point of concern, particularly with injuries to key players like Bryce Harper and inconsistent performances from others. Tyler O’Neill presents an intriguing option to bolster the outfield depth while adding power and defensive versatility. O’Neill, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is known for his powerful bat and ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. He would fit seamlessly into the Phillies’ corner outfield spots, giving them flexibility in managing their lineup and defensive alignments.
O’Neill’s tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, but a change of scenery could unlock his full potential. When healthy, he has the ability to hit 25-30 home runs and play elite defense, making him an ideal candidate for a Phillies team looking to add power and defense without committing long-term money.
A deal for O’Neill could be more affordable than going after some of the bigger names on the market, as the Cardinals may be willing to move on from the outfielder to address other areas of need. This could allow the Phillies to make a trade without sacrificing their top prospects, making it a lower-risk, high-reward option.
Salvador Pérez, a seven-time All-Star and 2015 World Series champion, would bring not only his power bat but also his veteran leadership to a Phillies roster already stacked with talent. While J.T. Realmuto is still the undisputed leader behind the plate, adding Pérez could provide the Phillies with two elite catching options, allowing them to rotate the two and keep both players fresh for the postseason.
In addition, Pérez could also serve as a designated hitter or first baseman on occasion, further adding to his value. His presence in the lineup would provide more depth and power, making the Phillies even more dangerous offensively. Pérez’s playoff experience and leadership could be crucial in guiding the team through the high-stakes environment of the postseason, especially given the Phillies’ mix of young and veteran talent.
While Pérez is still under contract with the Kansas City Royals, the rebuilding team may be willing to move their star catcher in exchange for prospects, especially given the Phillies’ deep farm system. The biggest obstacle to acquiring Pérez might be his contract, but if the Royals are willing to eat some of the salary, this could be an excellent fit for both sides.
If the Phillies want to make a blockbuster move, trading for Corbin Burnes would certainly qualify. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and adding him to the Phillies’ rotation would instantly elevate their staff to one of the best in the majors. Burnes, with his wipeout cutter and devastating off-speed pitches, has been nearly unhittable at times, and his ability to dominate a lineup is exactly what the Phillies need to get through the gauntlet of the National League playoffs.
The Milwaukee Brewers are at a crossroads with Burnes, as he’s entering the final year of team control. The Brewers may decide to move him now to maximize his value, especially if they aren’t confident in re-signing him long-term. For the Phillies, acquiring Burnes would likely require a package of top prospects, including some combination of Abel, Painter, and other rising stars. However, pairing Burnes with Wheeler and Nola would give the Phillies one of the most fearsome rotations in baseball, and that kind of elite pitching is often the key to postseason success.
If Burnes is available, the Phillies should be aggressive in pursuing him, as he could be the difference between a deep playoff run and a World Series championship.
Teoscar Hernández is another power bat that could fit well in the Phillies’ lineup. Though not technically a trade target—since he’s a free agent—Hernández’s ability to hit for power and play both corner outfield positions makes him a viable option for the Phillies. In 2023, Hernández hit 26 home runs and drove in 93 RBIs for the Seattle Mariners, and he could provide much-needed pop and depth to the Phillies’ outfield.
Signing Hernández would allow the Phillies to address their need for more offensive production without having to give up prospects. He could slot into left field or right field, depending on where Bryce Harper plays defensively, and his powerful bat would help protect other sluggers like Harper and Kyle Schwarber in the lineup.
While Hernández’s market value is high, the Phillies may see him as a less expensive alternative to making a trade for a big-name outfielder. His consistency at the plate and defensive capabilities make him a solid option for a team that’s ready to win now.
With their core of stars still intact, the Phillies are positioned for another deep postseason run, but they must act strategically in the trade and free-agent markets to address their remaining needs. Whether it’s adding an ace like Shane Bieber or Corbin Burnes, bolstering their bullpen with Josh Hader, or shoring up their outfield with Tyler O’Neill or Teoscar Hernández, the Phillies have several potential options to improve their roster.
As the trade market heats up, Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski will likely be aggressive in pursuing the right pieces to complement the team’s strengths. With the NL East becoming increasingly competitive, every move will be crucial in determining whether Philadelphia can bring home its first World Series title since 2008.
These trade targets represent the types of impact players that could push the Phillies over the edge and cement their status as one of the most dangerous teams in baseball in 2024.
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