3 Players Who WILL Make The Phillies True Contenders

Coming off a World Series birth, expectations for the 2023 season were high. However, as of June 25th, the team is not close to where they want to be, as they sit at 40-37, 3.5 games back of the 3rd Wild Card spot. The team has struggled to find consistency all around, from their bullpen, to the offense, and the starting pitching. In this blog, I will provide 3 trade candidates to help all of these areas in order to help the Phillies embark on a postseason push.

OF Tyler O’Neill (St. Louis Cardinals)

While O’Neill’s slashline is far from impressive (.228 avg, 620 ops.), his advanced stats depict a different picture of how his season has gone thus far. He has a .339 BABIP (Batting Average Balls in Play) and a .318 xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-base Average), displaying that he has dealt with a poor hand of luck this season.

Injuries have hindered O’Neill this season, as he has had a lingering back issue that has held him out of game action since May 5th, and has caused him to not be his usual solid-defender self this season (-1.9 Def, and -1 OAA), and has also caused him to have a lower sprint speed, as he is on average in the 97th-99th percentile in speed, but is only in the 74th percentile this season.

The Phillies have struggled greatly in LF this season defensively, as Kyle Schwarber has graded out as one of the worst fielders in all of baseball (-12 OAA), so acquiring a player who, when healthy, is an above average fielder, could greatly help the Phillies. The Phillies have also struggled to find power from the right side of the plate since Rhys Hoskins went down with a torn ACL, and O’Neill may be able to help in that department, as just 2 years ago, he hit 34 home runs.

O’Neill is projected to come off the Injured List soon, and his production will be welcomed with Bryce Harper moving to 1B and Kyle Schwarber slotting into the DH spot. Even if he fails to fully produce to his full offensive capabilities this season, he will still provide solid defense for a Phillies team that has struggled defensively, and speed on the basepaths.

Amongst the teams looking to potentially sell outfielders this deadline, O'Neill is garnering some of the most interest, as he still has one more year of his contract left, and thus, could be a great asset to teams in the 2024 season as well.

SP Michael Lorenzen (Detroit Tigers)

The Phillies have been in desperate search for a 5th starter, and they may find one in the form of SP Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen has a 4.00 ERA this season, but a 3.64 ERA on the road with a 3.83 xFIP.

The Phillies are a measly 2-10 in games not started by Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, or Taijuan Walker, and have struggled to create a game plan for a 5th starter. Lorenzen would not only provide them with stability in that role until Andrew Painter or another young prospect (Mick Able, Griff McGarry) is ready to come up to the big leagues, but he would also provide bullpen help as a long-reliever if needed, as he has appeared out of the bullpen over 200 times in his career.

Lorenzen only has the remainder of this season left on his contract, and with Detroit well out of 1st place in the AL Central, he may be available at the deadline for a low price. He would fit the Phillies needs, and would be key to the team’s success down the stretch.

RP Scott Barlow (Kansas City Royals)

The Phillies have struggled with injuries from their top bullpen guys this year, as both Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alavarado have had IL stints. On top of that, they have struggled to receive consistency from their ‘pen, as they have been below average this season, pitching to the tune of a 4.16 FIP and 4.22 ERA, 17th and 20th in the league, respectively.

Barlow has a 2.95 xFIP and a 3.26 xERA, and has been one of baseball’s best relievers over the past 3 years. Barlow has experience as a set-up man, and even experience as a closer, as last season he had 24 saves. The Phillies are looking for another shut-down RHP in the late stages of games, and Barlow would provide just that.

Barlow is under team control until the end of the 2024 season, so he may be on the more expensive side with many teams clamoring to get him. Nevertheless, acquiring Barlow could be the difference-maker in making a deep postseason run or not.

By making these moves, the Phillies will be able to sure up their weaknesses, and embark on a long postseason run once again.