The Philadelphia Phillies are the top team right now in the National League based on their record. Their 45-20 record is better than nine games than the rest of their competitors in the National League East division.
But just because they are overwhelming their competitors in the standings, it doesn’t mean that they’re not going to bother checking out what’s out there for them ahead of the rapidly approaching 2024 MLB trade deadline, which is on July 30.
Luis Robert Jr. speculations link outfielder to the Phillies
With that stated, the Phillies look to have some plans. Big plans. They are already being linked to Chicago White Sox outfielders Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham, with Jim Bowden of The Athletic reporting that Philadelphia is seeing the potential in the two players.
“The Phillies have been the National League’s best team but aren’t resting on their laurels. They’re aiming to upgrade their whole outfield and have interest in Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham. The Phillies and White Sox do match up well on a blockbuster-type transaction. Robert is under team control through 2027 on a club-friendly deal. The Phillies are in on outfielder Jake McCarthy of the Diamondbacks as well. It’s believed they could also sign a reliever.”
Between Robert and Pham, it’s the former that is the greater get. Robert is just 26 years old (will turn 27 in August) and is a controllable asset for several years to come, owing to the White Sox signing him to a six-year deal extension worth $50 million back in 2020. Currently, the White Sox hold club options on Robert worth $20 million each for the 2026 and 2027 MLB seasons.
To say the White Sox are struggling is an understatement. Chicago currently has the lowest record in the major leagues, with only 17 wins in 67 games. No other team has fewer than 22 wins this season. In the same piece, Bowden stated that the White Sox are practically willing to listen to bids for every player they have, including Robert. That implies the Phillies will have stiff competition if they pursue Robert or Pham (or both).
“There are no untouchables on the White Sox’s major league roster. They are willing to sell all of their finest players, including outfielders Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jiménez, and Tommy Pham, starters Garrett Crochet and Erick Fedde, and reliever Michael Kopech. Bottom line: They’re going to have a fire sale with the goal of adding as many good prospects and making as many trades as possible.”
Robert has played in only 13 games in 2024, having recently returned to action after an almost two-month sabbatical due to a hip injury. In only 55 plate appearances, Robert has hit.192 with five home runs and eight RBIs. However, in 2023, Robert performed admirably with the White Sox. He slashed.264/.315/.542 with a 129 OPS+, 38 home runs, and 80 RBIs, earning his first career All-Star selection. That is the Robert the Phillies would love to acquire through such a trade with the White Sox.
The Phillies’ outfield
The outfield is a fascinating region for the Phillies. For starters, they are only 26th in MLB with an outfield wRC+ of 86 and a fWAR of 1.0, ranking 24th overall. David Dahl, a former All-Star with the Colorado Rockies, was recently brought up to the majors by the Phillies due to Brandon Marsh and Kody Clemens’ outfield injuries.
Dahl has put up impressive numbers, albeit in a tiny sample size (.667/.667/1.833 with two home runs in his first six Phillies plate appearances). However, outside of Dahl and Marsh, no other Phillies outfielder has a better wRC+ this season than 81.
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