The Philadelphia Phillies are one of Major League Baseball’s top clubs, while the Chicago White Sox are among the worst. And, although the Phillies need outfield help, the White Sox have two of the most enticing outfield trade candidates at this year’s deadline.
Does that sound like a perfect match? This season, the White Sox have the upper hand in the outfield market with Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham on their side. Robert has two years of team control after 2024, while Pham is a pure rental, so their asking prices will differ, as will their skill sets.
Looking at the circumstances, it’s easy to conclude that the Phillies have made a decision. Do they go with the blockbuster in Robert or make the reasonable deal for Pham? But why settle for only one of the two? In this article, we’ll go over a fantastic trade plan that gets the Phillies both Robert and Pham while also helping the White Sox restock their boring roster with a steady infusion of young talent.
How likely are the White Sox to trade both players?
Robert is a greater name, so let’s start with Pham. When the White Sox announced that they had signed the 36-year-old veteran after the season had began, it was evident that they wanted to move him. Non-contending teams are recognizing that signing veteran hitters at a bargain in the off-season, even if it does not move them closer to a postseason berth that season, can be a simple method to acquire other teams’ top prospects. It would be stunning to see Pham stay in Chicago after July 31.
Meanwhile, Robert poses a more difficult question. The 26-year-old Cuban product, who has over 30 home runs and is a good defensive centre fielder, has the potential to be one of baseball’s top players in the next half-decade. However, he only has one totally healthy season under his belt: last year, when he made his first career All-Star appearance and won the Silver Slugger award.
Robert’s importance to a team searching for outfield help will be important. The White Sox will demand a hefty price for his services because, while his worth is sky-high right now, they can still sell him in the offseason or next year if the appropriate offer isn’t made. Teams like the Phillies will have to pay extra if they want to break Robert free from Chicago’s grasp.
Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham fit with the Phillies.
Because the Phillies have nearly their entire outfield back from last season’s NLCS run, it’s logical to believe that adding two names to the mix is unnecessary. However, there can never be too many major league position players for a playoff run. The Phillies discovered this last season when they had to send Jake Cave to the bat with one out before elimination, and they attempted to alleviate the situation by adding Whit Merrifield before this season.
Bringing in both is a completely legitimate option for the Phillies. Robert would take over as the starting centre fielder for Johan Rojas, who may be used as a late-inning defensive replacement or traded elsewhere. Pham, meanwhile, could platoon with Brandon Marsh in left field and pinch-hit against strong relievers, particularly lefties.
With J.T. Realmuto’s condition unknown, the Phillies could be without an impact hitter and their primary catcher come October. Having a solid pinch-hitter for the catcher position is obviously critical to success, and if this change is done, either Pham or Marsh will be available every game.
Phillies make great offer to land Robert and Pham
In this early-season blockbuster, we’re trading Philadelphia’s No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter, No. 4 prospect Justin Crawford, and No. 8 prospect Eduardo Tait to Chicago for Robert and Pham. Painter, a right-handed pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery, is now MLBPipeline’s No. 18 overall prospect, while Crawford is No. 62.
Most fans would be unwilling to give up on Painter, because top-tier starting pitching prospects are the backbone of a strong pitching staff. However, the Phillies now boast the strongest rotation in MLB, and with the emergence of Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez, they will have four starters locked in for the foreseeable future. Mick Abel, their No. 3 prospect, could easily take over as the fifth starting next season with Painter gone.
Is it a costly price? Absolutely. But you must assess the worth of obtaining Pham and Robert as a bundle deal. It provides insurance for the Phillies’ outfield this season, followed by a great centre fielder in 2025 and 2026. You never know how many good years you’ll have with a veteran core, and the Phillies are under enormous pressure to win a World Series to cement Bryce Harper’s legacy as a Philly sports icon. This is how they get it done.
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