The Philadelphia Phillies are leading the National League East, but may need to make some upgrades if they want to hold off the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves all season.
The Phillies have a need in the outfield. Their .618 OPS from centerfield is the eighth-worst in baseball. Their numbers from right field are not much better, but the team ideally needs to add a centerfielder. Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh have shared centerfield this season.
The Phillies’ best trade asset is likely third baseman Alec Bohm, who was an All-Star last season. Bohm was at the center of plenty of trade rumors in the offseason, but ultimately was not moved. Heavy’s Sam Bernardi suggested the Phillies cut ties with him in order to acquire Trent Grisham in a package from the Yankees.
“As a pending free agent, Bohm is far more expendable,” wrote Bernardi. “While the Phillies are also thinking about October, they could use another outfielder, and perhaps a Trent Grisham-centered deal would entice them.”
Grisham will be a free agent after the season, and the Yankees may be open to trading him to fill their gaping hole at third base. Moving on from Grisham would allow the Yankees to make Jasson Domínguez an everyday player. Bohm would be a massive upgrade for the team at third base.
The Yankees have gotten a .188/.267/.267 slash line from third base this year. That is the second-worst in baseball. Bohm is slashing .272/.308/.385 this year with four home runs. Bohm is under club control through next season, and the Phillies could trade him now while his value is high.
The Phillies could use utilityman Edmundo Sosa at third base if they trade Bohm. Although it’s a small sample size, Sosa is hitting .354 with an .871 OPS. Meanwhile, Grisham has a .880 OPS with 12 home runs this season. He also has two Gold Gloves and would solve the Phillies’ problems in centerfield.
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