The Philadelphia Phillies have positioned themselves to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline thanks to one of the best records in baseball. In a market of trade candidates that doesn’t feature many prominent names, the club is reportedly planning a very specific approach.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are focused on acquiring “expensive” players this summer. Specifically, Philadelphia is targeting talent that comes with multiple years of club control.
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The term “expensive” refers specifically to the acquisition cost for these players rather than the financial cost of their contracts. Based on that, Philadelphia will likely focus less on half-season rentals that could be acquired without sacrificing top prospects.
One potential option could be Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, who earned his first All-Star selection this season. The 27-year-old corner outfielder is owed just a $768,200 salary this season and would be under team control through 2029.
Related: Phillies eyeing trade for pair of relievers
In addition to acquiring a left-handed hitting outfielder, Philadelphia is focused on strengthening its bullpen. An emphasis on players with club control would eliminate someone like Aroldis Chapman, instead making someone like Colorado Rockies reliever Jake Bird (free agent in 2029) or Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (free agent in 2027) a higher priority.
Philadelphia’s approach to the MLB trade deadline will come with a higher cost in terms of prospect capital, but acquiring players with long-term deals on relatively team-friendly contracts will also offer better financial clarity ahead of looming contract negotiations this winter with Kyle Schwarber.
