How the First-Place Phillies Are Approaching the MLB Trade Deadline
Unlike past seasons where the Philadelphia Phillies entered trade season with clear gaps to fill, this year they find themselves atop the baseball world with the best record as July ends. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll be quiet at the deadline.
While the Phillies have minor needs to address—they’re first in scoring and third in run prevention—ignoring the opportunity to improve the roster isn’t in the nature of their top decision-maker, Dave Dombrowski. One rival evaluator even laughed at the idea that Dombrowski wouldn’t be a major player in the trade market, noting the recent rumors of the Phillies being interested in Luis Robert Jr.
“Dave always wants to go big,” the executive said.
On Friday, Dombrowski made a smaller move, addressing one of the team’s weaker areas by trading for Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles. The Phillies hope Hays will boost their outfield production, as they currently rank 25th in the majors in OPS. They might also add a reliever, as they plan on using their bullpen extensively in October.
Any additions Dombrowski makes will be to bolster an already strong team, not necessarily to make a blockbuster move. Philadelphia has led the standings from the start and has extended its NL East lead since the All-Star break.
With a nine-game cushion in the division, the front office should have a relatively stress-free few days. When asked if this year’s deadline feels different because the team is leading instead of chasing, Dombrowski said, “Yes and no. It’s different, but whenever you have a chance to win, you try to make your club as good as possible.”
In the past two trade deadlines, Dombrowski acquired players like Brandon Marsh and Michael Lorenzen, which helped propel the Phillies into the postseason. He acknowledges that not having the pressure to spark a push to October is a new feeling.
“We had to battle to get in,” Dombrowski said. “And we’re not in yet—but it’s a lot different.”
A big part of why this year’s deadline feels different is the front office’s plan to ramp up workloads earlier than ever, starting in spring training. Manager Rob Thomson mentioned that despite an illness early on, the team overcame the obstacle and started the regular season strong, leading the division by 6 1/2 games at the end of May.
“It was definitely emphasized from the top down,” All-Star shortstop Trea Turner said. “Now we’re expected to win, so that mentality shifts a little.”
Inside the clubhouse, players credit their fast start to the historically good starting rotation. Ranger Suarez, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Christopher Sanchez have led MLB in starting pitching ERA all season, with all four making the NL All-Star team. Key position players like All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm have also elevated their games, making the lineup less reliant on sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Players also pointed to a collective anger after losing Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS at home to the Diamondbacks last October, despite being favorites.
“We left last season with a bitter taste in our mouth,” All-Star reliever Matt Strahm said. “You could tell how hungry we were when we reported in Clearwater.”
While baseball is too unpredictable to expect a plan laid out in January to work exactly as intended, the buy-in from the clubhouse made it possible.
“It was awareness that we couldn’t wait until June to get it going,” Thomson said. “That was amongst the players, the coaches, and the entire organization.”
Now, with a team poised for a potential championship, the front office must decide between making a splashy addition or a quieter trade deadline. Regardless of their choice, the Phillies are in an enviable position, unlike many execs already thinking about next season.
“We’ve been there,” Dombrowski smiled. “This year feels different.”
