The Philadelphia Phillies are seriously on the hunt for some help this summer, needing a starting pitcher, a high-leverage reliever, and a right-handed hitting outfielder by the August 3 trade deadline. But if a recent trade idea from Mitch Bannon of The Athletic actually happens, the Phillies would be making a complete mistake for an outfielder.
What the Phillies Are Looking For (And What They Aren’t Getting)
It’s tough finding good outfielders out there, but pitching help seems more realistic for Philly. Bannon’s “creative” proposal with the Toronto Blue Jays would send Phillies rookie outfielder Justin Crawford to Toronto. In return, the Phillies would get Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho. Now, getting a guy like Varsho in the outfield or reuniting with Hoffman for the bullpen isn’t the *worst* idea on its own. But the package for Crawford? That’s where things go off the rails.
This Deal Is a Total Disaster, Period.
Let’s break down why this is such a terrible move for the Phillies. First, there’s a massive difference in cost and control. You’ve got Jeff Hoffman, struggling big time this season with a 4.40 ERA and -0.4 bWAR. He’s under contract through 2027 on a three-year, $33 million deal, which is $11 million per year for a struggling reliever! The Phillies are already tight on cash, so taking on that contract would be foolish. But wait, there’s more. Daulton Varsho? He’s also struggling with a .678 OPS and 1.0 bWAR this season, and he’s just a rental outfielder. To top it all off, Varsho is a left-handed hitter, and the Phillies *need* a right-handed bat for their outfield. Seriously. Trading away Justin Crawford, who’s a rookie under club control for years on cheap deals, for a struggling rental and an expensive, struggling reliever? That makes absolutely no sense. If Crawford is moved, it needs to be for a whole lot more than *this*.
The August 3 trade deadline is coming fast. The Phillies have got to find those missing pieces, especially a solid right-handed outfielder and bullpen depth. But swinging a deal like this, giving up a promising rookie for a struggling, expensive reliever and a left-handed rental, just isn’t the move. They need to get creative, sure, but not *this* kind of creative.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply