The Philadelphia Phillies are out, again. They lost Game 3 of the NL Wild Card to the Atlanta Braves, marking their third straight season getting bounced in the first round of the postseason in 2026. Man, that’s gotta sting, especially when you’re watching your division rivals send you packing. It was a tough season for them, and anyone watching could see the writing on the wall. Changes are definitely needed if that organization wants to contend.
Some Changes Make Sense, This One Doesn’t
Look, when a team underperforms like that for three years straight, you know big moves are coming. Fans are demanding it, and the front office has to deliver. But some changes are just plain stupid, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic just dropped one of the most ridiculous trade suggestions I’ve ever heard. He’s out here saying the Phillies need to “kick around the idea” of trading either Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber. Seriously? Rosenthal believes “everything needs to be under consideration,” and yeah, major changes are needed. But trading one of their undisputed superstars? That’s a step too far, my friends.
This Is a ‘Blow It Up’ Idea in Disguise
Let’s be real, trading either Harper or Schwarber would be a horrendous idea for the Phillies. These guys are easily their best hitters. We’re talking about two sluggers who are signed for at least the next four years, and they both have full no-trade clauses. Yeah, the Phillies would probably get a massive haul in return and free up a bunch of cash, and some exec might try to spin it as a “culture-resetting move.” But that only works on paper. In practice, if you trade Harper or Schwarber, you might as well wave the white flag.
This isn’t a move for a team trying to contend next year; this is a full-scale rebuild. It’s an admission you’re blowing the whole thing up for prospects and giving up on winning for a long time. There are other bold moves that would actually make sense, like trading Brandon Marsh. But shipping off Harper or Schwarber? That’s just a misguided effort. Dave Dombrowski and Jon Middleton should have zero reason to ever sign off on a deal like that. If they do, they might as well just tear the whole team apart.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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