The Philadelphia Phillies face a critical moment heading into Wednesday night.
One more loss to the New York Mets will knock the Phillies out of the postseason in their first round of action. After two seasons of deep playoff runs as a Wild Card underdog, the Phillies are now experiencing life as a team with a target on their back.
Going forward, the Phillies will no longer catch their National League rivals by surprise. They won the division this season, boast a star-studded lineup, and are spending among the top teams in baseball. With these expectations, there is mounting pressure to deliver a championship during Bryce Harper’s era, but they have yet to do so.
A significant issue for the Phillies in 2024 has been their outfield, and if they fall short of a title, they may look to strengthen that area in the offseason. One possible target is Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently named as a potential trade candidate.
“Robert had a tough 2024 season, posting an OPS (.657) that was 200 points lower than his previous year, but he appeared in 93 of 102 games after June 4 and stole a career-high 23 bases,” Miller said. “There are signs of improvement from a player with durability issues, and plenty of teams could be interested in buying low on his potential rebound in power. He is owed $15M next season, with club options of $20M for 2026 and 2027.”
Trading for a player coming off a down year is always a gamble, but it’s one the Phillies should consider. Robert hit 38 home runs as recently as 2023, and Philadelphia’s entire starting outfield managed just 42 homers this year.
If Robert returns to All-Star form, the Phillies could secure a bargain. Players capable of producing five-WAR seasons typically cost more than $20 million annually, and while the Phillies would need to give up prospects rather than cash, this move could help them return to the World Series in 2025 if they fall short this season.
