The Philadelphia Phillies desperately need a right-handed outfield bat that could help solidify a left-handed heavy lineup. However, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski doesn’t sound like an executive who will pull the trigger for one at the trade deadline.
Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, Dombrowski responded, “Where do you find them?” when asked if he will add a righty outfield bat at the deadline.
“I know that some of the names are mentioned — ‘OK, why don’t you get this guy? Why don’t you get that guy?’ — well, they’re hitting like .200 or .220,” Dombrowski explained. “A lot of the guys that were out there in the wintertime, that’s what they’re hitting, too.”
The Phillies offense is struggling to find contributions from left and center fields, but Brandon Marsh has been playing better since coming back from injury. The Max Kepler one-year, $10 million signing hasn’t worked out and the left fielder has already complained about playing time as he’s hitting .210/.304/.381 with an 88 OPS+ and ten home runs. The left-handed hitting Kepler previously told reporters he was told he would be the everyday left fielder but he’s been in more of a platoon role as he usually doesn’t start against southpaws.
Center fielder Johan Rojas is nearly an automatic out at the plate, hitting .227/.278/.303, with a 60 OPS+ and 37 strikeouts in 148 plate appearances. For his part, Marsh has rebounded after a miserable start to the year, slashing .262/.333/.384 with a 97 OPS+ and three home runs.
The Phillies need a right-handed bat, but those who could potentially be available at the trade deadline have issues of their own, including Luis Robert Jr. (on the injured list and hitting .185), Adolis Garcia (just a .669 OPS and below-average 92 OPS+) and Taylor Ward (a .221 batting average and .296 on-base percentage, but does have 20 home runs).
Phillies fans also shouldn’t expect top prospect Justin Crawford being called up anytime soon with Kepler, Marsh and Rojas blocking him.
“Really, it comes down more on how the player’s playing — and then the opportunity that they have,” Dombrowski said. “You want to know that they’re going to play. You’re not going to bring up a young kid and just have them sitting on the bench. They’ve got to come up and play.”
If the Phillies come away from the trade deadline without upgrading a constant up-and-down lineup, fans will show their displeasure for the rest of the year.
