BREAKING: Philadelphia Phillies trade MLB 5 star swirling.
With less than two weeks until the July 30 MLB trade deadline, rumors about the Philadelphia Phillies are intensifying.
Every day seems to bring a new name into the mix, whether it’s an insider hinting at a potential target or confirming that the Phillies are monitoring a specific player. This is on top of the numerous speculative trade targets circulating across social media from various sources.
While we can’t say with complete certainty what Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and general manager Sam Fuld are planning, we know they are in the market for outfielders. Despite having the best record in baseball, the Phillies still have some areas that need addressing.
2 Phillies trade rumors we hope come true, 1 we hope doesn’t happen
The outfield remains a persistent issue for the Phillies, with their outfielders’ production ranking among the worst in the league this season. They have posted a 28th-ranked .650 OPS and an 83 wRC+ in the first half, placing them alongside teams like the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox—hardly the company you want to keep in terms of outfield offense.
While the bullpen isn’t as critical a need as the outfield, adding proven, high-leverage arms for a deep playoff run is always wise—especially considering last fall’s experience. According to The Athletic, the Phillies are seeking bullpen depth and have reportedly been scouting and negotiating with teams about potential additions. Another reliable late-inning reliever to complement All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and José Alvarado would be a valuable asset.
Given that the outfield is the primary focus, with the bullpen also on the radar, let’s dive into some trade rumors. We’ll explore which options the Phillies should pursue and identify one potential trade we hope doesn’t happen.
We hope the Tanner Scott trade rumor comes true
Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott is expected to be traded by the July 30 deadline, as reported by Craig Mish of the Miami Herald. With the Marlins in the NL East basement, they are clearly sellers, making Scott an ideal candidate for a move.
Scott, on an expiring contract, has been identified as a trade target for the Phillies. The main questions are whether the Marlins are willing to trade within the division and if the price will be reasonable for Dave Dombrowski and Sam Fuld.
Ideally, the answers to both questions will be “Yes!”
In 39 appearances, Scott, the Marlins’ lone All-Star, has recorded a 1.34 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. These impressive stats are even more notable given his rough start. Since May 7, Scott has posted a 0.66 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP, with a 2.43 FIP and a 33 percent strikeout rate.
During his first 14 games, the 29-year-old walked 22.2 percent of batters faced while striking out just 19 percent. Since then, his walk rate has improved to 11 percent, slightly above the league average of 9.2 percent.
Scott is one of the top relief options available this trade season, and with the Marlins looking to rebuild, the Phillies are hopeful they can acquire him to strengthen their late-inning bullpen.
This latest rumor is quite intriguing: the Phillies are reportedly eyeing Oakland A’s outfielder Brent Rooker as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
The 29-year-old Rooker is known for his power. In 83 games this season, he’s slashing .291/.369/.573 with 21 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a 166 wRC+. While he strikes out 32.6 percent of the time, the damage he does when he connects makes it a worthwhile trade-off.
According to Ben Clemens of FanGraphs, Rooker has a swing as fast as Bryce Harper and ranks just behind Kyle Schwarber in home runs per plate appearance over the past two years. His approach is consistent, even with two strikes, as he continues to swing for damage—and he certainly delivers.
Clemens explains, “In two-strike counts, hitters have produced a .344 wOBACON, as compared to .370 in all other counts. Rooker has a .493 wOBACON in two-strike counts. That might even understate his production; he’s produced the fourth-best xwOBACON (.529) in two-strike counts, behind only Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Harper.”
Given the Phillies’ outfield struggles, particularly in center and left, Rooker could be a significant upgrade. A right-handed hitter, he could be used in a platoon role with Brandon Marsh, especially since he excels against left-handed pitching, slashing .258/.301/.636 against southpaws this year.
Though Rooker still has three arbitration years remaining, the A’s have been out of playoff contention since 2021, making it possible they would consider moving him at the deadline. Acquiring Rooker could provide a much-needed boost to the Phillies’ lineup.
Luis Robert Jr. has become a hot topic among Phillies fans during trade season, and it’s easy to see why. The Chicago White Sox outfielder boasts immense talent, with exceptional power and speed. However, he’s often labeled as injury-prone, having played only 43 games this season after a two-month stint on the IL.
Robert’s skills are undeniable. He’s slashing .236/.313/.491 with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases this season. After struggling post-injury, he’s caught fire in his last 16 games, hitting .311/.382/.557 with four home runs and eight steals.
A former Gold Glover, Silver Slugger, and All-Star, Robert’s upside is significant but tempered by his injury history. He hit 38 homers and stole 20 bases in 145 games in 2023, but played only 68 and 98 games in the previous two seasons, though he did play most of the shortened 2020 season.
Acquiring Robert is risky, especially considering his team control through 2027. The risk is heightened if the Phillies need to give up a major prospect package, including No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller. This is a sticking point.
Recent rumors suggest Miller would need to be included in a deal for a player like Robert. One MLB insider even stated he’s certain Miller will be traded. However, trading Miller for an injury-prone player like Robert is problematic. The Phillies aim to build a dynasty, but that’s hard to achieve if they trade away a top prospect for a player who might not play more than 100 games a season.
If the Phillies can acquire Robert without including Miller, it could be a good deal. Otherwise, the risk might outweigh the reward.