.jpg)
After securing a significant deal for pitcher Aaron Nola earlier this offseason, the Phillies are expected to actively engage in the market, a trend they seem to follow every offseason. There have been discussions about potential trades involving players on their roster, aimed at enhancing the team's performance as they strive for another deep postseason run in 2024.
One proposed trade involves sending outfielder Nick Castellanos to the Angels in exchange for a pair of outfielders. Despite a lackluster debut season with the Phillies in 2022, Castellanos bounced back in 2023, boasting a .272/.311/.787 slash line with 68 extra-base hits and 106 RBI. While the Phillies are not obligated to trade Castellanos, they are open to deals that could strengthen the team.
The Angels recently lost slugger Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers and are likely in the market to replace his production. Castellanos could fill this void for them. The suggested trade would bring outfielders Taylor Ward and Jo Adell to Philadelphia, addressing both the team's financial situation and bolstering their outfield depth.
Ward has demonstrated solid performance over the past two seasons, with a .269/.349/.451 slash line, 79 extra-base hits, and 112 RBI in 232 games played. Adell, although struggling in the majors, showed promise in the minors, hitting 24 home runs in 74 Triple-A games this season. A change of scenery may be what Adell needs to unlock his potential. With this trade, the Phillies' outfield could feature Ward, Adell, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber, and Johan Rojas, allowing them to utilize Schwarber as a designated hitter and mitigate defensive concerns.
In addition to potential trades, the Phillies are considering signing closer Josh Hader to address the void left by Craig Kimbrel, who chose to sign with the Orioles. Hader, coming off a stellar 2023 season, seeks a historic deal for a closer, having converted 33 of 38 save opportunities with a 1.28 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched. At 29 years old, Hader boasts impressive career numbers, converting 165 of 190 save opportunities and striking out 648 batters in 388.2 innings pitched, with a career 15.01 K/9, potentially the highest in MLB history.
While Spotrac's market value calculator projects a five-year, $87.5M deal for Hader, it is anticipated that he may command a deal closer to $100M. This further justifies the notion of parting ways with Castellanos and his $20M annual salary to secure one of the premier closers in the game.
.jpg&description=One trade, one signing Phillies should make){kind=link}