Phillies MLB Trade Deadline Candidates: Lane Thomas

The Philadelphia Phillies solidified their spot in the top tier of MLB teams with a hot start. They entered the season with World Series expectations despite a relatively slow offseason.

Dave Dombrowski showed confidence in the current makeup of the group by keeping his core pieces together with no major additions to the starting lineup.

What does the relatively slow strategy and the high demands from Philadelphia fans mean for the Phillies ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline?

This is a big market team operating on a hefty budget trying to take advantage of a window for World Series contention. Expect Dombrowski to make some deals.

97.5 The Fanatic: Ongoing Series of Phillies MLB Trade Deadline Candidates

The Washington Nationals signed Lane Thomas to a one-year contract worth $5.45 million to play somewhat of a stopgap role with top prospects Dylan Crews and James Wood waiting in the wings.

The right-handed outfielder has slashed .256/.315/.444 in parts of four seasons since Washington acquired him at the MLB Trade Deadline in 2021. He shattered his career high with 28 home runs in 2023, helped out by a career high in plate appearances.

Thomas’ numbers have dipped to .243/.302/.431 in 2024. However, his hard hit rate has increased while his average exit velocity has remained steady, indicating the likelihood that his numbers will progress back toward his career norms through the rest of the season.

Thomas also brings good speed on the basepaths. He stole 20 bags in 2023, and he’s on pace to surpass that career best in 2024.

His arm strength from the outfield is one of his best tools. He ranked second in the majors with 18 outfield assists in 2023, and he’s tied for fourth this season.

The sixth-year MLB veteran has played right field most commonly, but he’s shuffled to center and left at different points during his career. He will turn 29 less than a month after the MLB Trade Deadline.

While the Phillies stormed out of the gates, Nick Castellanos struggled to begin the 2024 season. He ranked in the bottom tier of qualified MLB hitters in most categories before a recent hot streak.

Johan Rojas began the season in the lineup because of his glove. He didn't flash the leather enough to force the Phillies to keep him on the major league roster through June.

Brandon Marsh has provided serviceable offense when healthy in somewhat of a platoon role in the first half of the season. He hit .300 against right-handers and .163 against left-handers in the first half of the 2024 season.

The Phillies brought in Whitfield Whit Merrifield (for fans of Bob Cooney) to play a part-time role and supplement Marsh. He hasn't brought enough offense to earn significant playing time, however.

Will the Phillies wait for Castellanos to bust out of his slump? Will they look to bolster their outfield offense with another bat to split time with Marsh?

Rumors about Luis Robert Jr. will include the Phillies leading up to July 30. Dombrowski will be in the mix to land the crown jewel of the MLB trade market.

However, other National League contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves will also pursue Robert.

The Phillies might not offer the best return package to the Chicago White Sox, especially if they’re not willing to part with top prospects Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, or Justin Crawford.

Lane Thomas makes sense if Dombrowski shops below the market for Luis Robert Jr. to find a platoon starter who allows Rob Thomson to sit Marsh against left-handed pitchers in the playoffs.

The Phillies would likely use Thomas mostly in left field, however. He played 73 games in left in 2022, but the Nationals have used him as a full-time right fielder the past two seasons. Dombrowski might have to limit one of his trade target’s skills because of the fit in the Phillies lineup.

The Nationals also don’t have to sell before the MLB Trade Deadline. They held their own during the first half of the season to stay in the mix in a crowded group of middling NL teams. The new playoff structure keeps teams like the Nats in contention later into the season.

If the Nationals are willing to sell to the NL East favorite, Lane Thomas should be toward the top of Dombrowski’s list of targets.

The Philadelphia Phillies returned from the MLB London Series with the best record in baseball. They’ll resume a normal schedule for one month before the MLB All-Star Game.

The midsummer classic will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, home of the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.

The league’s annual tradition features the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday, July 15. The previous weekend also includes the MLB Futures Game and Celebrity Softball Game.

Citizens Bank Park will host the MLB All-Star Game in 2026 as part of one of the biggest summers in Philadelphia history.

The birthplace of America will also host the 2026 World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field in the midst of July 4th celebrations honoring the nation’s 250th birthday.

The Phillies have reemerged as one of the premier MLB teams. Two straight deep playoff runs have resulted in significant exposure leaguewide, and their roster features star power up and down.

A lineup with Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber will earn its fair share of MLB All-Star Game representatives. A starting rotation with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola will grab attention too.

However, younger breakout stars have additionally helped the Phillies to an excellent first half. Ranger Suarez even has a chance to start for the National League. 

Which Phillies will earn the nod?

MLB Averages .240 batting average , .310 on-base percentage, .388 slugging percentage

All stats as of the beginning of play on June 14

.278/.390/.529
15 home runs, 45 RBI

The game’s biggest superstar has transitioned to first base after playing almost his career in right field.

He didn’t storm out of the gates offensively despite Philadelphia’s excellent start. His power numbers remained steady, however, and then the hot streak arrived.

Harper earned the nod as the National League Player of the Month for May. He launched seven homers and drove in 24 runs in 26 games. He ranks first in the majors in OPS with runners in scoring position.

His profile also attracts the type of attention needed to promote the MLB All-Star Game. He’s as much of a lock for an All-Star appearance as you’ll find, and he'll most likely participate in the Home Run Derby. He won the competition in 2018.

.290/ .347/ .464
6 HR, 51 RBI

The development of MLB players isn’t linear. Alec Bohm survived his fair share of lumps at the beginning of his career, and he’s emerged as a key weapon in the cleanup spot for the Phillies.

The 27-year-old has improved his versatility at the plate by adding legitimate power on his pull swing. He’s maintained the ability to hit to all fields with a smooth stroke that covers the entire plate.

His .353 average with runners in scoring position is second on the Phillies behind only Bryce Harper. Bohm leads the team in RBI with 51.

Although the defensive metrics don’t grade Bohm as a great third baseman, his notable improvement has granted Rob Thomson a comfort level and lineup flexibility.

MLB Averages
3.91 earned run average, 1.26 walks and hits per innings pitches, 8.5 strikeouts per 9

8-3, 2.16 ERA, 0.93 WHIP (14 starts)

Wheeler ranks seventh in the majors with a 2.16 ERA in 14 starts. His continued dominance has earned him a reputation in the top tier of MLB starting pitchers. He’s pitched at least seven innings six times in 2024, and he’s one of only 12 qualified MLB pitchers with a WHIP under 1.00 (MLB Average: 1.26). He ranks sixth in the majors with 96 strikeouts. Wheeler’s fierce competitive attitude has helped him record double-digit strikeouts in three of his starts in some of the most dominant performances of the season. The tested veteran made his only career All-Star appearance in 2021. Expect to see him make a second in Arlington. While Ranger Suarez has better numbers in the first half of 2024, Wheeler might be likelier to start because of a longer track record of MLB success.

10-1, 1.81 ERA, 0.85 WHIP (13 starts)

Most MLB experts wouldn’t have picked Ranger Suarez as the MLB leader in ERA and WHIP over 60 games into the season. He’s also just behind Zack Wheeler in the top tier qualified starting pitchers with the lowest opponent batting average.

The Venezuelan lefty has emerged as one of best pitchers in the major leagues in 2024 with a cool demeanor that’s helped him become a fan favorite in Philadelphia. He even made his mark in the franchise record books with an early-season shutout streak that reached 32 innings. 

The Phillies have ridden the best starting rotation in the league to a record-breaking start. Suarez has surprisingly outperformed Wheeler and Nola.

He deserves to take the hill as the National League starter.

8-2, 2.77 ERA, 0.97 WHIP (13 starts)

Did you forget about the longest-tenured Phillie? Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez have drawn the attention. The former seventh-overall pick who used to take persistent criticism about not pitching at an ace level is somehow flying under the radar now.

Nola has been worth every cent of the $24.5 million annual salary he commanded over the offseason. He’s posted a sub-3.00 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP through 13 starts. His knuckle curve has improved into an effective strikeout pitch that keeps opposing hitters off balance.

He matched Suarez with Philadelphia’s second complete-game shutout of the season on May 14. It was his third start of the season pitching eight or more innings.

3.41 ERA, 9.9 SO/9 (31 games)

The Hefty Lefty suddenly took intense criticism after a bad outing in the MLB London Series. However, the majority of his outings in 2024 point to a dominant reliever more than an erratic liability.

Alvarado has developed a power sinker throughout his tenure with the Phillies. He’s mixed it with a cutter that’s been effective deep in counts.

Two bad outings have hurt his statistical profile, and a reliever who’s not near the top of the league in saves or ERA is ultimately a longshot to earn an All-Star bid.

However, the Phillies will trust Jose Alvarado as their top left-handed option in high-leverage situations in a season with World Series hopes.

0.67 ERA, 13.0 SO/9 (28 games)

The Phillies locked up Matt Strahm to a two-year extension just before the 2024 season began. The 32-year-old journeyman has made Dave Dombrowski look like a genius for his foresight.

Strahm allowed two earned runs in ⅓ of an inning on Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves. He hasn’t surrendered an earned run in any of his 27 outings since.

Rob Thomson has utilized his veteran lefty in high-leverage spots throughout the season.

Strahm told Andrew Salciunas during spring training that he allowed a big hit to Carson Wentz in his last high school game when the two future professionals faced each other in North Dakota.

Perhaps he’s trying to make it up to the city of Philadelphia.

0.93 ERA, 11.2 SO/9 (29 games)

The Phillies didn’t expect Jeff Hoffman to play a key bullpen role in 2023. They certainly didn’t expect him to overtake Seranthony Dominguez as the top right-hander during the postseason.

They probably didn’t expect him to match his career-best season in 2024. He’s somehow exceeded that statistical output.

Hoffman has developed into a power pitcher whose 6-foot-5 reach and high 90s fastball intimidates opposing hitters. He has earned his role as Thomson’s preferred righty at the back end of one of the best major league bullpens.

While he doesn’t boast the profile of a shutdown closer, Hoffman has been as good as any MLB reliever in 2024. If he doesn’t get the nod for the NL All-Stars, it won’t be because he didn’t earn it.