Phillies fans were laser-focused on the Phillies’ need for a left fielder at the trade deadline. Bryce Harper is playing more and more 1st base. Meaning Kyle Schwarber will get to DH more often. Creating an opening for someone else to play leftfield. And fans wanted that to be someone who came over at the deadline. Ideally a right-handed power hitter. The Phillies had something else in mind though.
When the clock hit 6 pm last night, the only moves they had made were for Michael Lorenzen, and Rodolfo Castro. Pitching depth, and an upgrade over Josh Harrison off the bench. Not exactly moves that will get you out of your seat. Lorenzen will give them a safety net at starter in case someone gets hurt. It also allows them to go with a 6-man rotation. Keeping all of their starters a bit fresher. Which should help guys like Nola and Wheeler.
They were attached to some Outfielders. But some of those names did not even get moved. And the ones who did, are not exactly difference makers. The addition of the 3rd Wild Card Spot, and seeing the Phillies make it to the World Series last year out of that spot, had a lot of teams unwilling to be sellers at the deadline. Instead, many teams on the bubble tried to improve their roster at the deadline. That made the price to get a good name high, and it was a price Dave Dombrowski was apparently unwilling to pay. Meaning now it will be up to the guys already in Red Pinstripes to fix the issues in the lineup.
But even though the Phillies did not come away with any big names at the deadline, there are some things we as fans can take away.
Here are 3 things we learned from the Phillies’ quiet Trade Deadline:
Brandon Marsh Will Be Playing More Left Field
Brandom Marsh has been a bright spot for the Phillies. Yes at times he has made boneheaded plays in the field and on the bases. But he has some of the best numbers at the plate on the team and is mostly good in the field. Not as good as Pache/ Rojas though. And we have seen them more and more mess around with putting Marsh in left, and Rojas in Center. And that may be for the best.
It is the position Marsh played with the Angels since he was not going to push Trout out of Center. But the Phillies needed a Center Fielder, so he was moved there when traded to Philly. But he just looks more comfortable, and instinctual, in left field. There are fewer of those mental errors we occasionally see from him in Center.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
That may be what we see going forward this season. Is it what is best for the lineup? That depends on how Rojas and Pache perform at the plate going forward. But what it will do is turn a weakness for the Phillies, fielding, into a major strength. Nick Castellanos would be the only weak link out there. But even he has improved a ton this season. You would be going from a bottom 5 glove in Left, Schwarber, to arguably a top 5, Marsh.
They Are Banking On Guys Already Here To Figure it Out
We would not be talking about the Phillies’ need for another bat if Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, JT Realmuto, and Bryce Harper were hitting the way they usually do. Those 5 players’ struggles, and the lack of Rhys Hoskins, are the reason there was any need for another hitter to begin with. Harper we can forgive because he is still hitting, just not for power, which probably comes down to his recovery from Tommy John’s. But the other 4 need to do better.
And that is what the Phillies are telling you will happen. By not making a move, they are saying they believe Turner will start hitting and Castellanos will break out of his July slump. Hopefully, they are right. because right now the lineup can be tough to watch some nights.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
