It’s the last week until the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and that means front offices across the league have to start making decisions on either their tradable assets or who contenders want to attempt to acquire here in the final days.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a couple of dire needs. One of which is relief pitching help, which is likely what they will target heavily, and another is a solid offensive outfielder that can play center field.
There have been many rumors swirling surrounding several outfielders, and the Baltimore Orioles happen to have a couple of productive outfielders that the Phillies might make calls on.
Phillies Should Inquire About Ramón Laureano
Ramón Laureano of the Baltimore Orioles has become a sneaky trade chip that Baltimore would be foolish not to at least try and ship. The Orioles had won 90 games in both 2023 and 2024, but addressing necessary needs in the offseason has led Baltimore to become the bottom dwellers of the American League East. While still keeping their young core of Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, and a few others, Baltimore can still trade off players either on expiring contracts or those who have increased their trade stock.
Laureano sort of fits into both categories. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason and has a player option for next season. In 75 games this season. Ramón Laureano has 14 home runs, is hitting .277, and has an OPS of .858. Of his 66 hits this season, 30 have gone for extra bases, and this is the exact type of target the Philadelphia Phillies should heavily consider trading for.
The 31-year-old outfielder, who is in his eighth year in MLB, was mostly known for his defense early on in his career, but has become somewhat of a slugger over the past two seasons. When the Atlanta Braves acquired Laureano last season, in 67 games with Atlanta, he slugged .505, and now through 75 games this year, he’s slugging .521. He’s become a man who has the knack for the extra base.
The Orioles continue to struggle, and they have no real reason to hold onto him, especially if he’s just going to choose to test free agency after this season.
Phillies Continued Deadline Outlook
As noted, the Philadelphia Phillies need two things, and that’s an outfielder who can hit and a high-leverage reliever, ideally a righty. Pulling off a trade for Laureano would cross one of those things off the list, and he likely wouldn’t cost the Phillies too much capital, and they could go all-in on that high-leverage bullpen arm.
The Phillies are 58-44, and just saw the New York Mets capture the division lead back; however, it appears to be one of the most compelling division races down the stretch, with both teams going back and forth.
In this last week, expect Dave Dombrowski to make several calls, or at least be in the mix with several teams regarding trades. The Phillies have a World Series-type roster, but they just have a couple of holes to fill.
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