Phillies 2-Player 'Godfather Offer' for $100M HR Derby Star 'Could Get it Done'
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The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a harsh loss on Monday, falling to the San Francisco Giants despite a seven-inning, one-run gem from starter Cristopher Sanchez.
The game underscored a concerning trend for the Phillies. As their starting pitchers live up to lofty expectations, the offense has routinely been unable to offer significant run support. And that could drive a major addition for the batting order at the trade deadline.
Assembling a list of potential "Godfather offers" for the upcoming deadline, ESPN's David Schoenfield proposed a Phillies trade package of prospects Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford for Minnesota Twins slugger Bryon Buxton that "could get it done."
"Philadelphia has a lot riding on 2025 given the age of its lineup, and executive Dave Dombrowski knows how to go all-in," Schoenfield wrote. "In this case, that would mean parting with one of the top pitching prospects in the game in Painter, plus a promising young outfield hitting well at Triple-A."
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout in the fifth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Target Field on May 10, 2025...
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout in the fifth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Target Field on May 10, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by) More
Maturen/Getty
Though the package would be hard to part with, if it was really enough to land Buxton the Phillies could gain an instant fix for their offensive questions. In the midst of a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Twins, Buxton already has 20 homers this year and was recently selected for his second-career All-Star game as well as the upcoming Home Run Derby.
Crucially, Buxton would be able to slot into center field for the Phillies, where they've faced offensive questions for years.
"But center field has been a soft spot in recent seasons, with the Phillies in the bottom third in the majors in OPS this year, and the team's overall power output has been below average, even with Kyle Schwarber," Shoenfield added. "Adding Buxton adds more pop to the middle of the order."
The fit between Buxton and Philadelphia seems clear. But it might take an offer the Twins can't refuse to pull it off.
More MLB: MLB Insider Makes Bold Claim About Playoff Hopeful NL Central Team
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