Latest news with #DaveDombrowski
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies 'Scouting' Twins Star Ahead of Trade Deadline: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies have been clear about their biggest need at the trade deadline and a new report has revealed how they might hope to fill it. With arguably the best starting rotation in the sport and a batting order studded with high-priced veterans like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies have been open about targeting the back end of the bullpen for an external upgrade. "By default, I would say the back end of our bullpen is the one area that we would probably (upgrade)," Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Julian McWilliams of CBS Sports. "And when I say back end, people that can pitch late in the game and close tight games." Of course, virtually every World Series contender will be looking to add a dependable arm to their relief corps. But the Phillies' need is more pronounced than most, as they've blown the fourth-most saves so far this season. PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media during the introductory press conference for Trea Turner at Citizens Bank Park on December 8, 2022... PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media during the introductory press conference for Trea Turner at Citizens Bank Park on December 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) More Leff/Getty As the Phillies assess the potential options, they've reportedly indicated interest in a pair of relievers in the American League, with one standing out as a potential star addition. "The Phillies have a specific interest in the American League Central; they began scouting the Minnesota Twins more heavily this week in anticipation of the team being sellers, league sources said," according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. "Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran will be prized targets if Minnesota makes them available." After a strong season last year, Jax has a concerning 4.12 ERA across 42 games so far this season and might not mark much of an upgrade for the Phillies' closer options. Meanwhile, Duran has a 1.52 ERA with 14 saves so far and he seems to be a better fit for the Phillies' as a true shutdown closer. He's earning $4.1 million this season with two more years of arbitration eligibility ahead. Either Jax or Duran would likely cost the Phillies multiple prospects in a trade. But Gelb added that the team could be looking at this season with some urgency and might be preparing to leverage some of their best youngsters in a trade that fills a significant area of need. More MLB: Dodgers Tabbed Trade Fit For $4 Million Star Pitcher From AL Club
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
What we're hearing about the Phillies' trade deadline plans: Will they take a bigger swing?
SAN FRANCISCO — The Phillies have acquired five major-league players over the past two trade deadlines, and three of them were rentals. They were the biggest July targets for Dave Dombrowski. The president of baseball operations added Michael Lorenzen, Carlos Estévez and Austin Hays as temporary boosts. The Phillies explored deals for meaningful players with more club control but weren't willing to meet the price — or offer a compelling enough package to pry them loose. Advertisement This July, they find themselves in a familiar spot. They need bullpen help. Again. They could use another right-handed bat. Again. They have used mid-tier prospects to patch holes in previous deadlines. But they have taken a different tone this time, according to officials from rival clubs who have spoken to the Phillies as the trade landscape crystallizes. The Phillies, for now, sound more willing to trade bigger prospect chips for controllable big leaguers, especially a shutdown, late-inning reliever. The Phillies have a top-heavy farm system; major-league sources said initial indications are the Phillies want to shop this July in a more expensive aisle than the rental one. They have the prospects to do it. Whether that comes to fruition through a larger acquisition remains to be seen. The Phillies talked last winter about being creative and engaged various clubs in trade discussions. But they were unwilling to sacrifice top prospects. They settled for three one-year free-agent contracts with Max Kepler, Jordan Romano and Joe Ross. Now, Dombrowski is attempting to undo his offseason mistakes. That means sacrificing good prospects for 'win-now' moves. The Phillies have a specific interest in the American League Central; they began scouting the Minnesota Twins more heavily this week in anticipation of them being sellers, league sources said. Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán will be prized targets if Minnesota makes them available. They're expected to listen. There is a potential match with the Cleveland Guardians, who boast a deep bullpen headlined by Emmanuel Clase. Teams expect Cleveland to take offers on Clase, who is signed through 2026 with $10 million club options for 2027 and 2028. Any of those relievers would cost the Phillies multiple top prospects. If the Phillies landed one, it would fill an immediate hole and also provide future bullpen stability. It could, in essence, prevent the Phillies from being in the same spot next July. Advertisement Within the front office, a fascinating debate will ensue. The Phillies know their current roster is aging; it's imperative they backfill with younger players beginning in 2026 if they are to build a sustainable winner. But flags fly forever, and it's impossible to assume they will have as robust a starting rotation in future seasons as they do in 2025. The 'Wheeler Window' lasts through 2027 — and with the collective bargaining agreement expiring the prior December, there is no guarantee there will even be Major League Baseball in 2027. It might be time to take a bigger swing. When the Phillies progressed in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for Garrett Crochet last summer, they were steadfast in deeming Andrew Painter untouchable. They have held firm on that stance this July. But everyone else in the organization, according to league sources, might be available to varying degrees. That would include Aidan Miller, who has improved at shortstop and become a better base-stealing threat with Double-A Reading in 2025. But he has not hit for average or power. He is still young; Miller just turned 21. If the Phillies are trying to build a competitive prospect package to acquire Clase or one of the Twins relievers, they might have to begin with Miller. They might be more willing to part with infielder Aroon Escobar, who was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore this week. Rival evaluators are high on Escobar, who hits the ball hard, but are uncertain about his positional future. Same with 18-year-old catcher Eduardo Tait, who will head to Atlanta this weekend for the Futures Game showcase. Tait is raw behind the plate. He is still at Low-A Clearwater and doesn't turn 19 until August. He may earn a promotion to High A following the All-Star break. The Phillies are reluctant to move any of their better prospects for rentals; that includes Mick Abel. It's the time of year when just about everything is on the table; that, according to major-league sources, includes the Phillies dealing from their current outfield. The idea would be to open a spot for Justin Crawford, one of the club's top prospects, who has hit .339 at Triple A while wielding his game-changing speed. Advertisement Whether Crawford is ready to be an everyday player on a contending team remains to be seen. There are indications the Phillies want to see at some point this summer. That would mean moving either Brandon Marsh or Kepler. Both have underperformed in 2025. They might not have much value on the trade market. Teams have poked around, though, because the state of offense across the sport is dismal. Marsh, in particular, could interest someone. He has two years of club control after 2025. He's probably a better fit in left field. He has chipped away after a nightmarish start to his season. Marsh is hitting .315/.379/.441 since May 1. The Phillies could use him to secure a better fit for their roster — either a right-handed bat, a swing-and-miss setup man, or a prospect to help backfill whatever the Phillies ship out this month. But the Phillies would be selling low on Marsh. Kepler, on the other hand, is owed less than $5 million over the remainder of the season. It would be easier to cut ties with him. Whatever path the Phillies take, their quest is rather simple: They'd love to have one outfielder who can both hit and field his position. As the Phillies make bids this month, the secondary pieces in a prospect package matter. Rival evaluators see a massive drop from the Phillies' best four or five prospects to the next tier. That could make it tougher for them to make a competitive offer. A few of those middle-tier prospects have fetched more attention from rival evaluators. One of them, Hendry Mendez, is a 21-year-old outfielder at Double-A Reading who has hit for a high average with excellent plate discipline. Some clubs view Mendez as a good candidate for a swing change to help him lift the ball more. Alex McFarlane, a 24-year-old righty at High-A Jersey Shore, is in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. He's had ups and downs but throws hard with a feel for spin. He profiles as a future reliever and must be added to a 40-man roster this offseason or he will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Jean Cabrera, who is on the 40-man roster, has displayed improved command over the last six weeks. Cabrera, 23, fits the mold of pitching prospects the Phillies have flipped at previous trade deadlines. The club's focus, according to sources, is firmly on bullpen additions. There is a greater supply of high-end relievers as opposed to difference-making bats. This could change in the coming weeks, but the bullpen need is overwhelming. Consider this: Phillies relievers have thrown a higher percentage of pitches in the strike zone than any other bullpen. But they have the 19th highest whiff rate on those in-zone pitches. Advertisement Since May 20, the first day of José Alvarado's suspension, Phillies relievers have the lowest whiff rate in MLB on two-strike pitches. They need more swing-and-miss stuff. Badly. There might not be a bigger right field in baseball than Oracle Park, which prompted a natural question this week: Would manager Rob Thomson lift Nick Castellanos for defense with a late lead? 'Probably not,' Thomson said. 'I think he's played pretty well.' The manager has reversed course from last month when he removed Castellanos for defense in Miami. The two had an encounter that resulted in Castellanos' benching for a day. Every defensive measurement — including the eye test — suggests that Castellanos is a well-below-average defender. Even if someone were to quibble with that assessment, there is no disputing that Castellanos, at best, is the club's fourth-best outfield defender. The optimal defensive lineup has three of his teammates out there. But, much to the confusion of some Phillies personnel, Thomson will keep Castellanos in games. For now. 'Even if you're going to defend for a guy, it all depends on where his spot is in the lineup, too,' Thomson said. 'Especially in a close game, you still want to keep that bat in. And I don't think the defensive replacement comes into play all that much.' Thomson applied different logic in Tuesday's game against the Giants; he removed Otto Kemp in the eighth inning with a lead so Kepler could play left field. Kemp, who made a diving catch earlier in the game, is inexperienced in the outfield. Why do it in left field and not right field? 'Just because Kemp doesn't have that many reps, that's all,' Thomson said. 'I mean, I'm comfortable with him. But Kepler's a little better outfielder at this point.' The Phillies have interest in Pirates reliever David Bednar, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. But Bednar is merely one name on their list as the deadline inches closer. In the meantime, the Phillies will buy as many lottery tickets as they can. The latest: They signed veteran righty Phil Bickford to a minor-league contract. Bickford, who turns 30 on Thursday, had asked the Chicago Cubs for his release. He was pitching well at Triple-A Iowa with a 2.60 ERA in 27 2/3 innings. He struck out 36 and walked six. Bickford's fastball averaged 92.2 mph in the minors this season, down from his 93.7 mph average two years ago in the majors. (Top photo of Dave Dombrowski: David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Says Phillies 'Badly Need' to Target Right-Handed Hitting Outfielder at Trade Deadline
MLB Insider Says Phillies 'Badly Need' to Target Right-Handed Hitting Outfielder at Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies have had issues in the outfield for the last few seasons. Whether it's a lack of offense or bad defense, the outfield spots have always been in flux lately. Advertisement According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies have a clear area of need in the outfield, in the form of a right-handed bat to platoon in either left field or center field. "... They badly need a right-handed hitting outfielder at the trade deadline." Nightengale wrote. "Their left fielders are hitting .178 with a .278 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers this year, with their center fielders hitting .235 with a .309 slugging percentage." The Phillies have four outfielders who are rotating in center field and left field at the moment. Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh are the lefty hitters, and while Marsh has been solid as of late (.833 OPS since June 1st), Kepler has struggled (.634 OPS since June 1st). Johan Rojas has struggled all year, with a .574 OPS on the season. Otto Kemp has been fine with his .671 OPS, but has had his ups and downs this season. Overall, as Nightengale points out, the Phillies' outfielders struggle against lefty pitchers. Advertisement Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski before the game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Hartline-Imagn Images Due to Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, the two best Phillies hitters, both being lefties, the Phillies are likely to see a lot of left-handed pitching this season. Having two spots in the lineup that struggle against lefties isn't great. At this year's trade deadline, landing a right-handed hitting outfielder, to either platoon with Kepler or Marsh, is a major priority. Of the two outfield spots, Kepler is the most likely to be changed. Between his struggles this season and his complaints about playing time and being misled in the offseason, finding a replacement for him seems to be the best solution to this issue. Advertisement Regardless of what kind of player the Phillies target, they need to add a right-handed hitting outfielder. Sticking with Marsh, Rojas, Kepler, and Kemp in the outfield is not ideal. Nightengale says the Phillies "badly need" a right-handed hitting outfielder. With how the outfielders have struggled against left-handed pitching this season, it's clear the team needs to make a change. Related: Phillies Targeting Pirates' 1.46 ERA Reliever As 'Primary Interest' at Trade Deadline Related: Phillies' Interest in All-Star Reliever Seeing an 'Uptick' After 0.00 June ERA This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Doesn't Plan to Add Brandon Marsh Replacement at Trade Deadline
Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Doesn't Plan to Add Brandon Marsh Replacement at Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For the Philadelphia Phillies outfield, this season has been a tough one. Nearly every outfielder has had stretches where they struggled significantly. No one struggled more than Brandon Marsh to start the year. Advertisement His struggles led to the fan base calling for Dave Dombrowski and the front office to find a replacement. But, regardless of Marsh's recent improved performance, Dombrowski gave the fans some bad news recently. In an article from Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, revealed the team is unlikely to land an outfielder at the trade deadline as they did a year ago with Austin Hays. "I don't think it's too similar," Dombrowski said, "I think the thing you have to realize is offense is down. It's hard to find guys to put up numbers. I mean, it just is." While Dombrowski didn't say he wouldn't make a move in the outfield, he's effectively justifying Marsh and the rest of the outfielders' play. The offense is down league-wide, and Dombrowski doesn't see any significant improvements that could be made at the deadline. Advertisement It isn't just the Phillies who have struggled in the outfield; it's a league-wide issue. "Through Thursday, the major league-wide batting average was .245," Lauber writes, "Which would be the fifth-lowest mark since MLB lowered the mound in 1968." Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) celebrates with outfielder Max Kepler (17) after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Streicher-Imagn Images The offense is down overall, especially in the outfield. "In left field and center," Lauber writes, "league-average slugging was .399 and .387, respectively, tied for third-and fifth-lowest in 57 years." With offense down, Marsh's .260 batting average and a .379 slugging percentage aren't too terrible. Despite being below average, Dombrowski believes Marsh "has been performing very well for us." Advertisement Based on his production lately, Dombrowski ins't wrong. Since May 3rd, Marsh has a .311 batting average, a .371 on-base percentage, and a .444 slugging percentage. His .815 OPS is also very strong. His season stats are so much worse since he started off the year on a terrible note. Through April, Marsh was hitting just .095 with a .387 OPS. Putting it bluntly, he was awful at the start of the season. But after taking some time off, Marsh has returned better than ever and has been solid for the Phillies. Between Marsh's recent production at the plate and Kepler's power coming into play, Dombrowski is leaning towards not adding a new outfielder at the MLB trade deadline. Related: Phillies' Ranger Suarez Gets Massive New Contract Prediction Related: Phillies Continue to be Strongly Linked to Pair of Pirates Relievers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies' Andrew Painter Won't Pitch Out of Bullpen Once Called Up
Phillies' Andrew Painter Won't Pitch Out of Bullpen Once Called Up originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After a promising start to his MLB career, Mick Abel struggled too much and was sent back down to the minor leagues to rediscover his command. Amid such a roster move, the plan for another pitcher prospect became a little clearer. Advertisement Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer shared Dave Dombrowski's thoughts on the Phillies' top prospect, Andrew Painter, amid his stint in the minor leagues. "He's been good but not great," Dombrowski said. "That's the way I would describe it. His velocity's good; his pitches are good. Probably doesn't have quite the same command as he normally has, which sometimes happens. It takes a little while to get back when you're coming off a couple of years down. But he's touching 100." Painter hasn't been his best in Triple-A this season. He has a 4.45 ERA in 56.2 innings pitched, with 64 strikeouts and a 1.34 WHIP. While he's not been his best, Dombrowski pointed out one area that matters a lot to him with Painter. "And he's healthy," Dombrowksi said, "Which is the most important thing." Coming off Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2024 season, his health is a major concern for the Phillies. Painter, being healthy heading into the All-Star break, is a great sign for the top prospect. Advertisement Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Mick Abel (40) in the dugout after being relieved during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Streicher-Imagn Images But the big question is, when will he be called up? Dombrowski alluded to his plan with Painter, and it includes zero intention to use him out of the bullpen with the team's stacked rotation. "We have not discussed it," Dombrowski said, "And I don't think we would bring him up as a bullpen guy coming off an injury." If Dombrowski and the Phillies don't plan to use him in the bullpen, Painter is going to have a tough time cracking the MLB roster. With the current rotation being the best in baseball, it'd take an injury or major struggles from a starter for Painter to get a spot in the rotation. Abel was sent back down to Triple-A, and with Aaron Nola still out, Painter does have a spot on the roster. But, as the plan is to shut him down for the All-Star break, Painter will have to wait until the second half of July to make his debut at the earliest. Advertisement This updated plan with Painter helps clear the air on when the top prospect might make his MLB debut. His earlier debut date is after the All-Star break, which was the plan a while ago. But, with Abel back down in Triple-A and Nola banged up, Painter's chances of getting the call to the big leagues are better than they have ever been. Related: Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Delivers Bad News on Potential Brandon Marsh Replacement Related: Phillies Continue to be Strongly Linked to Pair of Pirates Relievers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
