The Phillies’ trade-deadline wishlist figures to start with offense, especially a right-handed hitting outfielder. That’s the clear hole as July approaches, even with the fan base already looking ahead to a World Series run in 2026 and hoping for strong Philadelphia representation at the All-Star Game.
So when ESPN’s David Schoenfield floated a Twins All-Star as a Phillies target, Byron Buxton seemed like the obvious guess. Instead, Schoenfield pointed Philadelphia toward a different name entirely: starter Joe Ryan.
"Philadelphia Phillies/ Atlanta Braves: Trade for Joe Ryan," Schoenfield writes. "As for the Phillies, they need offense -- but like the Padres, they really will have to rely on their current guys, like Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm, to hit better."
It’s a notable suggestion because the Phillies’ rotation already has obvious issues. Aaron Nola has struggled badly, and Andrew Painter has already been sent back to the minors after a rough start to his big league career.
Ryan would certainly be a big addition. He’s under club control through the 2027 season, and he’s in the middle of a strong year with a 3.61 ERA. He could also be headed for a second All-Star nod.
But the fit is where things get complicated. Philadelphia’s most glaring need is still in the outfield, and paying premium trade capital for Ryan would mean bringing in a pitcher who would likely slot in as the team’s fourth starter. That’s a hefty price for a piece that doesn’t solve the lineup problem.
On paper, though, the rotation would look formidable with Ryan joining Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo. That would give the Phillies four strong starters, split between two lefties and two righties, and a much sturdier look for October.
Even so, the larger issue remains unchanged: pitching help alone doesn’t fix the offense. If the Phillies are going to spend big, the argument can be made that those resources are better aimed at Buxton or another right-handed hitting outfielder rather than a starter who, however talented, would deepen a strength more than address the real need.
In Other News...
Twins Head To New York With One Huge Lineup Question Looming
The Twins head into Yankee Stadium on Friday night with a matchup that already carries plenty of intrigue, starting with Gerrit Cole against Mike Paredes in the opener of the three-game set. The series pitching slate gives Minnesota a clear look at what it will be facing all weekend, while the injury reports on both sides add another layer to a trip that arrives at a tricky point for both clubs.
Minnesotas own lineup picture is the part worth watching most closely, especially with Byron Buxton still listed day-to-day because of a hip issue. On top of that, the Twins are navigating the same kind of availability questions that have been hanging over their recent stretch, while the Yankees come in with their own notable absences and a skid that has left little margin for error as the teams try to steady themselves in New York. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Fans Just Got Another Concerning Mick Abel Injury Update
Mick Abels latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to a Twins pitching picture that has already needed patience. The right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, a procedure handled by Dr. Keith Meister, and the club said the initial response was encouraging even as it stopped short of offering any kind of return timeline.
Ryan Jeffers, meanwhile, keeps inching forward in his recovery from a broken hamate bone in his left hand. The catcher has now taken batting practice for three straight days and is gradually ramping up his workload, including some swings against curveballs and a bit of velocity, though he still has not faced live pitching. The next question is how he comes out of that stretch and whether the Twins can keep building from there. [Read more 🡒]