The Phillies are heading toward the 2026 trade deadline with three obvious holes to fill: a starting pitcher, a high-leverage reliever and a right-handed hitting outfielder. But ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel have also floated a different kind of upgrade for Philadelphia - one that could change the look of the infield, too.
In their trade deadline preview, Passan and McDaniel listed the Phillies among the “best fits” for Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, a player they gave a 40% chance of being dealt. They also grouped the Guardians, Mariners, Pirates, Brewers and Reds in that same category.
“18. Isaac Paredes, 1B/3B, Houston Astros.
Chance of being traded: 40%,” Passan and McDaniel write. “Best fits: Guardians, Mariners, Phillies, Pirates, Brewers, Reds.”
For Philadelphia, the appeal is pretty clear: Paredes would bring more offense than Alec Bohm has provided this season. Bohm is hitting .224 with 11 homers, 46 RBIs and a .655 OPS, a line that leaves the Phillies wanting more even though he has improved since the start of the year.
Paredes has been the more productive bat. He’s hitting .254 with a .722 OPS, along with 12 homers and 47 RBIs. On paper, that kind of production would fit nicely in the middle of the Phillies’ order, even potentially as a cleanup hitter behind Bryce Harper.
There’s also some flexibility baked into the idea. Paredes is primarily a third baseman, but he could move to first base, with Harper shifting to the outfield. That setup is far from a given, but it is one possible way Philadelphia could make the pieces fit if it decides to pursue him.
Another path would be to move Bohm elsewhere. The Phillies could try to send him to a contender that needs help at third base, such as the New York Yankees, which would open the door for Paredes without creating a crowded infield situation.
However it shakes out, a Paredes deal would be more than just a simple bat-for-bat swap. It would represent a real offensive upgrade, but the fit with Bohm still on the roster is not especially clean. If the Phillies go this route, it likely comes with more changes behind it.
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