The Phillies have hit a rough patch at exactly the wrong time.
After carrying plenty of momentum into the All-Star break, Philadelphia has dropped all three of its second-half series and watched a nine-game homestand turn into a missed chance to keep climbing on the Atlanta Braves. With the trade deadline about a week away, the pressure is on to patch the roster.
Pitching is the obvious place to start. The back end of the rotation has been shaky, and the bullpen could use reinforcements too. But the lineup could also benefit from another bat, especially one that fits a clear need.
That’s where Jo Adell enters the conversation.
The Angels outfielder checks a box the Phillies should be targeting: a right-handed hitter who can play the outfield. He’s also in the middle of a down season, which could make him a buy-low candidate if Philadelphia wants to add without paying top dollar in prospects.
Adell is hitting .243/.291/.398 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI this year. The OPS is below .700, but the power is still there, and that matters for a Phillies club looking for more punch.
That dip in production could actually work in Philadelphia’s favor. The Phillies do not have a deep farm system, and if they plan to make multiple moves before the deadline, they’ll need to be careful about what they give up. Adell could be available at a more reasonable price than a hotter name on the market.
There’s also the longer view to consider. Philadelphia has an outfield need for next year as well, and Adell remains under team control. That adds another layer to his appeal.
It may not be the splashiest move on the board, but it fits. If the Phillies can add Adell and get pitching help too, they’d come out of the deadline in much better shape.
In Other News...
Phillies May Be Closing In On The Veteran Arm They Need
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Philadelphias need is less about star power than balance. Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo give the Phillies a solid foundation, but the rotation has questions once you get past that group, with Aaron Nola still searching for consistency and the fifth spot unsettled. If the front office decides the answer has to come from outside the organization, this is the sort of market that could shape how far the Phillies think they can go next fall. [Read more 🡒]
Andrew Painter Is Creating A Phillies Rotation Dilemma Again
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For now, though, Philadelphia is still choosing patience while it sorts out the short-term rotation picture. Brian Keller appears to be the likely fifth starter in the near term, and the club is also expected to keep looking for help at the trade deadline, which leaves Painter as both a future answer and a current source of pressure on how the Phillies handle the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Deadline Search Just Got Awkward In A Hurry
The Phillies search for pitching help at the deadline has taken on a familiar kind of awkwardness, with Foster Griffin suddenly surfacing as a name to watch. Scouts from Philadelphia and Tampa Bay were both at his recent start, a sign that the left-hander is drawing real attention as Washington weighs whether to listen on a pitcher who has been effective this season.
For Philadelphia, the fit is easy to understand. The back end of the rotation has been an area to monitor, and Griffins performance has made him a plausible target if the Nationals decide to move him. The complication is just as obvious, though, because this is the kind of deal that can get tangled fast when a division club is involved and more than one contender is circling. [Read more 🡒]