The Philadelphia Phillies are in a familiar spot again: back in the hunt, back in buyer mode, and back to looking for ways to patch a roster that still has some obvious holes.
After a rough opening series against the New York Mets, Philadelphia is still very much in the mix this year. That wasn’t the case in April, when a 10-games-under-.500 start made the whole season look shaky. Now the Phillies are chasing the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and with the MLB Trade Deadline only a couple of weeks away, they’re expected to be active.
That’s where Toronto Blue Jays slugger Daulton Varsho enters the picture.
Contributors to The Athletic recently updated their trade board, and Varsho was listed as one of the potential fits for Philadelphia. The Blue Jays, coming off a season in which they nearly won the World Series, have had a disappointing 2026 campaign despite spending heavily in the offseason. If Toronto decides it’s not a playoff team, moving players this summer could be part of the plan.
Varsho is one of those names to watch because he’s on an expiring contract, which makes him a logical candidate for a deal if the Blue Jays want to turn him into prospects.
His numbers this season have been solid, if not eye-catching: a .239/.305/.384 slash line with seven home runs and 24 RBI. The power is down from last year, but he still brings pop and strong defense.
For the Phillies, that kind of profile could make sense as a relatively affordable way to add outfield depth. Still, the bigger issue may be elsewhere. Philadelphia’s more urgent need is in the bullpen, and that’s where using its trade assets would seem to matter most.
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The timing matters, too, with Brad Kellers injury adding to the urgency and forcing the Phillies to keep searching for workable innings. McFarlane arrives with a chance to stabilize things quickly, and the roster move to make room for him is expected to come from the pitching staff, leaving the club with another decision to sort through as it tries to steady the late-game picture. [Read more 🡒]
Alec Bohms Latest Phillies Slump Explanation Will Set Fans Off
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Bohm pointed to the broader challenge of hitting in todays game, saying pitching has gotten tougher across the league with harder bullpens and more arms throwing in the 100 mph range. For a fan base already frustrated by the teams recent slide, the comment landed badly, with plenty of reaction aimed not just at the explanation itself but at Bohms tone, his presence in the lineup and the sense that the excuses are starting to pile up. [Read more 🡒]