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.
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Phillies Roster Squeeze Feels Inevitable As Trade Deadline Nears
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Philadelphias outlook is still fluid, though, because All-Star pitching plans have a way of changing as the season goes on and rotations get shuffled. If the scheduling around the top NL arms holds, Sanchezs case gets stronger, and Zack Wheeler remains another name worth watching for the Phillies if the league ends up looking elsewhere for its starter. [Read more 🡒]