The Phillies’ search for a right-handed bat has turned into one of the easiest reads on the trade market, and the front office does not sound like it plans to stop at the obvious names. Philadelphia’s lineup has been a mess from the right side all year, and the numbers make that impossible to ignore: a league-worst 68 wRC+ against right-handed hitters, plus bottom-five marks in batting average at .214, on-base percentage at .272, and OPS at .613. The problems don’t vanish against lefties, either, where the club sits 23rd or worse in each of those categories.
That is why Dave Dombrowski is expected to keep digging for help before the deadline, even if it means looking at players who already occupy a spot the Phillies have filled. Jon Heyman has linked Philadelphia to first baseman Willson Contreras, a fit that checks the biggest box on the roster - right-handed production - while creating a very real headache everywhere else.
Contreras has been exactly the kind of hitter Philadelphia lacks. His season line sits at .276/.371/.513 with a 141 wRC+, and he has been even more dangerous against lefties, posting a .284/.407/.582 slash and a 168 wRC+. Those numbers would top the Phillies in every one of those categories among qualified hitters, and his .989 OPS against southpaws would be a massive boost whenever the opposing starter throws from the left side.
The catch is simple: Contreras plays first base, the same spot occupied by Bryce Harper. That is where the conversation gets tricky.
Harper has said he would move back to the outfield to make room for a true first baseman, but that was before he opened this season with a 143 wRC+ and .896 OPS. Asking him to shift now is a tougher sell, especially if there are questions about his physical readiness.
There is also the defensive side of the equation, and it is not subtle. Harper has been a minus at first base this season, with -10 outs above average and zero defensive runs saved.
Contreras, by contrast, has been on the positive side at the position with +1 OAA and +3 DRS. That gap is part of the appeal, but it also raises the same question from a different angle: is the difference enough to push Harper off the spot for the rest of this season and next?
That last part matters because Contreras is under contract through 2027, so this would not be a short-term shuffle. Philadelphia will have options - Contreras, Christian Walker, and likely others - but the bigger issue may be whether the cleanest solution is to target an outfielder instead, even if that means settling for a lesser overall player.
In Other News...
Phillies Fans Just Got A Bryce Harper All-Star Gut Punch
The first round of All-Star voting brought plenty of good news for the Phillies, with Brandon Marsh piling up more than two million votes and landing second among National League outfielders. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm also finished second at their positions, keeping their chances alive to start the All-Star Game and giving Philadelphia a real presence in the early returns.
Bryce Harper was the notable exception, even if he still appears headed for the roster when selections are finalized. For a team hoping to make this summer showcase feel like a home-field celebration in Philadelphia, Harper falling short of the next round leaves a little sting, especially with so many of his teammates still in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Could Flip A Major Offseason Addition If July Unravels
The Orioles are still hanging around the postseason picture, but July could end up deciding whether they stay in the race or start listening to offers. One player to watch is Taylor Ward, whose arrival has been a meaningful addition for Baltimore and whose profile fits the kind of move contenders circle once a front office decides it needs to protect some value.
MLB.coms Thomas Harrigan notes that Ward could be on the move if Baltimore cannot build momentum this month, a possibility tied to the reality of a looming free-agent departure. For a Phillies club that always keeps an eye on available outfield help, this is the sort of name that could surface quickly if the Orioles slip and shift from buyer to seller. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Could Make A Deadline Swing That Ends The Bohm Debate
The Phillies have been searching for a steadier answer at third base, and the conversation around Alec Bohm has only sharpened as the deadline draws closer. Bohm has been through a slow start this season before showing signs of life more recently, but the position remains one of the clearest places Philadelphia could look to upgrade if it wants a more dependable bat and glove for the stretch run.
Jon Heymans latest note suggests the front office could explore a bigger swing if the right opportunity presents itself, with the market shaped by both performance and price. Philadelphia also has to weigh its internal options, including Aidan Miller, though his back injury has kept him sidelined all year, which leaves the club with a familiar deadline question: stand pat and hope Bohm keeps trending up, or try to settle the spot before October becomes the focus. [Read more 🡒]