The Philadelphia Phillies have been rumored to make a big splash at the MLB Trade Deadline. What direction they will take however, still remains a major question. 

According to The Athletic, the Phillies will be targeting offense and of course, another arm to add to their starting rotation before the August 1st the MLB Trade Deadline. 

Just as we suspected: As we near the halfway point of the season, the defending NL pennant-winners could badly use … offense? Despite playing fifth-starter roulette for much of the first half, Philadelphia’s rotation has found some steadiness, and its perennially crumbly bullpen has been solid. via The Athletic 

Let’s get caught up on all the latest Phillies Trade Deadline Rumors. 

Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals

ESPN tagged the reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt to join the Philadelphia Phillies before the deadline nearly a month ago, and his name keeps popping up as a serious trade option. 

Injuries to Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall have led to offensive issues at both infield corners for the Phillies. They’re 20th in OPS at first base and 26th at third. Acquire Goldschmidt and they at least can move Alec Bohm, defensive warts and all, back to third. Hoskins is a free agent, so Goldschmidt fills a hole at first for 2024 as well. via ESPN

Nolan Arenado – St. Louis Cardinals 

You have to think that the St. Louis Cardinals will be sellers at the deadline since they are currently 35-51 on the season. Arenado, much like Goldschmidt should be available at the deadline and might make more sense than his teammate at first base. 

Arenado is three years younger than Paul Goldschmidt and would be under the Phillies’ control through the 2027 MLB season. If the Phillies would be open in ending Bohm and one of their top pitching prospects to St. Louis, there’s a chance that deal could get done before August 1st. 

Arenado is batting .280 with a .823 OPS. He has 16 home runs and 57 RBI on the season and would be a clear defensive upgrade over Bohm at third base. 

As for the pitching side of things, here are a few names that would be on the Phillies radar ahead of the deadline. 

Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander – New York Mets

MLB.com recently reported that Mets’ pitcher Max Scherzer AND Justin Verlander could be willing to waive their no-trade clauses “under the right circumstances” which if you take a look at the Mets’ record, it would appear that would be the case. 

Scherzer and/or Verlander could request to get out of New York, with the Mets six games under .500 at 40-46 with nearly half of the MLB season already completed. 

When you’re looking at the New York Mets, it’s safe to assume that they want to get younger arms in their minor league system and the Phillies definitely have them with Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, and Griff McGarry. 

Would the Mets actually trade Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander to the Phillies?

I highly doubt it. So maybe even considering them is pretty stupid. 

Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are 40-45 on the season and in third place in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers and the surging Cincinnati Reds. 

Recent reports state that the Chicago Cubs are not really interested in extending Marcus Stroman and if that’s the case, then it’s safe to assume he’ll be available at the deadline. 

On the year, Stroman is 9-6 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. 

The only issue would be that Stroman has an opt-out clause after this season, which he is expected to exercise. Trading for Stroman could be a “rental” situation if the Phillies just want him to make a second half push into the postseason. 

Suggestion: Phillies should focus on Pitching and Pitching Only

Look, I’m not sure what the Phillies will end up doing at the deadline. I would prefer Dombrowski and company to focus on starting pitching over adding another offensive weapon that would require trading a current starter and/or some top prospects. 

I know we are looking for more power at first base, but once Harper is able to play the field, you can slide him at first, keep Bohm at second, and move Schwarber into the DH spot instead of left field. That gives you more flexibility and better defense in left, while leveling out your infield. 

Focus on starting pitching and hell, maybe even add a long-innings reliever and let’s make a run in the second half.  

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