MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies yet again linked to Luis Robert Jr., Cedric Mullins, and an elite bullpen arm

MLB trade season is officially heating up and the Phillies are once again, in the thick of it.

After the Giants shocked the baseball world by acquiring Rafael Devers in a rare early-June blockbuster, the rest of the league has officially been put on notice.

The Phillies may not be desperate, but I think we’re all on the same page in saying that they are in desperate need of some upgrades, particularly in centerfield and the bullpen.

According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, one potential trade he’d “like to see” involves the Orioles sending closer Félix Bautista and center fielder Cedric Mullins to the Phillies in exchange for top pitching prospect Mick Abel.

Bautista has been lights-out in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 3.04 ERA with 14 saves and 31 strikeouts in just under 24 innings. He’s also under team control through 2027.

Cedric Mullins would be a rental, but he brings elite defense in center field, some pop, and speed — he’s slashing .233/.319/.450 with 11 home runs and 8 steals.

I wrote up a piece on Mullins earlier this year >>

Not a crazy idea but unfortunately, that’s not a price I’m worth paying.

Mick Abel has quickly transformed himself into a legitimate MLB starting pitcher. In four starts with the Phillies, Mick has posted a 2.21 ERA. He’s 2-0 with 17 strikeouts and a 1.03 WHIP.

With Aaron Nola likely out of the rotation until after the All-Star break and Andrew Painter still in Lehigh Valley, parting ways with Mick Abel doesn’t really seem like a smart move right now for the Phillies.

Buddy Kennedy gets the call, Aaron Nola’s first half is officially over

Looking ahead, you have Ranger Suarez, guided by Scott Boras, looking for a new contract after this season. That’s too much uncertainty for a team that’s currently stacked with rotation arms. 

The opposite viewpoint here is that the Phillies might have the depth to part with Abel if they believe Bautista and Mullins are the final pieces of a championship roster.

It’s a “win now” kind of move and as we all know, this front office isn’t shy about making those so I wouldn’t completely rule it out.

Meanwhile, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand continues to link the Phillies to Luis Robert Jr., the toolsy but inconsistent center fielder from the White Sox. Robert is having a brutal season at the plate, hitting just .194 with a .590 OPS in 64 games.

The tools are still there. 21 stolen bases, good defense, and legitimate power.

He’s also under contract with two $20 million club options in 2026 and 2027. If the Phillies believe a change of scenery could unlock his potential, it’s a swing worth considering.

I was all over Luis Robert Jr. last season but at this point, if the White Sox are still expecting a top prospect return and the numbers say it’s not worth it.

Other names being floated include Jake Bird from the Rockies and Kyle Finnegan from the Nationals, both cost-effective bullpen arms who could help deepen the relief corps without requiring a top prospect.

The Phillies are firmly in buyer mode and they’re being linked to real, impact-level players. Whether it’s a blockbuster like Bautista and Mullins or a buy-low flier on Luis Robert Jr., expect Dave Dombrowski to make moves.

If the goal is to win the World Series, standing pat is not an option.

Up Next for the Phillies:

The Phillies have won 8 of 10 and the Mets have now lost 6 straight, getting swept twice in a row. The Phillies are tied with the Mets for first place in the division and have a massive weekend series in South Philly against their NL East rivals.

Zack Wheeler on the bump tonight.

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