When Dave Dombrowski and company woke up this morning, the landscape of the MLB, particularly the make up of the National League, looked much different. Young phenom Juan Soto and slugger Josh Bell were both members of the Washington Nationals, and have since been dealt to Padres. In that same trade, Luke Voit –and multiple prospects– were sent back to D.C. Another power threat, Joey Gallo, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Yankees.
The Brewers, another team in the NL Playoff Mix, restructured their bullpen. Although they sent 2022 NL saves leader Josh Hader away to San Diego, Milwaukee has added both Taylor Rogers (2nd in the NL in saves), and former all-star Trevor Rosenthal to a mix that already included 2020 Rookie of the Year Award winner Devin Williams.
The Cardinals bolstered their rotation, adding southpaws Jordan Montgomery and Jose Quintana. Both the Mets and Braves were active today as well, making multiple transactions each. Teams across the league are gearing up for a run to October. The NL Wild Card Race is about to get very interesting…
So what did the Phillies do? Aside from adding infielder Edmundo Sosa from the Cardinals via trade a few days earlier, the team announced they have DFA’d both outfielder Odubel Herrera and right handed pitcher Jeurys Familia. The two were designated for assignment to make room for the following players:
- Trade #1: Phillies acquire Brandon Marsh (OF) from Angels in exchange for Logan O’Hoppe (C)
- Trade #2: Phillies acquire David Robertson (RHP) from Cubs in exchange for Ben Brown (RHP)
- Trade #3: Phillies acquire Noah Syndergaard (RHP) from Angels in exchange for Mickey Moniak (OF) and Jadiel Sanchez (OF)
Let’s break it down:
Trade #1: Logan O’Hoppe appeared in the Futures Game over the 2022 All Star Break in Los Angeles, and cracked the MLB Top 100 Prospect List for the first time this year as well. With that being said, Realmuto is still under contract after this year for two more seasons, and the Phillies were in desperate need of a centerfielder. Marsh has plus speed, is a well above average defender at all 3 outfield spots, and can also help us past this year. It sucks to lose O’Hoppe, but there is a reason we made the trade.
Grade: B
Trade #2: Ben Brown has emerged on the scene as an intriguing right-handed pitching prospect this season, but David Robertson will serve as a very fine addition to our bullpen. The long time Yankee veteran pitched at Citizens Bank Park as a member of the Phillies in 2019, and given that he (Robertson) was on a contract year, a reunion made sense for both parties.
Grade: B+
Trade #3: “Thor”, when healthy, has been dominant on the mound. We have seen glimpses of his stuff first hand when he was a member of the Mets. It hurts to see Moniak go, but he will return home to play in Southern California–where he grew up– and will have a second chance at big league success. Moniak may even play next to Mike Trout. I don’t know much about the other outfield prospect we gave up, but what I do know is this trade could work out beautifully for the Phillies. We have some horses to get us to the playoffs, and the horses to do some damage in October. Great job Phillies Front Office. Well done.
Grade: A
To create another spot on the 40-man roster, RHP Zach Eflin has been transferred to the 60-Day Injured List. LHP Andrew Vasquez has also been claimed off the waiver wire. He will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Philadelphia Sports Chronicle 