The Phillies’ outfield woes might force Brandon Marsh onto the trade block this summer.
Philadelphia sits at 16-13, but their center field production ranks third-worst in baseball with -0.2 fWAR, according to Fangraphs. It’s a familiar problem for a team with championship aspirations.
Marsh, the bearded fan favorite, struggled mightily before landing on the injured list with a strained right hamstring. He was batting just .095 (4-for-42) before the injury and recently had a cramp that paused his rehab.
What’s becoming clear in Marsh’s fourth season with the Phillies is that he might be destined for platoon duty rather than everyday stardom. He’s always hit right-handed pitching well, but that limited role might make him more valuable as a trade chip than as part of the Phillies’ outfield solution.
Christopher Kline of FanSided suggests fans shouldn’t be surprised if Marsh gets moved by the trade deadline as Philadelphia looks to upgrade in center field.
“Dave Dombrowski has to find ways to improve the back half of the lineup and reinvigorate a struggling bullpen. Marsh feels like a logical bargaining chip once the deadline rolls around,” Kline wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
The 27-year-old’s contract situation makes him particularly appealing on the trade market. He’s making just $3 million this season with team control through 2027 via arbitration. That’s the kind of affordable talent that budget-conscious teams covet.
“The Phillies aren’t going to cash in for a top prospect, but cheap teams lacking in outfield depth, such as Kansas City, Minnesota or Pittsburgh, could look to the Phillies’ most bearded man as a quick fix,” Kline noted.
If Marsh returns healthy and shows some life at the plate, his trade value could climb. The Phillies might not be actively shopping him yet, but if they identify a significant upgrade in center field, packaging Marsh in a deadline deal makes sense for a team with World Series aspirations.
