Five Outfielders the Phillies Can Target at the Trade Deadline

With under three weeks until MLB’s August 3rd trade deadline, the trade market is slowly starting to take shape. While the next few weeks could result in teams drastically changing their stance, buyers are canvassing the league and engaging in preliminary trade negotiations for players that fill needs.

For the Philadelphia Phillies, their trade deadline can go in several different directions. They need a high-leverage left-handed reliever, a No. 4 starter, and a right-handed bat. Their decision has become much harder after setup man Brad Keller tore his UCL. Now two high-leverage bullpen arms are needed.

The most glaring need for the club, however, is their thin outfield and solving their problems against left-handed pitching. Brandon Marsh has broken out as a very productive everyday corner outfielder, but Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. haven’t provided them much of a boost.

Philadelphia made a move to acquire Derek Hill following the season-ending injury of Adolis Garcia. In his first 23 games with the Phillies, Hill has been elite. He’s posted an .890 OPS while playing excellent outfield defense. Despite that, the Phillies still have to be aggressive to address the clear need.

All stats updated prior to games on Saturday, July 18

Luis Robert Jr.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, the New York Mets currently have many players that would make sense for their club. One of them is newly acquired outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has found himself in a role as an elite platoon bat in New York.

It’s clear the Phillies under Dave Dombrowski value having an elite pitching staff over prioritizing the lineup. With a team in need of a No. 4 starter and some bullpen arms, it would not be surprising to see them aim for a platoon bat, and Robert fits the bill.

The former White Sox outfielder has only played 24 games at the big league level this season, slashing .224/.327/.329, with a 91 wRC+. Overall, his numbers have not been great and he has struggled for years to regain his 2023 Silver Slugger form.

The former Gold Glove winner would provide something the Phillies desperately need, which is production against left-handed pitching. As one of baseball’s worst lineups against southpaws, the Phillies could use Robert, who would platoon nicely with rookie Justin Crawford in the outfield.

In a small sample size this season, Robert has a .901 OPS against lefties. In 2025, he played 110 games, and over that larger sample size, had an .842 OPS vs. left-handed pitching.

Robert wouldn’t be a flashy addition, but he’d provide the team some valuable hitting. He has one more year of club control, with a club option at $20 million for 2027. The Phillies have been linked to Robert for several years now, but the combination of injury concern and dealing with a rival could scare Philadelphia away.

Lane Thomas

Another outfield option for the Phillies is Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas. Thomas has some viability as a solid everyday player, and wouldn’t be too expensive for a Phillies team that lacks prospect capital.

Thomas has played 82 games this season for Kansas City, logging 0.8 fWAR so far. The former fifth-round draft pick has struggled against right-handed pitching this season, hitting .203 with a .663 OPS.

His numbers against righties leave a lot to be desired, but the Phillies already handle right-handed pitchers well. Schwarber and Harper provide a lot of production against them, with Brandon Marsh’s breakout helping that cause.

Similar to Robert, Thomas could provide the Phillies a lot of value as a platoon bat. He’s hitting .272 with a .799 OPS against left-handed pitching. For the season overall, he has a 102 wRC+, which puts him slightly above league average.

Considering the season in Kansas City is not going according to plan, an expiring contract like Thomas’ is almost certain to be moved. Expect Philadelphia to be firmly in the mix for the right-handed hitting outfielder.

Jo Adell

Perhaps the best platoon option for the Phillies is Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels. Following a season where he mashed 37 homers, the Phillies would be very happy to add his pop to the lineup.

2025 was a breakout year for Adell that many expected when he came up as one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball. The former 10th overall pick debuted in 2020 and struggled mightily to find his footing in the league.

Last season, his bat showed its potential. In 2026, Adell has taken a big step back. He’s coming out of the All-Star break hitting .245 with a .686 OPS with 0.0 fWAR. His Batting Run Value is in the 11th percentile according to Baseball Savant, and in the 5th percentile in fielding run value. As an overall hitter, he’s been bad. As a fielder, he’s been bad.

The redeeming quality for Adell in this trade market is his ability to rake against left-handed pitching. He’s currently hitting .311 with a .911 OPS against opposite hand pitchers. Against righties, he hits .219 with a sub- .600 OPS.

The Phillies would not be asking Adell to be an everyday player, but if they can unlock his 2025 power swing, he might be more of an everyday option with Crawford’s struggles.

The Phillies and Angels have made several trades since 2022, and with the Angels sitting in the basement of the American League, Adell is very likely to be moved. Adell would fit the Phillies as one of the best hitters against left-handed pitching in baseball this season.

Taylor Ward

If the Phillies decide to focus more on the bat than pitching, Taylor Ward is certainly a name to keep an eye on for Philadelphia.

Ward’s move from Los Angeles to Baltimore has not worked out the way both sides hoped. When the Orioles acquired Ward in an expensive deal with LA, they were hopeful he’d be able to replicate his 36 homer, 103 RBI season that he posted in 2025.

The power, though, has yet to come out in Baltimore. Ward has been a productive bat, but he’s done it by way of his top-tier walk rate and chase rate. He’s transitioned from a primary power hitter into an on-base guy.

There’s hope his power can return. Baltimore moved the left field wall back and that’s certainly taken away homers from a lot of righties. Ward would thrive in another hitter-friendly stadium, in Citizens Bank Park.

If the Phillies were to bring in Ward, he would be an everyday player for them. He doesn’t hit righties well, but he’s serviceable. Hitting .241 with an OPS hovering around .700 against same-side pitching, the Phillies would likely stick him in right for the majority of their games.

Ward solves a lot of problems for the Phillies. He is an elite hitter against lefties, hitting .297 with an .892 OPS. The Phillies also put an emphasis on cutting down their chase rates following two postseason exits where that was a huge problem. Ward has just a 14.5% chase rate, and the potential for 35+ home run power make him a legitimate option as a cleanup hitter in Philadelphia.

Taylor Ward would likely be the most expensive option on this list. With a market that appears to be thin on everyday outfielders, many teams will be inquiring about Ward’s services.

Jake McCarthy

Another player the Phillies have been linked to in the past, who is also having a quietly impressive season, is Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy.

McCarthy moved within the division this offseason as Arizona shipped him to Colorado this past winter. The Scranton, PA native has thrived in the change of scenery and could certainly be on the move again come August 3rd. He’s slashing .301/.347/.516 in his first season with the Rockies.

McCarthy differs from everyone else on this list, as he’s a left-handed hitter. Fortunately for the Phillies, he’s an option for them thanks to his .368 average and .977 OPS against left-handed pitching.

Much of McCarthy’s success can definitely be attributed to Coors Field, but he’s been a productive player away from the Mile High City as well. McCarthy hits .285 with a .780 OPS on the road. He’s proven he can be a solid hitter against any pitching, at any park.

There are some questions about whether his current success is sustainable. While he sports a 121 wRC+, his Baseball Savant page shows he’s in the 4th percentile in hard hit percentage and average exit velocity. Regardless of the underlying numbers, Jake McCarthy has produced at a high level.

While the Rockies outfielder has two additional years of club control, he does not currently fit the Rockies’ timeline. McCarthy will be 30 years old by the time the trade deadline rolls around, and the hometown kid could certainly be a fit with the Phillies.