The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens in a trade with the Detroit Tigers that came out of left field. There were no rumors or faint rumblings around baseball that this was a possibility until Jim Salisbury broke some news.
Trade Details
The Phillies acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto and infielder Kody Clemens (son of legendary pitcher Roger Clemens) for outfielder Matt Vierling, infielder Nick Maton, and catcher Donny Sands.
Soto is a 2x All-Star and has over 50 saves over the last couple of seasons. He is a huge addition to the team.
Losing Matt Vierling and Nick Maton hurts as a fan, but in terms of a baseball move, it was the correct move by far. Wishing the best of luck to both guys in Detroit, and they should be able to be everyday players for the Tigers.
What’s Next for the Phillies?
The Phillies have several options to fill the spots left by Nick Maton and Matt Vierling. While they already have Darick Hall, Edmundo Sosa, and Garrett Stubbs locked onto the roster, some spots can be won.
One of the options that the Phillies have is to promote from within. Prospects like Johan Rojas and Dalton Guthrie can take these jobs if they play well in Spring Training. The Phillies could also go out and sign a bat. There are still plenty of options left on the market, and the Phillies have shown that they are willing to spend money to win.
Below are some veteran guys they could look to sign:
Adam Duvall
Adam Duvall would be a perfect addition to the Phillies bench. The veteran outfielder has spent nine seasons in the big leagues and was a member of the 2021 World Series Atlanta Braves team. Duvall is primarily a corner outfield, but he has been able to slide to center field in a pinch. Duvall has great power, which fits right in with what the Phillies like to do at the plate.
In a platoon-type role last season, Adam hit 12 home runs and drove in 36 runs batted in. In 2021 with the Marlins and Braves, he hit 36 home runs and had a career season.
He would fit in nicely with the team and is familiar with the club after spending time in the NL East. Adam would probably command 6-8 million on a one-year deal.
Jurickson Profar
Another option for the Phillies is switch-hitter Jurickson Profar. The veteran was with the San Diego Padres last season and provided excellent versatility. Profar can play the infield and outfield while also switching hitting. He is a dream player for managers who like to tinker, which perfectly describes Rob Thomson.
Jurickson hit .244 last season with a .723 OPS and 15 home runs. Profar finished the season with a 3.1 WAR and was a lovely player. The Padres have added several players this off-season, so the chances of him returning are slim.
Profar could start on many bad teams next season or look to play a role on a winning team. The Phillies could be that team, and he could even start with Harper out for the first half. Depending on cost, he could be a great fit in Philly.,
Mike Moustakas
Adding a three-time all-star to the bench could be an excellent decision if the Phillies wanted to add Mike Moustakas. The Cincinnati Reds released Moustakas last week after a really bad season. The Phillies would add a guy past his prime but could rediscover his swing with Kevin Long.
Moustakas can play first and third at this point in his career. He would not be a defensive substitution by any means, but he can still get the job done.
Mike could be a cheap alternative if the Phillies wish to give him a shot. Taking a gamble on his swing and bringing in his experience could be an excellent addition to a veteran locker like the Phillies have assembled.
