The Phillies were mildly active at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.
The August 1 trade deadline has officially passed, and all transactions have been processed. Like most teams in the hunt for a playoff spot, the Philadelphia Phillies made a few moves prior to Tuesday’s 6:00 pm cut-off in an attempt to bolster their forces for the home stretch.
Philadelphia made two trades prior to the deadline. In their first of two trades, they acquired starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers for their No. 5 prospect, infielder Hao-Yu Lee. Their second trade was reported just before the deadline, as they moved starting pitcher Bailey Falter to the Pittsburgh Pirates for utility infielder Rodolfo Castro.
Phillies Remaining Schedule
Trades may not have included the flashy names that were rumored early in July, but there were plenty of transactions filed across the league prior to the deadline. In fact, every team on the rest of the Phillies schedule made moves – some to improve their rosters and some building for down the road. With just 53 games remaining, let’s look at how the deadline impacted Philadelphia’s remaining 13 opponents.
Phillies against the rest of the NL East
Washington Nationals – 7 games remaining
- Traded away 3B Jeimer Candelario to Cubs
The Nats were actually expected to make more moves than this, but they did move their top trade piece in Candelario. Washington signed him to a one-year deal with the hopes that he would perform well in the first half and he did just that, hitting 20 doubles and 16 HRs in the heart of their lineup. The Nats had the fifth worst record in the league prior to the trade, and should be slightly worse the rest of the way.
Atlanta Braves – 7 games remaining
- Traded for RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Brad Hand from Rockies
- Traded away LHP Taylor Hearn, received INF Nicky Lopez from Royals
- Acquired RHP Yonny Chirinos from Rays (waivers)
- Acquired RHP Ben Heller from Rays (future considerations)
- Traded away RHP Yacksel Ríos to Athletics
Atlanta was the best team in majors record wise, and by the eye test, prior to the deadline. There was not much that they needed, but their additions definitely improved an already impressive roster. They will be tough to beat, and the deadline just made that more difficult. But as always, divisional games can be unpredictable.
New York Mets – 7 games remaining
- Traded away RHP Justin Verlander to Astros
- Traded away RHP Max Scherzer to Rangers
- Traded away RHP David Robertson to Marlins
- Traded away OF Mark Canha to Brewers
- Traded away OF Tommy Pham to Diamondbacks
- Traded for RHP Phil Bickford and LHP Adam Kolarek from Dodgers
- Traded away RHP Dominic Leone, INF Eduardo Escobar to Angels
- Traded for RHP Trevor Gott, RHP Chris Flexen from Mariners
The Mets went into sell mode at the deadline and acquired some big-time prospects by paying down some of their most expensive contracts in Scherzer and Verlander. The Phillies are 2-4 against the Mets to this point in the season, but two of those losses came in starts made by Mad Max. The Mets did make a ton of moves, but on paper, they should be better and as a divisional opponent – they will still be a tough matchup for the Fightin’s.
Miami Marlins – 3 games remaining
- Traded for RHP David Robertson from Mets
- Traded for 3B Jake Burger from White Sox
- Traded away INF Jean Segura, SS Kahlil Watson for 1B Josh Bell to Guardians
- Traded away 1B Garrett Cooper, RHP Sean Reynolds to Padres for LHP Ryan Weathers
- Traded away RHP Dylan Floro to Twins for RHP Jorge López
The Marlins made quite a few moves to bolster their offense. Alongside strong pitching, they should be improved for the rest of the season. Philadelphia’s first series after the break was against Miami and they took 3 of 4 on the road. The Phillies are neck-and-neck with the Marlins and can expect to remain that way for the rest of the season.
The Phillies v. the rest of the field
St. Louis Cardinals – 6 games remaining
- Traded away RHP Jack Flaherty to Orioles
- Traded away LHP Jordan Montgomery, RHP Chris Stratton to Rangers
- Traded away RHP Jordan Hicks, SS Paul DeJong, LHP Génesis Cabrera to Blue Jays
St. Louis is another team that underperformed in the first half and was a clear seller heading into the trade deadline. They have not matched up with the Phillies just yet. Trading away the best starters and relievers on their roster should make the games easier, but they still have a tough middle of the lineup. The Phils shouldn’t have a ton of trouble with the Cards.
Kansas City Royals – 3 games remaining
- Traded away LHP Aroldis Chapman to Rangers
- Traded away RHP Scott Barlow to Padres
- Traded away LHP Ryan Yarbrough to Dodgers
- Traded away RHP José Cuas to Cubs
- Traded away INF Nicky Lopez to Braves, received LHP Taylor Hearn
- Acquired LHP Tucker Davidson from Angels (cash)
- Traded away RHP Mike Mayers to White Sox (cash)
Not surprisingly, the Royals are one of the worst teams in the league. With the second-worst record in baseball, and trades involving their best relievers and some other key pieces – the series should be even less challenging than it would have been a month ago.
Minnesota Twins – 3 games remaining
- Traded RHP Jorge López for RHP Dylan Floro from Marlins
Minnesota was surprisingly quiet at the deadline, making a simple swap of middle relievers. They are the leaders in the AL Central at the moment, but are also just 2 games above .500. The Twins couldn’t add a bat as many expected. They also listened to listened on some of their impending free-agent pitchers, but decided to stand pat as the favorites in their division. They are a talented team, but the Phillies are better.
San Francisco Giants – 3 games remaining
- Traded for OF AJ Pollock, INF Mark Mathias from Mariners (PTBNL)
- Traded away RHP Mauricio Llovera to Red Sox
San Fran is in the middle of a thick division and wild card race, but made minimal changes. Pollock and Mathias were both underperforming, and they made no other changes to the roster. The Giants are still a tough team and are 1.5 games ahead of the Phillies in the standings. They would have been a tough matchup prior to, and remain so after the deadline.
Los Angeles Angels – 3 games remaining
- Traded for RHP Lucas Giolito, RHP Reynaldo López from White Sox
- Traded for 1B C.J. Cron, OF Randal Grichuk, 1B/3B Mike Moustakas from Rockies
- Traded for INF Eduardo Escobar, RHP Dominic Leone from Mets
- Traded away LHP Tucker Davidson to Royals (cash)
The Angels were a strong contender in early June, but a rash of injuries caused a quick spiral that resulted in rumors of Shohei Ohtani being traded to every team for everyone. Instead, ownership decided to make a few moves and try to plug holes while some of their more important pieces start getting healthy. Depending on who is healthy at the time of the matchup, this could be a tough matchup for the Phillies. They added depth everywhere and Ohtani is the greatest player the diamond has ever seen.
Milwaukee Brewers – 3 games remaining
- Traded for OF Mark Canha from Mets
- Traded for 1B Carlos Santana from Pirates
- Traded away RHP Peter Strzelecki for LHP Andrew Chafin from Diamondbacks
- Traded away INF Luis Urías to Red Sox
- Traded away RHP Tyson Miller to Dodgers
The Brewers moves may not blow anyone away, but their front office accomplished what they set out to do. They added two veteran hitters with strong on-base percentages and added a good lefty in the bullpen. Their pitching is already strong, and the additions on offense will help lengthen their offense. Philadelphia is 1-2 against Milwaukee so far, and their next series could be more challenging.
San Diego Padres – 3 games remaining
- Traded for LHP Rich Hill, 1B/DH Ji Man Choi from Pirates
- Traded for RHP Scott Barlow from Royals
- Traded away LHP Ryan Weathers for 1B Garrett Cooper, RHP Sean Reynolds from Marlins
One of the biggest rumors prior to the deadline was that the Padres were likely going to move their impending free-agent pitchers, Blake Snell and Josh Hader. Instead, they pivoted and added some minor pieces in an attempt to make a push to the postseason. Being just 4 games out of the wild card, their underperforming roster feels like one that could turn it on at any time. Despite winning 3 of 4 in their first series, the Phillies can expect a tough matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates – 3 games remaining
- Traded away LHP Rich Hill, 1B/DH Ji Man Choi to Padres
- Traded away INF Rodolfo Castro to Phillies for LHP Bailey Falter
- Traded away 1B Carlos Santana to Brewers
- Traded away RHP Robert Stephenson to Rays
- Traded away C Austin Hedges to Rangers
- Traded away RHP Andre Jackson to Dodgers (cash)
Pittsburgh is still a few years away from being a competitor. The moves they made ensures they will be a bottom-five team this season. Philly is 1-2 against them on the season, but should definitely take them down with ease when the teams face each other in September.
Toronto Blue Jays – 2 games remaining
- Traded for RHP Jordan Hicks, SS Paul DeJong, LHP Genesis Cabrera from Cardinals
- Traded away RHP Trent Thornton to Mariners
Blue Jays fans must be ecstatic that the Cardinals struggled all season. They took advantage of the St. Louis fire sale. The key move was getting DeJong right before the deadline after Bo Bichette suffered an injury the day of the deadline. Toronto is a strong team and only got stronger. Thankfully for Phillies fans, they only have two games against the tough Canadian squad.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
