PHILADELPHIA— It is never too early to start thinking about the trade deadline.
The Philadelphia Phillies are once again in a prime position to make a run for a World Series title. If the club wants to get closer to its goal, it will have to upgrade by the deadline in July.
While only a handful of teams are truly out of the playoff hunt, a lot will be decided in the coming weeks. Teams will soon find out if they want to be buyers or sellers, maybe even a little bit of both. For the Phillies, glaring needs include a right-handed outfielder and at least two bullpen arms. What additions or subtractions they make will be revealed in time. For now, we can only speculate.
These are three players I could see the Phillies being interested in come July.
3. Taylor Ward—Angels
The Phillies no longer hit home runs at an elite level. They currently rank 15th in all of Major League Baseball. For the fans who wanted them to stop relying on the long ball, they got their wish.
With Bryce Harper expected to find his power upon a return from the injured list, the Phillies only have two main power hitters: Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Adding another bat with pop could prove to be beneficial.
Enter Taylor Ward, the starting left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Ward has been a potential trade target for the Phillies in the past. He fits the need, a right-handed hitter outfielder, like a glove. Ward’s 18 home runs would be second on the Phillies this season, and he can slot in anywhere in their lineup.
Ward hits for power primarily, hitting for a .204 average and .730 slugging percentage. If the Phillies add him at the deadline, they would be adding a potential difference-maker come playoff time.
2. Shelby Miller—Diamondbacks
One of the more shocking developments this season has been the struggles of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After making the World Series in 2023, Arizona was eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the 2024 regular season. Poised to bounce back, the team loaded up this past offseason. Trading for first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians and signing star pitcher Corbin Burnes clearly showed that the Diamondbacks meant business.
Despite the moves, the team has not been able to put it all together again in 2025. Entering play on Saturday, Arizona sits with a 35-34 record. With the likelihood of missing the postseason growing by the day, chances are they will be sellers at the deadline.
Insert Shelby Miller. Miller is a former starter turned reliever who is having a tremendous season out of the bullpen. In 28 games, Miller has a 1.63 earned run average across 27.2 innings pitched.
Miller would be a welcome addition to a struggling Phillies bullpen. The team will need to upgrade this area, and the longtime journeyman could be the answer.
1. Greg Weissert—Red Sox
Another shock in baseball this season has been the Boston Red Sox.
The Sox were thought of by many to be World Series contenders (myself included). Boston sits 8.5 games back of the Yankees in the American League East and is in fourth place. The Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays sit ahead of the Red Sox in the race.
With a youth movement on offense, Boston might be best served to sell veteran talent at the trade deadline. If that is the direction they take, then moving right-handed reliever Greg Weissert might be in the plans.
Weissert has two years of team control remaining after this season, which is something that the Phillies tend to look for. The righty has dominated this season, pitching to a 2.61 earned run average in 33 appearances. Similar to Miller, this move would instantly boost the Phillies’ bullpen. While the cost for him would be higher, it could be a long-term move that helps the Phillies in 2025 and beyond.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
