The All-Star break festivities are behind us, with the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game serving as the main events. Now, the focus shifts to the second half of the season, with pennant races and teams vying for a Wild Card spot to sneak into the postseason. Before we hit the final stretch of the regular season, the trade deadline, one of the biggest dates on the calendar, July 31, will have an altering effect on the landscape of the sport this year and beyond.
The Phillies are certainly in the market as buyers, entering the second half with a slim half-game lead over the Mets in the NL East. In the market for bullpen help and an outfielder, two potential targets seemingly are off the table.
Buxton wants to stay a Twin for life
Byron Buxton, a name that had been circulating in the rumor mill as a potential target for Philadelphia, made his intentions crystal clear leading up to the All-Star game when asked about his thoughts on the rumors swirling.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world knowing I can walk into the clubhouse and it’s going to say Twins for the rest of my life. I’m a Twin, that’s home,” he told the media on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old was one of the brightest young stars in the game, but injuries have taken away from what his true potential could have been at a consistent rate. He has played in over 100 games in just one season since 2017, when he played in a career-high 140. He is on pace to make it back-to-back seasons where he plays in 100-plus games for the first time in his 11-year career.
This season, Buxton is slashing .289/.351/.574 with a .925 OPS. It’s his best offensive season since 2021, when he posted a .306/.358/.647 slash line. He also would provide the Phillies with a boost defensively over Brandon Marsh, while he and Johan Rojas are tied with two defensive runs saved above average this season. Buxton does have three gold gloves under his belt.
But unless Buxton waives his no-trade clause, the Phillies will have to look elsewhere for outfield help.
Phillies and the Red Sox?
The Phillies have been linked to Aroldis Chapman as potential suitors due to their need for at least one reliable late-inning bullpen arm to replace Jose Alvarado, who is suspended for the postseason after getting caught using PEDs. With the resurgence of the Red Sox, it seems as if they are more willing to hold on to the aging veteran.
Trading yet another franchise player would all but put the nail in the coffin for most organizations. However, the Red Sox just continue to defy the odds. After trading Rafael Devers to San Francisco, the Red Sox have been one of the best teams since the move and closed out the first half with 10 straight wins to inch within striking distance of the Blue Jays and Yankees atop the AL East.
A month ago, it seemed like Boston would be shipping off pieces to focus on 2026 and beyond. One of those pieces would have been Chapman. Like his current team, the “Cuban Missile” continues to defy logic, putting together an All-Star caliber first half with a sterling 1.18 ERA while racking up 17 saves, good for 15th in MLB, and somehow hitting 104 mph on the radar gun at 37 years old.
Jeff Passan said earlier this week that the closer is expected to stay put.
“Aroldis Chapman’s going nowhere, Alex Bregman’s going nowhere,” Passan said, per NESN. “They’re going to add, and if they get another starting pitcher, the Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders.”
Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies have other options to explore, but one thing is for certain: the team needs to make a couple of moves if they want to position themselves for a deep postseason run.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
