Philadelphia Phillies are off to a roaring start this season, boasting an impressive 15 wins, largely credited to their stellar pitching staff leading MLB with 220 strikeouts. However, their hitting game tells a different tale, landing them outside the top-10 for OPS despite the hefty contracts of renowned sluggers like Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper, each earning $20 million or more this season. To keep their playoff aspirations alive, the front office might turn to the trade market for an offensive upgrade.
According to Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, one potential move could involve acquiring the red-hot Boston Red Sox outfielder, Tyler O’Neill. Kelly suggests that such a trade could bolster the Phillies’ lineup, providing much-needed right-handed power. The hypothetical deal might see O’Neill joining the Phillies on a temporary basis, offering a boost while leaving room for Johan Rojas to reclaim his center field position in 2025.
O’Neill’s stats speak for themselves. With a career slash line of .250/.324/.467 and two Gold Glove Awards under his belt, he’s proven his worth in the MLB. The 2024 season has seen him on fire, boasting a slash line of .313/.459/.750 with seven homers in just 48 at-bats, ranking among the top players in the league.
One glaring issue for the Phillies lies in their center field production, where the current combination of Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache has fallen short offensively. Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report highlights this deficiency, suggesting that O’Neill could provide the much-needed offensive spark in the outfield.
As for the Red Sox, while they might entertain the idea of retaining O’Neill, his injury history and the potential for a weak trade market could sway their decision. Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, might opt to capitalize on O’Neill’s trade value, especially considering his current stint on the injured list following a collision with Rafael Devers.
If O’Neill can overcome his injury woes and return to form before the trade deadline, he could be the missing piece for the Phillies as they aim for a postseason push.
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