The Philadelphia Phillies have a key weakness that likely needs fixing at the trade deadline.
With Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, and Nick Castellanos as the regular starters and Johan Rojas as the defense-first backup center fielder, the Phillies have been lacking both power and range from their outfield group this season.
Across the state of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Pirates are reeling, and it looks as though everyone but superstar pitcher Paul Skenes and outfielder Oneil Cruz are for sale at the right price.
As luck would have it, the Pirates have a two-time All-Star outfielder in Bryan Reynolds who is still in his prime. And because Pittsburgh might want to get out of the last six seasons of his eight-year, $106.75 million extension, they could be willing to listen to offers.
On Wednesday, Sterling Bennett of Athlon named Reynolds as an ideal trade deadline target for the Phillies, though his insinuation that the Pittsburgh left fielder could take over center field in Philadelphia might be a tad overaggressive.
“Reynolds is slashing .234/.302/.372 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs. While not impressive numbers, a change of scenery from the league’s 26th-ranked offense, according to FanGraphs, could do him wonders,” Bennett wrote.
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“Whether it be replacing Kepler in left or taking over sole possession of center field from Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas, Reynolds may be just what the Phillies need to secure their first World Series championship since 2008.”
Reynolds, 30, has a career .811 OPS and 19.3 bWAR. What he doesn’t have is even a single game of postseason experience, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be getting that anytime soon in Pittsburgh.
So if Reynolds wants to be free, the front office could certainly grant his request to save some money. That’s what the Pirates do, after all. And it could be to Philadelphia’s benefit.
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