Phillies blockbuster trade idea lands Orioles slugger after Bryce Harper injury

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The Philadelphia Phillies never want to lose Bryce Harper, but especially not now.

Though they got a much-needed walk-off win on Monday night, the Phillies have still lost nine of their last 11. Harper, the heart and soul of the team, leaves a major void at first base now that he’s hit the injured list with a nagging wrist issue.

Harper should be back by the trade deadline (knock on wood). But it wouldn’t hurt at all to add another big lefty bat to the lineup, especially if that bat can play first base in a pinch, but also shift to the outfield.

There’s exactly one player who can fill that need at this year’s trade deadline, and it’s Ryan O’Hearn of the last-place Baltimore Orioles.

On Tuesday, Newsweek’s Drew VonScio discussed O’Hearn as an ideal fit for the Phillies to improve their lineup at the Jul. 31 deadline.

“O’Hearn is having a career season with the Orioles this year posting a 158 OPS+ in a season in which Baltimore has been desperate for any sort of positivity. Outside of him, though, the O’s haven’t had much success which has led to him becoming available at the trade deadline,” VonScio wrote.

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“O’Hearn’s presence would give the Phillies a huge lineup boost to fill Harper’s place at first base. When the superstar returns from injury, it gives Rob Thomson some flexibility in the lineup.”

The 30-year-old O’Hearn is an ideal rental bat, as he’s making an affordable $8 million salary and sports a .316 batting average with an .897 OPS on the season. The Phillies won’t be the only team after him, but he’d fit in awfully well with the Philadelphia lineup.

The Orioles won’t throw in the towel quite yet, but their season certainly has trended in that direction. That means Harper might be back before the Phillies get the chance to make the move, but that doesn’t guarantee the two-time Most Valuable Player will look like his usual self.

More MLB: Mets trade pitch lands $11 million Red Sox flamethrower to pair with Edwin Díaz

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