The Philadelphia Phillies’ outfield is the one blemish on an otherwise brilliantly constructed roster.
Last season, the Phillies had eight All-Stars, the most of any team in Major League Baseball. But not only did none play in the outfield, but no Phillies outfielder finished the year with an OPS+ of 110 or better.
Because Johan Rojas didn’t pan out in his first full season at the big-league level, the Phillies could be in the market for a center fielder. That may lead them to make one of the biggest trades of the offseason if they are willing to shoulder some risk.
Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is a hot-topic trade candidate this winter, because his team is in the dumpster. Chicago is likely motivated to get something for the 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger while they can, but his 2024 down year makes that task more difficult.
Still, ClutchPoints’ Christopher Hennessy recently named the Phillies as the “perfect” trade fit for Robert this winter.
“Robert is an elite center fielder when healthy, which is unfortunately rare. He has played 100 games only twice in his career, hitting the number exactly last year and 145 in 2023,” Hennessy wrote.
“The Philadelphia Phillies have not filled the center field hole that cost them in the playoffs. Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas were not a good enough combination to win in October so they should make this trade. They have prospects that will interest the White Sox, like pitchers Andrew Painter and Mick Abel.”
Robert has only one guaranteed year left on his $50 million extension, but he also has club options for $20 million in 2026 and 2027. If he plays to his capability, the Phillies could get three years from a talented two-way player in the prime of his career.
Will Philadelphia be bold enough to pull the trigger on an up-and-down player like Robert? Only time will tell.
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