The Philadelphia Phillies are off to solid start in 2025. They are 8-4 through their first 12 games of the 2025 season and sit at the top of the National League East, a division they won by six games in 2024.
However, they have a bit of a conundrum in the outfield. Brandon Marsh has struggled as the everyday center fielder, which means the Phillies may have a hole they need to address when the trade deadline comes.
There will be a few stars available come that time, and the Phillies are expected to be a strong contender this year.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report proposed the idea of Philadelphia trading for Lane Thomas of the Cleveland Guardians.
Thomas was acquired by the Guardians from the Washington Nationals at last year’s trade deadline. He helped guide Cleveland to the American League Championship Series last October.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
This year, he is struggling, slashing .167/.212/.200 with no home runs, two RBI and a .412 OPS. He is only two years removed from a 23-homer campaign in 2023, however.
If he can get back to his 2023 form, he could be a valuable trade chip, assuming the Guardians don’t climb back into contention following a bit of a rough start. He can play all three outfield positions and possesses power from the right side of the plate.
He certainly provides better defense in center field than Marsh, and this would allow Philadelphia to slide Marsh back to left field and strengthen their outfield mix.
It will be interesting to see what the Phillies decide to do at the deadline. They might have some work to do in order to fix their outfield.
More MLB: Phillies trade idea would land 27-year-old Cardinals star to replace Brandon Marsh
