For the Philadelphia Phillies, the 2025 trade deadline feels like a crucial turning point.
After close calls in the playoffs the last few years, the Phillies are under immense pressure to win a World Series title. And with an aging core and some looming free agency decisions, this year could feasibly be their best shot at winning it.
The Phillies could target a few different positions to boost their chances at a title. The outfield is definitely on that list, as none of Philadelphia’s regulars boast OPS+ figures better than Nick Castellanos’ 101.
One Phillies writer believes the team could target a left fielder whose offensive profile is fairly similar to Castellanos.
On Wednesday, On Pattison’s Tim Kelly named Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as a “creative” potential trade target for Philadelphia to improve its outfield this summer.
“Gurriel was an All-Star in 2023, and drove in 11 runs in the postseason as the Snakes made a shocking run past the Phillies and into the World Series. After that, the Diamondbacks re-signed him to a three-year/$42 million deal that includes a player opt-out after 2025 and a $14 million club option for 2027,” Kelly wrote.
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“The thing about Gurriel is if you trade for him, he’s going to be your everyday left fielder. He would be an upgrade over Kepler, but with a .747 OPS since the start of the 2024 season, perhaps not enough to justify taking on the remainder of his contract.”
At age 31, Gurriel might not be someone the Diamondbacks are eager to build around, which would justify them getting his contract off the books without a major prospect haul in return.
Still, Arizona would have to fall further out of the playoff race than they already are (four games out of the wild card hunt) to convince them to wave the white flag.
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