The Philadelphia Phillies seem to have found another standout starting pitcher.
After recalling prospect Mick Abel for his second big-league start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, the Phillies could have another reliable rotation arm as the youngster yielded just three hits in over five innings of work. Alongside Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez, with Aaron Nola recovering from injury, Taijuan Walker in a bullpen role and Andrew Painter waiting in the wings, this gives the Phillies one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball.
As a result, the team might focus more on boosting the offense as they look to fortify their roster at the trade deadline. And Jon Conahan of Athlon Sports has floated a surprise trade candidate from the division rival Atlanta Braves in designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
“Yes, the Phillies and Braves trading together might not be too likely, but the Phillies have the farm system to get the job done if Altanta is willing to send him to Philadelphia,” Conahan wrote.
Ozuna has been one of the most prolific sluggers in Major League Baseball in recent seasons, logging 39 homers last year and 40 in the year before that. And the Braves could be looking to offload him following some concerning injury news.
“Marcell Ozuna was the Atlanta Braves’ best and most consistent hitter for most of two calendar years beginning in early May 2023,” David O’Brien wrote for The Athletic. “That’s why it was so noticeable when Ozuna suddenly became as streaky as most of the Braves’ other key hitters, after injuring his right hip in mid-April.”
After that setback and given the fact that Ozuna can become a free agent at the end of this year, the Braves might be listening to trade offers for him. But, aside from the divisional rivalry, the fit in Philadelphia might be a tough sell.
The Phillies already have arguably the best designated hitter in baseball outside of Shohei Ohtani on the roster in Kyle Schwarber. Adding Ozuna to the lineup would mean one of the two would have to play in the outfield, which could be a significant defensive liability.
But the slugging power Ozuna would bring alongside Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and others might be too tantalizing to pass up.
