The Philadelphia Phillies need two things at the trade deadline to be able to call their haul a a success.
First, they need a high-leverage reliever, and preferably one who can be their closer in the playoffs. Second, they need an outfielder who can give them some offense against left-handed pitching. Two goals, simple in nature, but not as easy to execute.
Would the Phillies have a better shot at ticking off both items on their list if they sacrificed one top prospect for a team to give them two players? That's what one insider proposed on Thursday.
In an article for the Philadelphia Inquirer, reporter Scott Lauber proposed a deal that would land Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Durán and outfielder/utility man Willi Castro for top shortstop prospect Aidan Miller.
"The Twins would seem more inclined to trade Castro, a versatile switch-hitter in his walk year who hits lefties (.290 average, .851 OPS) and plays left field and center. For the right return, though, they’d have to consider moving Durán, too, especially with Griffin Jax and Louis Varland as closer alternatives," Lauber wrote.
"And only for a closer of Durán’s caliber, who could be plugged into the ninth inning for not one but three World Series runs, the Phillies would have to seriously think about sacrificing Miller, a 21-year-old shortstop and their best positional prospect."
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Durán, 27, looks to be on track for his first All-Star Game, pitching to a 1.64 ERA thus far and racking up 42 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. Castro, an All-Star last year, actually has better offensive numbers this time around.
Miller might be a very, very good big leaguer in short order. But you always have to take those risks when trading prospects, because they can't help you win the championship you crave in the moment.
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