MLB insider reveals Phillies' trade plan for Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford

Matt Sullivan

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MLB insider reveals Phillies' trade plan for Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford image

The Philadelphia Phillies are heading into a pivotal offseason, with the front office needing to make huge decisions on Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, and some internal trades and changes.

Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos are two players who could be dealt, but in looking to acquire talent, the prospect pool is an interesting one. Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford are valuable trade candidates, but will the Phillies move them?

MLB.com insider Johnathan Mayo revealed what the Phillies plan to do with their top-three prospects this offseason in trade talks. The Phillies and Dave Dombrowski are firm in their stance with these prospects.

Phillies trade plans for top-three prospects revealed

"I'd be surprised if they traded any of their top three prospects," Mayo writes.

Painter, Miller, and Crawford are the Phillies' clear top-three prospects at the moment. They traded a couple of top-10 prospects at last year's trade deadline, including Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait, to the Minnesota Twins for Jhoan Duran.

During those trade negotiations, the Phillies were adamant they weren't going to give up Painter, despite the Twins asking for the top Phillies prospect.

This winter, it will be more of the same. Barring a true elite player becoming available, and one who could be around for a long time, the Phillies likely won't trade Miller, Painter, or Crawford.

Of these three, Crawford has the best odds of making the Opening Day roster. The Phillies need more outfield help, and Crawford could be one of the team's starting outfielders in 2026.

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Painter might get a chance in the rotation with a good Spring Training, but there's no guarantee that the Phillies will put him into the rotation to begin the year. But, he's likely to factor into the rotation at some point during 2026.

Miller is the most unknown prospect, as the 21-year-old only just made Triple-A near the end of the 2025 season, and doesn't have a clear spot on the MLB roster, with Trea Turner locking down the shortstop spot.

He could be the team's third baseman or second baseman, but for now, he's the most likely to stay in the minor leagues for another year.

But, regardless of how things work out, none of these top-three prospects is likely to be traded this offseason. Painter, Miller, and Crawford aren't likely going anywhere anytime soon.

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Editorial Team