Phillies interested in trade with Diamondbacks for huge Bryson Stott upgrade

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies interested in trade with Diamondbacks for huge Bryson Stott upgrade image

The Philadelphia Phillies are, unsurprisingly, one of the teams around Major League Baseball this offseason frequently linked to top trade and free agent targets.

They won't land them all, especially in free agency, but in the trade market, things could get interesting. One possible option, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, is someone the Phillies have shown interest in.

That player is Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte. The star infielder would be an incredible addition and, in turn, be a big upgrade over fan-favorite Phillies player Bryson Stott.

Phillies interested in Diamondbacks for Bryson Stott replacement

"A Ketel Marte trade is certainly possible," Morosi said. "The Diamondbacks notably did not exactly shut down those conversations. One team that's really interesting that I heard about, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are not among the teams on his limited no-trade clause, so the Phillies could acquire Ketel Marte without his permission."

Morosi's report doesn't reveal how close a trade is to happening, nor does he imply that the Phillies are going after Marte more strongly than other clubs. But their interest is still noteworthy.

Marte is a second baseman, and while he has experience at other positions, namely in the outfield, he's likely best at second base going forward. He's a plus defender, and the best hitting second baseman in baseball.

Coming off an.893 OPS season, Marte is a clear upgrade over Stott. If the Phillies traded for Marte, the beloved infielder with the iconic walk-up song wouldn't have a clear spot on the roster.

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They could hold onto him as a depth piece, or try to transition him, Trea Turner, or Marte to another spot. But Stott could also be used as a strong trade piece.

There are a few teams interested in second basemen, and Stott, under control for two more years on arbitration, would be a very tradeable player for teams regardless of payroll intentions.

He would be one of the Phillies' best trade chips and could be what helps Dave Dombrowski drastically improve the roster going forward.

With the Phillies' interest in Marte from the Diamondbacks, such a scenario - where Stott is traded away - is a possibility this winter. An upgrade from Stott to Marte would be huge and a great way for the Phillies to spark confidence in the roster going forward.

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Contributing Writer