The Philadelphia Phillies are in need of a center fielder and could find one on the trade block this week. Could they swing a trade with the New York Yankees to acquire a player having a career year?
The Phillies outfield of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler and Johan Rojas has been subpar. Only Castellanos has an OPS+ of over 100. While a player like Jarren Duran would be a good fit, the Phillies could target a rental. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted the Phillies would land Trent Grisham as part of a three-team deal with the Yankees and Minnesota Twins.
"The Phillies badly need an outfielder. A center fielder, preferably," wrote Axisa. "The Yankees are rumored to be open to moving one of their three non-Aaron Judge outfielders (Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez) for a badly needed third baseman. The Phillies and Yankees don't match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in. Rental Grisham for rental (Willi) Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they're selling, they won't want a rental. They'll want controllable young players, so a three-team trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards."
Grisham is having a career year. He has already tied his career high in home runs, 17, and his .833 OPS is also a career high. The Yankees have enough outfielders, and trading Grisham would ensure Bellinger is playing every day. Bellinger could also be traded as he has a player option for next season, but with how he is playing, the Yankees may want to keep him around.
Grisham would see more playing time with the Phillies as well. He would be a massive upgrade over Kepler in the outfield, but would likely force Brandon Marsh into left field as a result.
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Grisham is going to be a free agent after the season. That lines up perfectly for the Phillies, who could be looking to call up Justin Crawford to play next season.
More MLB: Red Sox-Phillies 3-for-1 trade proposal sends Jarren Duran to Philadelphia