PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 08: Trea Turner # 7 of the Philadelphia Phillies and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski smile during their press conference at Citizens Bank Park on December 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
After seeing the Atlanta Braves lose Dansby Swanson, the Philadelphia Phillies have a chance to make a trade to catch them.
The Atlanta Braves lost free shortstop Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs. For the Philadelphia Phillies, this could be a chance to make up some ground.
Whether you think Swanson is worth the money the Cubs gave him or not is a whole different debate. Vaughn Grissom has a chance to be a suitable replacement for Atlanta at shortstop. Meanwhile, the Phillies should be feeling pretty good about their situation at the position already. They aggressively went out and signed Trea Turner. The Braves have been relatively silent for a division winner.
Free agency will offer the Phillies a couple of different options to improve the roster. So will trades. Who can Dave Dombrowski look to acquire from another ball club in hopes of catching the Braves?
1) The dream Phillies trade target is Rafael Devers
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers looks destined to hit the free agent market next offseason. The Red Sox and Devers haven’t come to an agreement on an extension. Nothing appears close to happening either. Philadelphia could use Devers for a couple of reason.
Devers is a true third baseman, while Alec Bohm’s future is likely as a first baseman/DH. Devers might not be an elite defender, however, he is unquestionably better with a glove than Bohm who might be one of the worst at his position in the league.
Acquiring Devers would be an absolute dream for the Phillies. The trade would undoubtedly include Bohm and at least one of their top three pitching prospects, Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, or Griff McGarry.
Trading away Devers would be a curious move for the Red Sox at the moment after they just signed Justin Turner. Their plan seems to focus on building a contender without superstar additions. A good guess is that they hold onto Devers. If the Phillies can’t get him now, expect him to be a more viable candidate at next year’s trade deadline. Striking now may best as to avoid a future bidding war with the New York Mets.