The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball and nothing seems to be slowing them down. They proved that again Tuesday, when they lost J.T. Realmuto to the injured list, but picked up a 4-1 road win against the Boston Red Sox.
The Phillies have continued to post some of the league’s best offensive numbers despite injuries to Trea Turner, Brandon Marsh, and now Realmuto. But even though they now have the best record and the largest division lead in baseball, at least one Phillies insider believes there is an addition the team needs to make to improve their lineup.
Philadelphia’s outfield has been the only spot of bother for the team offensively this season, currently ranking 20th in MLB with a .655 team OPS. Many have speculated that the Phillies could be in on Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr., but there is an outfielder the Phillies are more familiar with who could make even more sense, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
In his Wednesday trade deadline primer, Gelb notes that perhaps the best way to improve the offense in the outfielder is to acquire a better platoon partner for Marsh, who has struggled historically against left-handed pitching. And there may be a fit within the Phillies’ division: righty Lane Thomas of the Washington Nationals, who owns a career .860 OPS with four homers against the Phillies.
With James Wood and Dylan Crews nearing the big leagues, Thomas may be more valuable to the Nationals as a piece to acquire prospects at other positions. Gelb notes that Thomas, who is 28 and under control through 2025, is just one name that makes sense with Marsh in a platoon, and others may become available as teams declare their seller status.
Thomas’ overall season stats are still rough, but he’s been a lot better since returning from the injured list on May 27. He is slashing .281/.343/.474 with six extra-base hits in 15 games since being activated.
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