Trade and free agent rumors are swirling in MLB as teams look to bolster their rosters after the season. The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly considering moves to enhance their lineup following a disappointing postseason. One area of focus for potential upgrades is the back end of their starting rotation.
Taijuan Walker struggled with several injuries and failed to justify his spot in the rotation, given his underwhelming performance when healthy in 2024. Ranger Suárez began the season as a strong NL Cy Young contender, but his performance significantly declined after the summer. He also missed a month due to a back injury, but his inconsistency persisted.
Will the Phillies target the trade market to strengthen the back end of their rotation? Given how the season ended in disappointment, it’s certainly a possibility. With the team aiming to improve after falling short in the postseason, exploring trade options could be one way to address their rotation concerns. Anything could happen as they look to make upgrades.
Just Baseball proposes a mock trade that has the Phillies paying a hefty price for White Sox’s starter Garrett Crochet
Just Baseball recently suggested a three-team mock trade involving the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. In this scenario, both Philadelphia and Seattle land players they have been reportedly eyeing, potentially strengthening their rosters through this proposed deal.
In the proposed trade, the Chicago White Sox’s prospect system would see a significant boost. According to a mid-August piece by Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo for MLB.com, the White Sox’s farm system was ranked 11th in the league.
By acquiring five additional young prospects — three from Philadelphia, all ranked within their top 10, and two from Seattle, both in their top 15 — the White Sox could position themselves with one of the top farm systems in baseball heading into the 2025 season. This would mark a dramatic turnaround for Chicago, as their farm system had been near the bottom of the league at the start of 2024 and in the previous two years.
The Mariners are set to acquire Alec Bohm, the third baseman from the Phillies, who has recently been seen as a potential fit for Seattle. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi discussed this possibility on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob radio show on November 14, highlighting Bohm’s suitability for the Mariners despite concerns over his maturity. Morosi noted that while the Mariners would likely investigate these concerns, acquiring Bohm could still enhance their roster. “If Bohm is available, there are solid reasons to believe that he could be a good fit with the Mariners compared to other trade possibilities,” he said.
In this hypothetical trade, the White Sox would receive a significant number of prospects, including Seattle’s 11th- and 12th-ranked players, shortstop Tai Peete and second baseman/shortstop Michael Arroyo, along with Philadelphia’s third-, fifth-, and sixth-ranked prospects: outfielder Justin Crawford, catcher Eduardo Tait, and pitcher Mick Abel.
Philadelphia had previously considered trading for Garrett Crochet at the trade deadline but balked when the White Sox requested top pitching prospect Andrew Painter in exchange. Now, if the Phillies still want Crochet but wish to keep top prospects like Painter or shortstop Aidan Miller, they may need to offer additional top talent, including Crawford, who could make his MLB debut in mid-2025. Crawford posted solid numbers in the minors with a .333/.380/.455 line in 40 games at High-A.
Tait, another promising prospect, is still a few years away from the majors. He began his season with the rookie-level Florida Complex League before being promoted to Single-A Clearwater, where he hit .269/.316/.462 in 28 games. Abel, on the other hand, had a tough 2024, with a 6.46 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in Triple-A, making his future more uncertain.
In the trade scenario, the Phillies would acquire Crochet, a 25-year-old left-handed starter with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 2024 despite pitching for one of the league’s worst teams. The question arises whether the Phillies are willing to part with a skilled infielder and several top prospects to strengthen their pitching staff, especially considering their immediate championship aspirations. With Bohm expected to be a free agent after 2026, the Phillies could be contemplating this trade as part of their effort to win a World Series. However, dealing away such valuable prospects, including a starting outfielder, catcher, and pitcher, may give the front office pause.
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