The Philadelphia Phillies may be under more pressure than anyone to secure a World Series title in 2025.
After falling short in the playoffs the past few years, the team’s core is beginning to show signs of age. Key players like Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suárez are set to become free agents this offseason, and ace Zack Wheeler has announced his intention to retire after 2027.
With the trade deadline looming, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Phillies made a bold move. They’re in need of an additional outfielder, and their bullpen is in dire need of improvement.
One baseball insider said that a major trade with the Baltimore Orioles is the answer to the Phillies’ problems. On Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested a trade where the Phillies acquire outfielder Cedric Mullins, along with relievers Félix Bautista and Gregory Soto, in exchange for starting pitcher Mick Abel and pitching prospect Jean Cabrera.
“Sure, a Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase combo would be even better, but that would also require more prospects (and it’s hard to see the Guardians parting with Kwan, much less Clase, anyway),” Heyman wrote.
“Fans might revolt if the Orioles trade Bautista, but Abel is a huge prospect. If one team could afford to surrender him, it’s the Phillies, who’ll have Andrew Painter up soon to join what is arguably the league’s best rotation.”
All three of the players on Baltimore’s side have been All-Stars before, though none did so this season. Mullins has a .713 OPS and 13 home runs this season, while Bautista has racked up 18 saves with a 2.41 ERA.
It would be a big swing from the Phillies to sacrifice Abel, a former first-round pick, in any trade. Would this be the package worth taking that plunge for?
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