The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be among the most aggressive buyers ahead of this year’s MLB trade deadline.
After an incredible turnaround, the Phillies have transformed their season by climbing from 10 games below .500 to 10 games above the mark before the end of June. Their resurgence has firmly placed them back in the National League playoff picture, and entering play on July 12, they trailed the Atlanta Braves by just two games in the NL East standings.
With their dramatic resurgence, it’s no surprise that the Phillies are expected to be aggressive in pursuing roster upgrades before the MLB trade deadline. Adding a right-handed hitting outfielder remains their top priority, and the club is continuing to broaden its list of potential trade targets.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, Philadelphia has now identified Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as one of the players it is considering in its search for offensive reinforcements.
Phillies have sights set on Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
“The Phillies have included Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. among their possible trade targets for a right-handed hitting outfielder,” Nightingale wrote in his recent post.
The veteran left fielder began the season on the injured list and has yet to find his groove since returning to the field. He has produced a .216/.265/.299 slash line with only two home runs in 181 plate appearances.
With a -0.5 bWAR thus far, Gurriel isn’t making much of an impact in any facet of the game in 2026. According to Baseball Savant, the only thing he is above average in this season is Baserunning Run Value with a +1.
He isn’t offering much as a hitter or defender. Not yet qualified for season-long stat boards, Gurriel is well below average with a -11 Batting Run Value and -2 Fielding Run Value.
Why would the Phillies be interested in a player who is struggling to that extent? The price tag could certainly be part of it.
Gurriel would help solve woes against left-handed pitching
With one of the lowest-ranked farm systems in the MLB, Dave Dombrowski could run into some obstacles targeting players closer to the top of the right-handed outfielder market, such as Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels or Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs.
Gurriel could be an attractive trade option for the Phillies because his contract includes a team option for the 2027 season, allowing Philadelphia to treat him as a short-term rental if desired. That flexibility would likely reduce the acquisition cost compared to players with more long-term commitments.
His success against left-handed pitching is another major reason the Phillies have him on their radar. Philadelphia’s right-handed hitters have struggled against southpaws throughout the 2026 season, while Gurriel has consistently excelled in those matchups. Over 1,042 career plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, he has posted an impressive .294/.337/.470 slash line, making him a strong candidate to strengthen the club’s lineup.
If the Phillies are unable to land an everyday right fielder before the trade deadline, improving their production in platoon situations—particularly against left-handed pitching—remains the organization’s top priority.
