Phillies reportedly targeting defensive improvement in CF

As Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies are “looking for some defense in center field,” according to Jon Heyman of Audacy Sports.

Heyman notes that Ramón Laureano of the Oakland Athletics, long speculated as a potential trade target of the Phillies, “is not that likely to be moved.” It should be noted that the 28-year-old also has -7 defensive runs saved and -3 outs above average in 2022, so it’s fair to wonder if he would really represent any improvement in the field, even if his bat would.

Other options Heyman mentions as potentially available on the market are Michael A. Taylor of the Kansas City Royals, Jose Siri of the Houston Astros and Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Boston Red Sox.

Taylor, 31, has been a popular name on the market all summer. Known for his glove, Taylor has eight defensive runs saved and one out above average in 2022. He’s also having the best offensive season of his career, slashing .278/.348/.394. Taylor is under contract for 2023 at just $4.5 million. If he came to the Phillies, the long-time Washington National would be reunited with his former teammate Bryce Harper.

Siri is currently at Triple-A after slashing just .178/.238/.304 in 135 at-bats this season for the Houston Astros, but the 27-year-old would represent a massive defensive upgrade given that he has eight defensive runs saved and seven outs above average in just 315 innings in center field this season. If the Phillies think they can get more out of Siri offensively, he’d be a very attractive trade piece given that he can’t become a free agent until after the. 2027 season.

Meanwhile, there’s not a ton to be intrigued by from Bradley at this stage of his career. He’s become pretty much unplayable offensively, and the former Gold Glove Award winner — now in his second go-round with the Boston Red Sox — has a $12 million mutual option for 2023, which carries a hefty $8 million buyout if both parties don’t exercise it.

It’s not surprising that the Phillies would prefer to upgrade from the Matt Vierling/Odúbel Herrera platoon (sort of) that they’ve been using in center field in recent weeks. It’s especially unsurprising that they feel the need to improve defensively in center field, given that Nick Castellanos has -11 defensive runs saved and -8 outs above average in right field, and Kyle Schwarber has -7 defensive runs saved and -5 outs above average in left field. But given how few needle-movers there are that can play center field around the league, upgrading may be easier said than done.

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