PHILADELPHIA: Austin Hays bats against the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park on July 27, ... [+]
With three days left before Major League Baseball’s trading deadline of July 30, Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies have fared the best in early deals.
You might say they moved to the head of the class, except that with a 65-39 record, the Phillies already were there. The deals appear to have made it easier to maintain MLB’s best record and succeed in the post-season.
In short, Philadelphia added closer Carlos Estevez from the Los Angeles Angels and 2023 all-star outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles. They sent middle reliever Seranthony Dominguez and fleet fielding, offensively challenged outfielder Christian Pache to Baltimore and minor-league pitchers George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri to the Angels.
Estevez and Hays fill roles that make the Phillies stronger. The two minor-league pitchers have some nice numbers and show promise – though neither was ranked by MLB Pipeline.com among Philadelphia’s Top 30 Prospects.
Hays, hampered by injuries in Baltimore, has hit .272 against left-handers and .257 facing right-handers in his career. He likely will platoon with lefty-swinging Brandon Marsh, a .275 career hitter against right-handers who struggles (.210) against lefties.
CHICAGO: Brandon Marsh of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Chicago White Sox. The left-handed ... [+]
“To go from one first-place team to another one is probably everything you could ask for as a player,” Hays told reporters.
“There's not very many teams you could feel like you're upgrading in a way from where you were when your team was in first place. But that's how I feel. I feel like I'm coming into a place where we have an even better chance of winning a World Series."
Hays has more power; Marsh more speed. Together, they provide elite offense and good defense.
“We have liked Hays for a few years,” Dombrowski said. “We’ve actually tried to acquire him the last two trading deadlines and have been asked for much more than we’ve wanted to give. He’s a good hitter.
“I know he hasn’t played all that much this year. He’s gotten squeezed out in playing time with the amount of good young outfielders that they have. A lot of them are left-handed hitting, but they have a lot of good young players there, so he hasn’t had as much playing time. He can hit. He’s a gamer. He can play left field well, and we’re looking for a bit better at-bats from the right side, and he fits it.”
Building Better Bullpen
Estevez has a 2.38 earned run average, 20 saves and only five walks in 34 innings this year. In 2023, he had 31 saves and 78 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings.
ANAHEIM, CA: Carlos Estevez, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, gives the Philadelpha Phillies ... [+]
He joins an elite bullpen mix of Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, Gregory Soto and Jose Alvarado. The right-hander may share the closer’s role with lefty Alvarado. Lefty Soto and right-hander Hoffman would be the primary setup men with lefty Strahm and right-hander Kerkering before them – though all six could be used in any situation.
Excellent Executive Execution
Dombrowski, the wizened president of baseball operations, has traveled the road to success many times. He was the Florida Marlins’ first general manager and assembled the 1997 World Series champions through a good farm system complimented by free-agent signings Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, Moises Alou, Alex Fernandez and Livan Hernandez.
He then took a Detroit Tigers team that lost 119 games in 2003 and had them in the World Series two years later. Detroit won four AL Central titles and went to another Series, 2011-14.
LOS ANGELES: President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with ... [+]
Next, he put together three straight AL East title teams (2016-18), capped by a World Series win for the Boston Red Sox. Key moves included sending four prospects to the San Diego Padres for closer Craig Kimbrel and four more to the Chicago White Sox for ace lefty Chris Sale.
He went to Philadelphia in 2021; the Phillies made the World Series in 2023 and NL Championship Series last year.
The Next Shoe To Drop
There will be more trades the next three days. Don’t expect the Phils to do more. "There's a long way until Tuesday night, but we feel very comfortable where we are right now,” Dombrowski said.
The AL East-leading Orioles need more than Anthony to right a teetering pitching staff. They dealt three prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays for starter Zach Eflin. Good move. Do they risk one of their elite prospects such as Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo or Samuel Basallo in a package for another pitcher such as Blake Snell, Tarik Skubal or Garrett Crochet?
MIAMI: Jazz Chisholm, traded to the New York Yankees, reacts after reaching second base for the ... [+]
The New York Yankees dealt three prospects for Jazz Chisholm Jr. The speedy, effusive second baseman-outfielder should give the lineup a jolt of speed and some power. Do they deal more prospects for a pitcher like the Orioles need?
The Cleveland Guardians have infield prospects and need a starter and outfielder with some pop at bat. Do the AL Central leaders go all-in to gamble on talented but erratic outfielder Luis Robert of the Chicago White Sox and top pitcher or add a mid-range rotation piece and extra outfield bat?
Expect the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers to get involved. They saw the Phillies improve. A team that shelled out a billion dollars last winter for free-agent players likely will not sit and watch without upping the ante.
With so many teams still alive in wild-card races, the scenarios are endless. Everybody wants to improve – though not all are willing to gamble on a move that could pay off big, or send a franchise reeling in 2025.