There’s no question the Philadelphia Phillies desperately need a right-handed bat. With Adolis García potentially sidelined for the remainder of the season, and both Alec Bohm and Trea Turner struggling to find consistency, the team’s current offensive options simply aren’t good enough.
That said, as the trade deadline approaches, the Phillies must be careful not to sacrifice their future for a short-term fix. Any move for a right-handed hitter needs to make sense both financially and positionally, not just address an immediate weakness.
That’s why a recent trade idea linking Philadelphia to Giants infielder Willy Adames feels completely misguided. The proposal suggests the Phillies could pursue Adames despite Turner being firmly entrenched as the everyday shortstop, forcing Philadelphia to either move Turner out of position or awkwardly fit Adames elsewhere on the field.
While Adames’ .692 OPS and 96 OPS+ would technically be an upgrade over some of the Phillies’ underperforming right-handed hitters, that modest improvement hardly justifies the massive commitment attached to his contract.
Adames is owed $182 million over seven years through the 2031 season, and taking on that deal would be a major mistake. Betting on him returning to the offensive form he showed in 2024 would already be risky on its own, but doing so while Turner remains on the roster—and with no clear role for Adames—makes the idea even more illogical.
If Turner weren’t part of the long-term picture, the Phillies might be able to justify a high-risk, high-reward gamble. But with Turner locked in at shortstop and Adames lacking a natural fit, the downside clearly outweighs any potential upside.
Realistically, the only time a trade for Adames could make sense would be years from now, possibly after Bohm departs in free agency following the 2026 season or if another infield spot opens after 2027. Until then, the Phillies should have no interest in pursuing him.
Simply put, Adames is far too expensive, and the fit makes no sense. While some may label Philadelphia a “wild” landing spot for him, there’s little logic behind the idea at this point.