The Philadelphia Phillies are entering July with plenty of optimism about their chances to compete for a World Series in 2026, and fans are hopeful the team will be well represented at the All-Star Game.
Once the midsummer classic wraps up, however, attention will quickly shift to the MLB trade deadline. For the Phillies, several roster needs could come into play, but the biggest priority has long been the outfield — specifically adding a right-handed power bat.
That’s why it caught some attention when ESPN’s David Schoenfield suggested the Phillies pursue a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Many assumed he was pointing toward All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, but instead, Schoenfield argued Philadelphia should target starting pitcher Joe Ryan.
Schoenfield noted that while the Phillies could use more offense, they may ultimately need better production from their current core hitters, including Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Alec Bohm, rather than relying on a major offensive addition.
There is some logic behind the pitching focus. The Phillies’ rotation has been inconsistent, with Aaron Nola struggling this season and top prospect Andrew Painter already sent back to the minors after a rough start in the big leagues.
Still, the idea of trading for Ryan raises questions. The Twins’ All-Star starter is under team control through 2027, which would make him very expensive to acquire. Given how badly the Phillies need help in the outfield, committing premium assets to land a pitcher who would likely slot in as the fourth starter feels questionable.
In theory, adding Ryan to a rotation that already includes Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo would give Philadelphia four high-quality starters for the postseason, balancing left- and right-handed arms. But it wouldn’t address the team’s offensive shortcomings.
There’s no denying Ryan would be an upgrade. He owns a 3.61 ERA this season and could be headed for another All-Star appearance. The issue is cost — paying that much for a pitcher who isn’t a top-of-the-rotation necessity may not be the best use of resources.
While Schoenfield’s idea works on paper, the Phillies may be better off directing their trade capital toward Buxton or another impact right-handed outfielder, a move that more directly addresses their most pressing need as they push toward a championship run.