The Philadelphia Phillies could make a major splash at the upcoming July 31 trade deadline by addressing both their bullpen and outfield in one blockbuster deal. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Phillies have been confirmed Baltimore Orioles as a one-stop shop for upgrades, potentially acquiring three All-Stars in one fell swoop.
A trade package that would send center fielder, elite closer , and lefty reliever to Philadelphia. In return, the Phillies would give up starting pitcher Mick Abel—ranked as their No. 5 prospect and No. 86 overall—and right-handed pitching prospect Jean Cabrera, ranked No. 12 in their system. While Orioles fans might be upset at the idea of losing Bautista, Heyman notes that Abel is a high-upside arm, and the Phillies are one of the few teams with the rotation depth to absorb that loss, especially with top prospect Andrew Painter nearing his MLB debut.
Heyman also explained that this deal would allow the Phillies to improve without giving up elite prospects like Aidan Miller or Justin Crawford—young stars they’d likely need to part with in any deal involving Guardians stars Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase. And given how unlikely it is for Cleveland to move either of those players, the Orioles package could be the more realistic—and impactful—path forward.
Bautista, who has returned to All-Star form after missing 2024 with Tommy John surgery, would be a game-changing addition to the Phillies bullpen, especially in light of Jose Alvarado’s 80-game PED suspension, which makes him ineligible for the postseason. Mullins, meanwhile, would upgrade a center field platoon that has produced just a .632 OPS and three home runs all season. Soto, while not the same pitcher he was in Detroit, would give Philadelphia another experienced lefty arm. Together, these additions could patch two of the Phillies’ biggest holes as they gear up for a deep October run.