With the MLB trade deadline just around the corner, excitement is building among baseball fans—and Phillies fans are no exception. They’ve been eager to see their team make a big move, hoping the front office would jump into the action and shake things up. On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies finally made their first trade of the deadline season. While it wasn’t the blockbuster many fans were hoping for, it was a step toward addressing depth.
Philadelphia made a deal with the Detroit Tigers, acquiring 29-year-old outfielder Brewer Hicklen in exchange for cash. This marks Hicklen’s second time with the Phillies organization. For now, though, he won’t be joining the major league team—he’s been sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
To make room for Hicklen on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated pitcher Ryan Cusick for assignment, possibly ending his time with the club unless he clears waivers.
Could Phillies’ early trade deadline move for Brewer Hicklen be a precursor for a prospect promotion?
Brewer Hicklen, originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round back in 2017, hasn’t had much time in the big leagues. So far, he’s appeared in just 10 MLB games, with 13 plate appearances spread across stints with the Royals, Brewers, and Tigers. He finally picked up his first two big-league hits this season and has also swiped two bases in his limited time.
The Phillies are already familiar with Hicklen. They first acquired him from the Royals in August 2023, and he played 11 games for their Triple-A team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. During that short stretch, he hit .250 with a strong on-base percentage of .413, added two homers, and stole six bases—solid numbers in limited action.
This latest move to bring Hicklen back seems aimed at strengthening the team’s outfield depth as the trade deadline approaches. While it’s not a headline-grabbing deal, it might be part of a bigger plan. If the Phillies aren’t able to land a more impactful outfielder before the deadline passes, they may turn to one of their top young talents—Justin Crawford.
Crawford, 21, has been impressive in Triple-A this year, posting a .326 batting average along with a .409 on-base percentage and 31 stolen bases. He’s clearly making a case for a call-up. However, there’s a bit of a roster challenge: Crawford bats left-handed, and the Phillies already have several lefty hitters in their lineup. That could lead the front office to consider moving one of their current left-handed outfielders—either by trading Brandon Marsh or possibly parting ways with the struggling Max Kepler—to create room for Crawford if they decide to give him a shot in the majors.
It’s unclear if Hicklen will play in the major leagues this season. However, it would be unexpected if the front desk called him before giving Crawford an opportunity.