The Philadelphia Phillies hit a slight skid to close out an otherwise dominant May and now trail the New York Mets by a game in the NL East. It’s a safe bet that they’ll pursue impactful additions at the trade deadline—but just how bold will Dave Dombrowski be?
Last season, expectations were high that the Phillies would make a major splash, with names like Tanner Scott and Luis Robert Jr. in the rumor mill. Instead, Dombrowski opted for short-term pickups in Austin Hays and Carlos Estévez, both of whom departed in free agency. Ironically, the team is once again in need of outfield reinforcements and bullpen depth.
While Philadelphia’s core stars—Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner—remain elite, they can’t carry the load on their own. The rotation is solid, but the bullpen needs a boost, especially in light of José Alvarado’s PED suspension, which rules him out for the postseason.
With that in mind, here are some Phillies players who will be leaving before July wraps up:
3. Aroon Escobar
The Athletic’s latest MLB prospect rankings include four Phillies among the top 50, the second-highest total in baseball. Among them is Aroon Escobar, a 20-year-old infielder with a .924 OPS at Low-A Clearwater, ranked No. 40 overall. If the Phillies pursue a major trade — for a star or a reliable everyday contributor — Escobar seems like a logical piece to begin trade discussions with.
Although Philadelphia should be cautious about moving top-tier prospects, the team’s infield is already deep. Aidan Miller, ranked No. 2 in the Phillies system and No. 9 overall by The Athletic, is the same age as Escobar. Ideally, the future infield would feature Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Bryson Stott, and Miller, with Alec Bohm potentially being the odd man out. Turner is signed long-term, and Stott is having a breakout year, which clouds Escobar’s future in Philly. Even in a few years, there may not be a clear spot for him.
That makes now an opportune time to explore his trade value, especially if the return fills a key need. Dave Dombrowski isn’t likely to move Escobar without a compelling reason, but as the Phillies push to maximize a closing championship window, they should consider it if the right player becomes available.
2. Johan Rojas
It feels like the Phillies have been waiting a long time for Johan Rojas to make offensive strides. In reality, he’s only 24, so there’s still time — and that’s largely why he’s remained on the roster despite persistent hitting struggles. However, it might be smart for the Phillies to gauge his value now. If his bat doesn’t develop over the next year or two, Philadelphia risks being left with a talented defender who can’t contribute enough at the plate.
Rojas is an elite defensive center fielder, and the Phillies benefit from his glove, but he’s currently the weakest hitter in their lineup. Given their need for more reliable outfield offense, flipping Rojas for a veteran bat is a legitimate option, especially with Brandon Marsh showing signs of recovery from a slow start.
There’s likely a team out there willing to bet on Rojas’ defensive tools, arm strength, and speed. His offensive numbers are concerning, but his age still offers some hope — though that window is closing. Plus, Justin Crawford is rising fast with a more promising bat.
1. Mick Abel, RHP
Mick Abel threw six scoreless innings in his MLB debut last month and is set to make his second start this week against Toronto. Just a year ago, he looked like a fading prospect, but he’s revamped his approach while maintaining top-tier stuff. He’s not among the highest-ranked prospects anymore, but he’s starting to look like a dependable big-league starter.
The catch is, the Phillies already have a stacked rotation with five All-Stars, Taijuan Walker relegated to the bullpen, and top prospect Andrew Painter nearing a return. There’s simply not enough room for Abel, and sticking him in the bullpen could stunt his development — even if it provides a short-term fix.
That doesn’t mean the Phillies should move Abel just to clear space — surplus pitching is a good problem to have — but if an impact player becomes available, whether it’s a top reliever or a strong outfield bat, they should be open to it. The team has enough pitching depth to absorb the loss and still field a competitive rotation for the full season.