The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for an outfielder, but a proposed trade idea involving Justin Crawford could leave fans scratching their heads.
The Phillies are looking to address three areas this summer: starting pitching, high-leverage reliever, and a right-handed hitting outfielder. A trade idea proposed by Mitch Bannon of The Athletic would send Justin Crawford to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players in a deal that would make no sense for the Phillies.
The deal, which would involve Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho, doesn't quite add up. Hoffman is a struggling reliever under contract through 2027 on a three-year, $33 million deal. Varsho, meanwhile, is a rental outfielder who's struggling with a .678 OPS this season.
The Phillies would be taking on a significant amount of money and a struggling reliever, while giving up a valuable asset in Crawford, who is in his rookie season and under club control well into the future. The trade would be a complete mistake, especially considering the Phillies' need for a right-handed hitting outfielder.
It's worth noting that Varsho is a left-handed hitter, which doesn't exactly fit the Phillies' needs. The team is looking for a right-handed hitter, and trading Crawford for a player who doesn't fit that bill wouldn't make sense.
The trade idea, proposed by Bannon, would be a creative solution to the Phillies' outfield needs, but it's not a solution that would work in reality. The Phillies would be better off exploring other options, such as trading for a player who fits their needs and is under control for a longer period of time.
The Phillies are already a little tight on money, and taking on Hoffman's contract would only add to their financial burdens. The team would be wise to explore other options and avoid making a deal that would set them back financially and on the field.
The proposed trade idea is just one of several that have been floated in recent days as the trade deadline approaches. The Phillies will need to get creative if they want to address their needs, but they'll need to do so in a way that makes sense for the team and its fans.
Source: Yahoo Sports