Phillies trade ideas with Bryce Harper injured

Blake Snell grew to become a part of unlucky Phillies trivia lore when his up-and-in fastball broke Bryce Harper’s left thumb Saturday evening in San Diego.

Give your self a star in case you recall that it was Washington Nationals rookie left-hander John Lannan, in his big-league debut, who broke the precise hand of Chase Utley with a pitch in July 2007.

Give your self 5 stars in case you keep in mind that Steve Trachsel of the Chicago Cubs was the man who broke Scott Rolen’s proper forearm with a pitch in September 1996.

In the latter two circumstances, the Phillies rebounded properly from a troublesome break. Pat Gillick acquired Tad Iguchi from guilt-racked Kenny Williams and the White Sox — Williams, then the Sox’ GM, felt badly about his membership sending the extremely revered Gillick a banged-up pitcher (Freddy Garcia) the earlier winter — and Iguchi held down the fort properly at second base earlier than Utley might make it again and assist the Phillies win the NL East.

Rolen earned the NL Rookie of the Year award with a unbelievable season in 1997, however his eligibility for the prize would have ended if he hadn’t been hit by Trachsel’s pitch the season, thus shelving him at 130 at-bats.

The Phillies — from the clubhouse to the entrance workplace — have to deal with the lack of Harper with related aplomb if they will save their season and break a 10-year postseason drought, the longest within the NL.

There remains to be some fluidity to this example. Harper is to endure additional medical analysis early this week. A easy break might need him again for the stretch drive. A extra difficult break, one that may require surgical procedure and pinning of the break, would preserve him out longer. Second baseman Jean Segura just lately suffered a damaged proper index finger. The harm might preserve him out for as much as 12 weeks as a result of the fracture was “displaced” and required pinning.

Regardless of how lengthy Harper is out, his loss places the Phillies in survival mode. Their beginning rotation has been someplace between strong and excellent. The bullpen recently has been excellent, although it is honest to query how sustainable that shall be. Kyle Schwarber has been a June savior and Rhys Hoskins has additionally carried a giant load in the course of the month. But if the Phils are going to outlive the lack of Harper, the lineup’s alpha canine, they may want extra from Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto, each of whom have proven some indicators of warming, and others.

Like Gillick in 2007, the entrance workplace must go to work right here and forestall this crew from dying on the vine. This is to not recommend it already wasn’t working arduous to enhance the roster. Dave Dombrowski signed a four-year deal right here. Now, he may find yourself staying longer — he is in Year 2 and the Nashville challenge that he is related with is not transferring rapidly — however the easy reality is he did not come right here to fiddle and oversee a protracted, gradual climb. He got here to get to the postseason — now — and his want matches that of possession. Certainly, Dombrowski, Sam Fuld, Jorge Velandia and the remainder of the entrance workplace have already been plotting trade-deadline technique. Bullpen and beginning pitching depth might need led that checklist per week in the past. A middle fielder or some outfield protection was most likely on there. These wants have not gone away, however they now have firm.

With Harper out, the Phils are going to wish a bat both at DH or within the outfield. A lefty bat could be good, however manufacturing, from both aspect, is vital.

You can guess Dombrowski and his cupboard have already touched base with the Washington Nationals, who might transfer Josh Bell or Nelson Cruz. Staying within the NL East, Jesus Aguilar may very well be enticing if the Miami Marlins promote. Baltimore might transfer Trey Mancini or Anthony Santander. The Royals might trade Whit Merrifield or Andrew Benintendi. The Cubs might deal an attention-grabbing bundle of outfielder Ian Happ and reliever David Robertson. Ditto for Arizona, which might transfer outfielder David Peralta and reliever Mark Melancon, who has struggled this season however led the majors with 39 saves in 2021. Pittsburgh continues to have a wonderful trade chip in middle fielder Brian Reynolds, although he would seemingly price important younger expertise.

There is high pitching on the market with Oakland’s Frankie Montas and Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo, however these costs shall be steep, too. As badly because the Phils want to enhance to stop this $230 million funding from enjoying golf in October, they do should be protecting of Mick Abel and Andrew Painter, who might blossom into the core of a beginning rotation in Philadelphia in a number of years. Griff McGarry, Ben Brown and potential nearer Francisco Morales are additionally high prospects. Would the Phillies half with one in the precise deal? The Phils have upper-level catching depth in Rafael Marchan and Logan O’Hoppe. They’d transfer Marchan however rivals would seemingly want O’Hoppe, who continues to interrupt via. Can the Phils afford to make use of O’Hoppe as a trade chip with Realmuto exhibiting indicators of decline? Tough name. For a sure-fire World Series crew, most likely. For a crew that squeaks into the playoffs … powerful name.

It’s common to the purpose of cliché to say that the Atlanta Braves suffered an enormous blow with the lack of Ronald Acuña Jr. (and others) final yr and that the rest of their roster, gamers like Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley, in addition to GM Alex Anthopoulos, who remade the outfield at that trade deadline, stepped as much as save the season and assist rally the membership to a World Series title. The Phillies know all about how the 2021 Braves dealt with adversity. They will want related contributions from their present nucleus and related assist from the entrance workplace to outlive the lack of Harper. A fast therapeutic left thumb would additionally assist.