The Phillies made a trio of trades on Tuesday's trade deadline as they make a push for their first playoff appearance since 2011. In two separate trades with the Los Angelas Angels, the Phillies secured starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and OF Brandon Marsh. In a trade with the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies welcome back former closing pitcher David Robertson. After all the trades today, the Phillies also designated OF Odubel Herrera and reliver Jeurys Familia for assignment.
The first trade today was the Phillies trading for Marsh. It is widely expected that Marsh will take over in CF especially after Herrera was designated for assignment. In the trade, the Phillies sent minor league catcher Logan O'Hoppe to the Angels. The 24-year-old Marsh is currently hitting .226, 37 RBI's and 8 home runs this season.
The second trade saw the Phillies bring back closer David Robertson. Previously Robertson signed with the Phillies in 2019. However, after a handful of injuries Robertson only pitched 6 innings over 2 seasons. The 37-year-old veteran has only given up 20 hits over 40+ innings pitched this season. He has 14 saves and an era of 2.23 in 2022. The trade for Robertson provides depth within the struggling bullpen for the Phillies. With experience as both a closer and set-up man, it provides manager Rob Thompson flexibility when going to the pen. This trade saw the Phillies give up one of their most valuable trade assets. They sent 22-year-old pitcher Ben Brown to Chicago. This is a steep payment for the free agent to be in Robertson.
Just before the trade deadline passed, the Phillies made a 2nd trade with the Angels and acquired former All-star pitcher Noah Syndergaard. This season the 29-year-old Syndergaard is 5-8 with a 3.38 era on the struggling Angels. The move provides starting pitching depth alongside pitchers Aaron Nola, Zach Wheeler, and Ranger Suarez. In the trade the Phillies sent former 1st overall pick Mickey Moniak and Jadiel Sanchez. Moniak has struggled to find his footing with the Phillies and a change of scenery was expected.
Odubel Herrera era with the Phillies is hopefully over for the two. As big of a liability on and off the field as it gets, Phillie fans have been waiting for this moment. He struggled at the plate and in the field, as well as had his share of off the field issues. Signed as a free agent this year, Familia has an era that can't be counted on one hand in only 34 innings pitched this season.
The Phillies will look ahead for the rest of the 2022 season as they look to end the NL's longest active playoff draught. With the back half of the season well under way, the Phillies have one of the easier schedules in all of baseball. As of now they hold a 1 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild card spot in the NL. Reports say that NL MVP Bryce Harper had the pins removed from his hand and his return is in the near future.
The Phillies did everything they needed to do to put themselves in the driver's seat towards a playoff appearance and possibly a run in the 2022 postseason. The Phillies got another starting pitcher, bullpen depth, and solidified the CF position. In return the Phillies did lose Ben Brown but were able to lose Herrera and Familia for nothing. I kept saying Dave Dombrowski needed time to work his magic, and after what I saw today, he did just that! The fightins are ready to have fun!
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