An awful lot about the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025 screams, “Must win now!”
The core of the team that lost in the 2022 World Series remains, but several key members of that group – Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola – are on the wrong side of 31. As they say, the window is closing.
Additionally, Schwarber and Realmuto are among several players on expiring contracts, and other starters such as Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh will be up for arbitration.
Plus, it’s hard not to see the parallels to the late-2000s decline that ushered in a decade of frustration. Except that chapter of the franchise included a World Series title in 2008 before inching further from that peak over the next three seasons, ultimately fading into a 10-year playoff drought.
This season has all the feel of a proud group hoping to make a final run for glory. But the Phillies front office must do its part and fix a few holes in the roster.
Byron Buxton Represents Huge Upgrade at Center Field for Philadelphia
A big issue in center field has festered since the season began. The combination of Marsh and Johan Rojas has added very little to the Phillies offense and been average at best on defense.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report has a suggestion that could answer those problems. In a Wednesday article examining potential “dream landing spots” for several high-profile players who could benefit from a change in scenery, Rymer imagines a scenario where the Phillies acquire Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins.
“Not since the early days of Odúbel Herrera’s career have the Phillies had a reliable regular in center field, much less a star,” Rymer opined. “They have managed to succeed despite this, but that should raise questions about how far they could go if they actually went out and got a star to roam the middle of their outfield.”
Of course, there are concerns with Buxton. At 31, he earns a locker alongside the aging core of the team.
And there’s no looking past the injury history. Buxton played just 102 games last year, and it was the first time he had reached triple digits since he entered 140 games in 2017.
But when Buxton plays, he produces, particularly on defense. He won his lone Gold Glove in 2017, but when healthy, Buxton is a highly-regarded defensive player, enough so to push another Gold Glove center fielder, Harrison Bader, over to left field this season.
And on offense, Buxton is a clear step above what the Phillies are currently getting from their center fielders. In 59 games this season, Buxton has slashed .280/.344/.556 with a .900 OPS, which is significantly higher than what the Marsh/Rojas duo has produced.
Byron Buxton Has Produced When Healthly, Would Boost Phillies’ Win-Now Push
Buxton is under contract through 2028, but at a pretty acceptable cost of $15,142,857 per season. He does have a no-trade clause, but considering the Twins’ playoff doldrums – the AL Wild Card Series win in 2023 was Minnesota’s first win in any series since 2002 – Buxton may be open to the idea of going to a playoff contender.
Once thought to be in the wild card mix, the Twins lost six straight entering a Thursday afternoon game at Cincinnati. After dropping 10 of 12 before the series finale against the Reds, Minnesota is 36-37 and appears to be heading toward the seller’s side of the trade deadline sweepstakes. Offloading a veteran contract and opening a spot for a top outfield prospect like Emmanuel Rodriguez or Walker Jenkins might sound pretty good to Minnesota’s front office.
The Phillies have some good talent in their farm system. A trade of Marsh and outfielder Dante Nori or pitcher Moises Chace might fit the bill. Or if Philadelphia was willing to part with Justin Crawford or Mick Abel, perhaps the Twins could add a reliever such as Danny Coulombe, who would fit nicely into the bullpen.
Seems worth a phone call, before the window closes.
Phillies Land Star in Trade Pitch to Address Major Hole