Phillies make a flurry of moves at MLB Trade Deadline

The Phillies made two big deals on Tuesday. In a twist, they gave up two prospects that were rumored to be untouchable, and in return, they got a controllable centerfielder and a familiar closer. They also DFA’d controversial outfielder Odubel Herrera.

Let’s take a look at the moves.

Phillies acquire Brandon Marsh from the Angels

Going into the deadline, it seemed the Phillies had two goals in mind. Get better defensively in centerfield and acquire a starter to replace Zach Elfin in the rotation.

The Phillies fulfilled one of those quests in a swap with the Los Angeles Angels.

For a defense-first centerfielder in Brandon Marsh, the Phillies had to part with their best offensive prospect, catcher Logan O’Hoppe.

O’Hoppe represented the Phillies at the 2020 All-Star Futures game and has an .877 OPS in Double-A this season. He was recently added to MLB.com’s top-100 prospect list.

One possible reason for the Phillies dealing O’Hoppe is Double-A Reading’s home field. First Energy Stadium profiles as an aid to offensive players. The Phillies’ front office could believe that it has contributed to O’Hoppe’s numbers.

In return, they receive 24-year-old centerfielder Marsh. Marsh has yet to find his bat in the big leagues. In 163 career games, he has a .653 OPS with 10 homers and 14 steals. He was a highly touted prospect for the Halos, ranking in the top 50 before the 2021 season.

He does provide good defense up the middle for the Phillies. Per Statcast, Marsh ranks in the 98th percentile in Outs Above Average and in the 91st percentile in sprint speed. He’s played at all 3 outfield positions in 2022, posting 8 defensive runs saved.

Marsh will be under team control through 2027. He won’t even be arbitration eligible until 2025. He does stand a chance to find his stroke at the major league level. He hit a combined .288 in the minors.

Hello again, David Robertson

There weren’t many attractive former Phils on the trade market but David Robertson was the best available. In fact, Robertson was one of the best relievers available on the market and the Phillies landed him.

Robertson was having a resurgent year with the Chicago Cubs. In 40.1 IP, Robertson has a 2.23 ERA with 14 saves. That’s his best ERA in a season since 2017 when he had a 1.84 ERA between the Yankees and White Sox.

He’ll slide into the back of the bullpen with Brad Hand and Seranthony Dominguez. While he’ll most likely be the closer, the decision will ultimately be Rob Thomson’s.

Robertson is no stranger to Philadelphia. He was signed to a 2-year contract before the 2019 season. He appeared in just 7 games before he required Tommy John surgery.

The Phils are sending prospect Ben Brown to the Cubbies. It was rumored that the front office was high on the emerging prospect. Brown has a 3.08 ERA at High-A Jersey Shore in 73 IP. He was ranked as the Phillies’ 26th best prospect on MLB.com and was slated for a move up that list.

Phillies DFA Odubel Herrera and Jeurys Familia

The moves that many fans were clamoring for have finally come to fruition — Odubel Herrera and Jeurys Familia have been designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Herrera was with the Phillies since 2015 when they selected him in the Rule 5 draft. He appeared in the 2016 All-Star game as the Phillies’ lone representative. Herrera fell afoul of many fans when he was caught up in legal issues concerning domestic violence in 2019.

He was hitting just .238 with a .658 OPS in 2022.

The team also DFA’d Jeurys Familia. The former Mets’ closer struggled with the Phillies, posting a 6.09 ERA. He signed a 1-year/ $6 million contract with the Phillies this offseason. He, too, was unpopular with many fans thanks to a domestic violence arrest in 2016.

Brandon Marsh and David Robertson will take their spots on the roster when they arrive. In the meantime, Mickey Moniak and Francisco Morales will be recalled from Triple-A.