With the MLB’s worst record, the Philadelphia Phillies could use the services of Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.
The 25-year-old has a .284 average, 44 RBIs, and eight homers.
Yelich is owed $58.25 million until 2022 and in 2023 he will be a free agent.
The Phillies would probably have to give up some good prospects in a trade for Yelich, but it shouldn’t be a problem since they have stockpiled prospects over several years.
Philly should go after Christian Yelich, because not only has he proven himself, but it’s better than spending over $100 million dollars on a free agent outfielder this offseason.
Christian Yelich is an all-star caliber player and even though the Phillies had four outfielders named to the all-star game over the past seven years, the success didn’t last long.
Shane Victorino went to the Midsummer Classic in 2011, Dominic Brown attended the game in 2013, and Odubel Herrera got an all-star nod in 2016.
Victorino was traded to the LA Dodgers in 2012; Brown fell off in production and was dumped by Philly in 2015.
Odubel Herrera has 33 RBIs, 19 walks, and five stolen bases through 90 games played this year.
This makes sense for Miami because trading Giancarlo Stanton might prove to be too difficult since he comes with a high price tag. Stanton is owed $295 million through the 2028 season.
Justin Bour and Dee Gordon wouldn’t bring in a huge return for Miami either. Bour is 29-years-old and he’s a free agent at season’s end. After having 23 homers and 73 RBIs in 2015; he collected 15 long balls and 51 RBIs in 2016.
So far Bour has 21 homers and 63 RBIs in 2017.
Gordon stole 122 bases in 2014 and 2015 combined. However, he missed 80 games in 2016 due to a PED suspension. He was able to steal 30 bases, but his batting average dipped immensely. In 2015 he had a .333 average than in 2016 he posted a .268 average.
This year Gordon has a .292 average and has swiped 32 bases, but only 18 of his 107 hits have gone for extra bases.
Gordon was a special player because of his ability to become an x-factor on the field, but teams may avoid trade talks with Miami because of his decline in production and his somewhat bloated contract ($38 million over the next three years).
Even though the Marlins and Phillies are not playoff bound in 2017, it’s time to think about how they can better themselves for the future.
Philly needs an outfielder they can count on for the long haul, and since they’ve struggled to develop an all-star in its minor league system, they’ll have to be aggressive and continue to have trade talks. However, the Phillies shouldn’t rely on trades and the opening of their checkbooks to solve all their problems.