Phillies linked to $12 million outfielder as 'one of best fits' at MLB trade deadline

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Phillies linked to $12 million outfielder as 'one of best fits' at MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies are heading towards the August 3 MLB trade deadline as clear buyers, and there are a few positions this team is looking to address.

But their most important position to address is by far the outfield. Specifically, the Phillies need a right-handed-hitting outfielder. Adolis Garcia is done for the season, and while Derek Hill had a crazy week, he's not a long-term solution.

That's why MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com linked them to $12.18 million Baltimore Orioles righty-hitting outfielder, Taylor Ward, as someone who's "one of the best fits" for the Phillies this summer.

Taylor Ward is 'one of the best fits' for Phillies at MLB trade deadline​

"It's been reported that the Phillies are in the market for an outfielder and pitching help," Murray writes. "And one of the best fits for the Phillies, both Tom Verducci and I agreed on The Baseball Insiders, was Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward."

The Phillies need a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Ward is just that. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed hitting outfielder is a free agent after the season is over, and is making $12.18 million this year.

The Phillies would stand to benefit from adding Ward, even though he might not be the superstar outfielder of their dreams like Byron Buxton or Mike Trout.

But the Baltimore Orioles outfielder is still a good option for the Phillies. In 87 games this season, Ward has 1.5 bWAR with 82 hits, 53 runs scored, 18 doubles, while hitting five homers and recording 23 RBIs.

MORE: Aaron Nola’s struggles might force Phillies to trade for a starting pitcher

He does have a 66-walk to 85-strikeouts this season with a .250 batting average and a .378 on-base percentage. But his .351 slugging percentage is a good bit lower than his .428 career slugging percentage.

A .728 OPS this season would be one of the best marks on the Phillies roster, and would be a big step-up on the Phillies outfielders besides Brandon Marsh.

Ward would be a good pickup for the Phillies, even if he's not the power-hitting, clean-up option the Phillies might want from their right-handed hitting outfield trade pickup.

Baltimore might not be selling, but if they are, Ward is an option Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies should strongly consider in the trade market this season.

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