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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 05: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins looks on before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 05, 2026 in New York City. The Twins defeated the Yankees 6-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t been able to cover up their desperation for some needed additions at the trade deadline.
Though the team has put itself back into contention with a strong turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly, it will need some reinforcement if it hopes to contend with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.
And while starting pitching depth and bullpen additions are clearly on the team’s needs list, adding another impact bat to the outfield might be the organization's clearest unanswered need dating back several seasons.
Finding that player, however, won't be easy. The market for proven right-handed-hitting outfielders appears limited, leaving the Phillies with relatively few obvious options as the deadline approaches.
"The list of hitters who could be available at the deadline isn’t necessarily a substantial one, and it shrinks even further if you limit it to right-handed-hitting outfielders,” Paul Casella wrote for MLB.com. “But that’s essentially what the Phillies need most, and -- barring some unexpected significant shakeup in the infield -- the outfield is the only place they have flexibility to plug in a new player."
FORBES | By Peter Chawaga
Phillies’ New Top Prospect Sends Big-League Call Up Message
Philadelphia Phillies Player Shares Surprise Update On Byron Buxton Trade
Because of the Phillies’ persistent need for a proven lineup-balancing outfield slugger, the team has been linked to Minnesota Twins superstar Byron Buxton.
Typically, Buxton responds to questions about potential trades by reminding the media that he has a no-trade clause and doesn’t intend to waive it. But now the team has shared a surprising update on Buxton’s willingness to change teams.
"He apparently told a Phillies player last summer he would waive it to come here,” Phillies insider Jim Salisbury reported on a recent episode of “The Phillies Show” podcast. “That's what a Phillies player told me in the last month or so."
FORBES | By Peter Chawaga
Mets’ Clay Holmes, 2-Time Yankees All-Star, Hints At Trade Move With Contract Message
Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton Remains Longshot Philadelphia Phillies Trade Candidate Despite Update
Though Buxton is apparently willing to remove perhaps the biggest obstacle in a deal to join the Phillies, he won’t be easy to acquire.
The Twins could consider themselves near-term contenders and the Phillies don’t have much farm system depth to leverage in a trade. But with the trade deadline just a few days away, Phillies fans are likely to continue pressing for a blockbuster deal to bring Buxton to Philadelphia, even if a deal is unlikely to materialize.
"Byron Buxton and Mike Trout are the two names Phillies fans have thrown around for years, but neither seems likely to be traded,” Casella added.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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