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Why Phillies might be most urgent team 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 into the final month before the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a lot of confidence, as one of the hottest teams in the sport.
But that doesn't mean the Phillies don't have some huge needs. Outfield help is a must, especially with Adolis Garcia done for the season. Add in starting pitching and maybe another reliever, and the Phillies have some clear trade deadline needs.
As Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report highlighted amid these needs, the Phillies have reason to be the most urgent team at the deadline this year. The reason is simple: this aging core might not last for long beyond the 2026 season.
Why Phillis might act with urgency at 2026 MLB trade deadline
"With an aging veteran core and the fifth-highest payroll in baseball, there might be no team with a greater sense of urgency to solidify its status as a title contender than the Phillies," Reuter writes.
It makes perfect sense. The Phillies' core is only getting older, even if Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are having career years. Even Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez are performing incredibly well.
However, the 2027 season might be their last one as legitimate title contenders, because after that, Brandon Marsh, Jhoan Duran, Bryson Stott, and others will be hitting free agency.
Even if they still have Trea Turner, Harper, Schwarber, Aaron Nola, Sanchez, Jesus Luzarod, and others locked up long-term, this team will need some major overhauling before long.
MORE: Aaron Nola’s struggles might force Phillies to trade for a starting pitcher
If the Phillies wish to avoid another wasted season, they will need to make a splash at the trade deadline. Ideally, that would come in the form of someone like Byron Buxton.
A right-handed hitting outfielder with some power would be the dream trade pickup, but there's no guarantee the Phillies will be able to find such a player this year.
However, if the right opportunity is available, Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies might be operating with more urgency than any other club, with their World Series window at risk of closing in the very near future.
For those with concerns about the long-term outlook of the franchise, with the uncertainty for the 2027 MLB season due to the MLB and MLBPA and the labor negotiations, going all-in for 2026 might not be such a bad idea despite the long-term risk.
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