The Phillies addressed their three biggest holes at Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring a center fielder, starting pitcher and relief pitcher. Brandon Marsh and Noah Syndergaard came in two separate deals with the Angels, while closer David Robertson was acquired from the Cubs.
While both Syndergaard and Robertson will be free agents at the end of this year and we’re expected to be dealt, the same can’t be said for Marsh. The 24-year-old comes with five more years of control after this season, and could be the Phils’ center fielder of the future. He’s struggled to the tune of a .239/.299/.354 line over 583 lifetime plate appearances thus far. However, he was the 38th ranked prospect in all of baseball coming into 2021, meaning there’s still a a good chance he figures things out.
As things stand, Marsh will likely slot into an everyday role in center field, perhaps splitting time with Matt Vierling when a lefty is on the mound. Despite his lack of offensive production, Marsh is a major upgrade, bringing solid speed and an elite glove to the position. To make room on the roster the team designated Odúbel Herrera for assignment.
In exchange for Marsh, the Phillies sent 22-year-old catcher Logan O’Hoppe to the Angels. O’Hoppe took the minors by storm this year, posting an absurd .269/.385/.492 line at Double-A Reading. That performance jumped him all the way up to #3 amongst Phillies prospects. However, with J.T. Realmuto signed for the foreseeable future, O’Hoppe was deemed expendable.
Many fans believe the Phils overpaid for a struggling Brandon Marsh, but the logic here is sound. They dealt from a position of strength, and addressed an area of weakness. It remains to be seen how the careers of both Marsh and O’Hoppe will turn out, but the Phillies are looking to win a World Series now, and this trade should get them a little bit closer to that goal.