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Could the Phillies Actually Land Eugenio Suarez?
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
The MLB trade deadline is just five days away, and the stove is starting to heat up.
A couple of moves have been made already across the league. Ryan McMahon to the Yankees, Gregory Soto to the Mets, Randal Grichuk to the Royals, and a few more. The big names are still on the board, including the biggest bat, Eugenio Suarez, who has now been linked to the Phillies multiple times.
It started with Jon Heyman on Friday afternoon, naming the Phillies as a “potential fit” for Suarez with Alec Bohm on the IL, and the obvious need for a power-threat right-handed bat:
The Yankees acquiring McMahon was huge for the Suarez sweepstakes. I thought Suarez was nearly a lock to go to New York. Now it opens up the board for other teams to make their run at the slugging third baseman.
Another report came out late Saturday night from Hector Gomez, saying that the Phillies and Cubs are “very willing to do whatever it takes to get the All-Star third baseman.” The Mariners seem to be pushing the heaviest right now, but the Phillies even being listed is a good sign with five days to go:
Could it actually happen?
The price for Suarez is going to be heavy, but it won’t be as heavy as some other bats that are on the market with 2-3 years of control left. Eugenio Suarez has had an unbelievable season, crushing 36 home runs and 87 RBIs, holding a .904 OPS on the year with a .584 slugging percentage. What’s unique about the Suarez sweepstakes is that whatever team acquires him is only guaranteed three months, with Suarez set to hit the open market after this season.
Anthony SanFilippo, former Crossing Broad writer and now with On Pattison, threw out a hypothetical trade of Mick Abel for Eugenio Suarez. It sounds like an immediate yes at first, but then you remember that Suarez is a rental.
A few reports over the last few weeks have said that Dave Dombrowski is focusing this year on controllable players. He’s traded for a lot of rentals over the last few years, and more have left then stayed. Abel has been up and down, but he’s also a pitcher who can touch 98 and could have an impact on your bullpen in October. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Diamondbacks had scouts at Mick Abel’s recent start for the IronPigs in Lehigh Valley on Friday night.
Suarez isn’t necessarily an upgrade defensively at third base over Alec Bohm. Suarez has -6 OAA this year at third, and Alec Bohm has 1. Could the Phillies consider making him the DH, and moving Kyle Schwarber back to the outfield? It’s definitely an option.
Schwarber isn’t a great defender in left field. But the Phillies made it to the World Series back in 2022 with Schwarber in left, and he’s in way better shape now then he was three years ago. Is it a coincidence that Schwarber is out in left field on Sunday with just five days till the trade deadline? Only time will tell.
A bat isn’t the only thing that the Phillies need before Thursday at 6:00 EST. They need one, maybe two relievers as well. David Robertson was a good start to re-tool a bullpen that hasn’t had a great season. But protection behind Bryce Harper is my #1 priority for the Phillies, and nobody would provide that better than Suarez.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com