The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for the upcoming MLB trade deadline with the goal of strengthening their team for a postseason push. Leading the NL East and boasting one of baseball’s strongest pitching rotations, the Phillies recognize the need to improve both their bullpen and outfield depth. With limited appealing options available in the trade market, the team is exploring internal adjustments to enhance their roster.
Potential Promotion of Justin Crawford Could Trigger Outfield Move
Instead of pursuing an external outfield acquisition, the Phillies may promote top prospect Justin Crawford, a standout minor leaguer batting .337 with a .853 OPS at Triple-A. Bringing Crawford up would create an opening in the outfield, which means the team must part ways with one of its current outfielders.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that the Phillies are open to moving on from their existing outfield options to accommodate Crawford’s promotion. Gelb writes,
“It’s the time of year when just about everything is on the table, That, according to Major-League sources, includes the Phillies dealign from their current outfield. The idea would be to open a spot for Justin Crawford, one of the club’s top prospects, who has hit .339 at Triple-A while wielding his game-changing speed.”
—Matt Gelb, Sportswriter
Max Kepler Emerges as the Most Likely Outfielder to Be Released
Among the Phillies’ outfielders, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler face scrutiny due to inconsistent performances this season. However, Kepler stands as the primary candidate for removal. Marsh holds trade value and remains under team control through 2027, aligning with Philadelphia’s window for contention. Conversely, Kepler is on a one-year contract, limiting the team’s leverage in any trade and making a release more feasible.
Gelb adds,
“It would be easier to cut ties with him.”
—Matt Gelb, Sportswriter
Though Kepler has expressed dissatisfaction with his playing time and has struggled offensively, Marsh has maintained more consistency, batting .315 since May 1 with an OPS of .719. Meanwhile, Kepler’s current batting average is .213, with 10 home runs but a lower OPS of .685. This statistical gap makes Kepler the more likely outfielder to be replaced by Crawford.
Crawford’s Skills Could Offer a New Dynamic to the Phillies’ Lineup
Justin Crawford’s speed and hitting prowess have impressed in the minors, making him an attractive addition to bolster the Phillies’ batting order. Should he maintain his .337 average and .853 OPS at the Major League level, Crawford could bring much-needed energy and offensive production during the critical final stretch of the season.
Promoting Crawford and moving on from Kepler would allow the Phillies to refresh their outfield while investing in a promising young talent who may contribute during their playoff run. With the trade deadline approaching, this internal realignment could play a key role in Philadelphia’s strategy to remain competitive.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What languages does Max Kepler speak?
A. Kepler’s life is quite unique. He was raised in Germany and can fluently speak German, Polish, and English. His parents, Kathy Kepler and Marek Rozycki, first met in Berlin, where they both worked as ballet dancers, likely contributing to Max’s physical skills.
Q. Did the Twins get rid of Max Kepler?
A. This winter, Kepler departed from Minnesota after spending ten years with the Twins and 15 years in their system. The Twins signed him at age 16 in 2009, when he was living in Germany. While Kepler was productive in Minnesota, his performance sometimes varied. His best season was in 2019, when he hit 36 home runs.