The Philadelphia Phillies critical choice will dictate their trade deadline plans. In the past Phillies star Bryce Harper has been open to returning to the outfield to help the team improve. To this point the organization has not been willing to take the chance and move Harper to the outfield to get a star right-handed hitting corner infielder. The Phillies could have signed Alex Bregman each of the last two years in the offseason and moved Alec Bohm to first base. They choose not to. Pete Alonso could have been signed by the Phillies this past offseason. However, like with Bregman the Phillies did not sign Alonso. Dombrowski cannot continue to do these one year patch work deals.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has failed to find a right-handed hitting outfielder the last few years. Instead the Phillies have tried to patchwork that spot at each of the last few trade deadlines with no long term solution. To be fair to Dombrowksi though this is a league wide issue as right-handed hitting outfield production is at a historic low point. Entering play on June 8, right-handed outfielders have a .238/.312/.386 line with a 96 wRC+ and a .293 BABIP in 9493 plate appearances. Last season it was a .246/.311/.409 line with a 99 wRC+ and a .299 BABIP in 24467 plate appearances. This guides the Phillies critical choice.
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Phillies Critical Choice
Why The Team Needs To Be Open To Harper Moving Back To The Outfield
If the Phillies are willing to allow Harper to go back to the outfield that opens up what they can do in the trade market. Limiting trade options to players that are already outfielders will end up holding the team back. Brandon Marsh has solidified himself as an everyday outfielder. However, post trade deadline a Justin Crawford and Adolis García platoon could be the best option for the second outfield spot with Harper occupying the third. Harper returning to the outfield might involve Alec Bohm moving to first base depending on who the Phillies acquire. This would not preclude the team from trading for an outfielder.
Who This Right-Handed Infield Bat Could Be
With the Boston Red Sox scuffling this season Willson Contreras could be available at the trade deadline. During the offseason the Red Sox acquired Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals who also traded Nolan Arenado. For the Phillies critical choice to work out they need to find the right bat for their lineup. Contreras has a .298/.391/.540 line with 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 61 games entering play on June 8. In that span Contreras has a 154 wRC+ and a .359 BABIP with a 0.40 BB/K rate. Contreras is under contract through the 2027 season with a club option for the 2028 season.
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How The Outfield Would Look Post Trade Deadline In This Scenario
The Phillies defensively underperforming combined with Crawford not getting opportunities to play against left-handed starting pitchers makes this platoon with García viable. While García has started to turn things around at the plate the Phillies need to have an open mind. The Phillies critical choice will dictate if this trade deadline is different from the past few. In some ways Dombrowski has acted differently in 2026 than past years. Dombrowski released Nick Castellanos before the season started and moved on from Taijuan Walker quickly absorbing nearly $40 million in the process. Dombrowski can change the narrative.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
