Rays All-Star Listed as Likely Phillies Acquisition; ‘That’s the Best They Can Do’

The Philadelphia Phillies need an outfielder, but they may not be able to get the best players.

Philadelphia has been linked to Jazz Chisholm and Luis Robert Jr. in an effort to acquire an outside hitter before the July 30 trade deadline.

Chisholm and Robert Jr. will certainly have plenty of suitors. The Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox, respectively, could seek better trade returns than the Phillies could offer.

Philadelphia should be prepared with backup options, with The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggesting on Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Rays infielder could be the top choice.

Bowden admitted that former American League Rookie of the Year Randy Arozarena is a potential acquisition for the Phillies.

“I would like the Phillies to get Robert or Chisholm,” Bowden said. “But if the Phillies can’t get Robert or Chisholm and Arozarena is the best they can do, I think I would be interested, but that would mean moving Brandon Marsh from left field to center, which is not ideal.”

Arozarena, 29, was a star for Tampa Bay last season and won the ALCS MVP award in 2020.

He’s been a poor hitter this season, slashing .196/.305/.353, but a reversion to the mean is likely on the horizon. Arozarena is a career .255/.344/.437.

More MLB: Phillies ‘obvious’ option to acquire Yankees star with huge deal