The Philadelphia Phillies had a strong regular season but fell short of making it to the World Series.
They plan to be aggressive in free agency but are unlikely to pursue one of the top trade targets available.
In *The Athletic*, Jim Bowden listed the top 15 trade candidates this offseason and mentioned that the Phillies are not seen as serious contenders for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
According to Bowden, “Every front office executive I’ve spoken with expects Garrett Crochet to be traded by the end of the year, with the Red Sox, Orioles, and Dodgers being the most likely destinations.” These teams are in a better position to offer the young, everyday position players that the White Sox are reportedly seeking in exchange for the 25-year-old left-hander, who has two years of team control left.
Crochet wrapped up the season with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings, earning his first All-Star selection.
The Phillies may find themselves outmatched if the White Sox prioritize acquiring young, everyday position players.
While Philadelphia could trade prospects, teams like the Dodgers have an edge with MLB-ready talent such as Andy Pages, as well as top prospect Dalton Rushing, who may not fit into their future plans with catcher Will Smith under a long-term contract.
