Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Phillies Linked to Nationals Infielder at Trade Deadline
The Philadelphia Phillies may be in need of a bat down the stretch, and the trade deadline could yield some interesting options.
But could the Phillies find one in their own division.
The Washington Nationals are nearly 20 games out of the lead in the National League East. The Nationals are sure to be sellers at the trade deadline and any players on expiring contracts could be moved.
MLB.com put together a list of 10 players that are on the rise entering the ramp-up to the trade deadline and linked the Phillies to Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario.
After he slashed .217/.272/.361/.633 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI last season with the Detroit Tigers, he needed a bounce-back. He signed a one-year deal with the Nats and he’s been making good on setting himself up for a better contract in free agency next offseason, per MLB.com:
Candelario has rebounded nicely from his disappointing 2022 season, particularly in the past five weeks, as he’s posted a 1.008 OPS since May 15 to go along with his plus defense (his 7 outs above average rank in the 98th percentile at the hot corner). The 29-year-old is owed about $3 million for the remainder of the season and is slated to become a free agent this winter.
The corner infield spots have been a bit of an issue lately for the Phillies. Alec Bohm just returned from the injured list after missing some time with a hamstring injury. His backup is Kody Clemens. The pair can also play first base and have done so due to the injury to Rhys Hoskins. The Phillies are hopeful that Bryce Harper can play some first base after the All-Star Break.
Dealing for Candelario would give the Phillies a solid option in the field and at the plate, where he’s batting better than .260 and on track to pass last year’s power numbers.
More From SI's Inside The Phillies:
- Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
- How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
- Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
- Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
- Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
- Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
- Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
- Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
- Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
- Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup
