Inside The Phillies

Phillies Assistant General Manager Doesn't Want Team To Trade Star Prospects

Not everyone in the building wants the Philadelphia Phillies to ship out their star minor leaguers.
Brad Wakai|
May 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mick Abel (40) reacts during an interview after the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park
May 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mick Abel (40) reacts during an interview after the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to be buyers ahead of the trade deadline.

That's going to result in some of their best young players being a part of other organizations after July 31.

But the difference this year is it sounds like the Phillies are willing to use some of their star prospects in trade negotiations, something they have been hesitant to do in the past.

More News: Phillies Now Considering Trading Their Superstar Prospect

However, not everyone in the front office wants to see that happen.

"Whether it's Mick [Abel], whether it's Andy [Painter], Justin [Crawford], Aidan Miller, heck no, I don't want those guys to leave," assistant general manager Brian Barber said, per Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation.

Barber is coming from a bit of a biased position on this.

He also serves as the head of amateur scouting, so he has built connections with these young players who could be on the move ahead of the trade deadline.

More News: Phillies Eyeing These Two Superstar Closers in Potential Blockbuster Trades

But Barber also understands Philadelphia has to do whatever it takes to win a World Series championship when they have the chance, which could result in some of those players he named being moved.

"The organization hopefully will do the best thing that's right for the Phillies," he added.

That part is one of the looming questions about what the front office is going to do.

More News: Phillies Boss Ready To 'Undo His Offseason Mistakes' With Aggressive Deadline

It's never a guarantee that any team is going to win a championship, which is why many are wrestling with the idea of giving up pieces of their future to augment an aging roster that still might have too many inherent flaws to actually be the last team standing in October.

The Phillies have a tough decision to make in that regard, but based on recent reporting, it sounds like they know which direction they are going to take.

For more Phillies news, head over to Phillies On SI.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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