Jun 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski before game against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Eric Hartline
File this report away as the Phillies begin their offseason.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies "were willing to discuss every prospect but one in the farm system during trade talks in July." The lone prospect that the Phillies had off the table, per Gelb, was RHP Andrew Painter.
Painter missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he hit 100 mph on the radar gun in the Arizona Fall League last weekend. He gave up three hits and two runs over two innings, but came out of the appearance healthy. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that the Phillies are still working out exactly how they will manage the 21-year-old's workload in 2025, but he is expected to be in play for the Phillies.
After his first Arizona Fall League start, Andrew Painter spoke about his goals for this experience. (via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/q9tuPpuN8e
Just Baseball's Aram Leighton has Painter ranked as the No. 14 prospect in all of baseball. The former first-round pick posted a 1.56 ERA across three levels of the minors in 2022, peaking at Double-A Reading.
So Gelb's report on the Phillies not wanting to include Painter in trade talks isn't surprising, especially considering ESPN's Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers previously reported that Dombrowski and company weren't willing to consider the top prospect in discussions with the Chicago White Sox for LHP Garrett Crochet.
Phillies Reportedly Declined To Include Andrew Painter in Garrett Crochet Trade Talks @OnPattison https://t.co/fpA1HWz9md
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) September 27, 2024
Still, the Phillies have plenty of other intriguing prospects. Infielder Aidan Miller (No. 50), catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 68) and shortstop Starlyn Caba (No. 80) are all in Leighton's top 100 prospects list. Center fielder Justin Crawford is polarizing in the scouting community, but the former first-round pick is on plenty of other top 100 lists, and could be a consideration for a promotion to the majors at some point in 2025.
The point is, even if Painter is off the table, the Phillies have ammo to make a major trade, should Dombrowski decide that's the way to go. It would be interesting to know how opposing teams view Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm as well, and if the Phillies would part with either in the right deal. It feels unlikely Bryson Stott would be moved, but who knows.
Whether the Phillies can talk the White Sox into a Crochet trade without Painter is unclear. Frankly, given that the Phillies have the strong quartet of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez, the starting pitching staff might not be where you want to cash in your prospects if you do make a major trade.
But if the Phillies decide they want to acquire a star closer or starting outfielder, prospect depth won't prevent them from being able to do so.
If the Phillies Decide They Need an Elite Closer, This May Be the Offseason To Do It - @OnPattison https://t.co/aRjoFide6w
