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By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Philadelphia Phillies earned a win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, but they still sit behind the New York Mets for first place in the division with some clear areas of need looming ahead of the trade deadline.
The Phillies' biggest need remains a high-leverage reliever. After the team lost Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez to new teams in free agency this past winter, they brought in Jordan Romano, who has been unable to seize a closer role. The team then lost Jose Alvarado to a significant suspension, including no eligibility for the playoffs, after he violated performance-enhancing drug rules.
Not only are the Phillies competing with just about every contender for bullpen help, but they also face a significant need for an upgrade in the outfield.
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The Phillies' free agent addition of Max Kepler has been a flop. Kepler has slashed a mere .205/.301/.361 in a platoon role in left field and the bottom of the Phillies' batting order is a concern. As a result, the team could seize one of the most intriguing players rumored to be on the block: Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan.
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"The only real question is whether they'll prioritize Kwan over, say, upgrading the entire bullpen," Kerry Miller wrote for Bleacher Report. "But they could do both. They have the prospects to make it happen, and they could add relievers from elsewhere while selling Cleveland on the dream of an Aidan Miller and Travis Bazzana middle infield over the latter half of the decade."
In addition to Miller, the Phillies' second-best prospect, Miller proposed pitching prospect Moises Chace and first base prospect Keaton Anthony as the package that would land Kwan from the Guardians. The Phillies have been hesitant to trade their top-ranked youngsters, but if it brings in an upgrade as impactful as Kwan, doing so could be in the cards.
More MLB: Yankees Rumors: Pirates Emerging As Likely Pitching Trade Partner?
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