With few MLB teams looking like clear rebuilders, the Guardians may have to figure out a deal with a contender. Would the Phillies make sense as a partner?
You can see our discussion of potential trades
with the Marlins, Pirates, Angels, Rays, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Orioles/Red Sox and White Sox/Brewers/Astros at the hyperlinks here.
Trade One: Guardians trade David Fry, C/1B/OF and Franco Aleman, RHP to the Phillies for Alec Bohm, RHH 3B/1B, 29 years old (under control through 2026).
Analysis: Bohm put up a 103 wRC+ in 2025, but he does have a 126 wRC+ against LHP (and 97 wRC+ vs. RHP) for his career. He should also be a defensive asset if moved to first base full time, which would be the plan here. For the Phillies, Fry is an excellent backup catcher option with a chance to help in other spots as needed, and Aleman is a high upside pen arm.
Trade Two: Guardians trade Kahlil Watson, CF and Tim Herrin, LHP to the Phillies for Brandon Marsh, LHH CF, 28 years old (under control through 2027)
Analysis: Marsh is a platoon left-handed hitter as he has a career 61 wRC+ against LHP and a 119 wRC+ against RHP. But, the big draw here is that he can likely still play an average centerfield (he was down by DRS last year at -6, but right around average at OAA). This allows the Guardians to move Chase DeLauter to right field, which is seemingly a crucial goal for this offseason.
Trade Three: Guardians trade Juan Brito, SH 2B/OF to Phillies for Edmundo Sosa, RHH IF, 29 years old (under control through 2026)
Analysis: Sosa put up a 111 wRC+ in 2025 and has a career 118 wRC+ against LHP (86 wRC+ against RHP). Sosa has extra value because he is above average defensively at second base, short and third base. He doesn’t have a starting spot in Philly, but he could possibly have one in Cleveland, but the Phillies will want a decent return for even his one year of control. So, I am speculating the Phillies would be happy to swap Sosa for the potential of Brito. The Guardians can stomach the trade here because they can be fine starting Sosa at second or short or moving him to utility, but it also would probably behoove them to try to reach a short extension with him to make the values match up. Maybe the Phillies would go for a trade for Hunter Gaddis and Gabriel Arias, but I think a deal could be reached if the Guardians are motivated.
The Phillies and Guardians could be interesting trade partners if the teams are motivated enough to pursue them. I hope you enjoyed this series and are prepared for the Guardians to trade Steven Kwan to the Dodgers in a trade I didn’t even analyze because that’s how it goes.
