Just like last season, the Philadelphia Phillies require help in the outfield at the trade deadline.
Brandon Marsh was an All-Star this year, but Justin Crawford has an OPS below .700 and Adolis Garcia is now on the injured list. They don't have any reliable options on the bench or in the minor leagues currently, so a trade makes plenty of sense. The team also needs a right-handed hitter, so Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles could be a perfect fit.
Ward will be a free agent after the season, and the Orioles are walking a fine line between buying and selling. They may be willing to part ways with Ward even if they do not have a fire sale. He has a .748 OPS this season, which would be a massive upgrade for the Phillies.
The Phillies could solve their outfield woes by adding a first baseman as well, but the team seems reluctant to move Bryce Harper back to the outfield, despite his willingness to do so. Ward could fill their need in the outfield and set them up for a deep run.
The Phillies are just three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. Considering where they started, that is a huge accomplishment. Despite firing their manager afer a poor start, the team seems like it's a couple of pieces away from making a deep run in October.
Ward is making just $12.1 million on the season, and the Phillies may be able to land him without giving up too much. They would not be tied to him past this season, meaning they could go after other outfielders in free agency with no worries.
Ward has a .900 OPS against left-handed pitching this year. As a team, the Phillies have a .685 OPS against southpaws. Potentially having to face southpaws like Chris Sale, Kyle Harrison, Blake Snell and Justin Wrobleski in the postseason, Ward could be a great player to have.