The clock is officially ticking toward the Major League Baseball trade deadline, with teams now facing a Monday 6 p.m. ET cutoff. While clubs have spent the past month or more evaluating their options and considering potential moves, the time for simply assessing their situations is over. Teams must now make decisions and address the weaknesses on their rosters.<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Phillies are among the clubs facing important decisions. Their season has been one of the most unpredictable stories in baseball. After a difficult opening stretch, Philadelphia turned things around and went on an impressive run that proved to be more than a temporary hot streak. However, the team has recently fallen back into a troubling stretch, losing nine of its last 12 games under interim manager Don Mattingly.<\/p>\n
Adding to the Phillies’ struggles is growing tension surrounding star Bryce Harper. Harper reportedly wants president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to make significant moves and improve the roster before the deadline. Dombrowski, who has a long history of reshaping teams during his time with the Marlins, Tigers, Red Sox and Phillies, has never been afraid to make aggressive moves when he believes they are necessary.<\/p>\n
Harper is one of Philadelphia’s most influential leaders, but his outspoken personality can sometimes create friction. He has little interest in relying on what the team has accomplished in the past and believes the Phillies need to make changes immediately. That attitude has reportedly created some tension inside the clubhouse, and Mattingly appears less than pleased with the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys want to be GMs, what you need without a real understanding of where the organization is, exactly where this thing goes not only this year, but moving forward,\u201d Mattingly said. \u201cPlayers like being GMs and making calls and spending other people\u2019s money. So, let it go at that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Phillies’ recent struggles have been particularly frustrating because of the talent in their lineup. Philadelphia features several dangerous hitters, including Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh, yet the offense has failed to consistently produce. The Phillies managed just one run across a recent two-game series against the Yankees, highlighting their offensive problems.<\/p>\n
Things became even more concerning when Philadelphia was swept by the previously struggling Marlins, putting the team in a position where significant changes could become necessary.<\/p>\n
Mattingly’s responsibility is to keep the clubhouse focused and prevent the recent struggles from creating further disruption. Schwarber could play an important role in that regard. Although he and Harper are arguably the team’s two most important offensive stars, their personalities are noticeably different. Harper is known for his intensity and outspoken nature, while Schwarber generally carries himself as a more approachable and unifying presence within the clubhouse.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the decision rests with Dombrowski, who has the authority to make multiple moves before the deadline. He does not need to allow Harper’s demands to dictate his strategy, but one player who could dramatically transform Philadelphia’s outlook is Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.<\/p>\n
Skubal is widely viewed as one of the biggest prizes available at the trade deadline. If the Phillies were able to acquire him, it would represent a massive statement of intent and could give Philadelphia the kind of pitching boost it needs to turn its season around.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"