Philadelphia Phillies Seen as Potential Trade Fit for MVP First Baseman

The Philadelphia Phillies have been linked as a potential MLB trade deadline fit for St. Louis Cardinals MVP first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

Kade Kistner | Jun 17, 2023

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies will almost certainly be active at this year's MLB trade deadline.

While the starting rotation leaves something to be desired, specifically a fifth starter, adding some more offensive pop could help mitigate or compensate.

It's a similar recipe the Phillies took in the offseason following the 2021 MLB season when they acquired Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in free agency.

One idea that has been floated by MLB.com is Philadelphia making a trade for St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt.

Adding a player like Goldschmidt would give the Phillies cover this season after losing Rhys Hoskins in spring training as well as a plan for 2024.

Yes, Kody Clemens has been productive and serviceable, but placing Clemens on the bench would help create a massive strength for the Phillies.

The Cardinals are struggling, badly, despite being in the weakest division in baseball. Can they turn it around?

The general consensus is that they will sell, the 36-year-old is the perhaps the best candidate to move, but it wouldn't come cheap.

In fact, Philadelphia may not have enough to get a deal done.

Would they even want to?

Between Bryce Harper, Darick Hall in the wings, Kody Clemens, and Alec Bohm, the price tag looks more and more daunting to add Goldschmidt.

While the reigning NL MVP could surely come in and help light a spark, in the end, it doesn't feel like the right move.

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Published Jun 17, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.