The Philadelphia Phillies just got absolutely shredded for their moves at the MLB trade deadline.
The Philadelphia Phillies made a couple of big trades before Monday's MLB trade deadline, first acquiring second baseman Luis Arraez and right-handed relief pitcher Caleb Kilian from the San Francisco Giants and following that up by landing lefty reliever Brooks Raley in a deal with the New York Mets.
By most accounts, the Phillies did a fine job filling some gaping holes. Arraez gives them a much-needed bat in a very thin lineup, and the additions of Kilian and Raley should help fortify what has been a very shaky bullpen.
However, James Seltzer of 94 WIP does not agree.
While discussing Philadelphia's trade deadline moves on Tuesday morning, Seltzer absolutely blasted the front office.
"I'm disappointed with everything," Seltzer said. "I love Luis Arraez as a player, I think he's a good player, I'm happy he's a Phillie in a vacuum. I think it was a horrible day for the Phillies yesterday."
Seltzer went on to rip the Phillies for moving Bohm — who owns a .647 OPS — over to first base. He also shredded Philadelphia for trusting Andrew Painter in the rotation after one solid start as well as putting its faith in Bryan De La Cruz as a right-handed bat.
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm. Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images."Bryce Harper hasn't played the outfield in five years," Seltzer ranted. "... They got worse at every single position."
Seltzer added that he feels the Phillies should have simply traded for Taylor Ward — who was dealt to the Seattle Mariners on the cheap — and stuck him in right field instead of landing Arraez and shifting everyone's positions around.
Arraez replaced Bryson Stott at second, which shifted Stott over to the hot corner. That, in turn, moved Bohm to first base, which forced Harper back into the outfield.
Seltzer has valid reasons to be concerned about the defensive alignment, especially with a 33-year-old Harper now manning right field. And let's face it: he wasn't a great outfielder when he was 28, either. It's also fair to question Philly for not adding a starter.
But claiming that the Phillies did not get better on deadline day is being disingenuous.
Arraez is a three-time batting champion and is aiming for a fourth crown, and bringing in both Kilian and Raley should provide Philadelphia's bullpen with a significant boost.
The Phillies also managed to make those moves without surrendering any of Painter, Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller or Gage Wood.
The jury is out on Philadelphia's deadline, but the early returns look just fine.
