The Philadelphia Phillies improved to 16-13 on the season with a dramatic walk-off win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
At first glance, sitting in second place in the NL East seems promising — especially considering the Phillies’ tendency to hit their stride after the All-Star break. However, many of the same problems that have haunted the team in recent years are still present, making it hard to view them as serious contenders with full confidence.
Are they a playoff-caliber team? Definitely. Can they win a series or two? Without question. But when compared to the top-tier National League powerhouses, the Phillies appear to have more vulnerabilities. The Mets are strong in all areas. The Padres are electric. The Dodgers remain elite. Meanwhile, the Phillies show some cracks.
One of the most notable concerns is Him, who exemplifies some of the team’s current shortcomings. Once a key contributor, the 27-year-old now looks lost at the plate, potentially putting him on the trading block.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski will need to strengthen the bottom half of the lineup and breathe life into the bullpen. As the trade deadline nears, He could become a key piece in potential deals.
Brandon Marsh’s struggles could book him a one-way ticket out the door at Phillies trade deadline
Marsh has recently been rehabbing a hamstring strain with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Although he was pulled from his fourth rehab appearance on Sunday due to a cramp, it doesn’t appear to be anything serious, and he should rejoin the Phillies soon.
However, his performance at the major league level has been dreadful. He’s hitting just .095/.220/.167 with one home run, five RBIs, and 16 strikeouts in 42 at-bats. In 11 rehab at-bats, he’s struck out six times. His swing is simply not in good form right now.
Marsh has historically been a platoon player—strong against right-handers and weak against lefties—but 2025 has been rough across the board. He may bounce back, but it’s unclear how much improvement he can offer. And honestly, the Phillies need more than an average platoon bat in center field. Johan Rojas hasn’t proven to be the solution either.
Despite his current struggles, Marsh still has two arbitration years remaining and a decent track record, which gives him some trade value. The Phillies won’t land a top prospect for him, but budget-conscious teams with outfield needs—like the Royals, Twins, or Pirates—might be interested in taking on his $3 million salary.
If the Phillies can use Marsh in a package deal to land a reliable everyday outfielder or help reinforce a shaky bullpen, that might be the smartest move. Fans love Marsh’s character—his hair is iconic—but with the team’s championship hopes fading, Rob Thomson and the front office can’t afford to wait for him to turn things around. It’s time for Dave Dombrowski to make a decisive move.
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