The Philadelphia Phillies face a challenging offseason after another disappointing playoff exit. With a roster talented enough to contend for a championship, Bryce Harper has yet to win a ring during his time in Philadelphia, and questions linger about how to take the next step.
Last season, Dave Dombrowski, known for his bold, aggressive approach as a general manager, opted for a more conservative strategy at the trade deadline. Instead of making significant moves, he added a few minor pieces and placed confidence in the existing roster. While understandable for a first-place team with a hefty payroll, that approach ultimately fell short. The Phillies’ offense needed more than just Austin Hays to compete at the highest level.
Heading into 2025, Dombrowski faces mounting pressure to bolster the offense. On top of that, the team must address the pitching staff, starting with replacing Taijuan Walker. Walker endured a brutal season, finishing with a 7.10 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 19 appearances (15 starts). In 83.2 innings, he struck out just 58 batters and allowed a barrel rate of 13.4%, the fourth-worst in MLB.
Walker’s contract, which pays him $18 million annually through 2026, has become a burden for the Phillies. While Dombrowski would undoubtedly like to move on, few teams are eager to take on such a problematic deal.
However, the St. Louis Cardinals might present an intriguing trade opportunity.
Phillies should dial up Cardinals about potential Nolan Arenado-Taijuan Walker trade
John Mozeliak, Chaim Bloom, and the Cardinals appear to be setting the stage for a rebuild (or retool) in St. Louis. The plan seems to involve cutting salary and leaning on younger players, which has put eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado firmly in trade discussions.
Arenado, who is owed $64 million through the 2027 season, poses a potential challenge in trade talks due to his contract and age (33). According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, any deal involving Arenado would likely require the Cardinals to either absorb part of his remaining salary or take on a bad contract in return.
Enter Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies. Arenado has been a speculative trade target among Phillies fans. While no longer at his peak, Arenado remains a solid hitter and an elite defensive third baseman—an area where Philadelphia has struggled in recent years. His defensive prowess could significantly bolster the infield.
However, a direct comparison to Alec Bohm raises questions. Bohm posted a 3.0 WAR last season, compared to Arenado’s 2.5, and outpaced him in OPS (.779 vs. .719), despite a late-season slump. While Arenado’s defensive edge is clear, his age and injury history suggest the gap might not last long.
Rather than viewing Arenado as an upgrade over Bohm, the Phillies might see him as a viable replacement if Bohm is dealt to facilitate another major acquisition, such as Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, or Garrett Crochet. Arenado could thrive in a hitter-friendly environment like Philadelphia, and moving Walker’s contract in the process could make the deal more appealing. To make it happen, the Phillies would likely need to include a couple of prospects to sweeten the deal, but Arenado would still provide Rob Thomson with more value than Walker at this stage.
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