The Phillies executed a clever trade just before the deadline, sending Soto in exchange for two prospects

The Philadelphia Phillies’ 26-man roster saw significant changes over the past week, as they were among the most active teams during the MLB trade deadline. With a clear plan in mind, the front office focused on upgrading the team in two key areas: the outfield and the bullpen. By the 6:00 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, they had successfully addressed these needs.

The series of trades reveals deeper strategies at play. The acquisition of Austin Hays was an early indication that some roster spots might be in flux, especially when the struggling reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache were traded to the Orioles.

Later trades for Angels closer Carlos Estévez and White Sox left-handed specialist Tanner Banks also involved prospects being exchanged, but the most intriguing deal was the trade of reliever Gregory Soto to the Orioles for two pitching prospects. This move not only represents a strategic shift but also brings in promising young talent.

Given that Soto and Domínguez had both been underperforming this season, it was somewhat surprising they still held trade value. Nonetheless, the Phillies managed to strike deals, including the acquisition of right-handers Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace. Fans are familiar with Hays, but now they’ll be interested to see how these new pitching prospects contribute.

Grading Phillies’ Gregory Soto trade at the MLB trade deadline

When Gregory Soto joined the Phillies in January 2023, coming over with Kody Clemens in exchange for Nick Maton, Matt Vierling, and Donny Sands, he was anticipated to be a key figure in their bullpen, potentially as a closer. However, Soto didn’t quite meet expectations, finishing with a 5-8 record, five saves, and a 4.42 ERA over 112 games.

Following a trade with the White Sox for Tanner Banks, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski addressed why the team decided to part ways with Soto. According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Dombrowski acknowledged Soto’s self-perception as a closer, but noted that the Phillies’ bullpen usage didn’t align with his strengths, making the move necessary.

Finding a taker for Soto was advantageous for the Phillies. Banks, who replaced Soto, has demonstrated strong performance, particularly against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .180 batting average with 28 strikeouts in 78 at-bats this season.

The trade with the Orioles proved to be a strategic decision. In return, the Phillies acquired two promising pitching prospects: Seth Johnson, a 25-year-old right-handed starter at Double-A who was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and now ranks as the Phillies’ No. 10 prospect, and Moisés Chace, a right-hander in Single-A signed as an international free agent from Venezuela.

Double-A right-hander Seth Johnson will be No. 10 in the Phillies prospect rankings, according to @MLBPipeline

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 30, 2024

Though neither prospect is currently ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, both have shown potential in the minors. The Phillies’ willingness to invest in young arms reflects their strategy to bolster their pitching depth. Overall, the trade of Gregory Soto earns a B+ grade, as it effectively addressed a bullpen mismatch and brought valuable prospects into the organization.