Phillies need a closer -- but could add power behind Harper, Schwarber

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Phillies have had scouts everywhere watching everybody because know they must explore every opportunity before Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

They need to do something.

They will.

They need a closer more than anything. A big-time closer to lock down the ninth inning – plus the imminent arrival of David Robertson and the return of José Alvarado – should solve most of their bullpen problems, even with Alvarado ineligible for the postseason. It remains their focus.

But the Phils could use a bat, too. Maybe they can acquire both.

If they can’t find a bat, they have hinted that No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford could be getting a promotion soon. He went 2-for-5 on Sunday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is batting .327 with an .839 OPS this season. He hits everywhere he plays. He might be a better left fielder than center fielder, so he could play there.

But a big bat is exciting to think about because the Phillies’ offense came up empty in the 2023 NLCS and 2024 NLDS, and it has been so hot and cold this season.

Eugenio Suárez would help. He is the best bat available.

MLB.com’s Mike Petriello recently explained why Suárez has been one of the game’s best hitters in baseball since the 2024 All-Star break. Suárez has a .916 OPS since the '24 break, which is the sixth-best mark in baseball.

Kyle Schwarber is fifth (.923 OPS). Bryce Harper is 20th (.832 OPS).

Imagine those three hitting 2-3-4.

But what is the price for Suárez, who is an impending free agent? And where would he fit on the field?

Suárez would fit easily at third base while Alec Bohm recovers from a fractured left rib. When Bohm returns, Suárez could become the Phillies’ DH. Schwarber could move to left field.

Schwarber is a below average defender, but the trade-off defensively in left field vs. having one of the game’s best run producers would give the Phillies the offensive punch they need … and some much-needed right-handed protection for Harper.

A less-costly option is somebody the Phillies will see this week: White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Robert has a .649 OPS the past two seasons, which is 233rd out of 269 qualified players. Not good. Robert had an .827 OPS from 2020-23 and is batting .325 with a .926 OPS this month. He also has a .966 OPS this season against left-handed pitching, compared to an abysmal .529 OPS against righties -- although he’s hit righties better this month.

Maybe Robert is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

He should be much more affordable than Suárez, although there is certainly more risk there.

What if it’s just a good month?

There are other offensive options, too. But this is what makes the trade deadline so much fun. Can the Phils get the closer they need? They’re being aggressive. Can they find a difference-making bat? Or is Crawford the guy?

Less than four days to go.