Will the Phillies Trade Justin Crawford or Plug Him Into the Lineup?

As the Philadelphia Phillies enter the month of July, they are in first place in National League East play.

However, as many fans have bemoaned, they still need bullpen help and could use a more impactful bat in their woeful outfield.

The team could use one of their prospects to try and improve their big league club, with Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Mick Abel, and Justin Crawford all possible pieces that could be used to help improve the Major League roster.

Trade or Promote: The Justin Crawford Question

The name to keep an eye on here is Crawford.

Fansided.com MLB editor Mark Powell listed one player from each team that is most likely to be traded, with Crawford listed for the Phillies.

I’ll predict the Phillies part with Justin Crawford at the deadline for the simple reason that they don’t seem to believe in him enough to have given him a look by this point. Crawford is one of their top prospects and he’s torn up Triple-A this season, yet, despite their outfield play this season, they haven’t given him the call.

Phillies' Outfield & Bullpen Remain Question Marks

I think Crawford could be used as either a trade chip to land a top-level bullpen piece, a major league-ready right-handed bat, or as a player who can help the big league team in 2025.

The way I see it is, the Phillies will try to find a deal with Crawford (and maybe Mick Abel) to improve this year's team.  If there isn't a deal that makes sense for them, they will call Crawford up and plug him in center field, moving Brandon Marsh to left field with Otto Kemp and releasing Max Kepler.

There isn't much more Crawford can do at the Triple-A level to prove he belongs, but the Phillies likely don't want to expose him to the Major League level, in the event he struggles, lowering his trade value.

Triple-A Numbers Speak Volumes

Left-Handed Bat? Still Producing

One knock on Crawford when it comes to this team is that he is another left-handed bat, but he has excelled, albeit in a small sample size, at Triple-A against lefties, hitting .426 with a .475 on-base percentage in 60 plate appearances.

So expect Crawford to have a role in some capacity in the Phillies' season, either as a trade chip or in center field.