Phillies Make First Deal Ahead of Deadline, Acquire Sosa

The MLB trade deadline this year will be Tuesday, August 2, a couple days later than the usual July 31 date, thanks to a slightly late start.  The Phillies are expected to be in the market for a starting pitcher, as well as perhaps a center fielder or reliever.  But the first move the Phillies made was for a shorstop.

The Phillies and Cardinals announced they have agreed to a trade.  Shortstop Edmundo Sosa is headed to the Phillies.  In exchange, the Phillies sent left-handed pitcher Jojo Romero to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The move is a little interesting as the club is just a few days away from being full strength on their infielders.  Jean Segura, Johan Camargo, and Nick Maton all were injured in succession at the beginning of June.  Yairo Muñoz is also with the team.

Maton has already been activated (and optioned to Triple-A) and Segura should be back Tuesday.  Out for a while, Didi Gregorius is back with the Phillies.  So where will Sosa fit?  That remains to be seen.  Out of options, he cannot be sent to the minor leagues.

Sosa was batting just .189 but is known for his glove.  He does have one career appearance in center field; it's unclear if the Phillies hope to use him around the diamond.

Romero pitched briefly for the Phillies in 2022 after returning from "Tommy John" surgery.  Romero's need was diminished after Jose Alvarado re-emerged after a minor league demotion.  In 25 games, he has a 7.89 major league earned run average.

There almost certainly will be more moves; there is a couple days Sosa has to report that the Phillies can use to clear room.