It's not often that superstar players are on the move in the middle of their athletic prime. The 2023 offseason saw two players change teams in different ways that are megastars in the sport.
Shohei Ohtani going to the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency and Juan Soto heading to the New York Yankees via trade has shaken up the market.
After the Philadelphia Phillies were able to secure Aaron Nola to a seven-year contract that addressed their most important need, it's been quiet the remainder of this offseason with them reportedly looking for bullpen help and outfield depth pieces.
However, that could change if the Tampa Bay Rays make one of their superstar players, Randy Arozarena, available.
First, it has to be mentioned that there has been no actual reporting stating that the Rays are interested in moving the outfielder. There is just speculation right now based on Arozarena's seemingly innocuous Instagram post of him and Ohtani.
So, why would there be speculation that one of the best players in the league would be moved?
Well, for starters, the Rays have a history of trading their young pieces to get back prospects before they have to hand out massive contracts to their star players.
They're able to reload with talent and aren't spending for players they can't afford.
If Arozarena does become available, the Phillies might have some major interest in getting that deal completed.
The star outfielder would fit the what Philadelphia is looking for. He'd be a defensive upgrade and would also bring a much more consistent bat to the lineup, something that they were missing during the late parts of the NLCS.
Ben Silver of Main Line Today thinks that it would take at least their No. 2 and No. 3 overall prospects, Mick Abel and Justin Crawford, to get trade conversations started.
That seems like a lot to give up, but Arozarena would be under club control for three more years before he hits free agency.
Again, this is all speculation at the current moment, but if the star outfielder is placed on the trade block by Tampa Bay, the Phillies would make sense as a suitor.
More must-reads: