Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Phillies Not Expected to Solve Key Issue at Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 4:30 PM ET

One of the top priorities for the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline is adding a reliever. With plenty of reports coming out that they'll address that area, while a need, it's not a major concern.

However, in a new article from Jayson Stark of The Athletic, in which he interviewed Phillies' president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, there is some concern for another key issue on the roster not being filled.

When asked about other areas of the roster outside of the bullpen he'd consider addressing, Dombrowski said of the Phillies' starting lineup, "We like where we are right now."

This quote from Dombrowski can be interpreted clearly: the Phillies, in Dombrowski's mind, don't need to make any changes to the starting lineup at the trade deadline.

A huge issue for the Phillies has been in center field, and with Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh continuing to split time, there is no long-term solution at the position. Dombrowski's comments all but shut down trade rumors surrounding outfielders the team could be interested in.

Luis Robert Jr., Jarren Duran, Cedric Mullins, and many other outfield options are now all off the table if Dombrowski sticks to these comments.

Despite the clear need in center field, and potentially needing other positions in the lineup, like right-handed hitting depth, the Phillies aren't planning to make changes to the lineup.

While the Phillies do have options in Triple-A to bolster the position player depth, like Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr., proven MLB talent would be better. The Phillies are in win-now mode, and Dombrowski himself wants to take advantage of that.

But this comment throws it all for a loop. Despite the clear need at the position, and reports indicating the Phillies could be interested in center fielder Dombrowski is shutting down those trade rumors.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: