The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be aggressive ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, with president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski looking to strengthen several areas of the roster.
The club is seeking upgrades in the outfield, bullpen, and starting rotation, though the outfield market remains particularly thin with few impact options available.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, one player on Philadelphia’s radar is Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.
Heyman reported that the Phillies have interest in the Gold Glove-winning outfielder as they continue searching for help in the outfield while also pursuing bullpen and rotation reinforcements.
Varsho has frequently been linked to the Phillies in recent weeks, although his left-handed bat isn’t an ideal fit for a lineup that has been searching for more right-handed production.
Even so, his defensive excellence and offensive upside make him an intriguing target.
Through 96 games this season, the 29-year-old is batting .247 with a .691 OPS, but he showed much more power last year by posting an .833 OPS with 20 home runs in just 248 at-bats.
Over his major league career, Varsho has established himself as a strong defensive center fielder with a .721 OPS at the plate.
If acquired, he could take over an everyday outfield role, potentially allowing top prospect Justin Crawford to become a valuable trade chip in another deal.
While Varsho is a pending free agent and bats left-handed, the Phillies reportedly believe he could still represent a meaningful upgrade.
With Philadelphia and Toronto continuing to be connected in trade discussions, a deal before the August 3 deadline remains a realistic possibility.
