A Phillies-Braves trade war for Atlanta’s long-time target is brutal news for the Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies are in control of the NL East regardless of the outcome of their weekend series against the second-place Atlanta Braves. Thanks to a hot start to the regular season, the Phillies have opened up a nine-game lead in Atlanta as we head into the All-Star Break.

However, with the MLB trade deadline less than a month away, the Braves and Phillies could be battling for some of the same targets as they chase divisional supremacy. Atlanta has lost a starting pitcher and an outfielder to devastating injuries to Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. earlier this season. Philadelphia, meanwhile, could use a new starting center fielder and starting pitcher thanks to Taijuan Walker’s injury and Ranger Suarez’s recent struggles.

According to Bob Nightengale, one outfielder that has piqued the Phillies’ interest is Oakland Athletics star Brent Rooker, who has also been on the Braves’ radar for some time. In Nightengale’s notes, he wrote that “The Phillies are keeping a close eye on Oakland A’s left fielder Brent Rooker. The Phillies rank 26th in OPS among lefties this season.“

While Alex Anthopoulos has pursued Rooker over the past year, the Braves and Athletics haven’t been linked to a deal involving the star outfielder for … a while. Anthopoulos’ trade history with the A’s hasn’t gone according to plan for Oakland, which begs the question: Why would the Athletics do another deal with Atlanta?

The Phillies, meanwhile, have a much better farm system (five top-100 prospects per MLB Pipeline) and an unblemished reputation in Oakland, at least for now. Dave Dombrowski is one of the most aggressive managers in MLB and values ​​prospects less than most general managers in the sport, especially if he can get real major league talent back in return.

So far this season, Rooker is slashing .277/.351/.540 with an .891 OPS. He has 18 home runs for the Athletics, where he is signed through the 2027 season thanks to three years of arbitration.

Rooker’s stats and contract should spark a bidding war if the A’s intend to trade him, which is where the Phillies have an advantage over the Braves, who have lost much of their farm talent in recent years in trades for Matt Olson. , Sean Murphy, Chris Sale and others.

Dombrowski and the Phillies can win the NL East with a run. Adding Rooker would only add more salt to that ATL wound.