The only reasonable explanation for the Phillies being on Brent Rooker has been overlooked

With two straight years of missing the postseason, the Philadelphia Phillies’ approach to the trade deadline early on embodied the ferocious tenacity we’ve come to expect from them. First, they tried for Luis Robert Jr. A franchise-changing center fielder trade of his caliber would have every MLB club on notice. But the Phillies weren’t willing to pay the high price. So they moved on.

That’s when I heard the Phillies were scouting Brent Rooker. There was still a glimmer of hope for a dominant Phillies team. Rooker is currently slashing .292/.370/.575 with 22 HR. He may not have the speed or defensive prowess that Robert Jr has, but his bat is a transformative force that would undoubtedly strengthen any lineup. For the Phillies, his presence could mean a World Series trophy. However, I just learned from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that Dave Dombrowski doesn’t think Rooker fits.

There’s no doubt that Phillies fans are fuming over such a decision that could have propelled their club to a championship. What was seen as the trade deadline that was going to make the Phillies an indomitable force now looks somewhat thin for them, who passed on two of the best bats on the trading block this season. But why would the Phillies pass on Rooker?

(For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s piece atThe Baseball Insiders Podcastand join the discord to get the inside scoop as we approach the July 30 MLB trade deadline.)

Rooker has spent a total of 102.1 innings in the corner outfield positions this year. Last year, he spent a total of 440 innings in the same positions. Most of the time, Rooker is the A’s DH. Apparently the Phillies don’t want a primary DH in their outfield.

The current DH for the Phillies is Kyle Schwarber. This year, Schwarber has spent 26 innings in left field. That’s compared to last year, when Schwarber spent a total of 872.1 innings in left.

Looking at the numbers should make Phillies fans even angrier, as it looks like Rooker and Schwarber could easily platoon in left field. However, Dombrowski’s findings are likely the last word. At this point, it doesn’t look like Rooker will be headed to Philadelphia. With Rooker out of contention, who could the Philles turn to?

In his original assessment, Nightengale wrote this:

“The Philadelphians aren’t interested in Miami Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., have steered clear of Chicago White Sox infielder Tommy Pham and don’t think Oakland A’s shortstop Brent Rooker is a fit.”

That doesn’t leave much. But maybe that opens the door for Cody Bellinger. Bellinger might be the last trade candidate that can spark a significant amount of production in the Phillies lineup to comfortably carry them into the postseason.