The Philadelphia Phillies are currently three games over .500 and sit in second place in the NL East. It’s far from disastrous, but not quite the dominant start fans were hoping for. Many of the same issues that plagued them in 2024 are still present in 2025, casting some doubt over their World Series aspirations.
That said, Rob Thomson’s teams have a reputation for heating up down the stretch, so a strong run could be on the horizon. The offense remains inconsistent—driven by stars like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, but dragged down by less reliable contributors such as Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm. Meanwhile, the bullpen remains a weak spot that needs attention.
Where the Phillies truly shine is in their starting rotation, arguably the best in baseball. It’s been the backbone of the team and the main reason they’re still considered contenders. While Aaron Nola had a slow start, his recent outing against the red-hot Cubs—seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball—suggests he may be getting back on track.
This rotation depth could prompt the Phillies to explore the trade market, potentially leveraging a key contributor. Surprisingly, Taijuan Walker has emerged as a standout, posting a 2.78 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through five starts, with 0.5 WAR. With the trade deadline looming, the Phillies might consider moving him for a valuable return.
Phillies should consider selling high on Taijuan Walker while they still can
Taijuan Walker’s time with the Phillies has been anything but steady. Last season was a disaster—plagued by injuries and inflated stats, Walker struggled mightily, ending the year with a 7.10 ERA and among the league’s worst in generating strikeouts or avoiding hard contact.
Now, in a surprising turnaround, Walker has looked sharp to start 2025. While he’s not blowing anyone away with velocity, and he still lets a few too many runners reach base, he’s consistently pitched through tough spots and minimized damage across his five starts. His hard-hit rate is now in the 70th percentile—a massive jump from last season’s league-worst mark—and he’s shown improved control under pressure. Is this pace sustainable? That remains to be seen, but the early signs are encouraging.
Even so, it may be time for the Phillies to consider selling high. Walker’s resurgence is welcome, but fans remember just how far he fell last year. With Ranger Suárez returning soon and the rotation already a team strength, trading Walker while his value is up could be the smart move.
Manager Rob Thomson has mentioned possibly shifting to a six-man rotation to help manage arms and support a taxed bullpen. But the more compelling option might be to move Walker. He’s owed $18 million per year through next season—not cheap, but reasonable enough for teams in need of rotation stability. And there’s always demand for reliable, experienced starters.
The timing could be ideal with top prospect Andrew Painter on track for a midseason debut. If the Phillies view him as a legitimate rotation piece rather than a bullpen stopgap, there’s little reason to hold onto a surplus of seven starters. While injuries could change the picture, the front office may prefer to be proactive.
Walker remains a risk. His April success doesn’t erase the volatility he’s shown. That uncertainty should push GM Dave Dombrowski to see what kind of return Walker might bring—whether it’s a long-term asset or a more immediate fix, perhaps in the outfield.
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