In the first major move of the 2025-26 MLB Hot Stove, the Los Angeles Angels traded away right-handed power-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles for injured but promising starter Grayson Rodriguez. The move should be of particular interest to the Phillies, who are reportedly monitoring the corner outfield trade market this winter in an effort to revamp a perennial weakness of their roster.<\/p>\n
Ward has long been the subject of trade rumors to Philadelphia, mostly via speculation from fans who have seen the 31-year-old as a logical trade target for the last couple seasons. Ward was worth 2.9 fWAR a season ago when he batted .228\/.317\/.475 with 36 HRs, 103 RBIs and 86 runs scored for L.A. It was easy to imagine Ward filling an everyday role as a middle-of-the-order slugger who plays a competent corner outfield spot.<\/p>\n
Over the last four years, Ward has slugged 98 home runs, more than Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, Marcus Semien, Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and a number of other better regarded sluggers. In this day and age where right-handed outfielders are increasingly becoming unicorns, Ward\u2019s 36 home runs ranked tied for fourth among all MLB outfielders in 2025.<\/p>\n
He is the corner outfield version of what Rhys Hoskins was in his prime in Philadelphia, a low batting average (.228), high walk (11.3% BB-rate), strikeout prone power hitter from the right side of the plate. On the last year of his deal, Ward will play his walk season in hitter-friendly Camden Yards in the hopes of securing one big payday in free agency next off-season.<\/p>\n
On the latest edition of Hittin\u2019 Season from WHYY<\/a>, Justin Klugh and I discussed the pros and cons of trading for Ward or Adell<\/a>. Both would have been fits, even if not spectacular or long-term solutions.<\/p>\n Jo Adell remains an interesting possibility, but given Ward\u2019s departure, it\u2019s likely the Angels will hold onto their once-top prospect after his long-awaited breakout season in \u201825. Adell hit 37 bombs with a similar slash line profile to Ward (.236\/.293\/.485) although with a lower walk rate, higher strikeout rate and less effective defense in the corner. However, Adell, just 26, has a higher upside, which is why you would roll the dice if you\u2019re the Phils.<\/p>\n So with Ward and Adell out of the picture, what\u2019s left?<\/p>\n If Dave Dombrowski is focused on right-handed hitting help, there don\u2019t appear to be any solutions for an everyday player. The White Sox could dangle Luis Robert, Jr. again after picking up his $20 million option, but one would think the Phils could have gone in that direction already if they liked the player enough. ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan reports<\/a> the Red Sox will likely trade either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, noting a numbers crunch in the Boston outfield. Both are left-handed, which may dissuade the Phillies from going hard after either player. Byron Buxton could waive his no-trade clause this winter, and while he would be the perfect fit, the asking price may be too high for a player who has only played more than 100 games three times in his 11 year career. The Athletic\u2019s Matt Gelb<\/a> mentioned Astros center field Jake Meyers as a possibility, a right-handed hitter worth 2.4 bWAR a season ago but who posted just a .727 OPS and hit only three homers in 381 PAs.<\/p>\n