Phillies linked to Orioles' .756 OPS outfielder as Adolis Garcia replacement

Phillies linked to Orioles' .756 OPS outfielder as Adolis Garcia replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies will be without outfielder Adolis Garcia for quite some time. Garcia, the 2023 ALCS MVP with the Texas Rangers in 2023, was placed on the 60-day injured list with a torn right lat muscle. For the time being, the Phillies have Gabriel Rincones Jr.

and Derek Hill as corner outfield options. But will the Phillies be aggressive to make a move and acquire a more seasoned veteran? Dayn Perry of CBS Sports argues that the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, should scan the trade market.

Perry listed a left fielder from the Baltimore Orioles as one possibility for the Phillies. "The 32-year-old [Taylor] Ward is on a one-year deal in Baltimore, which makes him a rental. He also boasts a .

410 on-base percentage at this writing, and since he first became a full-timer in 2022, he's got an OPS+ of 118," Perry wrote. "Ward's power numbers have fallen off the cliff in 2026, but that lofty OBP would be most welcome in the Philly lineup." As of Monday afternoon, the Phillies ranked 28th in the Majors with a .

296 on-base percentage. Only the New York Mets and San Diego Padres have been worse in that category. Ward could certainly help in that department while playing solid defense.

You have to wonder if a change of scenery will impact his declining power numbers. MORE: Mets projected to still sell at trade deadline by ex-MLB GMWard hit 36 homers in 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels, the club he spent the first seven years of his career with. In 72 games thus far, he's connected for just three.

That's something the Phillies will have to consider before accepting a hypothetical trade for Ward. Philadelphia could take the chance, especially since Ward will be a whole lot cheaper to acquire than Mike Trout. More MLB news:Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadl