Phillies have recently inquired on “unhappy” Christian Yelich

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies were reportedly very interested in Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich when he was teammates with All-Stars Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna. Following a week where the Marlins traded both Stanton and Ozuna, Matt Klentak and the Phillies appear to be one of the teams monitoring Yelich's situation closely, in case the Marlins do decide to make him available. 

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Yelich, as one might expect, isn't happy that the team elected to trade the two All-Stars that he shared an outfield with: 

Outfielder Christian Yelich is "unhappy'' over the Miami Marlins' player exodus this offseason, sources told ESPN, but he wants to give the team's front office a chance to explain its rebuilding plan before he assesses his future with the franchise.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports says that the Marlins and Yelich will attempt to talk Tuesday, with the hope of arranging an extended discussion about the direction of the Marlins before the end of the week. 

Crasnick would note later in his piece that two National League East teams – the Phillies and the Atlanta Braves – have contacted the Marlins about Yelich "in recent days." He also listed the Arizona Diamondbacks, who seem to be trying to retool their team, while remaining competitive. Still, Crasnick's sources cast doubt on the likelihood that Yelich is dealt. 

This isn't the first time that the Phillies have been connected to Yelich. Throughout the summer, while many were trying to make a match between the Phillies and Stanton, most insiders suggested that the Phillies seemed more interested in Yelich. This report seems to be the first official confirmation that the Phillies have continued to make that interest known the Marlins this offseason. 

With clashing reports about the Marlins willingness to move Yelich, I argued last week that despite his talent and the fact that he's signed to a very team-friendly contract, he may not make sense for the outfield-rich Phillies: 

What the Phillies really need, both in the short and long-term, is front-line starting pitching. Aaron Nola is the only person at the major league that fits that description. Top prospect Sixto Sanchez, who a scout compared to Pedro Martinez, is expected to fit that description, but he's still a few years away from the majors. He's not going anywhere in any trade. The group of Franklyn Kilome, Adonis Medina, JoJo Romero and Ranger Suarez seemingly will help the Phillies to build a playoff-caliber rotation. Either they will reach the major league level and be in the rotation, or they will help the Phillies to acquire a controllable starting pitcher – think Gerrit Cole, Marcus Stroman, Chris Archer or Michael Fulmer. 

It feels very unlikely that the Phillies wouldn't have to tap into those resources to acquire Yelich. So yes, they would have an All-Star caliber outfielder in Yelich. But any trade package used to acquire him would be one that couldn't be used to acquire a front-line starting pitcher, or simply have to pitch at the major league level. And they would be used to improve the outfield, which is already one of the strengths of the Phillies organization. 

That article was published prior to the Phillies signing of Carlos Santana, which likely means that Rhys Hoskins will be the team's starting left fielder. That means that as currently constructed, the Phillies have four starting-caliber outfielders in Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr. Sure, they could trade one of those pieces for starting pitching, but even then, they remain deep in outfielding talent. Roman Quinn, Andrew Pullin and Dylan Cozens could all play at the major league level in 2018. The Phillies have spent their last three first round picks – Cornelius Randolph in 2015, Mickey Moniak in 2016 and Adam Haseley in 2017 – on outfielders. As enticing a player as Yelich is, the Phillies don't really need another outfielder, especially if it would involve giving up pitching prospects. 

With that said, the Phillies could be an interesting match in a trade with the Marlins. On top of the pitching depth in their minor league system, they have controllable major league talents that could soften the blow if the Marlins chose to trade Yelich. Like Yelich, Herrera has a very team-friendly contract, one where he's owed just $25 million through 2021. His contract also contains affordable club options for 2022 and 2023. Cesar Hernandez, who is under team control through 2023, could be another intriguing piece for the Marlins. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a straight-up trade. It would be Herrera and top minor league pitching for Yelich. Or Hernandez and top minor league pitching talent for Yelich. The Marlins may simply want a package of minor league pitching. Having Yelich would be nice, although the Phillies might not make much of an organizational improvement by the time a trade is completed.