The Philadelphia Phillies’ opening weekend played out as expected. They handled the struggling Washington Nationals but still showed some familiar flaws. One of their biggest ongoing concerns has been their inability to put the ball in play consistently. While they improved in that area on Saturday and Sunday, Opening Day saw them strike out 19 times. Despite pulling off a 7-3 extra-inning victory, relying on that approach isn’t a sustainable formula for success.
Addressing this issue won’t be easy, as strikeouts are increasingly common in today’s game due to the quality of pitching. However, the Phillies could benefit from improving other aspects of their offense. Bryce Harper has even expressed a willingness to return to the outfield if it helps the team acquire a quality first baseman.
One potential option is Ryan Mountcastle, whom the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly open to trading, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Orioles are considering moving Mountcastle to make room for prospect Coby Mayo. While Mountcastle may not be a perfect solution, he’s a solid major leaguer who could contribute quality at-bats for Philadelphia. His addition could create some uncertainty in the outfield, but if Harper is open to making the switch and stays healthy, Mountcastle could be a valuable piece for the Phillies.