Philadelphia Phillies Shake Up Roster: Trea Turner Returns, Johan Rojas Sent Down, Luis Robert Jr. a Potential Trade Target

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States of America
Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, David Dahl, Whit Merrifield, and Edmundo Sosa are also on Phillies roster
Edmundo Sosa filled in as shortstop during Turner's absence
Johan Rojas was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
JT Realmuto is sidelined due to knee surgery
Luis Robert Jr. of White Sox is a potential trade target for Phillies as he can play center field and is making $15 million next year with club options for 2026 and 2027
Philadelphia Phillies made roster changes on June 18, 2024
Phillies explored trade options like Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, and Teoscar Hernandez in previous deadline but didn't make any moves
Rojas had a wRC+ of 109 and 15 Defensive Runs Saved in center field
Several other contenders including Braves, Royals, Cardinals, and Mariners also need outfield help
Trea Turner returned from hamstring injury
Turner had a .343/.392/.460 batting line and 1.6 WAR before injury
Philadelphia Phillies Shake Up Roster: Trea Turner Returns, Johan Rojas Sent Down, Luis Robert Jr. a Potential Trade Target

The Philadelphia Phillies, currently leading the National League with the best record, saw a shake-up in their roster on June 18, 2024. Shortstop Trea Turner returned from a hamstring injury and center fielder Johan Rojas was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to clear a spot. Turner had an impressive start to the season with a .343/.392/.460 batting line, two home runs, 10 stolen bases, and an estimated 1.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) before getting injured on May 3. During his absence, Edmundo Sosa filled in admirably with a .280/.343/.512 batting line and five home runs.

Rojas, who was promoted to the majors last summer without going through Triple-A, had a decent offensive performance with a wRC+ of 109. However, his defense in center field was exceptional as he recorded 15 Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average. The Phillies currently have several outfielders on their roster including Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, David Dahl, Whit Merrifield, and Edmundo Sosa.

The Phillies' need for offense became more pressing with JT Realmuto being sidelined due to an injury that required knee surgery. The team had explored options such as Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, and Teoscar Hernandez during the previous trade deadline but didn't make any moves due to the strong seller's market and not wanting to add more strikeouts to their lineup. Several other contenders like the Braves, Royals, Cardinals, and Mariners are also in need of outfield help.

The White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. is a potential trade target for the Phillies as he can play center field and is making $15 million next year with club options for 2026 and 2027.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • Can the Phillies afford to acquire Luis Robert Jr. without compromising their roster?
  • How will the Phillies' offense perform without JT Realmuto?
  • Is Edmundo Sosa a long-term solution at shortstop?

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

What Rojas' demotion means for Phillies' outfield, his future

MLB.com Paul Casella Tuesday, 18 June 2024 12:59
  • Unique Points
    • The Phillies activated Trea Turner and optioned Johan Rojas to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
    • Johan Rojas is slashing .235/.271/.295 over 196 plate appearances this season with a .566 OPS, ranked 218th out of 228 players
  • Accuracy
    • Phillies activated Trea Turner and optioned Johan Rojas to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
    • Johan Rojas struggled in postseason last year: went 4-for-43 (.093) with 15 strikeouts
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions Johan Rojas' poor offensive performance and does not mention his elite defensive skills. The author also editorializes by stating 'Despite playing only 59 games last season, Rojas ranked fourth among all center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved.' This statement implies that Rojas' defensive skills are the reason he was kept in the lineup despite his poor offensive performance, but it does not mention that his defense was enough to offset his offensive concerns. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating 'The decision was not as easy as picking one player to send to Lehigh Valley and keeping everyone else.' This statement creates a sense of sympathy for Rojas and makes the reader feel that the Phillies are making a difficult decision.
    • Despite playing only 59 games last season, Rojas ranked fourth among all center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved.
    • The 23-year-old is slashing .235/.271/.295 over 196 plate appearances in 58 games this season. His .566 OPS ranked 218th out of 228 players with 175 plate appearances entering Monday.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority when stating that Rojas' elite defense was enough to offset the offensive concerns entering the season. He also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Rojas' offensive performance as 'exposed' and 'disappointing'. The author also engages in a dichotomous depiction by implying that there are only two options for the Phillies: sacrifice defense for offense or keep Rojas in the lineup despite his poor offensive performance.
    • “Despite playing only 59 games last season, Rojas ranked fourth among all center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved.”
    • “The author describes Rojas' offensive performance as 'disappointing' and 'exposed'.”
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses a negative opinion towards Johan Rojas's poor offensive performance and the need for him to improve in certain areas such as cutting down his swing, using the field, and bunting. The author also mentions that Rojas has defensive lapses and that the Phillies could gain offense by replacing him with other players.
    • But if Rojas makes the improvements the Phillies are hoping, could he still factor into the mix down the stretch this season?
      • Despite playing only 59 games last season, Rojas ranked fourth among all center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved. While he’s played above-average defense this season, he has mixed in a few defensive lapses amid his highlight-reel grabs. Rojas ranks outside the top 15 among center fielders in both DRS and Outs Above Average.
        • The 23-year-old is slashing .235/.271/.295 over 196 plate appearances in 58 games this season. His .566 OPS ranked 218th out of 228 players with 175 plate appearances entering Monday.
          • The Phillies could also use more offense right now. After leading the Majors with 5.2 runs per game and ranking fourth with a .749 team OPS through the end of May, the Phils have averaged just four runs while posting a .673 OPS in 13 games this month.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          81%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Phillies’ outfielder need looms large ahead of the trade deadline after Johan Rojas is sent to triple A

          The Philadelphia Inquirer Scott Lauber Tuesday, 18 June 2024 13:00
          • Unique Points
            • . The Phillies are in need of offense due to J.T. Realmuto being sidelined for at least a month.
            • . Johan Rojas was sent to triple A on Monday by the Phillies.
            • . Last season, the Phillies explored options such as Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, and Teoscar Hernandez but didn’t make any moves due to the strong seller’s market and not wanting to add more strikeouts to their lineup.
            • . Several other contenders, including the Braves, Royals, Cardinals, and Mariners, are also in need of outfield help.
            • . The White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. is a potential trade target for the Phillies as he can play center field and is making $15 million next year with club options for 2026 and 2027.
          • Accuracy
            • The Phillies are in need of offense due to J.T. Realmuto being sidelined for at least a month.
            • Johan Rojas was sent to triple A on Monday by the Phillies.
            • Johan Rojas has only one sacrifice bunt since May 15 and one bunt single in six attempts.
            • The Phillies are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder who can play center field as an alternative to Rojas.
          • Deception (30%)
            The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions Johan Rojas' poor performance and does not mention his defensive abilities or contributions to the team when he was in the majors. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying that Rojas is a disappointment and a liability to the team, which may sway readers' opinions against him.
            • The Phillies made a calculation. Although Rojas had been in the majors for only two weeks – and skipped over triple A along the way – he played difference-making defense and possessed speed that added another dimension to the offense.
            • Never mind that he doesn’t have an extra-base hit since May 10.
            • Or that he’s batting .235/.271/.295 for a .566 OPS that ranked 199th out of 208 players with at least 190 plate appearances entering the week.
            • He was [trying to bunt] and he’s not getting them down.
          • Fallacies (85%)
            The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting manager Rob Thomson multiple times about his belief in Johan Rojas' potential and the 'best version' of the Phillies team. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Rojas' poor performance statistics and lack of extra-base hits since May 10.
            • “If he's doing what he can do on offense, this is probably the best version of our club.” Why the Phillies sent Johan Rojas to triple A.
            • “All the Phillies really ask is that Rojas move runners and use his speed. Yet he has one sacrifice bunt since May 15; his lone bunt single (in six attempts) came back on April 13.”
            • “There’s a little less pressure and probably a better opportunity to do it at triple A.”
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          97%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Phillies Option Johan Rojas

          MLB Traderumors Saturday, 01 June 2024 00:00
          • Unique Points
            • Johan Rojas was promoted to the majors last summer, skipping over Triple-A level.
            • 'Despite a high batting average on balls in play, Rojas' offense was better than expected with a wRC+ of 109.
            • 'Rojas showed notable speed and defense in the second half of the 2023 season, stealing 14 bases in 15 attempts and earning 15 Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average in center field.
          • Accuracy
            • Despite a high batting average on balls in play, Rojas’ offense was better than expected with a wRC+ of 109.
            • Rojas has struggled with a .235/.271/.295 line and 62 wRC+, along with regressed defense statistics.
            • Johan Rojas hit only .170 with a .478 OPS in Spring Training, had few bunt attempts and only one bunt base hit all season.
            • Despite defensive lapses, Johan Rojas ranked fourth among all center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved last season.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          98%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Trea Turner returns to Phillies from hamstring injury, Johan Rojas sent down to Triple-A

          CBS Sports R.J. Anderson Sunday, 16 June 2024 16:24
          • Unique Points
            • Trea Turner returned to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury.
            • 'Despite missing game action during his recovery, Turner had a tremendous start to the season with a .343/.392/.460 batting line, two home runs, and 10 stolen bases in 33 games.
            • Turner's contributions were worth an estimated 1.6 Wins Above Replacement.
            • Edmundo Sosa filled in for Turner during his absence and had a strong offensive performance with a .280/.343/.512 batting line, five home runs, and two stolen bases.
            • Johan Rojas was optioned to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Turner.
            • The Phillies currently have the best record in the National League, but have lost five of their last seven games.
          • Accuracy
            • Turner had been out since May 3 and was expected to miss at least six weeks.
            • Despite missing game action during his recovery, Turner had a tremendous start to the season with a .343/.392/.460 batting line, two home runs, and 10 stolen bases in 33 games.
            • Turner’s contributions were worth an estimated 1.6 Wins Above Replacement.
            • Rojas was hitting .235/.271/.295 in 58 games for the Phillies.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication