Apr 13, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Alex Call (17) runs toward first base after hitting an RBI single against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro
The Phillies "have interest" in Washington Nationals' outfielder Alex Call, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
Call, 30, is hitting .274 with three home runs, 26 RBIs and a .756 OPS this season, relatively modest production.
However, if you look a bit deeper into his splits, you start to understand where interest from the Phillies could be coming from. Call is a right-handed hitter that is batting .314 with an .802 OPS against lefties this year.
alex call DIALED IN 🚀 pic.twitter.com/qKV5EK5cHk
Call has also played at all three spots in the outfield this year. So, in theory, Call could be an option to platoon with Brandon Marsh, whether that would be in left or center field. Justin Crawford could then be called up and play whichever position you don't have the Marsh/Call platoon at on an everyday basis. Call would also give you an insurance option if Crawford proves to just not be ready.
Additionally, Call can't become a free agent until after the 2029 season, so he would be a controllable piece you could have for a few seasons if things pan out.
Obviously, Steven Kwan or Luis Robert Jr. would be a much sexier outfield addition. But Call makes sense as a fall-back if the Phillies aren't able to land a bigger name before the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline this evening.