MLB Rumors: Matt Chapman "A Logical Target" For This NL Team

The Oakland A's have a number of featured players on the trade block, and while most of the attention has been on All-Star first baseman Matt Olson and the starting pitchers like Chris Bassitt, there are other key players available, and according to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, the Philadelphia Phillies could be in on "the others."

Third baseman Matt Chapman heads up the list, and, as Rosenthal notes in The Athletic, he is a "logical target" for the Phils. Rookie Alec Bohm filled the 3B role for Philadelphia last season, but struggled, hitting just .247 with a .647 OPS and 7 HR.

Chapman is a Gold Glover, who, although somewhat batting-average-challenged, can mash, and the move from the cavernous RingCentral (Oakland) Coliseum to Citizens Bank could really be a boon for him.

Phils also looking for outfield and bullpen pieces

But that's not all. Rosenthal notes that the Phillies match up with a couple of other A's on the block as well — high-leverage reliever Lou Trivino and center fielder Ramon Laureano. Bullpen and outfield are definitely two other areas of dire need for the Phils.

Bohm is only 25, with a lot of potential, so could be an ideal target for the A's to receive back in any such trade, suggests Rosenthal. Alex Coffey of The Philly Inquirer suggests the A's will also want some top prospects in return.

Per source, A’s won’t agree to trade Matt Chapman to the Phillies unless returning package includes someone at the top of the Phillies farm system (Painter, Abel, Stott, etc). Source says that thus far, Phillies have been reluctant to deal those guys.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) March 12, 2022