MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins trade Justin Bour to the Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of two very surprising teams in the National League East this season. Coming into the 2018 season, the Washington Nationals were widely considered to be the overwhelming favorites in the NL East. While the Nationals have looked better lately, instead what the NL East has seen is the Phillies and Atlanta Braves dominate the top of the standings in 2018.

Currently, the Phillies have the upper hand as they lead the division by a game over the Braves. The Phillies added Wilson Ramos at the trade deadline and tried (but failed) to get Manny Machado as well. Now, it appears that they are still looking to add some complimentary pieces for the stretch run and succeeded in a trade with the Marlins.

It was more surprising that the Marlins didn’t move Justin Bour (along with basically anything not bolted to the floor) at the trade deadline than anything else. Bour is having a bit of a down year with a .227/.347/.412 line with 19 home runs. There is no question that Bour has a ton of power in his bat and the Phillies are hoping that a change of scenery will lead to an uptick in his overall production. It likely didn’t escape the Phillies’ notice that Bour has raked against the Braves, either.

As for the Marlins’ return, they got a minor league LHP in McKenzie Mills that was not in the top 30 prospects in the Phillies’ farm system as well as some cash in the deal. The deal feels like a salary dump in a lot of respects for an organization that really needs an infusion of young talent and not to save every nickel and dime.