What happened: The Philadelphia Phillies have identified a right-handed hitting outfielder as their primary target before the August 3 trade deadline. Despite a strong June start, the lineup has struggled with consistency against lefties, prompting President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski to scour the market for impact bats like Mike Trout or Taylor Ward.

Why it matters: With Zack Wheeler on the injured list and the team 9.0 games behind the Braves in the NL East, adding offensive depth is critical for a sustained Wild Card push. The current roster ranks 28th in MLB in batting average, underscoring the need for a reliable run producer to support Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber in the middle of the order.

What to watch: The Phillies continue their interleague slate against the Blue Jays before a crucial divisional series.