The Philadelphia Phillies' trade deadline discussion spilled into public view after Bryce Harper called for roster additions following Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. Interim manager Don Mattingly responded Wednesday by defending the players already in Philadelphia's clubhouse.
Harper told reporters after the loss that he believes the Phillies need "both" a hitter and a pitcher before Monday’s trade deadline as the club looks to snap its recent skid. The comments came with Philadelphia struggling since the All-Star break despite remaining in the National League Wild Card race.
The Phillies enter Wednesday with a 57-51 record, sitting second in the National League East and holding the second National League Wild Card spot while trailing the Atlanta Braves by six games in the division.
Speaking with Foul Territory, Mattingly defended the roster already in place rather than focusing on outside additions. "When you say something about our team, then you're saying something about one of our players that you don't like," Mattingly said while addressing Harper's public comments after Tuesday's loss.
The exchange comes as Philadelphia has dropped eight of its last 11 games since the All-Star break, including six contests in which the offense has scored one run or fewer. The recent slide has increased attention on president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski as the trade deadline approaches.
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Harper has continued to produce individually despite the team's offensive struggles. Through 108 games, the former National League MVP is batting .252 with a .358 on-base percentage, a .488 slugging percentage, 22 home runs and 63 RBIs.
Mattingly also shuffled his lineup for Wednesday's series finale against Miami, moving Harper back to first base while giving Kyle Schwarber the day off. Whether the Phillies ultimately add reinforcements before Sunday's deadline remains to be seen, but the club will first look to halt its recent slide with the players already on the roster.
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