Phillies-White Sox trade idea lands $50 million All-Star for Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh

It's a make-or-break year for the Philadelphia Phillies.

These Phillies have been to the playoffs three years in a row, and have made two deep runs. But they still haven't taken home a World Series title since 2008, and although they still have lots of key players on long-term deals, their core is beginning to age.

Though the Phillies are still built to win this season, the National League has never been tougher. When competing against a long line of stacked rosters, it's important for the Phillies not to have a weak point.

Right now, the weak point is center field, and the Chicago White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. has long been rumored to be a trade target, since he's in the final year of a $50 million extension. But how much would Philadelphia be willing to give up to get their hands on Robert.

During a recent live stream for Bleacher Report, content creator Tyler Ward proposed a hypothetical trade in which the Phillies would acquire Robert for, among other pieces, starting third baseman Alec Bohm and outfielder Brandon Marsh.

"The Philadelphia Phillies know their window is closing, so in order for them to maximize their potential now in a star-studded NL East, they have to go out and land Luis Robert in a blockbuster trade in which key players like both Alec Bohm and yes, Brandon Marsh, just to name a few, will be going the other way," Ward said.

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There are a few questions that jump to mind here. If the Phillies' goal is to win now, why would they give up two reliable starters just to land one, even if Robert's ceiling is higher?

And perhaps more importantly, why would the White Sox, who probably won't be competing for a playoff spot for at least a few seasons, want a couple of players in their late twenties who are already well into their arbitration years?

It wouldn't be a surprise by any means to see the Phillies acquire Robert this summer, but the guess here is that rather than abiding by Ward's package, the White Sox stockpile all the prospect talent they can get their hands on.

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