What will the Phils do at the Deadline? How good is this '24 squad?

Earlier this week, MLB.com Phillies beat reporter Todd Zolecki held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with Phillies’ fans at r/phillies. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA can be read here.

Do you think the Phils will target a bigger name outfielder at the Trade Deadline or look for someone who isn’t necessarily a household name?

I know a lot of people are talking about Luis Robert Jr., but I'd honestly be surprised if they got him. There are several reports that indicate he will not be moved in July. I think people need to remember that the Phillies are the best team in baseball and they don't have any glaring holes. I don't see them overpaying for somebody. I think they're going to be smart and improve where they can improve.

Remember 2008. Everybody wanted CC Sabathia. The Phils got Joe Blanton instead. It worked out OK.

What’s your current take on Ranger Suárez? Tired arm, regression to mean and/or hitters catching up? How do you feel he’ll be in the second half of season through hopefully the postseason?

I asked Ranger the other day in Atlanta if it's possible that he's going through a "dead arm" period. He said he isn't. He said his arm feels fine and that he feels healthy. But Phillies manager Rob Thomson believes that Suárez might be experiencing some fatigue. Suárez hasn't thrown this many innings in a first half in his big league career. He's thrown 114 innings so far. I think he threw 84 a couple years ago. The All-Star break is coming at a good time for him.

Since coming to Philly, Dave Dombrowski has done a fine job of not trading top prospects by instead trading fringe players who were being squeezed off the roster (e.g. Spencer Howard, Bailey Falter, Mickey Moniak). Who might be the guy if he goes this route again? With so few teams selling, I really wonder where they would even find available impact talent to begin with (and impact doesn't have to mean All-Star! 2010 Cody Ross still haunts me …)

You're spot on. I'm not sure many big names are going to be moved before the July 30 Trade Deadline. I also don't think the Phillies are going to go "all in" and trade their top prospects to make something happen. I'd be stunned if Aidan Miller or Andrew Painter got traded … unless it's for Mike Trout and the Angels randomly agree to pay most of his salary. And I don't see that happening!

Now that we’re almost at the All-Star break, do you think this team breaks the 2011 franchise record for regular season wins? Obviously, it’s the World Series that matters most but I would think this group would be motivated to be the best Phillies team of all time.

I do. I think this team is more well-rounded than the 2011 Phillies. Offensive players are in their prime. Rotation is one of the best in baseball -- just like the 2011 rotation. This bullpen is better.

Any thoughts on the current energy/feeling with the guys around the clubhouse given the losses in the NL Wild Card and NLCS the past two years?

I think they're very focused on the ultimate prize. That's why you didn't see much hooting and hollering after they swept the Dodgers. Sure, they celebrated, but it was like any sweep against any team at any point of the year. It says something that they beat up the Dodgers, but they also know it won't mean anything in October.