The MLB Trade Deadline is only five days away and the rumor mill is still heating up regarding if certain players will be moved or staying with their respective teams. One of those players, who could be on the move by the deadline is Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. This season, Hellickson has pitched to the tune of a 7-7 record with a 3.65 ERA and has thrown 107 strikeouts over 125 2/3 innings pitched.
Hellickson’s name has been connected to a few teams this month, most often the Miami Marlins. Last week, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the Phillies were scouting the Marlins’ GCL team as it sheds light on what they could want in return in a potential deal.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jayson Stark spoke to rival executives and the belief is that the Phillies want a top five prospect in return for Hellickson. However, Starks also adds that if the Phillies cannot get a top five prospect for Hellickson, they are content with getting a draft pick for him, when he departs for free agency.
The Phillies are taking the right approach when it comes to a possible trade for Hellickson. General manager Matt Klentak is always looking to replenish the farm system and getting a top five prospect is plausible. For example, just look back at the Ken Giles trade from this past offseason.
In the Giles’ trade, the Phillies received a good starting pitcher in Vincent Velasquez, who has electric stuff, along with two minor league pitchers in Mark Appel and Thomas Eshelman, who are respectively ranked No. 4 and No. 14 in the Phillies’ minor league system according to MLB Pipeline.
As the trade deadline gets closer, it will be interesting to see if any team breaks down and gives the Phillies a top five prospect for Hellickson.
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