We are about a month and a half away from the trade deadline in Major League Baseball, and it will pretty much be the only thing worth paying close attention to when it comes to the Phillies until that time. Other than the development and rise of Maikel Franco, that is. The Phillies have players that can fill some big roles on playoff contenders, and with the team continuing to sink in the NL East it is beginning to look more and more like a good time to part ways with some pieces in hopes of getting something in return. The Phillies got away with standing pat at the deadline last season, but do not expect the same story to play out this summer.
Joe Lucia over at The Outside Corner discussed the market heading to the trade deadline and described it as a seller’s market. This would obviously be good for the Phillies, with a handful of talented players that could help a playoff contender. Those players may come with a high price tag, but if the Phillies are committed to helping to cover some (most?) o the costs, then some big things could happen in the front office.
Here is what The Outside Corner had to say about the Phillies in this seller’s market;
The Phillies are an interesting case, because they have plenty of players to move…but nearly all of them come with significant contracts. Ryan Howard’s power is back? Cool – how much of the $35+ million left on his deal will the Phillies eat? Jonathan Papelbon is dominant once again? Awesome – do you plan on picking up that vesting option? Cole Hamels has rebounded from a poor start? Excellent – do you want to cover the $73.5+ million remaining for him? Ben Revere and Aaron Harang don’t have that salary baggage, but what are you really getting with either? Revere doesn’t hit all that well and is a better defender in a corner than in center, and Harang might be turning back into a pumpkin after getting shelled in his last two starts.
Yesterday we learned more about the Papelbon talks that have resurfaced involving the Toronto Blue Jays. The Chicago Cubs are in the conversations as well. I would expect to see plenty of trade rumors coming up involving Papelbon and other players mentioned by Lucia on The Outside Corner. One player he did not mention is Chase Utley. Take a look at Utley’s production this season and you can understand why the veteran second baseman didn’t even earn a passing mention in the post.
Whatever happens, things are going to be interesting coming down to the deadline. It is an important time for the Phillies, one that could serve as the final big shift in the reshaping of this ranchise for years to come.
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