Today is Saturday July 25th, which is important for a few reasons. Today the Phillies will be playing at Chicago against the Cubs for Cole Hamels last audition for scouts before the deadline. It’s even more vital to point out that the Cubs are one of the top three teams in the hunt for the lefty. Today also marks a week to the day that as many as five Phillies could be taking the field in a different uniform. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Cole Hamels saga: It seems the top teams to land Hamels at this point are the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Rangers. All four teams have the systems to offer what the Phillies want, but are they willing to give it all up for the 31 year old. The reason the Phils are asking for so much is that Hamels is not a rental, this is a three year deal we’re talking about. Teams have two choices, hope the team you have now can carry you to postseason and beyond and then sign a few free agent pitchers in the offseason, or they give up the prospects, save some money and get a good pitcher. That is what the conversation is like in the front offices of those teams. Today very well might be Hamels last start as a Phillie, so I encourage everyone to watch the game.
2. Papelbon: A new rumor as of today is that the Nationals have an interest in the closer. It would be tough to trade in the division, but the Phillies and Papelbon would both like a deal done. Papelbon is not going to bring back the next Mike Trout, but he should bring back a player who could impact a competitive Phillies team down the road.
3. Ryan Howard: Howard’s power numbers have been better than years past. He’s healthy and he’s been driving the ball better this year. My guess is that an AL team in need of a DH would offer for Howard, but it doesn’t seem a contender in the AL is looking for one. The Royals and Indians are two possible landing spots. I also wouldn’t rule out the Cardinals, but I don’t think NL teams are very interested, because teams aren’t impressed with Howard’s defense and he was never a great defender.
4. The outfield: Ben Revere seems like the likeliest outfielder to be traded, teams are in need of a lead off hitting who can steal bases and with Revere’s improvement on defense, it makes his value rise. Revere could be dealt to the Mariners, Angels, Giants and others are in the mix. A less likely possibility is that Cody Asche or Jeff Francoeur are traded. Numerous teams could use a fourth outfielder or a power bat off the bench. Francoeur seems like the more likely one to be traded, but should the Phillies trade him for the heck of it? Jeff is a great club house presence in a rather young club house. He is the only one hitting the ball right now( 3 homers since the ASG) so, if the offer is right, he could be dealt, but I wouldn’t count on it.
5. Dark horses: Guys like Carlos Ruiz or Ken Giles could be under the radar deals that could happen. Plenty of teams would love to have a young bull pen arm who throws triple digits, but should the Phillies trade their future closer for years to come? The thing is, Giles would bring back the second best package, only behind Hamels. Ruiz could be traded for the fact that teams could use a veteran back up catcher who is a great defensive catcher, but his bat has disappeared greatly over the years. Chances are neither of these guys are traded, but on July 31st anything can happen.
This trade deadline will be the most important in years to the Phillies, if it’s done right, the Phillies could be contenders by 2017, if it’s done wrong, well I just hope it never gets to that.. It will be tough to let some of these guys go, but that’s baseball and if we want to watch another parade down Broad Street, then Ruben needs to do this, but do it right.
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