Phillies Plan to Make Moves at Trade Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies came into the season with low expectations because the team is undergoing a rebuilding process, which means they won’t be in contention anytime soon. At the start of the season, the Phillies played hard and out-performed expectations, but the team finally came down to earth and is trying to get back to playing .500 ball. Due to their rebuilding, the Phillies have one of the worst online MLB sports betting odds, but the team is still competitive and capable of big wins every now and then.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Phillies can try to get rid of the few remaining bad contracts that they have, and also get some young talent that can be important to the team’s success in the future. By trading some players away, the Phillies will also have to figure out which young players to call up to the majors, so they can get some experience heading into the offseason.

Currently, Philadelphia’s most valuable trading chip is Jeremy Hellickson, who has been plagued with trade rumors since the team signed him. The veteran pitcher has been one of the most consistent players on the team this season, and has a 3.84 ERA in 20 starts.

With teams looking for consistent pitching as they make their playoff push, Hellickson seems like the perfect candidate to be wearing a new uniform before the trade deadline.

According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, reports that sources close to the Phillies told him the team wasn’t considering trading the right hander despite interest from other teams.

However, the Boston Globe reported that several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and Miami Marlins are all interested in Hellickson and believe they can pry him away from Philadelphia with the right package of players.

If the Phillies get a significant offer for Hellickson, the general consensus is that the team will trade the 29-year-old. If they do, Triple-A player Jake Thompson is one of the leading candidates to get the call to the majors to replace Hellickson.

Thompson, who has a 7-5 record and a 2.58 ERA, was a surprise omission from the Triple-A All-Star game. If the Phillies don’t call Thompson up, another player that might get called up is Jorge Alfaro, the catcher the team received in the trade for Cole Hamels.

If the Phillies are to call Alfaro up, they will have to trade Carlos Ruiz, who many believe will be a good fit for the Cleveland Indians, due to his defensive value. Since the Indians have lost starting catcher Yan Gomes for the next two months, acquiring a player like Ruiz, seems like a no-brainer for the team.

According to reports, Alfaro has been playing very well in the minors and seems to have outgrown Triple-A, so it makes sense that the Phillies try to add him to their MLB roster to give him some experience against top competition and try to figure out where he fits in the team’s future plans.

While Philadelphia won’t be getting any big names at the trade deadline, they will be trying to get young pieces that can help them in the future and get them back in contention in the NL East.

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...

Prospect Nation 2016: #9 Catcher Jorge Alfaro

Alfaro, image- USA Today Acquired as part of the the return for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Texas last summer, catcher Jorge Alfaro quickly became one of the Phillies' most promising young talents. With a powerful bat and outstanding skills behind the dish, Alfaro could become a fast moving performer for his new organization. Originally signed by the Rangers for a reported $1.3 million in 2010 at the age of 16, the Colombia native would make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that same year. In 48 games, the righty hitting Alfaro posted a .221 average and a home run along with 23 RBI. The following year, with Class A short-season Spokane, the talented youngster tallied a .300 average with six homers and 23 RBI. In 2012 with full season Class A level Hickory, he batted .261 with five home runs, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 74 contests.

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog