In my last blog entry, we took a look at the \u201ctradeable\u201d Phillies position players.\u00a0 This week, we take a unique look at what Phillies pitchers could be dealt, and what the team could get in return.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake My Pitchers, Please\u201d
\n<\/b>Jonathan Papelbon
\nAntonio Bastardo
\nMike Adams
\nJeff Manship<\/p>\n
Neither Papelbon nor Bastardo have been model teammates while in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
After trying to deal Papelbon last year and finding no suitable takers, the Phillies closer has increased his trading value with his lights-out performance this season.\u00a0 There are several teams that would love to upgrade their back-of-the bullpen and a few of them (think American League teams) have some quality young pieces that the Phils could seek in return.\u00a0 With several young Phillies\u2019 arms now having success in the Majors, albeit some on a very small sample size, Papelbon is now expendable and will probably be one of 3-5 stoppers dealt by the deadline.\u00a0 Bastardo has pitched well now that Ryne Sandberg has taken him out of big-game situations and is using him in more long-relief, pitching-when-trailing-roles, which hopefully potential trade partners have not noticed.\u00a0 Numbers-wise, he\u2019s been stellar and would make a nice pickup for a team needing a second-lefty out of their pen.\u00a0 Unfortunately, I don\u2019t think he brings much in return (a number of teams in the Phillies division have expressed interest, but will not give you a big chip that will come back to haunt them in return).\u00a0 Given his inconsistency and drug-suspension, Bastardo has probably worn out his welcome in Philly anyway and shipping him this month would enable the Phillies to take a flier at a former prospect needing a change of scenery.<\/p>\n
As far as Adams and Manship, they both were pitching well before going down with injuries and won\u2019t be back until August at the earliest.\u00a0 Only Adams has a chance of making a miraculously fast recovery, pitch well enough to show teams he\u2019s healthy, and still do it all in time to make himself attractive to a contending team \u2026 all before the waiver deadline in August.\u00a0 Even then, you probably won\u2019t get much in return.\u00a0 In the end, both of these pitchers will probably not return anyway once this season concludes.<\/p>\n
\u201cPitchers On The Bubble\u201d
\n<\/b>A. J. Burnett
\nKyle Kendrick
\nRoberto Hernandez<\/p>\n
All of these pitchers could be dealt.\u00a0 At the same time, all of these pitchers could be pieces for next year\u2019s Phillies rotation.\u00a0 Remember, the team has said multiple times this spring and summer that the intent is to compete again in 2015 and you need to keep some reliable pieces in your rotation for next season.\u00a0 Burnett will clearly be the most attractive of these three names to potential trade partners, given his success and his contract.\u00a0 He would also be the most beneficial to the Phillies going forward to help lead the rotation, especially if Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels is dealt.\u00a0\u00a0 Kendrick will most probably command another price increase this offseason.\u00a0 The Phillies would love to turn the page on this inconsistent pitcher and have a younger arm with more potential (once they acquire one) to take his spot in the rotation for \u201915.\u00a0 But since \u201cKK\u201d will be a free agent this off-season and everyone knows the Phillies want to unload him, they won\u2019t get very much in return.\u00a0 Hernandez is in the same boat with less up-side.\u00a0 He\u2019s been inconsistent this season and will not bring\u00a0much in a trade, except for some salary relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly for a King\u2019s Ransom\u201d
\n<\/b>Cole Hamels
\nCliff Lee<\/p>\n
I know people have been anxious for the Phillies to trade Cliff Lee and, to a lesser extent, Cole Hamels for some time in order to capture several \u201cbig name\u201d up-and-coming prospects.\u00a0 To them I say this:\u00a0 Be careful what you wish for!<\/p>\n
Remember, this is the front office who traded Lee for two prospects no longer in the organization (and a third likely to be dealt or released by next year).\u00a0 Also, remember the team wants to compete in the near future and Lee, albeit with some injury baggage this year, has been a durable ace in many big games.\u00a0 Lee is also younger than Burnett and more likely to help the Phillies when they return to contention.\u00a0 Plus, Lee will not bring back as much as he would have if not for his elbow problems.\u00a0 Unless the Phillies get blown away for either pitcher, I think it\u2019s more likely that Lee is dealt this offseason\u2014if at all\u2014and Hamels stays put for the long-term.\u00a0 Top tier pitchers are a rare commodity and the Phillies had to sell their souls (aka, their farm system) to acquire top aces in Lee, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswald.\u00a0 It\u2019s not easy to pick up a big name, and the organization must be absolutely sure of the players they would get in return if they entertain serious talks about these two players.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou Can\u2019t Touch This\u201d
\n<\/b>Ken Giles
\nJake Diekman
\nJustin DeFratus
\nEthan Martin
\nMario Hollands<\/p>\n
Earlier this year on \u201cRCN SportsTalk<\/em>\u201d and here on this blog, I predicted that the Phillies young bullpen arms would surprise people and be one of the highlights of this year\u2019s team.\u00a0 While that prophecy did not look too good after the first month of the season, the Phillies have built a solid stable of young relievers that the team can build around for many seasons.\u00a0 These players are much more valuable than anything you could see by just looking at their statistics.\u00a0 Young, controllable and\u00a0inexpensive talent is the most glaring need in the Phillies organization.\u00a0 In fact, most of the names above won\u2019t even be arbitration eligible until 2016 at the earliest, so it is imperative that the team does not move more than any one of these young pitchers.\u00a0 The only way I would part with one of the relievers in this category would be if it\u2019s a deal-breaker that includes a package to unload some of the \u201cuntradeable\u201d and expensive position players AND would be part of getting you quality pieces (ie., offensive upgrades) in return.<\/p>\n