SportsTalk Shop: MLB Trade Deadline: Phillies Pitchers

In my last blog entry, we took a look at the “tradeable” Phillies position players.  This week, we take a unique look at what Phillies pitchers could be dealt, and what the team could get in return.

“Take My Pitchers, Please”
Jonathan Papelbon
Antonio Bastardo
Mike Adams
Jeff Manship

Neither Papelbon nor Bastardo have been model teammates while in Philadelphia.

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.  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.  With several young Phillies’ 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.  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.  Numbers-wise, he’s been stellar and would make a nice pickup for a team needing a second-lefty out of their pen.  Unfortunately, I don’t 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).  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.

As far as Adams and Manship, they both were pitching well before going down with injuries and won’t be back until August at the earliest.  Only Adams has a chance of making a miraculously fast recovery, pitch well enough to show teams he’s healthy, and still do it all in time to make himself attractive to a contending team … all before the waiver deadline in August.  Even then, you probably won’t get much in return.  In the end, both of these pitchers will probably not return anyway once this season concludes.

“Pitchers On The Bubble”
A. J. Burnett
Kyle Kendrick
Roberto Hernandez

All of these pitchers could be dealt.  At the same time, all of these pitchers could be pieces for next year’s Phillies rotation.  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.  Burnett will clearly be the most attractive of these three names to potential trade partners, given his success and his contract.  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.   Kendrick will most probably command another price increase this offseason.  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 ’15.  But since “KK” will be a free agent this off-season and everyone knows the Phillies want to unload him, they won’t get very much in return.  Hernandez is in the same boat with less up-side.  He’s been inconsistent this season and will not bring much in a trade, except for some salary relief.

“Only for a King’s Ransom”
Cole Hamels
Cliff Lee

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 “big name” up-and-coming prospects.  To them I say this:  Be careful what you wish for!

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).  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.  Lee is also younger than Burnett and more likely to help the Phillies when they return to contention.  Plus, Lee will not bring back as much as he would have if not for his elbow problems.  Unless the Phillies get blown away for either pitcher, I think it’s more likely that Lee is dealt this offseason—if at all—and Hamels stays put for the long-term.  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.  It’s 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.

“You Can’t Touch This”
Ken Giles
Jake Diekman
Justin DeFratus
Ethan Martin
Mario Hollands

Earlier this year on “RCN SportsTalk” 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’s team.  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.  These players are much more valuable than anything you could see by just looking at their statistics.  Young, controllable and inexpensive talent is the most glaring need in the Phillies organization.  In fact, most of the names above won’t 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.  The only way I would part with one of the relievers in this category would be if it’s a deal-breaker that includes a package to unload some of the “untradeable” and expensive position players AND would be part of getting you quality pieces (ie., offensive upgrades) in return.

Which pitchers would you like to see the Phillies trade and which should stay?  What areas of need must the Phillies look to fix in the month’s going forward? Email us at RCNSportsTalk@rcn.com or post a comment below and join us this Thursday as we talk about baseball of all sorts with former baseball coaches and managers on ‘RCN SportsTalk.’