The Philadelphia Phillies have a number of possible players on the block as the MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches, now just two weeks away.
The other day, I discussed how Phillies fans need to be realistic in what they can expect back from other clubs in regards to their trade chips, specifically starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson.
With the second half about to begin, teams are stepping up in earnest with their scouting of opposition minor league systems, exchanging proposals, and doing all of the other legwork necessary to complete a deal.
Here, I’ll take a look at the trade stock of a trio of Phillies players.
TRADE VALUE UP
Cody Asche & Peter Bourjos
Asche and Bourjos have both been on offensive tears over the past month. From June 13 through Saturday night’s game, Bourjos was hitting .387/.430/.645 with 14 extra base hits in that span. Asche, in that same time period, is hitting .270/.340/.494 with 14 extra base hits as well.
Both players have hit themselves into regular playing time on this 2016 Phillies roster and would create immediate holes in the lineup, but none that can’t be filled either with players already on the roster (Tyler Goeddel) or with a minor league call-up (Nick Williams, etc.)
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The problem comes when you try to determine exactly what might the team expect to receive in return.
Neither Bourjos or Asche would profile to fill a starting job on a playoff team, save perhaps the New York Mets, who could use Bourjos in a platoon role with Curtis Granderson, or perhaps the Cleveland Indians, whose outfield situation has struggled all year long.
Asche has the added benefit of being able to play another position (third base), making his versatility a little more appealing. That versatility, as limited as it may be, could something the team would rather hang on to for the rest of the season rather than basically just give away to clear room for other players.
For platoon bats like these, especially Asche, the return might not justify the moving of the player. But there is no doubt that their appeal has gone up among other teams looking for help/depth.
TRADE VALUE UP
Hector Neris
More than a month ago, I posted a piece about Neris and his need to adjust to a league that had obviously caught up with him. He had posted an ERA of 9.52 in six games between May 30 and June 11, and it was apparent that teams knew what to expect from him.
Since that time, Neris has thrown just over 15 innings, striking out 18 batters, allowing 16 hits while walking only four.
He’s throwing his other pitches more, giving hitters different looks and keeping them off-balance. Altogether, he’s become a much better bullpen option, snapping out of the funk that was keeping him from being effective.
Because of this, it’s natural to wonder if there is a package big enough that the team would be enticed to part ways with him. I believe that the team should be actively looking to move him, as soon as possible:
I don't think he's overachieving; I think RP are fungible and should traded if a team will overpay
— Ethan Witte (Lux Æterna admirer) (@ethan_witte) July 16, 2016
I don’t think it is a matter of overachievement with Neris – I just think that if a team is willing to part with something significant for a reliever, a team such as the Phillies should jump all over such a deal, a la Ken Giles.
It’s highly doubtful that a team would be willing to part with much more than a top 20-25 prospect for Neris (who still has oodles of that coveted team control left), but if some team wants to go higher to acquire his services, then Matt Klentak would be wise to bid him adieu.