Phillies Trade Chips: Hector Neris
By Matt Veasey
NERIS TO THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Dodgers trail the Giants by 4.5 games, five in the loss column, but they hold the top NL Wildcard berth. Still, with a handful of teams within less than a handful of games, nothing is certain.
The Dodgers also have one of the top closers in all of baseball, righty Kenley Jansen. Setting up for him as righties have been arms such as Pedro Baez, Luis Coleman, Chris Hatcher, and…Joe Blanton?
The now 35-year old former Phillies starting pitcher and 2008 World Series hero has actually been a revelation for LA, having allowed just 23 hits over 48.1 innings with a 49/14 K:BB ratio.
Neris would really serve to prop up the Dodgers late inning options, and his contract control could be very attractive to an organization that likes to spend big money for offense and on starting pitching.
The Dodgers also have tons of pitching coming through their minor leagues. If righty Grant Holmes could be shaken loose, that might do it.
Does Klentak see diminutive but powerful Willie Calhoun as a legit 2nd baseman? Not everyone does. But if he can be, the bat would be very attractive there.