Takeaway Five: The August deadline will bring change
If you really want to see change on the big league roster, it will happen very soon. As teams begin to place their players on waivers, the Phillies will start to make some deals. I fully expect Carlos Ruiz, Peter Bourjos and Andres Blanco (after their DL stints), and maybe one or two more pieces to be gone during the August period.
The returns will not be anything ridiculous. However, they have made nice deals at this time of year, acquiring players like Jesmuel Valentine and Victor Arano in 2014, and Darnell Sweeney and John Richy for Chase Utley in the deal that made us all cry last season.
None of the above are future stars in this league, but Valentine has shown promise as a nice defensive second baseman with a decent ability to hit.
Sweeney could eventually be a utility piece if he figures out how to make more solid contact. Richy has been nothing more than meh, while Arano has made great strides since his move to the bullpen this season.
I do expect Klentak to make a few moves as August moves along. Again, do not expect anything major, but some small moves add up to a stronger, deeper overall system.