Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is about 12 weeks away, but the Phillies could pull the trigger on a trade at any moment. Here are the top ten players on the Phillies trade block going into the second week of May.
There’s a curiosity surrounding the Phillies lead-off hitter as to whether he can sustain one of the National League’s highest batting averages. Sitting at a comfortable .324 average Hernandez is making a loud case to be the Phillies everyday second baseman beyond this year.
Scott Kingery intrigues fans in Double-A Reading, and the coaching staff loved what they saw from one of their top prospects. He may still be a year or two away from the majors, which gives the Phillies enough time to get a read on Hernandez.
On the flip side, the compensation for Hernandez would catch the attention of General Manager Matt Klentak. If a number one prospect or established Major League pitcher can be had for a young Hernandez the Phillies will certainly entertain the thought.
Over the offseason, I thought a trade for J.D. Martinez could be completed practically straight up for Hernandez if Los Angeles got Ian Kinsler. While my armchair GM move never came to fruition, it’s a discussion that certainly could be had at the trade deadline.
Moving Jeanmar Gomez at this point will be difficult, and won’t result in a return as large as one expected. After leading the league in saves heading towards the All-Star break last season Gomez has fallen off a cliff statistically.
Since allowing just three home runs in his first 46 games last season, the former closer has coughed up seven in his last 43 showings.
Compared to what the Phillies could have gotten for Gomez last year (a solid prospect most likely) the Phillies may be better off hoping they can salvage him.
Last offseason I petitioned for Rupp to be traded over to Cleveland or Texas after Jorge Alfaro’s bat heated up in Reading. Alas, the catcher with Paul Bunyon power remains the everyday starter in Philadelphia.
Had Rupp started this season on a tear the likely hood the Phillies trade him would be exponentially higher. With consistent starts, Rupp has 20 home run power, yet this year he’s started sluggishly.
Depending on how Andrew Knapp and Alfaro perform going into the All-Star break this could be the last we see of Rupp. He’s not a bad backup option for the Phillies going forward, but he’s not the answer long-term with Knapp and Alfaro waiting in the wing.
Hard to believe, but Andres Blanco is one of the longest-tenured Phillies on the 25-man roster. His bat, defense, leadership, and versatility have been invaluable for a rebuilding Phillies organization. At this rate, you might as well put him on the Wall of Fame.
Teams looking for one final piece heading into the playoffs would appreciate a player like Blanco, who’d bring a great personality and ability off the bench. When the Phillies competed for championships they constantly added players like Mike Sweeney, Matt Stairs, Ross Gload, and Ben Francisco to beef up their bench. In some cases, those players won playoff games with their bat, most notably Stairs and Francisco.
You certainly won’t find a top-15 prospect coming back for Blanco, but like the Rollins and Papelbon trades you never know what a young player can do as they develop.
One of the many veterans brought into the Phillies bullpen this offseason can be swapped for a hefty price at the trade deadline. Neshek has been lights out for the Phillies since day one, allowing zero runs through 10 games.
Pete Mackanin has contemplated using Neshek as his closer, which, if successful, could catapult Neshek to the top of deadline wish lists. Like Blanco, Neshek won’t command a prospect with major credential behind him in return. But also like Blanco, a playoff team will want a consistent veteran arm they can trust in high-pressure situations.
Copy and paste what I wrote about Pat Neshek earlier into why Joaquin Benoit will be coveted, and you may not know the difference. Aside from his rough closing opportunities, Benoit has been lights out as a setup man in the Phillies bullpen.
Considering how unstable the closer situation currently is, Benoit is likely to get more opportunities to reclaim his trade value. Turning 40-years-old five days before the trade deadline could scare competing executives away from the righty. Reestablishing himself as a legitimate setup man for a contending team Benoit could garner a low to mid-level prospect who needs a change in scenery.
Nava was originally brought to Phillies spring training as a “camp bat” looking to revive his career, but now he’s the best bat off their bench. Getting sporadic starts in the Phillies lineup Nava hits .333 with above average exit velocity.
At this point, the Phillies will have dangled every piece of their bench to the trade deadline. Like Blanco Nava would be a welcomed member on any playoff team. His ability to hit from both sides of the plate, cover the outfield, and come off the bench at any moment are vastly desired.
Howie Kendrick’s value all depends on his health, which has come into question since being placed on the disabled list. Suffering an oblique injury after making a diving catch in left field, Kendrick is on pace to miss more than a month’s worth of games.
Kendrick was the Phillies best hitter prior to the injury and brings that bat to a playoff club needing a cheap left fielder or second baseman. Due to turn 34-years-old before the trade deadline Kendrick could cost a team one of their mid-tier prospects. Paying that much for a rental hitter comes off much more appealing versus a pricey star on a bad contract.
The sooner Kendrick gets back and establishes himself as a credible two-hole hitter the better for his value and the Phillies future.
Injuries across the league will dictate where Kendrick could find himself in two months.
Teams to Watch: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels
Once the weather warms up Michael Saunders bat should pick up as well. It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Saunders, who the Phillies brought in late in free agency. Through 25 games the lefty has just two home runs with a .253 batting average for the Phillies.
Should Saunders bat heat up like the outfield seats in July the Phillies price tag on him will be significant. Most likely not so much that they can not move him, but potentially have them get a top-10 prospect from a team.
One hot streak is all Matt Klentak needs to move Saunders, and with the prospects the Phillies have in Triple-A and on the bench. there’s no concern about replacing him immediately.
Teams to Watch: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite a rocky performance against the Cubs Hellickson has returned to Rookie of the Year form. After Klentak gave the entire league sticker shock last offseason the Phillies are likely to be slightly more willing to move Hellickson.
That may not be the case, however, if the Phillies can build a case saying they want Hellickson to lead the rotation going forward. With so many questions circling the Phillies pitching prospects, a case can be made for extending Hellickson.
Next: Phillies: How to approach the 2017 MLB Draft
More likely than not, the 30-year-old will find himself in a new clubhouse by mid-August. A rebuilding club like Philadelphia will be tough in trade negotiations, but more reasonable than last year. Klentak was smart to ask for as much as he had last year when they could’ve gotten a first round compensatory pick had Hellickson declined the qualifying offer.
Teams to Watch: New York Mets, New York Yankees