Another spin of the Phillies rumor mill brings us to the Yankees farm system
Despite the Yankees pulling off one of the largest trades of the season Tuesday evening the Phillies had eyes in Scranton watching New York’s Triple-A affiliate. This according to a local beat writer, who acknowledged the Phillies and Yankees were on hand.
Dave Hollins, a former Phillies infielder, appears to have been the scout in attendance for the Phillies. Hollins played seven years in Philadelphia and had an All-Star season in 1993.
It’s intriguing the Phillies would send a former major league infielder to watch this particular game because it featured two of the Yankees top infield prospects.
Additionally, the Phillies demoted infielder Jorge Flores from Lehigh Valley to Reading on Tuesday. Could that spell a potential move in the near future, or is it just a simple minor league paper move?
Lots of scouts on hand tonight. Two old friends of the franchise: Phillies scout Dave Hollins and Angels scout Gary Varsho.
— Donnie Collins (@DonnieCollinsTT) July 18, 2017
Third baseman Miguel Andujar and shortstop/third baseman Tyler Wade are rated 9th and 11th in the Yankees farm system. Both are hitting over .300 this season and could be knocking on the major leagues very soon.
Andujar finished the game 3-4 with a double, while Wade had one hit as the lead-off batter for Scranton. Wade also committed his 14th error of the season while manning shortstop tonight.
Their place on the Phillies roster may be at third base where Maikel Franco has struggled to hit consistently. Second base appears destined for prospect Scott Kingery, and the Phillies have Freddy Galvis and J.P. Crawford on the docket at shortstop.
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Philadelphia has been linked to the Yankees in several potential trades involving reliever Pat Neshek, starter Jeremy Hellickson, and first baseman Tommy Joseph. With the Yankees reportedly adding David Robertson from the White Sox it could potentially, though not entirely, eliminate their need for Neshek.
New York has been attempting to add an ace to their starting rotation, which Hellickson is not. If the price for Sonny Gray is too high the Yankees may settle for Hellickson as their Michael Pineda replacement.
Joseph would fill a major hole at first base for the Yankees left by prospect Greg Bird, who underwent ankle surgery. With 36 home runs in 193 major league games, Joseph could add some pop to the Yankees lineup as a first baseman or designated hitter.
If Joseph is traded by the Phillies, prospect Rhys Hoskins would join the 25-man roster and make his major league debut.
Next: Dee Gordon a trade target?
These latest Phillies scout sightings come shortly after the team had two representatives watching the Royals and Rangers. Yu Darvish, a veteran pitcher available on the free agent market this offseason, made the start for Texas.