Phillies trade rumors: Pat Neshek to the Rockies?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 09: Pat Neshek #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-1. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 09: Pat Neshek #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-1. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Phillies trade rumors are starting to pick up, and Pat Neshek is at the center of them all

One move in Major League Baseball can stoke the hot stove, and the Phillies trade rumors are finally starting to heat up with less than a week until the trade deadline.

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton is believed to be the most valuable name on the trade market in terms of relief pitchers but a recent injury may put him on ice. Several reports claim he’s dealing with a forearm strain, and may not be available to trade.

Stoking the fire even further, Rockies closer Greg Holland will miss the next couple of games with the birth of his child. Colorado was already in the market for a right-handed reliever, but Holland missing time on the paternity list could push the Rockies to make a move in a tight wild card race.

Colorado is one of many teams pushing for those final wild card slots, and pitching has and always will be an issue for them. Neshek has limited experience pitching in Colorado, and outside of one game in 2011 his numbers are strong.

To make the Neshek/Colorado rumors even stronger, the Rockies organization is filled with young pitching. The Phillies appear to be leaning towards the Ruben Amaro Jr. “you can never have enough pitching” and that’s held true this season.

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Using trades such as the Sean Doolittle/Ryan Madson trade between Oakland and Washington this year and the Andrew Miller trade last year the Phillies stand to receive a high-ceiling prospect for their 36-year-old All-Star.

Yency Almonte, the Rockies’ 10th overall prospect, could garner great interest in Philadelphia. Almonte projects to reach the Major Leagues as a starter next year with a fastball that can hit 98 MPH and a developing slider-changeup combination.

Next: Who's scouting Pat Neshek

There’re several upper-level pitchers in the Rockies farm system, and after stacking up on outfielders through the draft and previous trades the Phillies are likely to trend in the young pitching direction.