The Phillies made three trades in two days, sending their best trade assets to other teams. Now where does the team go for the last two months?
Wednesday night the Phillies had their first activity at the trade deadline, sending Pat Neshek to the Rockies in exchange for three Class-A prospects. Just two nights later, the team traded Howie Kendrick to the Nationals and Jeremy Hellickson to the Orioles. The flurry of trades was a complete turnaround from last year when Philadelphia didn’t do anything at the deadline.
Trading some of the veterans on the team was one of general manager Matt Klentak’s goals for this season. While that goal wasn’t 100 percent successful considering the injury to Clay Buchholz and the struggles of Jeanmar Gomez and Michael Saunders, trading three players was still pretty good.
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With the biggest trades seemingly over barring a move for Joaquin Benoit or someone else, what happens from here on this year? There isn’t a playoff run with Philadelphia well in the National League cellar, so what is there to watch for?
Mainly it’s time to see what the young players on the team can do in a full-time role. With Kendrick gone, the everyday outfield group will consist of Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams, and Odubel Herrera.
Altherr is the oldest at 26 years old while Herrera is 25 and Williams is still 23. All have been hitting well as of late and are poised to be the team’s starting outfield next year. Watching the three of them in the lineup together could be the team’s future outfield for some time.
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We are getting to watch Aaron Nola become the best pitcher this team has had since Cole Hamels. Since returning from the disabled list May 21, he has a 2.92 ERA, 27.4 percent strikeout rate, and 1.08 WHIP. He is coming off a career-high ten strikeout-start against the Astros, the best team in the American League with one of the most potent lineups. If he keeps pitching like this, there is a lot to be excited about for Nola.
In addition, some prospects could be making their way to the majors soon. Rhys Hoskins is the biggest candidate for a promotion, but for some reason Tommy Joseph is in the way, even though he shouldn’t be.
J.P. Crawford has been hitting well as of late and Dylan Cozens has continued to clobber home runs. Scott Kingery is perhaps the team’s best hitter in the minor-leagues this year. All could be up in September when the major-league rosters expand.
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There may still be a move or two that comes during August if players can clear trade waivers. Benoit, Daniel Nava, or another player could be on the move in a minor August deal. It wouldn’t be for a whole lot, but even the smallest trades can prove dividends down the line.