Five players the Phillies could trade for at the deadline

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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 18: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits an hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on April 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Orioles 6-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

51 games into the season, the MLB trade deadline is just two months away, so who will the Phillies be targeting come late July?

The MLB trade deadline. That time of year where the Phillies trade away the last remaining pieces of the old dynasty or ship out those veterans they brought on just to send them out to playoff contenders.

At least that is how it has been the last couple years. But times have changed. Now 50 games into the season the Phillies are seven games over .500 and are in the heat of the NL East race. With a roster far from complete, they have buyers written all over them.

So who will the Phillies target? Matt Klentak has built a solid roster and will likely target a big bat and pitching help for the rotation and the bullpen. Here are five players the Phillies could target come July.

CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Orioles 3-2, (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Zach Britton – LHP, Baltimore Orioles

Hector Neris has not been the same reliever we saw last season. A 1-3 record is matched with a 4.50 ERA while going 9-for-12 in save opportunities. Manager Gabe Kapler has mixed up his bullpen usage during Neris’s struggles.

Closing games during the dog days of summer will be very crucial for the Phillies playoff hopes and Britton is one of the best in the game. He has yet to play this season due to injury. He had a shortened year last season as well, but still impressed with a 2.89 ERA and 15 saves. That seems mediocre however compared to his 2014-2016 tear in which he went 9-4 with 120 saves and a 1.38 ERA.

The Phillies have a major lack of left-handed arms which increases the need for a pitcher like Britton on the roster. He has been a consistent force out of the Orioles bullpen and could fill a major hole in the bullpen.

ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 27: Kelvin Herrera #40 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 27, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Royals won 5-3. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Kelvin Herrera – RHP, Kansas City Royals

Another reliever. The bullpen has been good despite their best pitcher, Pat Neshek, being out for the entirety of the season. On the other hand, you can never have too many strong relievers, and Herrera would be a great one to add.

Hererra is another great reliever on a struggling team. A career 2.77 ERA pitcher, he is in the midst of a career year. He is 11-12 on save opportunities to go along with a sub 1.00 ERA.

Potentially similar to the acquisition of Jake Arrieta, the former World Series champion Herrera while adding a large skill set would also add value with his postseason experience. Both Herrera and Britton will likely be dealt from their struggling clubs and should be bolded names on Matt Klentak’s want list.

ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 27: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 27, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Cole Hamels – LHP, Texas Rangers

Bring home Hollywood. The then-playoff hopeful Texas Rangers acquired Cole Hamels from the rebuilding Phillies back in 2015. Now the roles have flipped as the Rangers sit in the cellar of the AL West while Philadelphia has burst onto the scene this year.

Since leaving Philadelphia, Hamels has gone 36-17 with a solid 3.68 ERA, making an All-Star appearance in 2016.

Hamels ended his nine and a half year long career as a Phillie with a bang, throwing a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs in his final start in the red pinstripes. He was a dominant pitcher in his tenure with the Phillies and could make a potential return this summer.

The Phillies do not have a single left-handed starter on the team. Starters 3-5 have been question marks, having great outings, but also poor ones as well. With the still-injured, Jerad Eickhoff it is uncertain what the rotation could look like come October and Hamels would be a great arm to bring back.

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 26: Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning on May 26, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Brandon Crawford – SS, San Francisco Giants

This is almost as interesting as it is unlikely. The Giants parting ways with Brandon Crawford is a long shot, but not completely unrealistic. While still playing at an elite level, Crawford is 31 years old.

More from That Balls Outta Here

The Giants might not want to acknowledge it, but their dynasty is nearing an end. The once elite pieces are aging and losing value. Madison Bumgardner is hurt, Buster Posey has two home runs and 16 RBI in 42 games, Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen are both hitting under .250 and there lowest ERA amongst eligible pitchers is 4.73. All this while the Giants sit three games 37 games below .500 since the start of last season.

Crawford is hitting .315 with 6 home runs and 23 RBI this year. He has won the NL Gold Glove each of the last three seasons.

While it is too early to give up on J.P Crawford (.188 AVG) and Scott Kingery (.221 AVG), if Philadelphia wants to contend this season it is not unrealistic to think they could try to upgrade at shortstop. Speaking off upgrading at short…

ST PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 27: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles exits the field after scoring in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles on May 27, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Manny Machado – SS, Baltimore Orioles

The hottest commodity come July will be Manny Machado. It seems like the Phillies will be in a battle with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs to land the superstar shortstop. Machado is a hot trade piece this season and is also a leading member of the loaded 2018-2019 free agency class. The Phils could try to land him in July and keep him around for years to come.