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Phillies trade rumors: Latest rumblings leading up to the trade deadline

By George Stockburger

TORONTO, ON - JULY 21: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 21, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 21: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 21, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 23: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 23: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitchers

After Zach Eflin’s rough start, the Phillies could dip into the starting pitching market despite some uneasiness.

Cole Hamels

General manager Matt Klentak has said the organization doesn’t plan on exploring the starting pitching market, calling it a “market to avoid”. 

That being said, Philadelphia did have scouts in Texas for Hamel’s most recent start, which didn’t impress anyone on hand. Hamels allowed seven runs in five innings for Texas in a 15-3 loss.  His ERA jumped to 4.72, the highest in his 13-year career.

J.A. Happ

Klentak’s words regarding the starter market echo when it comes to reuniting with Happ. While not one of the top pitchers in baseball, Happ is the best available in a weak market. He’s 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA and made his first All-Star game for Toronto, who is completely out of the playoff race.

Francisco Liriano

A surprising note in the Zolecki report is that the team had scouts at Francisco Liriano’s last start for Minnesota. That presence may have just been for Eduardo Escobar, but the 34-year-old lefty Liriano could be a low-risk addition to the back end of the rotation.

Liriano was described as “mediocre” after failing to work out of the fifth inning for the Twins while allowing three runs off six hits.

Jose Urena

It feels unlikely the Marlins would trade Urena, especially within the division. While his 2-10 record is less than flattering, it can’t be forgotten where he pitches. His numbers are average at best outside of the win/loss department, and acquiring him is a longshot in my opinion.

Next: Phillies: Power Ranking Players from 2008

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