Here are the names to watch for in Phillies trade rumors as they approach the July 31 trade deadline
Despite competing for a National League East crown the Phillies are in desperate need of help going into the final two months of the season, drawing all the Phillies trade rumors you could imagine.
Their bench needs an overhaul, they could use a veteran set-up arm, and another starting pitcher could be the difference in a game three scenario come playoff time.
We’ve compiled a list of names connected to Philadelphia and whether they do or don’t fit into the club’s short and long-term plans. Some players may be too pricey for the Phillies to add, so we make that note as well.
Here are players who have been connected to the Phillies throughout the trade season and where they stand.
Relivers
Perhaps the Phillies biggest need, here are the relievers being mentioned in the latest Phillies trade rumors.
Zach Britton
After being a hot name in the Zach Britton conversation this month the Phillies have apparently drifted off of the Orioles closer. Recent reports from Ken Rosenthal, Jim Bowden, and others have the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Brewers heavily connected to Britton with a week until the deadline.
Indications are the price is too high for Britton for the Phillies to bite, especially with the return of Pat Neshek solidifying the back end of the bullpen.
Don’t completely rule the Phillies out on Britton or any other star reliever, but they’ve appeared to turn their focus away from the 30-year-old lefty.
Jake Diekman
The first of several players mentioned as candidates to reunite with the Phillies in all the Phillies trade rumors is Jake Diekman, who was sent to Texas along with Cole Hamels in 2015 at the deadline.
Diekman lost all but 11 games last year following three colon surgeries in the offseason and early into the regular season. He’s bounced back this year with a 3.28 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 43 appearances for Texas.
Keone Kela
Rangers closer Keone Kela was mentioned in a recent report from Todd Zolecki as someone the team had watched recently. Kela is perfect in save opportunities this season with 23 saves and a 3.18 ERA this year.
Kela’s biggest knock is his inability to pitch to lefties this year with a wide split in 36 games. Lefties are hitting .308 with two home runs while righties hit .123 with no home runs.
The 25-year-old is an under the radar name to watch for at the deadline.
Outfielders
Someone needs to replace Aaron Altherr as the number four outfielder on this Phillies club.
Curtis Granderson
Granderson is a name we highlighted earlier this month as a cheap rental and fourth outfielder for the Phillies. His name has come up in reports as someone the Phillies would like to add.
At 37-years-old Granderson would likely replace Aaron Altherr on the bench after Altherr’s demotion this week. He’s hitting just .230 this season with nine home runs, a slight upgrade to Altherr.
There isn’t much commotion surrounding Granderson other than the one report, but it makes sense on multiple angles.
Derek Dietrich
This name came as a surprise in the Rosenthal report following Altherr’s demotion, but it makes sense. Dietrich has played across the diamond with at least 100 starts at second, third, and left field and 37 games at first.
He’s hitting .287 with 13 home runs this year and could platoon with Nick Williams in right or Maikel Franco at third. He’s under team control for two more seasons, increasing his value for Miami dramatically.
Infielders
After failing to get Manny Machado from the Orioles, here are a handful of infielders mentioned.
Eduardo Escobar
Minnesota pulled Escobar Monday night but manager Paul Molitor said it wasn’t related to a trade.
Escobar leads baseball in doubles, but he would sacrifice Scott Kingery’s development time at shortstop should the Phillies acquire him. He’s another player on an expiring deal, so adding him would just be as a rental.
Asdrubal Cabrera
Cabrera is another rental shortstop the Phillies have been connected to in recent days. The Mets infielder has made it known he wants to play second base, which could be an issue internally. Would he sacrifice that wish to be in a division race that could turn into a pennant chase?
Mike Moustakas
Given Maikel Franco’s recent success, hitting .337 with six doubles and seven home runs in his last 30 games, there’s a less chance Moustakas is a realistic trade candidate. Before Franco stepped up this move made sense, adding a veteran power bat with playoff experience. Now their numbers are so much alike that the move won’t be worth it for Philadelphia.
Whit Merrifield
Moustakas’s teammate hasn’t gotten as much buzz, but his name came up about two weeks ago in Phillies trade rumors. Whit Merrifield would be a super utility man in Philadelphia hitting just under .300 with speed and little power. Not much buzz has remained around him in recent days, but it’s a name to watch given his experience at second and in the outfield.
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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