That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies trade rumors: Four rental options at the trade deadline

By George Stockburger

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 18: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a first inning warm up pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 18, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 18: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a first inning warm up pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 18, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 20: Hunter Pence #24 of the Texas Rangers rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 20: Hunter Pence #24 of the Texas Rangers rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Hunter Pence

A reunion with one of the Phillies final big acquisitions from their last playoff stretch could rejuvenate the bench.

After fighting for a major league job in spring training, Hunter Pence has been lighting it up down in Arlington, hitting .316 with 10 home runs in his first 34 games for the Rangers. Texas is a team continuing to rebuild after going all in a couple of years ago with the Cole Hamels trade.

At 36-years-old Pence has no long-term role in Texas and becomes an intriguing trade chip after most teams counted him out. A two-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants, Pence brings playoff experience the Phillies need. The trade return shouldn’t be more than a mid-level prospect the Rangers can develop in their minor league system.

While not an everyday outfielder for the Phillies at this point in his career, Pence would supply power off the bench and more of a veteran presence in the locker room. Philadelphia’s bench is extremely weak with Sean Rodriguez and Phil Gosselin filling in after Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams flunked out early in the season.

Phillies pinch hitters are hitting just .165 with one home run this year, and Pence fills the role of a big bat. Could he be the 2019 version of Matt Stairs for Philadelphia?

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