5 Phillies players most likely to be dealt at the trade deadline
By Paul Taylor
At 8-7 since the All Star Break, the Phillies haven't exactly been on a hot streak of late. However, they're still right in the thick of the playoff race at the time of posting and looking to strengthen the roster prior to Tuesday's 6:00 pm ET trade deadline.
The question is, will the Phillies target a big name addition, or aim slightly lower to boost the team? Speculation is understandably rife, with fans eager to find out the answer.
What we do know is it can't be all one way traffic, but who are the Phillies prepared to part company with, as they continue their quest for a second consecutive World Series appearance? Here are five players who should accept there is a genuine possibility they are about to leave Philadelphia:
NB - All statistics up to and including July 30.
Edmundo Sosa
When it comes to Edmundo Sosa, we're talking about a player who is the consummate teammate and depth player. He has appeared in 73 of the Phillies' 105 games so far this season, including 56 starts.
During his time in the Majors, one of Sosa's most valuable traits has been his versatility. He has mostly played at second base, third base and shortstop, but has also been deployed as an outfielder on ocassion.
While not considered a particularly dangerous offensive threat, it is worth noting the 27-year-old has improved since his trade last year from the Cardinals. In this respect, he has a .264/.293/.456 slash line and .749 OPS in Philadelphia.
From a financial perspective, Sosa's contract is extremely team-friendly, with him making $950,000 this season. He is arbitration eligible for three more years, before he becomes a unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2027.