Phillies Linked to Moustakas, Hand, Fulmer in Latest Trade Rumors
We are now less than 24 hours from the month of July, and in major league baseball that means trade rumors. With the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaching, teams are actively looking for ways to upgrade their rosters. According to a couple reports, it appears that the Phillies are active on multiple fronts looking to improve their club for a playoff run.
First, the San Diego Padres are reportedly getting interest on left-handed reliever Brad Hand, currently the team's closer. Jon Heyman of Fancred sports links the Phillies to the Padres:
The Padres are marketing Brad Hand as one of the very best relief pitchers in the game – in fact, second best to Josh Hader – so it’s no surprise that for the second year in a row they have a very high price tag on him.
The Padres have talked to many teams, mostly about their pitching, and are expected to be extremely active as we near the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Phillies are said to be among the teams they’ve talked to.
Also of interest to the Phillies could be Padres relievers Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates.
Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that the Phillies have "checked in" on Detroit Tigers starter Michael Fulmer. While Fulmer remains a talented young pitcher, he has struggled so far in 2018. It remains to be seen if Tigers look to move him for more assets, such as when the Phillies traded a young Ken Giles for multiple prospects. But Fulmer has struggled and the Tigers probably will not want to sell low.
At NBC Sports Philadelphia, Jim Salisbury writes that scouts from the Kansas City Royals have been watching the Phillies farm system. Salisbury writes:
According to a baseball source, Phillies and Royals officials have had discussions about Moustakas and Royals scouts have been peeking in on prospects in the Phillies' minor-league system in advance of a possible deal.
Moustakas would give the Phillies an immediate replacement for third baseman Maikel Franco, who appears to have fallen out of favor with the Phillies.
Additionally, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com says that the Texas Rangers believe they have the momentum towards a Cole Hamels trade that he could be traded prior to the All-Star break. Morosi identifies the Seattle Mariners as a team who has discussed Hamels with the Rangers. That does not rule out other teams.
While many have speculated that Hamels is a fit with the Phillies, who lack a left-handed starter, there has been little linking the two teams as of this point.