Phillies Trade Rumor Updates: Scouts are Watching
The Phillies faced the Miami Marlins for four games this past week at Citizens Bank Park, and the stands were packed. Not necessarily with fans, but with scouts looking to improve their teams. With many in the minor leagues ready to take the place of Phillies veterans on the Major League roster, the Phillies will look to be active in trades.
On Wednesday night, scouts watched Jeremy Hellickson and Jeanmar Gomez make quick, easy work of the Miami Marlins. Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet reported that multiple teams were on hand:
...a number of scouts, including one from the Baltimore Orioles, were in attendance to see it. The Orioles, according to a major league source, have discussed Hellickson as an addition to their rotation. The Marlins are another team that has kicked around the idea of adding Hellickson. Surely, their interest didn’t wane after seeing his work up close.
Salisbury previously reported that scouts from San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Toronto were present, as well.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that Phillies general manager Matt Klentak and the Phillies will not be sitting still before the August 1 trade deadline:
But while he said Thursday that he would not handicap the chances of a trade before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, it would be very surprising if the Phillies remained status quo.
"We're open-minded to ways to improve our club, both for now and into the future," Klentak said.
Besides Gomez and Hellickson, outfielder Peter Bourjos has gotten some interest.
Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock appeared on The Sports Bash with Mike Gill and identified Bourjos as a "trade candidate" However, Nick Mandarano of Philliedelphia.com spoke to an AL Scout who felt that Bourjos had little trade value. Some have connected Bourjos to the White Sox, who probably will not surrender prospects of any value in their deadline deals.
Jason Stark of ESPN reports that the Phillies are looking for a Papelbon-like return in exchange for Hellickson. The Phillies received pitcher Nick Pivetta in exchange for Papelbon. Acquired while still on the lower-end of the Nationals farm system, Pivetta appears to be working out nicely for the Phillies and has a shot at the Major Leagues.
Meanwhile, some expect Carlos Ruiz to get some consideration to a contending team looking for a catcher. The Cleveland Indians are without catcher Yan Gomes for the rest of the season and have been linked to Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Teams interested in Lucroy may turn to Ruiz after Lucroy is moved.
The Phillies need a roster spot for rehabbing Aaron Altherr on Wednesday, so keep an eye on the Phillies making a move by then, lest they jeopardize another player on the 40 man roster.T
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