The Pros and Cons of Phillies’ Trading
As we enter the final days of July, rumors are swirling for buyers, sellers and still-deciding front offices, while the Philadelphia Phillies study the market and the rosters of potential deal-making partners.
Guidelines for Deadlines:
Like anything in life, some things are good and others are not, but expectations without a margin for error will usually not come to fruition.
To understand the wheeling and dealing between now and July 31, view the standings for each club’s situation. Currently, many franchises are selling rather than acquiring: a buyer’s market. However, the Milwaukee Brewers – an exception for a first-place team – want to protect their farm products because they entered 2017 with plans to continue rebuilding by swapping their remaining veterans. But the Chicago Cubs, a divisional competitor, just added a left-handed starter for four prospects because their window of opportunity is wide open. Meanwhile, some clubs are still deciding, others want to reload for next summer, the ones behind them are selling, and the no-doubters are bringing up the rear.
With many organizations unwilling to part with top prospects for a borderline shot at the postseason, their execs aren’t deciding quickly. Ergo, the competition between the remaining franchises is already leading to early moves. Some contenders will overpay now to finalize an agreement for a major piece. But fifth starters, setup men, regulars and reserves enhance a 25-slot roster to strengthen playoff squads.
Regarding the Philadelphia Phillies, general manager Matt Klentak has five veterans to motivate other GMs: Jeremy Hellickson, Pat Neshek, Joaquin Benoit, Howie Kendrick and Daniel Nava. Basically, pitching is always valuable after the All-Star break: Adding a starter or an experienced late-inning arm has importance for postseason hopefuls. However, the Phils will probably pay a large portion of some contracts – in a sense – to purchase minor leaguers. And they’ll accept less within reason because the commitments for their five vets will end this season. Translation: best offer.
Figuring the replacements for traded players, Klentak has Nick Williams for left field, Ben Lively for the rotation and four possibilities for the bullpen from the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs to finish out the campaign. Good luck, Bob! Lehigh Valley also has outfielders who could join the parent club after a Nava deal. But whether Williams struggles or not, right fielder Dylan Cozens is the best possibility to fill the Phils’ need for a left-side bat with power to separate the long-ball threats at the corner infield positions.
Klentak has an entire department to flesh out the needs of every organization and scouts to evaluate the potential pieces in many farm systems. But even he will not have possession of every detail. In other words, competitors’ strategy. So, he may proceed quickly in some cases and hold out until the last week of July in others. Yes, the hardest part for any writer is to unearth the timing.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Building a baseball team is like building a house. You look for the best architects, the best builders – and then you let them do their jobs.” – “Stand Pat” Gillick
With five veterans to swap, Klentak has his priorities, and the so-called placeholders are secondary: alternatives needing a tempting proposal. On the other hand, dealing a catcher doesn’t work because the job is still up for grabs, and the infield either has a producer or no replacement. And while the outfield looks better than last year, two have claimed spots without cementing them.
If you review the first-half stars in the pipeline like Rhys Hoskins, you may feel he’s ready for the majors now, but Tommy Joseph is blocking him at first base. Meanwhile, Cozens would have no difficulty finding playing time in right field and hitting between Maikel Franco and Joseph. As for Scott Kingery, the second sacker must prove he can handle Triple-A pitching for more than 16 games and 64 at-bats. And lastly, because receiver Jorge Alfaro hasn’t stood out since April, Andrew Knapp is getting a shot behind the plate.
Between rallies at the Bank by either team, two fans discussed their expectations. One remembered a sports column where the scribe had stated fans are just being fans: They get up or down by the current play of their hometown nine. Yeah, he said we see the Phillies’ moves based on what the regular’s overall numbers are, but execs also have interest in their current performance.
As the innings passed by comfortably, one mentioned “Uncle Charlie” Manuel’s belief that the game is 40 percent luck. Yeah, and that writer pointed out how it applies to signing free agents and making trades too. He had wondered in his article – the fan continued – how Klentak can bring in six players and the faithful expect every one to be successful. But the GM – his friend stated – has no way of knowing if a player will be healthy, which is why Klentak expects half will work out and not suffer an injury or be ineffective.
According to the eye test, Joseph had a poor April, while Hoskins captured the fans’ imagination. Now, they appear to resent Joseph for blocking Hoskins – perhaps subconsciously for some. Clearly, Hoskins is their favorite. But the IronPig was in a slump before the first half ended, and he must rebound to receive consideration for a call-up. So far, he’s four for 15 with two RBI in four second-half contests.
ON THE OTHER HAND: “My label in Toronto was ‘Stand Pat’ and I think that was a fair assessment. I tried to be patient, but if a trade came along – big or small – that I thought should be made, I would make it.” – “Stand Pat” Gillick
July stats:
- Hoskins: 12 Gms., 42 AB, .190, 1 HR and 5 RBI.
- Joseph: 12 Gms., 45 AB, .244, 2 HR and 5 RBI.
Next: The Whys for a Phillies' Turnaround
When you take a realistic approach to managing a roster, you keep the regulars who are performing. Hopefully, they’ve shown they can handle major league pitching, not just Triple-A: Joseph has. But while some want a spot for Hoskins, Joseph is your cleanup hitter and biggest power threat. Trade him?