MLB Trade Rumors: Which Trade Is Best for the Philadelphia Phillies?

Before I begin let me just say that I was one of the people who believed the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t have to make a move in order to win a World Series this year.

But after watching Philadelphia face San Francisco Giants starters Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, against whom the Phillies only put up 2 runs combined, I’m ready to say I was wrong.

With Carlos Beltran in a Giants uniform, the chances of getting a bat for this line up seem to be down to two choices.

Choice number one is Hunter Pence.

If this trade is to go through, it seems as though it would have to involve top Phillies prospects Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, and Domonic Brown AND another team.

That seems like a lot of trouble, but if you have to give up Domonic Brown, I would like for it to be for Hunter Pence. Plus, you get to keep Vance Worley and are getting a 28-year-old, .300 hitter.

However, there is another likely option out there.

Choice number two is to trade those same players to San Diego for Mike Adams, Heath Bell, and Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick, like Pence, has 11 home runs and 62 RBI.

But there are two major differences: One, Ludwick is five years older than Pence, and two, he is batting only .238 this year.

However, it is hard to ignore the idea of having Bastado, Madson, Bell, Adams, and possibly Jose Contreras and Brad Lidge in our bullpen. If the Astros are not willing to part with Pence, this is a great choice.

The other choices that seemed to be out there (such as Carlos Quentin) don’t seem to be possibilities anymore.

But the question is, which is the better trade?

We are in an age in which the Phillies are about right now. There isn’t a need to prepare for the future, and that bat out of right field is what we are missing.

But at the same time, adding two quality relievers to your bullpen is something you can’t sneeze at.

Regardless, it has become obvious that if the Phillies do not want to waste the great pitching performances they have gotten out of Hamels, Lee, Halladay, and Worley, they have to make a move before the deadline.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com