Philadelphia Phillies: 4 Players Who Should Have Been Traded at the Deadline

Ruben Amaro Jr.’s fire sale of the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies has left them an aging $170 million Triple-A team, a ghost of what once was.

After trading Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton, the Phillies find themselves searching for some sort of identity. They also recently released Mike Fontenot, who was replaced by Michael Martinez from Lehigh Valley. 

If Amaro wants to complete the fire sale, there are still several pieces left on the current roster he can try to move. Older players with no upside and bad contracts still plague this team. Hopefully, some more moves will be made, allowing the Phillies to sign some big free agents for 2013.

Here are four players who should have also been moved before the July deadline.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Pitching Prospect Tyler Cloyd Having Season for the Ages

The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t had too much to be happy about this season, but down in the minor leagues, Triple-A starting pitching prospect Tyler Cloyd is having one of the best minor league seasons in Phillies’ history. Adding another win to his season on Thursday night, Cloyd threw seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing just one run. His ERA dwindled to 1.91, and his record between Double-A and Triple-A is now an unbelievable 14-1, with 11 of those wins coming for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. 

Tyler Cloyd from Bellevue, Neb., was selected in the 18th round of the 2008 first-year player draft. Going into this season, Cloyd did not break the top twenty in any of the Phillies’ best prospects lists. Now, Cloyd is having the best season out of any other pitcher in all the minor leagues. 

So far in 2012, Tyler was an Eastern League (Double-A) and International League (Triple-A) player of the week, and he has also pitched in the International League All-Star Game. Cloyd currently leads the International League in ERA, wins and shutouts, and he is second in WHIP.

Tyler has made everyone in the Phillies’ organization turn their heads, and they’re not looking away. With Joe Blanton entering free agency, Cloyd has pitched himself into being one of the leading candidates to assume Blanton’s role in the 2013 Phillies’ starting rotation. If Cloyd can keep up this kind of production, we will see him in Philadelphia before the season ends. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Deadline Trades the Phillies Could Make to Get Younger

The 2012 Major League Baseball trade deadline is only a matter of hours away. After the Philadelphia Phillies‘ abysmal showing this weekend against the Atlanta Braves, it is beyond clear that this team, as is, cannot be a winning ball club.

With their playoff hopes for 2012 almost eradicated and the time for change being now, the Phillies must get younger—a lot younger.

There are clear holes in this $170 million last-place team, and some—if not most—of those holes can be addressed. Third base, left field, center field, middle relief and most recently the starting rotation all need a shot in the arm.

Phillies veterans are showing their age. Ruben Amaro Jr. must take control and make some serious changes if the Phillies wish to compete in 2013 and beyond.

Out with the old and in with the new.

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5 Trade Deadline Moves to Better the Philadelphia Phillies for 2012 and Beyond

With the 2012 trade deadline rearing its ugly head, the Philadelphia Phillies have a little over four days to improve their club for a late season push. With Cole Hamels locked up for the next six to seven years, Phillies nation can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, there are still several voids on their current 25-man roster that need to be addressed for this season and the foreseeable future.

With a farm system that has been virtually depleted with recent acquisitions, the Phillies need to look outside the organization for help, unless they are willing to role the dice on prospects like Domonic Brown.

Furthermore, with Cole Hamel’s $144 million deal, one or more of the Phillies players must be on the move to free up some money.  

Middle relief, third base and two outfield positions are all a cause for concern, but with a trade or two the Phillies may be in the position to fill those roles.  

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MLB Trade Speculation: 5 Philadelphia Phillies Upgrade Options in the Outfield

As the July trade deadline looms, the Philadelphia Phillies will continue to shop the major league market to upgrade their current corner outfield situation.

The Phillies are in need of a right-handed bat to break up their abundance of left-handed hitters. The team is missing the right-handed power of Jayson Werth, who signed a mega-deal with the Washington Nationals.

With Raul Ibanez on the brink of 39 years of age and his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Phillies may choose to address the future of left field sooner rather than later.  Raul’s defensive ability and overall plate consistency have been an issue the majority of the 2011 season.

Over the past few years, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has pulled a rabbit out of a hat and brought big names to Philadelphia. Reports indicate the Phillies may be strapped for cash, but if a big opportunity knocks at their door it will tough for the Phillies not to extend themselves.

Hopefully Ruben can make a splash and help the Phillies make a deep run into October.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Grading Every Player so Far This Season

As the Philadelphia Phillies approach the final series of the first half the 2011 Major League Baseball season, the Phillies find themselves with the best record in all of baseball at 55-33.

This weekend’s series with the Atlanta Braves may be turn out to be one of the most important series of the entire season.

Lucky for the Phillies, they will throw all three of their All-Star pitchers; Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.

The 2011 season has been filled with searing highs and lonely lows, but the Phightin’ Phils have persevered holding a 2.5 lead in the NL East over the Atlanta Braves.

Here are the grades for the core Phillies players so far this season.

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World Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies VS. Boston Red Sox

Starting Tuesday of next week, one of the most anticipated series of the 2011 season comes to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The majority of MLB analyst believe that the June series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox will be a preview of the 2011 World Series.

Here is how the clubs line up as of June 25: The Philadelphia Phillies have the best record in baseball at 48-29 and the Boston Red Sox rank second and are right on their tail with a record of 44-31.

As far as pitching is concerned, the Phillies rank first in MLB in ERA at 3.06 and quality starts with 51. They are third in WHIP 1.19 and sixth in BAA .242. Also, three of their starting pitchers have over eight wins. Cole Hamels go for a major league-leading 10th win this evening.

The Boston Red Sox pitching staff is having a slightly above average season. They are currently ranked 20th in ERA 3.98, 23rd in quality starts with 38, eighth in WHIP 1.28 and a BAA of .239 which ranks fifth in MLB. Josh Beckett leads the Red Sox pitching staff. His ERA this season is 1.86, which is one of the best ERAs is baseball.

Now for the offense. This is an area that the Philadelphia Phillies must improve if they even want to get to the 2011 World Series. They are getting little to no production from their corner outfielders and find themselves at the bottom of almost every offensive category.

They currently rank 14th in runs scored with 316, rank 20th in BA at .246, 15th in OBP .320 and 22nd in SLG at a weak .375. If the Phillies wish to compete with the Red Sox, one or two runs a game will simply not cut it.

Boston ranks first in almost every single offensive category in all of MLB. They are currently first in runs (401), BA (.279), OBP (.353), total bases (1,178), RBI (378), OPS (.801) and SLG (.448). There isn’t more I can really say. This team is the best offense in baseball by a long shot.

This series will be the classic big arms vs big bats. Tune in starting next Tuesday, June 28 to find out if great pitching can beat great hitting.

Here are the predicted starting pitchers for each game:

Tuesday: Josh Becket vs Cliff Lee 

Wednesday: John Lackey vs Vance Worley

Thursday: Jon Lester vs Cole Hamels

With the Phillies off day Monday, the starters for the second two games could be changed with the recent injury to Roy Oswalt. Spot starter Kyle Kendrick could be thrown into one of those games.

Look for these three games to be as exciting as any regular season game this season. It will be a playoff like atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. Don’t miss out.

ESPN 2 will be broadcasting the Wednesday night game starting at 7:05 EST.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Things They Must Do to Stay on Top of the NL East

As the trade deadline approaches Ruben Amaro Jr. and Charlie Manuel have a lot to talk about in regards to there bullpen and corner outfielders.

The Atlanta Braves are only four games back and show no signs of slowing down.

The Phillies have several players in the minor leagues who can help the bullpen like Phillippe Aumont and Justin De Fratus.

A corner outfielder is imperative, the bottom of the Phillies has been absolutely terrible and a change is imminent. None have the players they currently have are helping the team win games.

It is time for Ruben Amaro to shake things up in Philadelphia.

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Philadelphia Phillies: The Top 5 Phillies of All Time

In over 100 years of existence, the Philadelphia Phillies have had many great players over the years. The Phillies franchise has two World Championships and 10 Eastern Division titles. 

We can thank great players for these titles, without them the city of Philadelphia would never had the chance to see the city streets packed with fans for a parade down Broad Street.

The Phillies have a great history and it is something fans can truly be proud of.

Here are the top Philadelphia Phillies off all time.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Players That Could Be Gone Come the July Trade Deadline

As the July trade deadline nears, The Philadelphia Phillies will be looking to move current players to relieve some salary and acquire a much-needed corner outfielder.

There are several Phillies and players in Triple-A Lehigh Valley that could be combined to obtain a quality right-handed bat. The Phillies need help in both right and left field. Raul Ibanez’ career is over, Domonic Brown is still getting acclimated to the major leagues and Ben Francisco is not an everyday major league player.

The Phillies have an abundance of first base talent in the minor leagues and could use them as a throw-in to seal a deal.

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