MLB Trade Speculation: Should the Philadelphia Phillies Trade Vance Worley?

The Philadelphia Phillies have begun to distance themselves from the rest of the National League East and seem like a lock for the postseason. This team was clearly built to “win now” with the acquisitions of Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee.

The Phillies general manager, Ruben Amaro, clearly made an executive decision in the offseason that starting pitching is the top priority of this team, and they will lead them back to glory in 2011. Even with injuries to Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton, the Phillies continue to win thanks in large part to the emergence of “The Vanimal” Vance Worley.

Worley has been a diamond in the rough this season and has an ERA under 1.00 over his last five starts. Worley does not have an astounding fastball or a devastating breaking pitch, but he does locate his low-90s fastball extremely well (with movement) and has a slider that keeps hitters honest.

It seems pretty clear up to this point that hitters have not been able to track Worley’s pitches very well. In 10 starts this season, Worley is 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. 

Even more impressive is that he has only allowed 48 hits in over 62 innings. Jeff Francoeur may have called Citizens Bank Park a “bandbox,” but Worley has only allowed two homers thus far.

Phillies fans may forget that Worley’s lone loss came after he was delegated to the bullpen for nearly a month and forced to make a spot-start against the Cincinnati Reds. Worley even admitted that he began to tire after three innings in the Phillies’ 6-3 loss on May 24.

Worley has been spectacular since he has been pitching on a regular work schedule. The Phillies are clearly in pursuit of a right-handed hitter, but would it be smart to include Worley in on a deal?

ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin reported that the Phillies had scouts at the Mets game on Wednesday night, and the Mets are aware of what the Phillies have in Vance Worley. Worley has already faced the Mets three times this season and is 2-1.

The Phillies have a team that was built to go as far as their starting pitching would take them, but do they really want to see a repeat of what happened last year to the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS? Beltran would fill a huge void for the Phillies and would only improve their chances of making their third trip to the World Series in four years.

What makes Vance Worley so different than a guy like J.A. Happ? Both pitchers are projected to be a No. 3 starter at best and had great success when they first entered the majors.

Happ has struggled mightily this season with the Houston Astros, which may prove that the scouts were right about him. Will Worley have the same kind of success when opposing teams develop a book on him?

The Phillies cannot let the brilliance of Vance Worley blind them from the fact that he is a third starter at best down the line. Also, they can not balk at the chance of acquiring Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence by keeping Worley.

The Phillies tied a record for most wins before the All-Star break and seem poised to have the best record in MLB for a second straight year.

For all of the naysayers that claim the Phillies need to keep Vance Worley because their staff is too old, I’d like to remind them that they have a ton invested in Halladay and Lee for the foreseeable future, and Cole Hamels is not going anywhere.

Those three horses are more than capable of carrying this team for at least the next three seasons and then another Vance Worley—Cosart, Colvin, Biddle or May—will be ready to shine. The Phillies need to move Vance Worley if it is all that stands in the way of them acquiring a marquee name like Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence.

Let’s see if Ruben Amaro can steal the show at the trade deadline for the third year in a row, and Phillies fans will have even more of a reason to plan for another parade down Broad Street.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Beltran and Potential Landing Spots for Top 5 Players

Ten days remain until the MLB trade deadline, and some of the biggest names in baseball have been involved in rumors for weeks.

Baseball has seen some blockbuster trades at the deadline the past few seasons with names like Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Matt Holliday being shipped to teams with world championship aspirations.

Division races are heating up and some of the best teams in baseball are rumored to be pursuing top-flight talent that they believe will push their team over the top.

Which players are available, and where will they land?

Some teams have made it known that they will charge a king’s ransom for their players, so what would it take to acquire one of the names being mentioned in trade rumors?

Here are five potential landing spots for players involved in trade rumors.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 7 Ways the Team Can Thrive Without Roy Oswalt

Players continue to get injured but the Philadelphia Phillies continue to win. The team is on pace for 102 victories at this point and has shown that they are the team to beat in the National League once again.

Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee have all been dominating in 2011 and they were each rewarded with All-star selections. Roy Oswalt was the final piece of the “Four Aces” puzzle, but injuries are threatening to derail his season and possibly his career.

The Phillies have shown that they can win in the short-term without a guy that is fifth among active pitchers in career winning percentage, but can they survive the second-half of the season?

Here are seven ways the Philadelphia Phillies can not only survive, but thrive without Roy Oswalt.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Trade Options to Keep Them at the Top

The Philadelphia Phillies won both ends of a doubleheader on Wednesday to improve to 43-26. They are beginning to cushion their lead in the National East as they now sit five games ahead of the Atlanta Braves who are their closest competitors.

While teams like the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins played over their heads in the early-going, the Phillies have been the model of consistency. They have battled through a myriad of injuries and an anemic offense and finally seem to be “hitting” their stride.

The Phillies have shown us in the past that they are a second-half team. Usually their bat’s start to heat up during the summer swells.

Ruben Amaro has openly stated that the Phillies will not make any moves at the trade deadline. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported that the Phillies are right at the luxury tax threshold and that is something that the ownership will not allow their bankrolls to surpass.

Let’s take Amaro’s words with a grain of salt. It seems like he has been watching too many Andy Reid press conferences and he has become very good at hiding his intentions.

Ruben Amaro has shown that he is not afraid of acquiring the big fish at the deadline. Who could the Phillies add that would fit into their budget and make a difference?

Here are the Philadelphia Phillies top 10 trade moves to bring home another World Series.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Should They Let Brad Lidge Close When He Returns?

Brad Lidge of the Philadelphia Phillies will be forever remembered after recording the final out in the 2008 World Series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Many would argue that Lidge was the MVP of that season, as he went an incredible 48 for 48 in save opportunities.

At that time a three-year, $37.5 million contract, (plus 2012 club option) seemed like an intelligent move. But Lidge has undergone a myriad of surgeries on his knee and shoulder that have kept him off the field.

Lidge hasn’t thrown a single pitch in a game this season, due to a partial-tear in his throwing shoulder. Jose Contreras was initially given the job, but he suffered an elbow strain and it was time for the Mad Dog, Ryan Madson, to step up.

Madson blew his first save of the season on Thursday night and the national media is already asking if Brad Lidge should close when he returns.

Allow me to play devil’s advocate here.

Here’s a look at the pro’s and con’s of Brad Lidge returning to the closer’s role when he rejoins the Philadelphia Phillies roster.

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Philadelphia Phillies: The 5 Worst Free-Agent Signings in Franchise History

The Phillies have had the best record in the National League for the majority of the 2011 season. They are in the midst of the most anticipated season in the entire 121-year history of Phillies baseball.

They have four of the top 15 pitchers in baseball in Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels. They have some of the most popular players in the game in Utley, Howard, Rollins and Victorino.

This team’s core was built from the inside-out, with many of their key cogs being home-grown players. Those home-grown players helped lead the Phillies into the best decade of Phillies baseball ever. 

The Phillies kept on winning and they kept raking in the cash. Consequently, they were able to bring in some of the biggest names in the game, whether it was via trade or free agency.

We all know the offseason acquisitions that were brought in by the Phillies that made significant impacts towards the team’s success, but allow me to play GM for a moment. After all, I led the “Fire Ed Wade” chants at Citizens Bank Park and the Vet for many years.

Here are the five worst free-agent signings in Philadelphia Phillies history.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Five Solutions to the Ben Francisco Problem

The Phillies have the best record in the National League and they are on pace for 102 wins. They also have the best starting pitching in Major League Baseball.

Their bullpen has been dominant from the back-end and the lineup is showing signs of life. The Phillies have battled through a myriad of injuries thus far and are finally getting healthy.

They still have not played a single game with their projected starting lineup this season. With all of the problems and potential detractors facing this team, they keep on winning.

Any baseball fan would be kidding themselves if they did not believe the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies is a legitimate World Series contender. Some of the glaring holes on the Phillies may fix themselves with injuries, but some of their weaknesses need to be fixed internally.

Ben Francisco as the everyday starter is an issue that needs to be rectified before it is too late. A starting right fielder with a .229 batting average and a noodle for an arm is not suitable for World Series contention.

Here are the top-five solutions to the Ben Francisco problem.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Still World Series Favorite for Good Reason

This letter is a follow up to an article I wrote before the season began. This letter is again intended for all players, coaches, trainers and fans of the National League, but most importantly for the Phillies Phaithful:

Dear National League,

The Phillies currently have the best record in your league at 29-19, and they have done so without a myriad of injuries to some of their top players.

Chase Utley (until now) Brad Lidge, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton (not a bad thing), Roy Oswalt and Carlos Ruiz have all missed significant time due to injuries thus far. While some of these players may be more important than others to this team’s world title hopes, all of their time inactive can obviously play a role on a team’s W-L record.

National League, Phillies Nation still finds your tireless efforts to spark fear into the most anticipated sports season in Philadelphia history comical. The Phillies have already gone through an entire month of baseball without scoring more than three runs, but they still have played front-runners in the “extremely tough” NL East.

I still find it hard to believe that people are hating on the Phillies for not resigning Jayson Werth. Sorry National League, but we have enough corner outfielders hitting .240 for us right now.

Ruben Amaro realizes that teams are just as strong as their starting pitching, and he has built the best starting rotation in Major League Baseball.

All journalists out there, save your time and efforts. You will not stop 45,000 of the most passionate fans in sports from cramming Citizens Bank Park every game. Philadelphia fans have sold out over 145 straight games, and don’t expect that streak to stop any time soon.

Also, if you are a bit skeptical about Phillies fans being the best fans in sports, be your own judge as they will be taking over your team’s stadium when the “Phightins” are in town.

National League, I can understand why you have dedicated so much of your time into proclaiming why the Phillies will not win the World Series. If I had to face the rotation they had, I would be worried as well.

“Your pitching is already showing signs of breaking down and that will only continue over the grind of a 162-game season.”

National League, excuse me if I disagree with your sentiments. The team has three pitchers who have consistently logged over 200 innings and another who is in the best shape of his life and has done so twice already.

Even with Joe Blanton being injured and Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick making spot starts, they have combined for a record of 22-14 with a 3.16 ERA. They have averaged 6.5 innings per start.

They have only given up 285 hits in 310 innings pitched. Chew on this National League: Phillies starters have only allowed 109 earned runs in over 300 innings. I will go into battle with that in a shortened series any day, National League.

The Phillies starting five have an incredible K/9 ratio of 8.62 and a WHIP of 1.15.

Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt and Lee have warrior-type mentalities and they realize that this team may be their best chance to win (another in Hamels’ case) a World Series. The Phillies were smart to build their team around four of the top 15 starting pitchers in the game.

“Your starting pitching will break down.” Sorry National League, but I’m not buying what your selling and neither is Phillies Nation.

How should Phillies fans feel right now?

• Confident that they are the team to beat

  65.3%

• Worried about the injuries

  19.1%

• Scared by other teams in the NL

  10.8%

• Scared by other teams in the AL

  4.7%

Total votes: 277

“Your lineup obviously misses Werth and Utley is not the same player, so your offense will struggle all year long.”

National League, I would again like to point out that Mr. Werth is currently batting in the .240 range and our most valued prospect in Domonic Brown is gaining invaluable on the job training as we speak at the Major League level.

The Phillies are in the bottom eight in scoring in MLB, but their lineup has a different look it to now. Utley, Brown and a healthy Shane Victorino will provide the much needed help and balance Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard need to produce runs.

By the way National League, I remember the Phillies having a pretty poor offense last season as well. That didn’t stop the Phil’s O from having the best team batting average in the NL East (fourth in NL), the most runs scored in the NL East (second in NL) and the most home runs in the NL East (fifth in NL).

Sorry, National League, I still fail to see your point on why Phillies fans should be panicking.

“Lidge is still out until who knows, the bullpen is shaky, and your starters can’t pitch complete games every time out.”

National League, seriously? Ryan Madson is perfect in save opportunities this season thus far, and Jose Contreras was as well before he went on the Disabled List. Consequently, the Phillies are unbeaten when leading after eight innings this season. 

Halladay, Hamels, Lee and Oswalt have shown throughout their careers that they can pitch deep into games, and the Phillies bullpen has gone from a question mark to a team strength.

Antonio Bastardo, Mike Stutes and Ryan Madson have been as reliable as it gets from the back-end. Between those two and a shortened season for Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras, Philadelphia should be very confident that they five guys that can get the job done out of the ‘pen.

“The Braves and Marlins both have starting rotations that can match up in a playoff series with Philadelphia’s.”

Again National League, I fail to see your logic on that one either. None of those other rotations can boast a resume that includes 10 top-five finishes in Cy Young award voting, three actual Cy Young awards, 13 All-Star selections, six 20-win seasons, three postseason MVP awards and a 20-8 postseason record.

The Braves starting rotation has combined for a 19-15 record with a with a 3.22 ERA, pretty solid numbers (not as solid as Philadelphia). There K/9 ratio is less than the Phillies as well at 6.92.

How would the Braves match up with the Phillies in a playoff series? We know who would be pitching the first couple of games for the Phillies, as Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels have all been dominant in their respective playoff careers.

I can see the questions being raised by the few fans Atlanta does have right now. Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy all have better ERAs than Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson, the guys you would expect to be pitching the first two games of a playoff series.

They can debate all season long who will start the first two games of a playoff series, but they better make the playoffs first. The Phillies have won four straight NL East titles and have the core group of players in their clubhouse that do whatever it takes to win. 

National League, the Phillies are the best team in the NL East. The rest of the year will be a race for second.

All of this talk about Atlanta has not died down even with the Phillies having the best record n the NL. Atlanta, let’s worry about catching the Florida Marlins first.

“The Giants beat you guys in the NLCS and they will do it again with a comparable rotation and a better lineup.”

At least the Atlanta Braves being a factor in the 2011 playoffs is not being argued anymore. Onto the Giants…

The Giants play in arguably the worst division in baseball, the NL West. If you think Phillies offense has been dreadful this season, the Giants would love to have the Phillies lineup.

The Giants are 29th overall in runs scored, 24th in batting average, 25th in on-base percentage, and 23rd in slugging percentage.

Comparing those same statistics to the Phillies would look like this: 20th, 17th, 20th, 22nd. National League, those numbers seem to indicate that the Phillies have the better lineup don’t they?

Those numbers were compiled without Chase Utley and Domonic Brown—still feeling confident, San Fran?

With last year’s playoff series in mind, I’d still rather have the Phillies lineup than the Giants. Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Ibanez, Victorino, Brown and Ruiz are more potent than Torres, Sanchez, Huff, Posey, Burrell, Sandoval, Tejada and Ross, are they not?

The Giants deserve a lot of credit for winning it all last season, but they did beat the Phillies with Cody Ross and Pat Burrell playing out of their minds down the stretch. The two have come back down to earth this season. Do we really expect these two players to duplicate 2010?

National League, I still feel pretty confident with the Halladay vs. Burrell or Ross matchup. The Lee vs. Burrell or Ross ain’t too shabby either. Oswalt, Hamels vs…well you get the picture.

“The Phillies are not the team they used to be, and this is the year they miss the playoffs.”

National League, something needs to be said about the character and chemistry of this team. The city of Philadelphia has fallen in love with this core group of players for many reasons, but I will only mention three.

1. They play the game the right way. For example, people are telling Chase Utley that he needs to change the way he plays. Chase Utley only knows one speed (even to a fault)—100 mph.

2. They give 110 percent every game. Blue-collared Philadelphia loves that their baseball team plays so hard for 162 games.

3. Their best players have legendary work ethics. Enough said.

The Philadelphia Phillies are still the favorites to win the World Series, and for good reason.

Phillies fans can still remember where they were the night the Phillies beat the Rays in 2008  They can still picture what they were doing when they woke up on that Tuesday morning of Dec. 14 and heard that Cliff Lee spurned the Yankees to rejoin our beloved ballclub and give us the greatest Christmas present we ever could have dreamed of.

National League, these are the things that the Philadelphia Phillies have given their city. There is a reason why Vegas picked Philadelphia as the team to beat this season.

There is a reason why ESPN has had the Phillies in the top three in their power rankings all season (no other team can say that). They have the best pitching from top-to-bottom in Major League Baseball and a lineup filled with players that play their best when the lights shine the brightest.  

Philadelphia is still being told that their team is filled with flaws. “Their offense is inadequate, their bullpen is young and inexperienced and their manager makes horrible decisions.”

One more time Philadelphia, I say to hell with that. Let us continue to enjoy the fact that we have the team that has won the NL East four straight seasons, and has one of the greatest starting rotations (on paper) in MLB history.

A rotation where three of those four pitchers CHOSE to play in Philadelphia in front of you.

The Phillies have had the best record in the National League almost the entire season thus far. Enjoy this season Philadelphia, and don’t worry too much about all of the “haters.”

The Phillies will shut them up in October.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Solutions to Their Offensive Struggles

How great of a time in Phillies history are we in right now? The Phillies have the best record in Major League Baseball and a starting rotation that has shut out opponents seven times this season.

Phillies Nation could (should?) be checking their calenders and telling their families that no vacations are to be booked in October. The Phillies are clearly the class of the NL East, and their rotation has the potential to completely dominate the opposition four out of every five days.

But Philadelphia knows better, they have seen this before. Something needs to be done about their anemic offense. But what? Jim Salisbury wrote a terrific piece on Saturday indicating just how close the Phil’s are to the luxury tax.

The Phillies are literally “maxed out.”

How to fix the offensive struggles? How do we make sure the bats do not let us down in the playoffs like they did last year against the Giants?

Allow me to play GM for a few minutes, here are 10 solutions to the Phillies offensive struggles.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Things We Have Learned About the Phillies’ Core 4

The Phillies are currently 26-16 and still sit in first place in the NL East, despite an anemic offense. Heading into this season, the Phillies Phaithful knew that if they were to expect another parade down Broad Street, it would be led by the four aces.

Expectations have never been higher in the entire 121-year history of Philadelphia baseball. Talk radio rang out when Cliff Lee rejoined the Phillies to form: R2C2, The Phab Phour, The Phour Horsemen. Heck, even Fat Joe and the Terror Squad tee’s were selling out.

We are a quarter of the way through the season, and here are the five things we have learned about the Phillies Core Four thus far.

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