Phillies Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee and Joe Blanton Being Shopped by Phils

It seems like just a few days ago when the Philadelphia Phillies had decided not to shop Cliff Lee at this season’s trade deadline.

Oh, that’s right.  According to a recent article by Jon Heyman on CBSSports.com, it was just a few days ago.

However, with less than two days to go until the non-waiver trade deadline, Lee’s future with the Phillies is at least a little less certain.

According to a tweet by Buster Olney, Lee’s name has been involved in trade talks today, and the Texas Rangers may still be a likely destination.

Following the recent six-year contract extension signed by Cole Hamels, the Phillies are set to pay three starting pitchers more than $60 million next season, while likely exceeding the luxury tax threshold both this season and next.

Lee, whose salary is soon to increase to $25 million per year, could be moved so as to free up money to find players for third base, left field, center field and the bullpen.

Although Lee is just 1-6 this season with a 3.95 ERA, he is still just one season removed from finishing third in National League Cy Young voting.

Lee is owed nearly $98 million for the remainder of his contract.   Would a team such as the Rangers be willing to pay most of it?  How much of Lee’s salary would they ask the Phillies to pay?

Meanwhile, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com has written that the Baltimore Orioles are interested in acquiring Joe Blanton, who is set to become a free agent after this season.

Blanton is 8-9 with 115 strikeouts and a 4.59 ERA this season.  Despite the high ERA, Blanton has walked just 18 batters this season and has pitched two complete games.

Would the Orioles be willing to take on Blanton’s salary for the remainder of the season in hopes of claiming a wild-card spot in the American League?

Furthermore, would the Phillies trade two members of their starting rotation this close to the trade deadline?

Trading one pitcher would give the Phils the option to call up Tyler Cloyd from Triple-A.

Cloyd has gone 10-1 with 73 strikeouts and a 1.98 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A this season.  Combined between Double-A and Triple-A, Cloyd is 13-1 with a 1.94 ERA and has held opponents to a .218 batting average this season.

Even if the Phillies do not move a starter at the deadline, Blanton’s free agency means the team will need at least one new starter in the rotation next season.

After going 1-4 with a 6.96 ERA in six starts in June, Kyle Kendrick may be better suited for the bullpen.

Calling up Cloyd will allow the Phils a glimpse into what their rotation could look like next season.  If Cloyd pitches well, the Phillies’ rotation could be set as long as only one starter is traded at the deadline.  If he struggles, finding another starter could be added to the team’s offseason task list.

Blanton may be the more likely of the two current Phillies starters to be traded prior to the deadline, but freeing up payroll heading into the offseason could give the team more flexibility when it comes to mapping out the offseason strategy.

Trading Lee this close to the deadline, however, could be a risky move.  Trading a player such as Lee could cut payroll, improve the farm system and even help the Phils acquire current major league contributors.

However, rushing such a move could also be detrimental if the right deal is not reached.

With less than two days to go until the trade deadline, the Phillies are seemingly exploring all options.

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Philadelphia Phillies Must Wait Until Offseason to Make Major Moves

As the trade deadline nears, the Philadelphia Phillies have yet to buy or sell any roster pieces to either improve on this season’s standings or prepare for next year.

However, the Phillies best move may be to wait until the offseason to fully get the team back on track for a postseason run.

A three game losing streak leading up to the trade deadline certainly doesn’t help the Phils case to be buyers, while being just one season removed from winning a franchise record number of games and a fifth consecutive National League East title make trading away key players difficult to see happening.

But that hasn’t stopped the thinking that players such as Cliff Lee and Hunter Pence are available, as Joel Sherman recently tweeted.

Following Cole Hamels’ long-term contract, the team could move both Lee and Pence in order to gain back payroll for other moves.  As of now, the Phils payroll is likely to exceed the luxury tax threshold this season and next.  Trading Lee and his contract and avoiding paying Pence an increased salary after this season would help the Phillies spend money on other positions before exceeding the tax threshold.

However, trading either player days before the trade deadline would not help the Phillies find the right deals for improving the team in future seasons.

A recent article by Bob Brookover on philly.com contains a quote from Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., on the effects of trade deadline deals on next season.

“I don’t think we’re going to do anything before July 31 to fill all the holes that we might have in 2013,” Amaro said.  “That’s not going to happen.  We’ve got plenty of time to try to work through that.”

With potential replacements or improvements needed in the starting rotation, left field, center field, third base and the bullpen, the Phillies are going to need all of that time.

The Phillies don’t have to trade players such as Lee and Pence at the deadline simply to avoid paying the luxury tax this season, as players with lesser salaries can be moved to accomplish that.

But trading Lee and Pence could provide the Phillies with a combination of a lowered payroll, minor league additions and/or major league contributors.

Moving players like Lee and Pence could be the Phillies best chance to have next season resemble 2011 more so than the current season.  This is why the Phils must wait until the offseason if they are going to make major moves.

Trading Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton would allow the Phillies to obtain either current major league players or minor league prospects, which would help the team obtain value since both players are set to become free agents anyway.

Trading Lee would mean that the Phillies will have to replace 40 percent of their starting rotation for next season, while trading Pence could mean that the team needs three new starters in the outfield.  Trades involving both of these players could still prove to be good moves, but not this close to the trade deadline.

Furthermore, the trade deadline could primarily consist of non-contending teams trading away talent to contending teams for either average major league talent or minor league prospects.

During the offseason, however, the Phillies could have far more teams interested in acquiring talent in order to improve next season after missing the postseason this year.

At the deadline, a player such as Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres could be a third base option that is available.  However, as Jerry Crasnick recently tweeted, the Padres appear willing to hold on to Headley if trade offers don’t improve.  The Phillies shouldn’t give up high ranking prospects once again, and a deal involving Pence for Headley doesn’t make much sense.

Not to mention, it could be difficult to trade away players while also acquiring a third baseman for the future.

But what about in the offseason? 

A team such as the Texas Rangers has already been rumored to have had interest in Lee, as Danny Knobler recently wrote on CBSSports.com.

But the Rangers also have Josh Hamilton who is set to become a free agent after this season.  If the team doesn’t sign him to a long-term deal, would they be interested in acquiring an outfielder?  Would they have interest in Pence at that point?

These types of scenarios can take place during the offseason and provide the Phillies with many more opportunities to find the right deals for improving the team both currently and in the future.

If the Phils are going to move Lee, Pence or any other player who is signed past next season and who has made major contributions to the team, they must make sure that any deal allows them to cement their status as perennial contenders.

When it comes to making major moves, the Phillies must wait until the offseason.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Will Injuries to Ruiz and Polanco Ruin Run at Postseason?

While Chase Utley and Ryan Howard began the season on the disabled list, players such as Hunter Pence, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino were expected to guide the Philadelphia Phillies offense until the team’s lineup was healthy.

Instead, Carlos Ruiz and his .350 batting average during the first-half of the regular season led the Phils and earned him his first trip to the All-Star Game.

Now that the Phillies have seen these players return to the lineup, a run at the postseason during the second half may not be out of the question.

However, an injury to Ruiz would certainly put a damper on any optimism.

As an article by Matt Gelb on philly.com explains, Ruiz currently has mild plantar fasciitis.  Gelb writes that the injury began affecting him during the team’s recent series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which started nearly two weeks ago.  Ruiz has sat in two of the Phillies’ past three games.

The article notes that Ruiz has seen improvement with the injury.  But could its timing have implications on the Phils’ attempt at a postseason run?

For the month of July, the Phillies’ team batting average is the lowest of any month this season, and ranks as the second lowest average in the National League.

Ruiz’s batting average in July is also his lowest in any month this season.  Furthermore, in the past week, Ruiz is batting .267.  His average has been on the decline since the Phillies’ final game in their series against the Dodgers.

Ruiz’s injury may be the cause of the recent decrease, but that doesn’t make its timing any better.

Despite playing one of the most demanding positions on the field, Ruiz has still played in the third highest number of games for the Phils this season.  With Brian Schneider already on the disabled list, the Phillies have had to rely on Erik Kratz as of late in Ruiz’s absence. 

Although he played large roles in the team’s recent four-game win streak, he’s also already eclipsed his previous career high for games played after appearing in 11 games this season.

However, the Phils may not have as solid an injury fill-in for third base.

Placido Polanco is currently on the disabled list with an injury to his back, which means Ty Wigginton has continued to see playing time at third base.

Although he’s played in one-third the amount of games at third base this season as he did last year, he’s already made twice as many errors.

Mike Fontenot has also made two errors in nine starts at the position, including one recently against the Atlanta Braves that led to a run in a Phillies loss.

According to fangraphs.com, Polanco’s UZR of 2.9 ranks third among NL third baseman who have played in at least 600 innings this season.

Despite batting well below his career average this season, Polanco’s defense at third base could be what the Phillies miss in his absence.

Between Ruiz attempting to play through injury and continue to lead the offense, and Polanco’s missing glove at third base, the Phillies have been hit by two more injuries at an inopportune time.

Of course, they’re not nearly as detrimental as the injuries to Utley, Howard and Roy Halladay.

If rest doesn’t help Ruiz’s foot injury and he lands on the disabled list, the Phillies could be forced to use Erik Kratz and Ty Wigginton as starters at catcher and third base, respectively, as they try to make a run at the postseason.

If the Phillies were having a difficult time making up ground in the standings prior to more injuries, chances are they will have a harder time if Ruiz and Polanco are out for an extended period of time.

At 11.5 games back in the wild card standings, the Phillies need their starting lineup healthy now more than ever.

Although making a run at the postseason will be difficult either way, missing a crucial part of their offense and defense for an extended period of time would only make things harder down the stretch for the Phillies.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Why the Phils Shouldn’t Deal Hunter Pence to the Giants

It seems like just a few days ago that nearly every Philadelphia Phillies player could be acquired in the right deal.

Of course, signing an All-Star pitcher to a long-term extension and winning four straight games leading up to the trade deadline can change things.

But that has not, however, stopped teams from displaying their interest in certain players.

According to a recent tweet by Jon Morosi, the San Francisco Giants could make a run at Hunter Pence if the Phillies decide to deal him prior to the trade deadline.

With Hamels in the fold long term, the Phillies’ payroll for this season and next is expected to exceed the $178 million luxury-tax threshold.  Additionally, Pence is likely to receive a salary increase through arbitration, as he is still signed through next season.  Therefore, moving Pence could make sense to give the Phillies payroll flexibility this season and next.

But trading him to the San Francisco Giants?  Not a good idea.

For one, the Phillies are currently 14.5 games back in the National League East and 10.5 games back in the wild-card standings.  The Giants, meanwhile, currently have a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

However, both the Phillies and Giants could have a tough battle in their respective divisions going forward due to the teams near the top of the standings.

The Washington Nationals, who are in first place in the NL East, have a roster that features a starting rotation that has the best ERA in the NL.  Combined with a roster that also features a great deal of young talent, the Nationals could be in contention for NL East titles beyond this season. 

This means that the wild-card playoff spots could come into play for the Phillies until they are able to add young talent to their lineup.

Meanwhile, new ownership for the Dodgers has already showed a willingness to spend money, as they have recently acquired Hanley Ramirez from the Miami Marlins.  The Giants seemingly have their own perennial competition for a division title, and a wild-card spot could also come into play.

If the Phillies were to trade Pence to the Giants, they could be trading an All-Star outfielder to a team they will be in direct competition with for a wild-card spot both this season and next.

Furthermore, trading Pence to the Giants would essentially mean the Phillies are preparing more so for next season, although they just made their task more difficult.

The Giants could have added incentive to try and acquire Pence since they currently have two outfielders set to hit free agency after this season in Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera.

The team’s farm system, however, is likely lacking pieces that would intrigue the Phillies enough to trade their starting right fielder. 

Between trading an All-Star outfielder to a team that already has a .261 batting average, which ranks fourth in the NL, and improving a team that they could be in direct competition with for a wild-card spot this season and next, any offer from the Giants would have to blow the Phils away.

Chances are a deal with the Giants wouldn’t provide the Phillies with enough value to make the trade.

Trading Pence could still be an option for the Phils as they look to lower their payroll this season and avoid paying the luxury tax.  But with Shane Victorino set to become a free agent after this season, the Phillies would need to replace their entire starting outfield if they deal Pence. 

That doesn’t mean a deal won’t happen, but the Phillies will need to be swept off their feet to make the trade.

And making a trade with the Giants will make a run at the postseason that much harder this season and next.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Phils Could Wait Until August to Trade Shane Victorino

The non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching for teams that are looking at acquiring players for a postseason run.

However, the trading doesn’t have to stop next week. It’ll just get a little more complicated.

After the non-waiver trade deadline passes, teams will still have an additional month to trade players through the waiver system. 

Through the reverse order of the standings, each day teams will have the opportunity to claim players who have been placed on waivers. The team with the worst record that claims a player will then have a limited amount of time to work out a deal, otherwise the player will be taken off waivers and can no longer be traded.

As teams have proven in past seasons, waiver wire acquisitions can play large roles in postseason play.

For the Philadelphia Phillies, could keeping Shane Victorino for a few additional weeks and then placing him on waivers help the team more than settling for a deal at the non-waiver trade deadline?

An article by Jayson Stark on ESPN.com contains a quote from an executive who talked to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.

One executive who spoke with GM Ruben Amaro Jr. reports, “I don’t even think Ruben knows what he’s going to do.”

Well, it doesn’t sound like the Phils are even receiving any offers that they have interest in as of now.

According to a recent article on Cincinnati.com by Paul Daugherty, the Cincinnati Reds recently rejected a deal for Victorino that would have sent reliever Logan Ondrusek to the Phils.

Although Ondrusek is a 27-year-old right-handed reliever who has a 3.01 ERA and has held left-handed batters to a .185 batting average, he’s also only struck out six more batters than he’s walked this season.

If the Phillies were to trade Victorino, they would likely try to acquire a right-handed reliever who has had better numbers this season. But the Reds, according to Daugherty, weren’t willing to give up Ondrusek.

Meanwhile, a recent tweet by Rob Biertempfel suggests that the Pirates were unwilling to trade reliever Brad Lincoln in a deal for Victorino.

If the Phillies aren’t getting trade offers that they like, would their best move be to hold on to Victorino into August, and then place him on waivers?

If the Phillies are set on trading Victorino, it would be difficult for them to have any leverage in any move at the non-waiver deadline since the center fielder is a soon-to-be free agent, and is batting well below his career average this season.

However, a recent win streak by the Phils could also lead to optimism that a run at the playoffs can still take place.  At that point, Victorino could play a large role in helping the team this season.

Or the Phillies could find that, later in August, the better option is to trade Victorino to try and either move their payroll closer to being below the luxury tax threshold, or acquire a proven right-handed reliever who can help beyond this season.

If the Phillies aren’t getting any offers that they like now, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if they still weren’t getting any offers that they like next month. However, at that point, they will at least have had Victorino for additional weeks to try and improve their wild-card standing.

Meanwhile, a team such as the Reds or Pirates could be more willing to give up the reliever that the Phillies want if they find themselves still in contention for the National League Central at that time.

If the Phillies were forced to only negotiate with one team that claimed Victorino on waivers, and had to settle for whatever reliever that team offered, it would be a similar situation to the one they are in now.  So why not wait a few weeks to see if that team decides they need an additional lineup piece bad enough to offer the Phils a better deal?

The Phillies could be forced to settle in a deal for Victorino whether he’s dealt at the non-waiver trade deadline or through waivers. If it doesn’t make much of a difference, waiting to place him on waivers could be the better choice.

Waiting to see which teams are still in contention once only waiver wire trades are allowed, or seeing if another team gets hit with an injury during their run at the postseason, could help the Phils get the right-handed reliever they desire in a trade for Victorino.

Limiting their trade options could be a risky move for the Phillies, but if the team will have to settle either way, or at least have a chance at finding the right deal later on, waiting to trade Victorino could be the better option.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Chances of a Victorino Trade to Tampa Bay for Wade Davis?

The debate has continued for much of this season as to whether the Philadelphia Phillies would be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

Prior to Cole Hamels signing a six-year contract extension, the chances of the Phils selling seemingly increased each day that passed without a deal.  However, with Hamels now signed long-term and the Phillies currently on a four-game win streak, is there any chance that the team could actually buy at the deadline?

What if there was a deal that involved the team both buying and selling?

According to Jayson Stark on ESPN.com, the Phillies have shown interest in reliever Wade Davis of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 26-year-old right-hander is a former starter who has pitched out of the bullpen this season, going 1-0 with 52 strikeouts and 19 walks in 46.2 innings.  Davis has also posted a 2.70 ERA and has held opponents to a .209 batting average, which includes a .177 average for left-handers.

But here’s where things get tricky.

According to Stark’s article, the Rays may also be willing to trade starter James Shields, and multiple teams have shown interest.

If Shields is dealt, the Rays may favor keeping Davis and plugging him back into the starting rotation.  Davis’ role with the Rays could be similar to the one held by Kyle Kendrick with the Phillies.

There could be other obstacles in dealing for Davis, as well. 

Davis is making $1.5 million this season, which means acquiring him might keep the Phillies’ payroll above the $178 million luxury tax threshold.  Furthermore, Davis is set to make $2.8 million in 2013 and $4.8 million in 2014.  His contract then includes a $2.5 million buyout for each season from 2015-2017.

If the Phillies are willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold next season, they could desire to get under it this season so as to avoid paying a 20 percent tax this year and 30 percent tax next year.

Considering all of this, would a deal involving Shane Victorino even be enough to acquire Davis?

For one, would the Rays even be willing to make this deal straight up and have two outfielders in Victorino and B.J. Upton with expiring contracts?

Secondly, would the Phillies be willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold this season in order to obtain bullpen help?  Do they have other possible moves that would get them under the threshold?

If the Rays do decide to trade Davis and keep Shields, would they be interested in acquiring another pitcher such as Joe Blanton?  Despite having a 4.70 ERA, Blanton has struck out 108 batters this season while walking 17 in 126.1 innings.  He’s also pitched two complete games.

But what could make Blanton appealing to the Rays is the fact that he too is a free agent after this season, which means the team would only have to pay what’s left of his salary this season.

A recent article by Matt Gelb on philly.com suggested that trading two of three players of Victorino, Blanton and Placido Polanco, who is no longer a trade candidate after being placed on the disabled list, could save the Phillies approximately $6 million.

Acquiring potentially $6 million in salary could be worth it for a team who is in the thick of things in the American League wild card standings, especially since the contracts will come off the books at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, acquiring what’s left of Davis’ contract for this season, as well as dealing Victorino and at least one other player at some point, could improve the Phillies’ bullpen and help the team avoid the luxury tax this season.

A deal between the Rays and Phillies could be an interesting trade deadline move that improves both teams’ current rosters rather than seeing one team give up a big name player in exchange for prospects that are a few years away from being major-league ready.

However, if the right pieces fall into place, such a deal at least has a chance of taking place.

 

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Pence to Pirates for Competitive Balance Lottery Pick?

The MLB trade deadline is just five days away and transactions involving big name players have already taken place.

For the first time, however, not all trades at this year’s deadline have to exclusively involve players.

MLB recently held its first Competitive Balance Lottery, in which six additional draft picks were awarded following the first and second rounds of the 2013 First-Year Player draft.

According to mlb.com:

The Competitive Balance Lottery, which was agreed upon as a part of the 2012-2016 Basic Agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association, gives Clubs with the lowest revenues and in the smallest markets the opportunity to obtain additional draft picks through a lottery.

One of those clubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates, was recently awarded the second pick in Round A, meaning they now have the second pick following the conclusion of the first round of next year’s draft.

What really makes things interesting is the opportunity for the teams that received an additional pick through the lottery to trade their selection either this season or next season.  Unlike the draft picks in the First-Year Player draft, which cannot be traded, the recently awarded lottery selections can be traded at this year’s deadline or before next year’s draft.

 

But what would it cost to acquire such a pick?

Would a 29-year-old right fielder that is signed through next season be an option?  Furthermore, would the Phillies be interested in trading their only solidified starting outfielder for next season in order to acquire an additional draft pick?

With Cole Hamels now signed to a new long-term extension, the Phillies may be interested in trading away salary so as to avoid the luxury tax threshold this season.  If their payroll goes over $178 million next season, they will have to pay a 17.5 percent tax. 

However, if their payroll is under the new tax threshold of $189 million in 2014, they would only have to pay the tax one time in the next three years if they avoid it this season.

This brings up the possibility of trading outfielder Hunter Pence.  Pence is set to receive a salary increase next season through arbitration.  At 29 years old and signed through next season, Pence has a great deal of value to the Phillies for the rest of this season and next.

However, these characteristics, combined with a potential desire to shed payroll this season, could also be enough reasons to trade Pence at the deadline.

According to a tweet by Joel Sherman, scouts believe Pence is just one Phillie that could be available following Hamels’ signing.

Meanwhile, a tweet by Rob Biertempfel questioned which players Pirates scouts were recently looking at during the Phillies—Brewers series.

 

 

If the Pirates are in the market for outfield help, the Phillies have two names who could contribute to a contending team this season.  Shane Victorino has been posting numbers below his career averages, but could still make an impact on a team attempting to make the postseason.

Then there’s Pence.  Pence could potentially be the piece that seals a NL Central crown for the Pirates.  And, fortunately for the Pirates, they have a trade chip that over half the league doesn’t have.

By receiving the second pick in Round A from the competitive balance lottery, the Pirates now have three picks early on in next year’s draft, according to Charlie Wilmoth on bucsdugout.com.

The Pirates have also been in talks with the Phillies to acquire Victorino, but Biertempfel tweets that the Phillies asked for reliever Brad Lincoln in return.

Lincoln is a 27-year-old right-handed reliever who has gone 4-2 with 59 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 57.2 innings this season.  He also has a 2.81 ERA, and has held opponents to a .231 batting average.

The Pirates may be unwilling to trade Lincoln for Victorino, and the Phillies would likely ask for more than one relief pitcher in a deal for Pence.

That brings up the question, should the Phillies offer Pence for a package including Lincoln, the competitive balance lottery pick and an additional prospect?  Or, would the Pirates be willing to offer the draft pick and recently called-up prospect Starling Marte for Pence?

Jayson Stark on ESPN.com recently wrote that a young reliever and young outfielder were among the targets for the Phillies in a deal for Victorino.  If the Phils can’t find that type of return with one outfielder, could they find it with their other trade option?

It’s an interesting scenario for both teams.  The Phillies have a chance to avoid paying the luxury tax this season while also acquiring an additional draft pick to help replenish their farm system, as well as either a right-handed reliever or young outfielder going forward.

The Pirates, meanwhile, have already added to their rotation by acquiring Wandy Rodriguez.  Now, with the ability to trade a draft pick for the first time, they may have a great opportunity to add a bat to their lineup, as well. 

Both sides just might have the pieces that the other is interested in acquiring.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Why Addition by Subtraction Could Work

The Philadelphia Phillies are about to be in an unfamiliar spot.

Well, besides their last-place standing in the National League East.

Although they have signed Cole Hamels to a new six-year contract extension, the Phillies are not likely to acquire a big-name player before the trade deadline in preparation for a postseason run, as they have in recent seasons.

Instead, the Phillies could be on the other end of those deadline deals by trading away players rather than acquiring them. However, they can still make a few trades that allow them to make a run at the postseason. 

They wouldn’t be the first team to bounce back from a double-digit deficit in the standings to make the playoffs. 

But what’s more important are the players—and contracts—that the Phillies trade in the process. 

Despite potentially trading their center fielder, right fielder, a starting pitcher, third baseman and an additional player or two, the Phillies could actually put themselves in a better position for future seasons.

Addition by subtraction could work for the Phillies.

For one, this season’s All-Star Futures Game featured more former Phillies minor league players than it did current minor league players.

Recent trades have left the Phillies without a great deal of soon-to-be-ready minor league prospects.  However, this season’s trade deadline could provide the opportunity to make trades for minor league talent rather than trading it away.

Trades involving players such as Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Ty Wigginton, Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco and Hunter Pence could add multiple prospects to the Phillies’ minor league system. 

Of course, the talent level of the prospects that the Phillies would get in return varies from player to player.

Trading a combination of any of these players would also give the Phillies more financial flexibility with an ever-increasing payroll.

With Hamels now in the fold, the Phillies are set to pay nine players over $130 million next season, which leaves less than $50 million to complete the rest of the 25-man roster before the team would be hit with the luxury tax next season.

The team’s current payroll is likely already over the luxury tax threshold. 

Subtracting two of the three contracts of Victorino, Blanton and Polanco, as a recent article by Matt Gelb on philly.com explained, could save the Phillies approximately $6 million. 

That amount could push the Phillies payroll below the luxury tax threshold, which means the team would avoid paying the 20 percent tax this season and not be at risk for paying the 30 percent tax next season.

As Gelb’s article also explains, a team who exceeds the threshold for the first time next season would only have to pay a 17.5 percent tax.  If a team can get below the threshold for the following season, they will be treated as first-time offenders the next time they exceed the threshold.

Therefore, by subtracting a few contracts this season, the Phillies will set themselves up to possibly allow their payroll to exceed $178 million next season while paying a lesser tax. 

By 2014, the luxury tax threshold increases to $189 million.  This means that the Phillies could pay the tax next season, but if their payroll is less than $189 million the following the season, they would not have to pay the tax for a second year in a row.

If the Phillies can get their payroll below $178 million this season, they might be more willing to go over that mark next season. 

Potential free agents such as Michael Bourn, Melky Cabrera, Grant Balfour and Brandon Lyon could then become options.

Subtracting a few contracts from the team’s payroll this season will allow the Phillies to add more talent for next season with more room for spending.

And soon after the luxury tax threshold increases to $189 million in 2014, the Phillies should be preparing to sign a new television contract, according to another article by Matt Gelb that appeared on philly.com prior to the start of the season. 

The deal will at least allow the Phillies to spend as much as the new luxury tax threshold after 2015 if they so choose.

But what about for next season?

If the Phillies are able to move certain contracts this season, they will have more money to spend in the offseason to fill a number of needs. 

Third base, the outfield and the bullpen are all areas that could need either replacements or improvements.  Carlos Ruiz and Pence are also set to receive pay increases on a roster that already has over $100 million going to just nine players.

With a lack of major league-ready prospects at positions of need—and hardly any room to work with if the team wants to avoid the luxury tax—the Phillies’ best chances of adding for the future must come by subtracting from the current roster.

The past few seasons have seen the Phillies use an addition by subtraction method at the deadline, with big-game acquisitions being added and prospects being subtracted from the minor league system. 

However, this season could be a good time for the team to reverse this method in their mid-season dealings.

If the Phillies find the right deals, addition by subtraction just might work.

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Why Philadelphia Phillies Would Be Wise to Hold on to Cliff Lee

Wouldn’t this be a familiar situation?  The Philadelphia Phillies sign one pitcher to a long-term contract extension and quickly trade another member of their starting rotation?

Well, at least one team could have interest in seeing that happen.

The Philadelphia Phillies would take the top starting pitcher off the market if they were to sign Cole Hamels to a long-term contract extension prior to the trade deadline.

But that doesn’t mean the interest in their starting rotation would lessen.

According to Danny Knobler on CBSSports.com, the Texas Rangers could turn their attention to Cliff Lee if Hamels were to be taken off the block.

Knobler mentions that it’s a long-shot, but a recent tweet by Jim Salisbury also suggests that the Rangers could have interest in Lee.

Lee’s soon-to-be yearly salary of $25 million is both a reason why the Phillies could explore trade options if they sign Hamels to an extension, and a reason why other teams might shy away. However, this is the same pitcher whose 17-8 record and 2.40 ERA led to his finishing third in National League Cy Young award voting last season.

Yes, signing Hamels long-term could make trading Lee a good idea, eventually.  But trading him for the sake of shedding payroll, especially when he is currently 1-6, would not be a good idea this season.

Here are five reasons why the Phillies would be wise to hold on to Lee at the trade deadline.

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MLB Trade Rumors: B/R’s 5 Potential Cole Hamels Deadline Blockbusters

As the Philadelphia Phillies begin the second half of the regular season, the team’s record of 57-35 puts them 10 games up in first place in the National League East.  Now, as the trade deadline approaches, the Phils are scanning the trade market for that one final piece to add to their World Series chances…

…wait, that’s not right.  That’s how this season was supposed to go.

Instead, the Phillies have remained in last place in the NL East for much of this season and have yet to make a serious run in the wild-card standings.

And to add to the season’s list of woes, the Phils are coming up on a dangerous combination: Cole Hamels has yet to sign a long-term extension, and the trade deadline is less than two weeks away.

Speculation involving Hamels has ranged from reports that the Phillies are asking for four to five prospects in return in a trade, to news that the team is preparing to make their All-Star a long-term contract offer.

Just in case the Phils do decide to make a deal, I contacted featured columnists on Bleacher Report in order to get a look at the potential blockbuster deals involving Hamels at the trade deadline.

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