Matt Imhof Injury: Updates on Phillies Prospect’s Recovery from Eye Surgery

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Matt Imhof suffered a severe right eye injury last week that required surgery.

Continue for updates.

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Imhof ‘Likely to Need Further Procedures’

Monday, June 27

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reported the unfortunate news Monday, noting the 22-year-old’s injury is “potentially career-threatening.”

Crasnick explained what happened to Imhof, a member of the Class-A Clearwater Threshers: While he was doing band work as a means of stretching his arm after a game, a piece of equipment malfunctioned and struck Imhof in the eye.

Imhof’s agent, Adam Karon, provided Crasnick with the information and indicated the pitcher’s family has requested privacy while he recovers.

The Phillies drafted Imhof with the 47th overall pick of the 2014 MLB draft out of Cal Poly. The southpaw has posted a 4-3 record with a 3.91 ERA this season but has logged 43 walks in 53 innings pitched.

Among 14 appearances on the mound this year, Imhof has made nine starts. According to Crasnick, Imhof was making a move to the Threshers bullpen because he was struggling with his command, which was evident in his high walk rate.

 

Minor league stats courtesy of MiLB.com.

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Chase Utley Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is gearing up for the All-Star Game. Even though he’s having a stellar season as the only All-Star from the only club he’s played for in his MLB career, Utley may be susceptible to a trade.

According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, Philadelphia is mulling an overhaul that could include sending Utley, 35, out of town in favor of more youth and developmental players:

The Phillies, who are operating under the organizational mantra of “we’ve got to get younger,” would rather build around [Cole] Hamels than deal him, but if they do they can’t reap the rewards of the likely three good young players they’d get in return.  Their longtime shortstop/second base combination of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley aren’t willing to move anywhere. Both could probably net some minor league depth, particularly Utley, who is coveted.

The outside interest in Utley seems to be driving the Phillies’ consideration to trade him more than anything. Even at this advanced stage of his career, he is still producing well enough to be an All-Star starter. Utley is batting .293 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 2014.

That could be attractive enough to entice a true World Series contender to sacrifice assets in exchange for a shot at the Commissioner’s Trophy this autumn. Since Utley already won a World Series in Philadelphia in 2008, he has championship experience and would have a more realistic shot to win a second Fall Classic elsewhere.

But Utley said he wants to remain with the Phillies, per a Monday report by Philly.com’s Ryan Lawrence:

I haven’t ever envisioned leaving Philadelphia, honestly. I feel like I’m wanted in Philly. I feel like the fans appreciate the way I play. I feel like the front office appreciates the way I play. And I appreciate their support over the years. I don’t plan on going anywhere, but, again, if someone comes up to me and says you’re no longer wanted in Philly, then I’ll have to change my tune.

Although his contract is just two years guaranteed, there are vesting options based on certain incentives that could see Utley play out four additional seasons with the organization. Utley also has a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, which will make it more difficult for the Phillies to move him.

Utley is also immensely popular, as Calkins Media’s Kevin Cooney can attest to:

Based on the direction Philadelphia is headed, though, even the previous, apparent long-term commitment to see Utley never wear another uniform may run its course prematurely.

The Phillies are languishing in last place in the National League East. Barring an unforeseen turnaround, not even Utley’s best efforts are likely to get them back into the postseason chase. One problem is that Philadelphia would lose a big bat in its already struggling lineup, which is 25th in runs scored this season.

Then there are the sentimental implications of sending Utley packing. The beloved ballplayer would be missed by Phillies fans, and it would be difficult to sell the new direction of the team—unless Philadelphia gets absolutely enormous compensation in return.

Utley’s recent reassurance suggests that he is staying put, but this rumor will persist until the non-waiver MLB trade deadline arrives and passes on July 31.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Philadelphia Wise to Put Very High Price on Cliff Lee

By placing such a high trade cost for teams attempting to deal for former Cy Young Award-winner Cliff Lee, the Philadelphia Phillies are putting themselves in a win-win situation regardless of what Lee’s fate is after Wednesday’s non-waiver MLB trade deadline expires.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com recently reported that the Phillies would require three or four prospects of their choosing in exchange for Lee, along with the hefty salary the pitching ace has in his current contract.

It would surprise Heyman if anyone would pay the vested option following the end of Lee’s lucrative deal along with valuable young assets:

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal cited a rival executive, who said it would take, “a lot!!!” to get Phillies general manager Rubén Amaro Jr. to pull the trigger and part ways with Lee.

Parting ways with Lee and building for the future makes sense for Philadelphia, but only if the club can get enough young assets to justify letting a talent like Lee go relatively early.

The 34-year-old southpaw still has at least two years left on his deal, with a club option available for 2017. His salary is $25 million, which is justifiable for a hurler of Lee’s caliber.

In 2013, Lee is 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA and is showing no signs of slowing down despite not having the strongest arm in the big leagues.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that everyone is on the trade block aside from Domonic Brown, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels, a former World Series MVP who sports just a 4-13 record this season. What’s also noted by Salisbury is that Philadelphia wants Lee to stay and headline the 2014 rotation along with Hamels.

There is still a fairly promising nucleus at the core of the Phillies, who could still return Roy Halladay if he’s healthy due to the team having a club option in 2014 to pick him up for $20 million.

Halladay reportedly feels as good as he did 10 years ago after undergoing surgery on his right throwing shoulder (h/t CBS Philly). If that is indeed the case and the Phillies can get a bounce-back year out of him and Hamels along with a solid one from Lee next year, there’s no telling how far Philadelphia could go.

Making a run with that trio of pitchers is at least worth one more shot, especially with a key power hitter in Ryan Howard missing from the lineup since early July with a torn meniscus. The production from Philly’s batting lineup can’t get much worse, either, considering it ranks 25th in the MLB in runs scored thus far.

Unless the Phillies were to be offered an absolutely ridiculous crop of prospects, a young and superior superstar or both, a move involving Lee shouldn’t be on the cards.

One source told Jim Bowden of ESPN that Lee indeed won’t be shipped anywhere:

It’s probably in both parties’ best interests for Philadelphia to keep Lee.

Despite the fact that the postseason is bleak after a recent eight-game losing streak, there is still reason for Lee to stick around and contribute to what could be a legitimate World Series contender in 2014.

 

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz in Philadelphia as Deadline Approaches

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly being active in shopping the majority of their roster as Wednesday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline closes in.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the only players not on the trade block are second baseman Chase Utley, young rising star Domonic Brown and 2008 World Series MVP pitcher Cole Hamels.

Unfortunately, the club has endured an eight-game losing streak to wrap up its recent road trip, so the Phillies are definitely in the selling mood with the playoffs being unlikely at this juncture of the 2013 season.

Let’s take a closer look at the specific buzz surrounding some of Philadelphia’s marquee players, including analysis as to where they could land.

 

Why Trio of Phillies are Untouchable

The prior report by Salisbury outlined reasons for why each of the three cornerstones he mentioned wouldn’t be on the market.

In the case of Utley, sources tell Sailsbury that the 34-year-old veteran and the team are working towards a contract extension and have a mutual desire to continue their relationship. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reported GM Ruben Amaro Jr. views Utley as a “Phillie for life,” too.

After a dubious start to 2013, Brown exploded in the month of May, batting .303 with 12 homers and 25 RBI to win NL Player of the Month honors and drive him to his first All-Star appearance. His power and young age is something the organization reportedly covets and needs more of, per Salisbury.

As for Hamels, it’s been a combination of him not having his best stuff (4.09 ERA) and poor run support that has led to a miserable 4-13 record.

According to Salisbury, the Phillies feel Hamels’ season is a fluke rather than a trend, and he’s being counted on to lead the team’s staff into the next era.

 

Chatter on Stars Who Could be Dealt

Pitching ace Cliff Lee is going to command a lot in return for his services, but it remains to be seen if the Phillies will be able to acquire enough assets to justify letting a talent like him go.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports cites a rival executive who said Lee would only be traded “for a lot!!!” Plus, Rosenthal points out how the financial resources aren’t pressing Philadelphia to deal Lee, and Salisbury notes how the team prefers to keep him as a fixture atop the rotation along with Hamels.

MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies are open to moving ex-Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon, who was recently outspoken about the team’s need for improvement.

Veteran infielder Michael Young has been the subject of trade rumors, but a reunion with the Texas Rangers doesn’t seem likely. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram indicates that the team is not keen on making any big moves before the deadline.

Those are the most specific points of chatter on many of the top Phillies, but as Salisbury notes, very few can be ruled out even at this juncture.

 

Jimmy Rollins Won’t Wave No-Trade Clause, Even if Asked

The longtime Phillies shortstop has been with the team since 2000, but has a no-trade clause in his contract that could allow him to go to a contender. At age 34 and without much long-term value, though, there isn’t much reason to ship him off at this point even if he did agree to leave.

Rollins isn’t going anywhere, according to the Philadelphia Inqurier’s Matt Gelb:

In Zolecki’s report, he also documented how Rollins said he still had several statistical categories he wanted to rank first in for the Phillies’ franchise before his career was over. Thus, it seems he’d be even less inclined to play for his first new MLB team.

With one year still remaining on Rollins’ contract, it would make more sense to trade him at or before the 2014 deadline, if ever.

Given the many years Rollins and the Phillies have enjoyed together, though, it appears he’ll start and end his illustrious career in Philadelphia—especially since he has the power to make that happen with his current deal. 

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