Chase Utley Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star
July 14, 2014 by Matt Fitzgerald
Filed under Fan News
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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Scouting Reports for Philadelphia Phillies’ Prospects in the 2014 Futures Game
July 11, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
Although the MLB All-Star Game typically and rightfully steals the spotlight during the annual All-Star break, an event just beforehand that slips under the wire is the Futures Game.
Showcasing the best prospects around the minor leagues and pitting them against each other on United States and international teams, the Futures Game offers the best opportunity for prospects to make impressions—good or bad—on the national stage.
Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies were represented by two prospects: starting pitcher Jesse Biddle, who would end up earning the win in the game, and third baseman Maikel Franco. This year, Franco returns to the Futures Game, while 2013 first-round pick J.P. Crawford will be one of the shortstops on the U.S. team and, at 19 years old, the game’s youngest participant.
Despite coming off a four-game road sweep of the National League‘s best team, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies haven’t had a season with much to write home about. Thus, fans can only hope to get excited about the future, and the Futures Game gives fans a glimpse of future promise.
Here’s an in-depth look at the Phillies’ prospects who will be playing in the 2014 Futures Game.
Cole Hamels Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star
July 7, 2014 by Tyler Conway
Filed under Fan News
For the third straight season, the Philadelphia Phillies look like they’ll be watching October baseball from home. For the third straight season, that futility has raised questions about what general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will do with his high-cost stars—specifically starter Cole Hamels.
The 30-year-old starter again came into July with his name being bandied about in trade talks, as contenders look for ways to separate themselves in a clouded playoff picture. Among the teams most often linked to Hamels has been the Toronto Blue Jays, but Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports highlighted a no-trade clause in Hamels’ contract could prevent that from happening:
While he might prefer to play for a contender, there is little reason to think Hamels would waive his right to block a move to Toronto. With no less than four years remaining on his contract—there is a vesting option that could trigger a $20 million salary for 2019—any trade the Phillies make would not be a short-term move.
If Hamels were heading into free agency this winter, perhaps he’d be more receptive to a short-term trip up north. Players in the past have waived no-trade clauses under similar situations, and with the Blue Jays trying to keep themselves afloat in the AL playoff race, a short-term fix could have helped both sides.
Hamels’ contract complicates matters in that regard. He is less likely to be amenable to waiving his no-trade clause because any deal would require him to spend at least four years in a city where he does not wish to reside. Teams are also going to be skittish knowing the situation—and that’s without factoring in the considerable financial commitment.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports noted that the Yankees could be in play for Hamels if he becomes available, but even their interest is limited. Hamels is due annual salaries of $22.5 million for each of the next four seasons, per Baseball-Reference. There has been no indication on whether the Phillies would be open to eating some of that salary in exchange for better prospect compensation, though that seems like a possibility.
Even with his high cost, it’s not hard to see why teams are kicking the tires on a Hamels trade. A three-time All-Star, he is 2-5 this season but has posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Other than a few minor blips to start the season, Hamels has been one of the best pitchers in the National League. He posted a 1.23 ERA in six June starts, highlighted by three consecutive scoreless outings.
The season has proven a carbon copy of 2013, in which Hamels went 8-14 despite solid peripheral numbers. The Phillies rank 27th or worse in runs, on-base percentage, batting average and slugging percentage. Run support has been non-existent throughout most of the season, a point of contention that Hamels admitted to reporters is frustrating:
It’s a team game, and even if [the hitters] are pressing too hard, then I’m pressing too hard. They like to win, and we’re all accustomed to winning, so when you’re not doing so, you want it and press instead of just going back to basics and playing simplified baseball. I’m probably a big culprit of it, trying to be too fine and not calming down.
Despite the recent frustrations, Hamels remains one of the most consistent starters in baseball. He’s pitched at least 200 innings each of the last four seasons and five of his last six. Though he battled through some issues at the beginning of 2014, his injury history is minimal. Hamels has made at least 28 starts every year since his rookie season.
When it comes to trading for Hamels, it’s a risk-reward situation. Being on the hook for upwards of $100 million is something few teams can even consider—let alone give up assets to make happen. With Hamels holding a no-trade clause against one of the few teams willing to deal, he and the Phillies might wind up stuck together again in a playoff-less October.
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Ranking Philadelphia Phillies’ Best All-Star Game Candidates
July 3, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
The month of July in MLB is arguably the most significant month of the regular season. Not only does it mark the halfway point of the year, it also presents the MLB All-Star Game midway through (July 15) and ends with the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.
In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies, July has only brought a continuation of losing that closed out the month of June. While the Phillies won their first game of the month on July 3 by a score of 5-4 over the Miami Marlins, it was their first win in seven games and still came down to the ninth inning.
Before embarking on a current 10-game road trip, the Phillies came off a 2-6 home stand that saw them go from potential division climbers to permanent cellar dwellers.
It’s been nothing short of negativity surrounding the Phillies over the last couple of weeks, but the bright side is that the All-Star break is rapidly approaching. Not only will it present a much-needed breather for the Phillies to attempt to distance themselves from losing baseball, it also gives fans the chance of seeing the team’s best and brightest playing on the national stage.
While the Phillies don’t have an incredible amount of All-Star talent, there is a player or two who could find himself playing in the Midsummer Classic. This slideshow will look at the Phillies’ most likely candidates of playing in the 2014 All-Star Game, even if only a few are realistically going to be elected.
Without further ado, here’s a ranking of the Phillies’ best MLB All-Star Game candidates this season.
Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest Updates, News and Reaction
July 1, 2014 by Kyle Newport
Filed under Fan News
No team will be in a more interesting situation at the 2014 MLB trade deadline than the Philadelphia Phillies.
They have been near the bottom of the National League East for a while now. However, due to being in a weak division, they are still in contention. That combination presents an interesting dilemma for ownership.
Are the Phillies buyers or sellers?
Should the team decide that it is a seller, it has a few veteran players whom it could try to move. The Phillies could find it difficult to get some good pieces back at the deadline because some of their best assets have no-trade clauses.
The next three weeks or so will go a long way in determining what the team does at the deadline. Philadelphia has the veteran pieces to make a run at the postseason, but it may not be talented enough to overcome an early-season deficit in the NL East.
Make sure to keep checking back here to see what rumors the Phillies are involved in or what deals the team makes as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
Phillies’ Chase Utley Becomes 12th Player in Franchise History with 1500 Hits
June 30, 2014 by Bleacher Report Milestones
Filed under Fan News
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley recorded the 1,500th hit of his career in Sunday afternoon’s contest against the Atlanta Braves, per MLB Milestones on Twitter.
With one out in the seventh inning and his Phillies down 3-2, Utley singled back up the middle into center field off Braves starter Aaron Harang for the milestone base knock. The moment didn’t last long though, as Utley was unceremoniously sent back to the dugout when the next batter, Ryan Howard, hit into an inning-ending double play.
The first-place Braves would ultimately hold on to beat the Phillies 3-2, leaving Philadelphia eight games back of the division lead.
Utley, who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Phillies, is just the 12th player in franchise history to record 1,500 hits with the team. He’s moving into some select company on the Phillies’ all-time franchise lists, as he’s already in the top 10 for both doubles and home runs, per Baseball-Reference.com.
Utley has 322 two-baggers, good for seventh place on a list topped by current teammate Jimmy Rollins, who has 470 doubles of his own.
As for home runs, Utley’s 223 rank sixth in Phillies franchise history. Teammate Ryan Howard is second with 325, while the great Mike Schmidt sits atop the leaderboard with 548 career home runs, all hit in a Phillies uniform.
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Stock Up, Stock Down for the Phillies’ Top 10 Prospects for Week 13
June 30, 2014 by Zak Schmoll
Filed under Fan News
The Phillies have had an interesting week on the farm.
Several of the players in this article struggled mightily, but others have rebounded from recent slumps. There seems to be trends developing at this point of the year, though, and the signs are not encouraging for some. Prospects are seeing their stock drop every week, but we can hope that their issues will be corrected.
I’m sorry for beginning this post on a somewhat negative note, but perhaps this will be the final time I have do so. Maybe this coming week will be better for the Phillies’ farm system.
Cole Hamels’ Hot Streak Means Phillies Must Cash In on Blockbuster Trade
June 23, 2014 by Joe Giglio
Filed under Fan News
The 2014 Philadelphia Phillies are in an unenviable spot, wedged between the faint hope of contention and the reality of long-term ramifications with an aging roster. Stuck in the middle of a confusing summer at Citizens Bank Park: homegrown left-handed ace Cole Hamels.
In a logical world, general manager Ruben Amaro would be wiser than to draw meaning from a recent five-game winning streak. Despite the charge, including a three-game sweep of the Braves in Atlanta, the Phillies reside at 34-40, in last place in the NL East and owners of a slim 10 percent chance to qualify for the postseason, per ESPN.
If Amaro and Philadelphia’s front office do hold a fire sale, Hamels’ name won’t be at the forefront. Upon signing a long-term deal in summer 2012, the now 30-year-old was expected to bridge the gap from past to future success for the former NL East juggernauts.
With older pieces like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Marlon Byrd, A.J. Burnett, Jonathan Papelbon, Cliff Lee and Carlos Ruiz on the 25-man roster, the Phillies could realistically hold an open auction without moving on from Hamels.
Yet, if the team truly wants to get younger, improve an unimpressive farm system and trade the faint hope of contention in 2014 for a true shot at glory in 2016 and beyond, Hamels represents the best chance for a franchise-changing haul.
While the septet of veterans could net the Phillies varying degrees of prospects and salary relief, none of those readily expendable names comes without concerns.
From age (Rollins, Byrd, Ruiz are all 35 or older) to injury concerns (Lee is currently on the DL with an elbow injury) to regional trade implications (Burnett won’t play far from his Monkton, Maryland, home) to drop in velocity (Papelbon), it won’t be easy for Amaro to find teams willing to sacrifice top prospects for his marquee veterans.
Hamels, however, is a different story. Since May 11, the former World Series MVP has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. In nine starts over that span, the potential NL All-Star has posted the following eye-opening numbers: 65 IP, 1.66 ERA, 46 H, 70 SO, 22 BB and .201 batting average against.
That streak included a stretch of 23.2 innings without yielding a run, the second-best streak of Hamels’ nine-year career.
Despite that dominance, Hamels has only two personal victories to show for his work. Worse, Philadelphia has lost five of his nine excellent starts due to a dearth in run support. Despite the frustration, Hamels doesn’t want to be moved unless the Phillies engage in a full-scale rebuilding mode, per Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly.
“Then it’s a different situation,” Hamels said. “And I think you kind of have to look at it in a different way because your careers are only so long. Your good years only last so long. You want to make them count.”
For as much as Hamels wants to make his prime count, the Phillies need to make it count even more. By cashing in its best chip now, Philadelphia can expedite a rebuilding process that should have begun last year, if not sooner.
Furthermore, with 24 of 30 teams (including Philadelphia) within six games of postseason position entering play on June 23, an abundance of contenders could be looking for help over the next six weeks, with impact starting pitching at the forefront of potential discussions.
When surveying the scene of potentially available starting pitchers, Hamels stands out for two distinct reasons: 2014 excellence and a reasonable long-term deal moving forward. From 2015-18, Hamels is due $22.5 million per season. In total, $90 million over four years is a bargain for a star-level lefty in his early 30s.
While the following chart includes lower-priced arms and one lefty outshining Hamels this season, the best combination of age, production and cost assurance belongs to the biggest trade chip that Amaro currently owns.
For contending teams, the trading season will represent the annual tug of war between winning now and preserving the future. Thanks to excellent production and a reasonable long-term deal, Hamels represents the best of both worlds. His potential inclusion on the open market would change the entire specter of the 2014 season, along with altering the future of the Phillies.
During an interview with SportsRadio 94 WIP in Philadelphia on Monday morning, Amaro was asked about the potential of moving Hamels before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Although the general manager expressed the desire to move forward with Hamels in the organization, his response was void of any guarantee, per CBS Philly.
“I have to keep my mind open on everything,” Amaro said. “Again, some of these guys have limited no-trade clauses. Clearly, we’d like to keep Hamels because I think he’s going to be a part of any transition we might have to make.”
If Amaro‘s mind is truly open and Hamels continues to mow down National League hitters, offers will come in for the excellent starter.
The 2014 Phillies may be decent enough to make a run in a mediocre NL East, but the odds say that a trip to October is a long shot. If the franchise wants to reposition itself for future trips to the postseason, it’s time to cash Hamels in for potential stars.
Agree? Disagree?
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, FanGraphs and ESPN unless otherwise noted and valid entering play on June 23.
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Stock Up, Stock Down for the Phillies’ Top 10 Prospects at Midseason
June 23, 2014 by Zak Schmoll
Filed under Fan News
The major league Phillies got on a bit of a hot streak this past week, but the same can’t be said for their prospects. Although there have certainly been some positive developments for some of the players on the following list, performances are becoming inconsistent and potentially problematic.
That being said, we are only about halfway through the season, so there’s plenty of time for a second-half rebound.
The Biggest Issues Philadelphia Phillies Must Address at the Trade Deadline
June 20, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
For the third consecutive season, the Philadelphia Phillies are going into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline as a team that could, in theory, ship off some of its veterans in exchange for prospects who could help out the team in the future. Also for the third consecutive season, the Phillies have not firmly established themselves as definitive contenders or pretenders.
While the 2012 season—one that was considered an anomaly at the time—was the worst of the three, the Phillies have been a losing team and have spent more days in recent years with a losing record than within fighting distance of the top of the NL East division. It’s led to the departures of Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Michael Young and John McDonald over the last two years.
This season, while the murkiest of the three in what lies ahead, could be the most radical yet.
The Phillies are not getting any younger, and they aren’t getting cheaper, either. It’s why expensive veterans such as Cliff Lee, Jonathan Papelbon, Jimmy Rollins and even Chase Utley, to an extent, are possibly available in trades.
This is a Phillies team without a clear road map in front of them. They have approached a fork in the road, yet they remain stuck there, indecisive on which road to take.
What needs to be addressed at this year’s trade deadline? Plenty, ranging from players to personnel to prospects, both physically and metaphorically. Not only is the minor league system thin, but so are this team’s hopes for future success. Here’s a rundown of what exactly are the biggest issues the Phillies must address at the 2014 trade deadline.