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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 teams that could shape the trade market

By Kyle Franzoni

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May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) delivers a pitch during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Philies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) delivers a pitch during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Philies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Phillies

Almost since the onset of the 2015 season, the Philadelphia Phillies have been labeled as sellers. Their play since the season started has only cemented that label. At 23-45 entering play on Friday, Philadelphia has no choice but to look to the future.

Unfortunately, that future is nowhere nearby.

The Phillies drastically need to get younger, shed salary, and find a direction. Years of misguided spending on to aging veterans like Cliff Lee, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard has cost the Phillies and trading away their farm system in a chase for championships have left them in a position where they need to find pieces for both now and the future.

While the team is never going to find a taker for Howard, Utley, or Lee at this stage, general manager Ruben Amaro would be best served to take the best available package he can find for the likes of Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon. The pair represent two of the more proven, controllable veterans on the market and teams are lining up for the bidding.

The problem is, Amaro is still being unrealistic. Both Hamels and Papelbon are owed significant amounts of money over the next few seasons, making them sizable investments for acquiring teams. However, Amaro is also asking for premium talent in return in all trade talks, even purportedly asking the Mariners for Taijuan Walker in a minor deal Ben Revere. If that is setting the market for Papelbon or Hamels, it is understandable why teams have been hesitant to pull the trigger.

If Amaro comes down on his asking prices, he will undoubtedly find a very good deal to his liking. However, the question now is whether he will or won’t come down to Earth. If he doesn’t he could end up still holding his cards when the pot is paid out, forced to waiting until the winter to try and find a buyer…again.

If the biggest piece the Phillies move this summer is Aaron Harang, consider it a major loss for Ruben Amaro.

Next: Will Cueto be the only pieces moved by Cincy?

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