MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades the Philadelphia Phillies should make

It has been another long season for the Philadelphia Phillies, and they are pretty much out of it at the All-Star break. Here are five trades they can make to brighten their future.

The Philadelphia Phillies are once again one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, as they are already 12.5 games out of first-place heading into the All-Star break. In a division with the Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and the upstart Miami Marlins, it looks like the Phillies will be sellers once again at the break.

The organization should be better in coming years, as there is some solid Major League talent on their roster. Maikel Franco is a stud at third base, and Cameron Rupp is one of the better young catchers in baseball. Centerfielder Odubel Herrera is also a nice player, giving the team three very good young offensive players.

The Phillies also have a very solid young closer in Jeanmar Gómez, as well as a nice set-up man in Héctor Neris. Starting pitcher Vince Velásquez will be a stud at the front of their rotation for years to come, and he should be one of the top right-handers in the National League very soon.

One issue is that this year is pretty much a waste, and they have some veteran players on their roster who could really help a contender right now.

This organization has not been to the playoffs since losing in the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. That season, Philadelphia went 102-60, winning their last NL East title. The organization has a very rich history, and the fans are clamoring for them to be great once again.

Here is a look at five trades they should try to pull off before the trade deadline.

Next: 5. Peter Bourjos to the Cleveland Indians