MLB | Should the Phillies make any moves before trade deadline?

by Jack Kerwin  |  [email protected]

The trade deadline looms …

With all non-waiver moves in Major League Baseball having to be completed by Sunday, you’d figure a lot of last-minute wheeling-and-dealing discussions would be going on among the suit-and-tie brain trust huddled at Citizens Bank Park right now.

Do the Phillies make moves or not? Should they try to speed up the rebuilding process with a big transaction or stand pat? Or maybe make some smaller ones that strengthen, albeit subtly, the roster or avoid change altogether?

The answer for most, including those calling the player-personnel shots in the organization, probably rests in whether they believe the team is ahead of schedule, behind or right on time.

Me? Wouldn’t do damn thing …

Normally situated at the front of the line for taking chances and not maintaining the status quo, especially if it means remaining somewhere in the midst of mediocrity, can’t figure out if it’s a case of being a bit gun shy or just comfy with the overwhelming vibe inside.

But the gut says skip any shake-ups … especially with the eyes and mind saying, you know what, the club seems to have a few good things going here.

First and foremost, actually like the majority of what is shaping up to be the everyday lineup. Potential stars reside at third base in Makiel Franco and center field in Odubel Herrera. Tommy Joseph, while not Ryan Howard in his prime, certainly is a power-hitting first baseman with 14 homers in his first 191 at-bats with the club. Cameron Rupp seems to be more than a stop-gap at catcher until the ballyhooed kids come up from the minors.

Plus, Aaron Altherr, just back from wrist surgery that cost him the first half of the season, offers an intriguing option in right.

Heck, even oft-criticized Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez bring something to the table up the middle, with the former providing Jimmy Rollins-type defense and surprising pop and the latter merely leading the team in hitting.
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Really, the only “iffy” spot at the moment, when projecting into the near future is left.

Pitching wise, starter Jeremy Hellickson and closer Jeanmar Gomez appear to be the biggest draws on the market. But they’re both under-30 guys who may be just hitting their stride.

With the Phillies still figuring out what they have, not just in Philly but down on the farm, and what they need, it just seems almost silly to make moves … just to make moves.

Would only muddy up the picture that hasn’t come into focus yet anyway.

Especially with Mike Trout or anyone of his ilk unlikely to be the filter they’d get in return.

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