It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies have been trying to deal their veterans like left handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels, first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley and closer Jonathan Papelbon because the team is no longer relevant in the National League or their own division. So far, they have had no success. Is it because General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is in denial and trying to hold on to these players hoping they can rekindle what they once had when they were the most dominant team in the National League? Maybe. No matter what the reason is, they need to part ways with these players and build for the future. That means acquiring as many prospects as you can from a team that is looking to win now and are looking for veterans who can help them reach the promised land.
According to Jon Morosi of Foxsports.com, the Phillies and the Texas Rangers have been talking about a Cole Hamels deal possibly happening for a while, and now it’s heating up again. This would make perfect sense for both teams since the Phillies need prospects, the Rangers are loaded with higher level prospects, and because the Rangers have needed that ace-like presence since Yu Darvish got hurt in the offseason. Texas has a high powered offense featuring Elvis Andrus, Prince Fielder, Mitch Moreland, Joey Gallo, Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton when the two of them (Beltre and Hamilton) return from injuries. They feel like at 37-33, with the Los Angeles Angels struggling with consistency, and with the Houston Astros being inexperienced, that they can take the American League West. Their issue lies in the starting rotation, which is decent with veteran guys like Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis, and Wandy Rodriguez, to go along with young pitchers like Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Martinez. But in order to make a serious playoff push, especially in the American League, they need a legitimate ace. A guy who has had success in the postseason before and bolsters the rotation with a World Series MVP award winner.
Prospects like catcher Jorge Alfaro and right fielder Nomar Mazara have been on the Phillies radar. Both players are loaded with potential, which is something that Philadelphia desperately needs to bolster on in order to rebuild this team into a contender again. Alfaro may be out for the remainder of the season, which would take him out of trade talks, but the Rangers have a lot of talent in their farm system to make a deal. A trade between these two teams makes way too much sense for it not to happen, and if Ruben Amaro Jr. wants to keep his job, I feel like his best bet is to make as many good trades as he can in order to show that there is promise for this team in the future. The Rangers need a big time pitcher, the Phillies need good prospects. Make it happen.
