With just two days until the MLB trade deadline, the Phillies are involved with the usual suspects, and now a few bullpen arms.
Roy Halladay:
-The Phillies talks with the Blue Jays became rather contentious on Monday and nothing seemed to change as of last night. Toronto is fielding offers from other teams, but no trade has been agreed upon. With the Phillies, J.P. Ricciardi and company continue to ask for J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, and Dominic Brown.
-While the Phillies have not yet caved on the demands, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes that the Phils and Jays both need each other to get a deal done. He thinks all of the pieces are in there for a trade to be made.
-The Blue Jays are also still busy scouting several Phillies farmhands, even though the talks between the teams came to an impasse. Jason Donald was watched last night as he played in his first game back from arthroscopic knee surgery.
-Yahoo sports reported earlier yesterday that the Boston Red Sox had put together a package of Clay Buchholz, along with prospects Michael Bowden and Ryan Westmoreland. The Red Sox refuted putting Westmoreland into a deal. Jon Heyman said last night that this package would not get it done.
-The Rangers may also be in on Doc, though they have balked at the high price. With Vicente Padilla down with Swine Flu, and Kevin Millwood ailing as well, the Rangers could use a fresh arm.
-Back to the Phillies. There have been talks that Pat Gillick and Charlie Manuel are all for bringing in Halladay, even if it means part of the future being involved. Ruben Amaro has been said to be opposed to this, along with people in the scouting department. They believe the future is too bright to mortgage.
-At a time when the talks have slowed, Don McKie of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes the sides are closer than ever. Go figure.
Cliff Lee:
–Buster Olney reported yesterday that the Phillies again were looking very hard at Cliff Lee. The Indians want major league ready talent by 2010, and while Kyle Drabek is certainly the hot name here, the Phils are trying to push lesser-known talent Jason Kanpp on the Indians. Olney says that Cleveland is evaluating Knapp, even though he has been shut down due to shoulder fatigue.
–Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer of Cleveland also believes the Phils have turned their attention to Lee. Hoynes also says the Los Angeles Dodgers are fading out of the running for Lee and moving toward bullpen help, most notably George Sherrill of the Orioles.
-Scott Lauber tweeted late last night that the Indians like Drabek in any deal involved Lee.
Zach Duke:
–John Perrotto of the Pirates Report puts the Phillies in the running for lefty Zach Duke. Although it would give the Phillies a younger, less refined pitcher for the rotation, it has been said that Charlie Manuel has asked Ruben Amaro to inquire about him. The Pirates appear to be once again, in full trade mode.
Jarrod Washburn:
-The Phillies were among several teams scouting Mariners left hander Jarrod Washburn during his start last night in Seattle. Also taking a peek, reportedly, were the Yankees, Brewers, and Rangers. Washburn pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run in the no-decision. He is 8-6 in 2009 with a 2.64 ERA. However, his career ERA is a shade above four.
Bullpen:
-Stark also reports that the Phillies have looked hard at bullpen help, should their quest for a starter fall short. He mentions Sherrill, along with Chad Qualls of Arizona, and Matt Capps and John Grabow of Pittsburgh.
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