Early Trade Rumors: Rollins, JMJ, Utley, Brown
Yet, in that time, the Phillies have won seven out of nine games and moved within 5 games of first place in the NL East, improving their playoff odds from just over 3% to 9.4% according to ESPN’s projections.
Let’s take a look at some of the early trade rumors:
– Just a few days ago, Jimmy Rollins revealed that he would be open to accepting a trade now that he has broken the franchise hit record. With 8 HR, 11 SB, Rollins is having a bounce-back year and is a legitimate All-Star candidate with a .247/.340/.396 line. A big hurdle to Rollins being traded, in addition to his ability to veto trades, is his vesting option, which vests at $11 million with 1,100 PA in 2013 and 2014 combined. At 959 PA, Rollins will certainly hit that 1,100 threshold.
– An interesting development has come in the trade-ability of outfielder John Mayberry Jr. With a .256/.363/.526 line with five homers in 91 PA, Mayberry has made himself one of the best bench bats in the National League in a small sample in 2014. Despite his limited playing time, Mayberry has been the Phillies fourth-most valuable position player per fWAR. According to Jim Salisbury, the Yankees and Red Sox have interest in the 30-year old otufielder.
– According to a report by Stark, a trade involving Chase Utley is “not happening“. Like Rollins, Utley has a series of attainable vesting options that could make him $15 million per year in 2015, 2016, and 2017 that might scare off potential suitors.
– Finally, the Stark piece indicates that sources around the league think the Phillies may shop Domonic Brown around the league for a change-of-scenery trade. Brown is hitting .223/.272/.332 and has been one of the Majors’ worst regulars by both OPS and fWAR.
