The Phillies’ front office has been hard at work trying to get some pieces on the move to trade suitors in an attempt to re-tool for the future. Some players are making their job easier, while others are making things more difficult.
A.J. Burnett may have just pitched his final game in a Phillies uniform….or maybe not.
The right-hander’s performance in last night’s game could have been a turn off for potential trade suitors in regards to the July 31st trade deadline.
Burnett had an awful outing last night against the Mets, going five innings while allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits.
This season has been an up and down season for Burnett, as he was coming off one of his best performances of the season in his last start against the Giants where he threw 8 scoreless innings.
On the season, Burnett is 6-10 with a 4.15 ERA, and has just not been able to find the same consistency he had last season with the Pirates. If last night’s start has indeed hurt his trade value, and the Phills cannot move him before Thursday, then they will have to clear waivers and try again before the August 31st.
Marlon Byrd is another player who could very likely be on the move by Thursday. Unlike Burnett, he has helped his trade value with his recent play on the field. Last night was no different, as Byrd went 4-5 from the three-hole with 4 singles. He also flashed the leather in right as he made a great back-handed catch on a ball that was heading towards the gap in right-center.
On the season, Bryd is having one of the best seasons of his career, batting .273 with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. He is on pace to set a new career high in home runs, and might be the best right-handed bat on the market. His value as a right-handed power bat would definitely be a lift to any contending team in need of one.
Tonight, Cole Hamels takes the mound in game two against the Mets, and while the Phillies have said that Hamels is on the market, it would take a ridiculous deal for the Phillies to even consider moving their 30-year-old left-handed ace. Hamels has been outstanding since starting the season on the DL, despite the fact that he only has a 5-5 record. He has a 2.72 ERA on the season, and has not allowed more that 3 earned runs in a game since May 27th against the Rockies. Baseball is a strange game, however, and anything can happen. Do I think that this could be Hamels’ last start as a Phillie? Nope. There is a slight possibility though.
