Categories: News

Big decisions await Phillies with Rule 5 ahead

Good morning! Here’s what’s going on:

The Phillies on Tuesday released Matt Harrison, who never pitched an inning for them because of back issues but was part of the Cole Hamels trade.

The move freed up a 40-man roster spot, necessary as the Phils are trying to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Expect a few more moves before the Friday protection deadline.

Speaking of, read Jay Floyd’s piece about who may be protected from the Rule 5. Plenty of interesting names, including a former top-10 prospect, are on the bubble.
This week we’re exploring nuts and not-so-nuts trades the Phils could attempt. Tuesday I looked at what a deal for Chris Sale would look like

(he’s being shopped around right now).

It’s a decent fit for both teams, with the Sox filling holes at catcher and center field while also getting some good pitching. The Phils would get an ace pitcher for a few seasons.

Now, let me say that the rebuilding Phils shouldn’t simply make this kind of deal. It’s too many prospects for one catch. But hey, fun to project, right?

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.