Ryan Howard

The Phillies look like they're between a rock and a hard place with Jim Thome and Ryan Howard. When the Phils signed Thome as a free agent, it was hailed as a great move, and rightly so. Now, however, with Thome's injuries and lack of production, plus Howard's improved hitting, it looks not so great.

Howard started this season by going 2-for-21. Since then, he has hit .288 (17-for-59) with 5 homers and 14 RBI. He's hitting a homer every 11.8 AB and has a .951 OPS.

Now, what to do? The Phils need pitching help. It would be great if they could deal Thome, but that's unlikely for a few reasons -- his contract (he's in the third year of a six-year, $85 million contract) and no-trade clause being foremost among them. So, should they trade Howard? His value might never be higher, but he is turning into something of a fan favorite. Still, there's no room for both Howard and Thome, unless you plan to use Thome as a $14 million pinch-hitter.

There are two deals that might make trading Howard worthwhile. The first would involve sending him to San Fran for pitcher Jason Schmidt. The Giants have JT Snow playing at first, and he's in the final year of his contract. Lance Niekro is Snow's back-up, and has put up some decent numbers, so the Giants might need more in the deal.

The second deal would send Howard to Colorado for pitcher Jason Jennings. This seems perhaps more doable on paper. Plus, Jennings is signed through next season, which is better than a rental.

I'd rather see Thome go at this point, but the best place for him to land would be the AL, where he could DH. With so many teams in wild card contention in the AL it might be hard to pry away a pitcher.