Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Tough for Phils to fill via trade

The Philadelphia Inquirer today has another story about Phils GM Pat Gillick needing to get pitching for his club. This is hardly breaking news. But it's hard to imagine the Phils being able to significantly upgrade their pitching with the players they could offer in trade talks.

Philadelphia has, pretty much, 1 chip -- Aaron Rowand. Beyond that, there's little, especially if the team won't part with fan fav Shane Victorino. Rowand would most likely have to be traded to an AL contender for a prospect because he's a free agent. No one that's out of the playoff chases is going to trade anything worthwhile for a player they're going to lose in the fall.

The Phils don't have any prospects to offer for an established player that can help them now. Consider it is taking names like Yanks pitching prospect Phil Hughes (reportedly not available), Braves catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman (plus prospects) to get teams to talk. The Phils don't have anyone close.

And please, will people stop tossing Dontrelle Willis' name out there as though he's Bob Gibson.

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