Phillies Trade Rumors: Assembling Perfect Prospect Packages for All Top Chips

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With less than 24 hours until Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, there will likely be a slew of deals that transpire. The most notable team of those said to be “sellers” is the Philadelphia Phillies, who are prepared to unload Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.

There’s also a strong chance the team trades Juan Pierre and Ty Wiggington by the deadline, says Salisbury, with multiple teams interested in both players.

The Phillies’ wild-card trade candidate is of course Cliff Lee, who has been rumored to be the center of discussions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. However, as FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported today, those talks have subsided.

In return for their coveted players, the Phillies are looking for near big-league ready prospects and, in general, are expecting flattering offers across the board.

Assuming that the organization ultimately executes prospect-centered trades for Victorino, Pence, Blanton, Lee, Wiggington and Pierre, here is the type of return they could receive from potential suitors.

Cliff Lee

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Despite the flurry of Cliff Lee rumors circulating today, the latest has him staying put at this year’s trade deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. It’s no secret that the return for Lee will be massive, and despite Stark’s note that the Rangers are now out of the mix, they still have both the quantity and quality of prospects to execute such a deal.

While the Phillies' system would benefit from the acquisition of one elite prospect, they could also use a mixed assemblage of position and pitching prospects.

However, Cliff Lee is owed an outrageous amount of money over the remainder of his contract: $25 million in 2013, 2014 and 2015, with a $27.5 million vesting option for the 2016 season.

So the market for Lee will continue to be comprised of teams capable of adding the left-hander to their payroll, which drastically limits the market

 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Lee, Allen Webster

 

Texas Rangers: Mike Olt, Cody Buckel

Shane Victorino

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The Phillies’ asking price for Victorino is obscene, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, although that hasn’t necessarily scared off potential suitors. I would assume that they are hoping to net either a top-ranked position or pitching prospect in return, or possibly even a two- or three-player mix of high-minors players.

The 31-year-old outfielder is in the final year of his three-year, $22 million contract signed before the 2010 season. As part of the back-loaded deal, Victorino is making $9.5 million this season and will be one of the more highly coveted free agents this offseason.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Allen Webster

 

Cincinnati Reds: Didi Gregorius, Daniel Corcino

 

San Francisco Giants: Gary Brown

Hunter Pence

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Of all the Phillies players rumored to be on the trading block, Pence is the most likely to be moved, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The right fielder is earning $10.4 million this season and will likely earn upwards of $15 million next year after arbitration.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Garrett Gould, Joc Pederson, Shawn Tolleson

 

San Francisco Giants: Kyle Crick, Joe Panik

 

Pittsburgh Pirates: Starling Marte

Ty Wiggington

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Although he’s 34 years old and limited defensively, Wiggington could add much-needed depth on the bench for a contender. However, his pursuit could ultimately turn into a two-team bidding war with both the Yankees and Giants, who are looking to fill holes in the wake of Alex Rodriguez and Pablo Sandoval’s respective injuries.

Primarily a corner infielder, Wiggington is in the final year of a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a $4 million team option for 2013.

 

New York Yankees: Dellin Betances

 

San Francisco Giants: Andrew Susac

Juan Pierre

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According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Reds—who desperately need a left-handed bat with speed—have been interested in Pierre since June. The 34-year-old outfielder will be a free agent this offseason after signing a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Phillies.

 

Cincinnati Reds: J.J. Hoover

Joe Blanton

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The 31-year-old right-hander is being pursued by numerous teams, most notably the Baltimore Orioles, according to MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli. While Blanton isn’t exactly the type of acquisition that will fuel a team toward a playoff berth, he does offer stability at the back end of a starting rotation, or could even fill a sixth-starter/long-relief role.

After signing an extension with the Phillies prior to the 2010 season, Blanton has just over $3 million remaining on his contract.

 

Baltimore Orioles: Nicky Delmonico

 

St. Louis Cardinals: Zack Cox