Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Reaction

This year was a make-or-break season for the Philadelphia Phillies, and after seeing so many aging stars struggle it looks like it's time for the Phils to blow it up.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. repeatedly said that he has no intention of trading his biggest trade chips, including Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon. However, the team is well out of the playoff race and currently boasts one of the oldest rosters in the MLB.

The Phillies clearly look like sellers at the 2013 MLB Trade Deadline, and no matter what Amaro says, there are going to be tons of rumors floating around the City of Brotherly Love.

This is your rumor central for the Philadelphia Phillies, as we keep you updated on all the latest whispers, rumors and trades. Keep checking back, as this page will be constantly updated to bring you the most recent rumors about the Phillies.

Cliff Lee Could Be on the Trading Block

Posted: July 26, 9:40 p.m. ET

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Phillies have been getting calls about Cliff Lee, and Amaro is doing nothing to dispel the rumors that he could be dealt.

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I never put any real absolutes on anything. Although we don't have any desire to move a guy like that because we view him as someone who will be key to our future, I am a businessperson as well and I'll be a good listener.

I can't sit here and say I'm not going to trade Chase (Utley), or Cliff, or Michael Young or Chooch (Carlos Ruiz), or any of these guys. Some guys are less tradable than others. But I think I owe it to us as an organization to listen. If teams are going to come at us and suggest things, I'm not going to turn off the faucet and stop listening to them.

"

If Lee becomes available he'll be far and away the best pitcher on the market, and teams will be banging down Amaro's door to get him.

The Phillies could get a fantastic package of prospects for Lee, and I've speculated about the team trading him for a package include SS Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox, who could replace Jimmy Rollins.

Phillies Are (Reportedly) Buyers

Posted: July 25, 8 a.m. ET

We may finally have an answer to whether the Phillies are buyers or sellers at the deadline, and it comes with less than a week left until the deadline.

Jayson Stark of ESPN was told by a rival executive that the Phillies will be buyers, as the exec said "Oh, they're buyers. No doubt."

Well, it looks like we finally have our answer, but it may be too late for the team to make the moves necessary to make it into the playoffs.

The team has been said to be looking at several relievers, a center fielder and more, and with six days left to make moves, the team might be out of time.

Brian Wilson on Phillies' Radar

 Posted: July 24, 1:50 p.m. ET

Brian Wilson was once one of the best closers in the MLB, but after undergoing Tommy John surgery he hasn't pitched in over a year.

Amaro and the Phils are looking into Wilson, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. The team is leaving "no stone unturned" and will watch Wilson throw.

Wilson is a free agent so the team would not need to give up prospects in order to acquire him. His value is also very low since he hasn't pitched in so long, and the team won't have to give up a lot of money to sign him.

Wilson is the type of guy who a desperate team could find value in, and it looks like the Phils are getting desperate.

Phillies Still Not Looking to Sell

Posted: July 21, 12:45 p.m. ET

Despite the news that relievers Mike Adams and Jeremy Horst are both done for the season, Ruben Amaro Jr. still doesn't look at the Phillies as sellers at the deadline.

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the team is not looking to blow it up just yet, despite this devastating loss in the bullpen.

It remains unclear whether the Phillies will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, and with just 10 days left, Amaro needs to make up his mind soon.

Phillies Looking to Trade for a Center Fielder

Posted: July 15, 12:35 p.m. ET

With center fielder Ben Revere breaking a bone in his ankle on Sunday, the Phillies are now in search of a new center fielder, according to Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"The prognosis doesn't sound too good," the general manager said before Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. "We'll see how long it's going to be. I think it's something that's going to take a while. If that's the case, we'll probably be looking for a center fielder if one is available or will be an upgrade on what we have with John (Mayberry) out there."

The market for true center fielders is not a promising one. However, the Phillies could try to trade for a guy like Nate Schierholtz or Andre Ethier and hope that they can play center field.

Phillies Could Be Looking for a Reliever, Not Selling One

Posted: July 11, 10:05 a.m. ET

The Phillies look more like buyers than sellers at this point, and that becomes more apparent everyday.

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the Phillies had been scouting the Detroit Tigers' farm system, likely for a trade involving sending closer Jonathan Papelbon to Detroit, where the Tigers are in desperate need of a closer other than Jose Valverde.

However, Knobler is now calling a deal involving Papelbon "unlikely," which would indicate that the Phils are trying to hang onto their closer for a late-season run.

Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports has also chimed in on the situation, saying that Pap will stay with the Phillies for now, and that the move the team should be making is to add a reliever to the bullpen, not trade one.

If the Phillies were to become buyers they would likely be looking for a reliever or an outfielder, and Morosi seems to think it should be a reliever.

Could the Phillies Be Buyers?

Posted: July 10, 2:40 p.m. ET

Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that rival GMs are saying that Amaro is leaning toward buying at the deadline, not selling.

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Other teams that have talked with Phillies GM Ruben Amaro lately say he's talking about buying, not selling.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 10, 2013"

The team has been playing much better in recent weeks, and sits just 5.5 games back of the wild card, as of July 10.

Amaro might think that the revitalization of Ben Revere and the team's offense could lead to a late-season push and a potential playoff spot, which is why he must be trying to buy right now.

Phillies Have Interest in Joba Chamberlain

Posted: July 9, 10:15 a.m. ET

Joba Chamberlain appears to be one of the targets on the Phillies' radar, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.

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National League sources say the Phillies are amenable to dealing Michael Young and have expressed interest in Joba Chamberlain, a salary-dump swap that would save Philadelphia roughly $7 million. The sources also say Carlos Ruiz can be had before the deadline, too.

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The Phillies and Yankees are very likely to make a deal before the deadline, as the Yanks have interest in both Michael Young and Carlos Ruiz, and the Phillies appear to be interested in Joba.

The deal for Joba would save the team roughly $7 million, which is a huge chunk of cash. If the Phils want more space on their payroll this move makes a lot of sense.

Chamberlain is 1-0 this season with an ERA of 5.75 and a WHIP of 1.77.

Ruben Amaro Jr. Could Be Swayed by Current Homestand

Posted: July 8, 7 a.m. ET

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com has reported that the team's current 10-game homestand will be crucial in deciding whether the Phillies are buyers or sellers at the deadline.

Ruben Amaro Jr. was quoted saying that these 10 games could decide what he does at the deadline.

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This homestand is very important. We’ve got to play well to stay in contention, clearly. I think we’ll know a lot more about this team after this homestand.

These next 10 days are big.

"

It looked like the Phillies would clearly be sellers at the deadline since they sat 8.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East and just as far back of the Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card spot. However, apparently Amaro hasn't made up his mind just yet.

The Phils play three games against the Atlanta Braves, four against the Washington Nationals and three against the Chicago White Sox during the homestand to close out the first half of the season.

Salisbury said that an 8-2 record in the 10 games might convince the team to hang onto its player for a possible run in the second half of the season.

The Phillies started the homestand 2-1 against the Atlanta Braves, went 3-1 against the Washington Nationals and finished 2-1 against the Chicago White Sox. The team finished the first half at 48-48.

Is Chase Utley on the Move?

Posted: July 8, 7 a.m. ET

After telling Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that he views Chase Utley as "a Phillie for life," Ruben Amaro Jr. could now be thinking about trading away his second baseman.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have interest in Utley, and he could be headed out of Philly.

If Utley is on the block, he will be the best second baseman available by far.

The 34-year-old Utley has always been one of the best hitters at second base, and this season has been no different. He is batting .284 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI in just 59 games this year.

Utley recently came off the DL and has been on a tear since, batting well over .300, marked by a nine-game hitting streak during his first 10 games back.

Utley could definitely help a contender make a deep run in October, and the five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger is worth quite a few prospects.

Young and Chooch Could Be Yankees Soon

Posted: July 8, 7 a.m. ET

The New York Yankees appear to be interested in two players that the Phillies should be trying to move.

The Bronx Bombers appear to have both Michael Young and Carlos Ruiz on their radar, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.

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First appearance of the weekend by a #Yankees scout in Philly. Michael Young & Carlos Ruiz could both be on NY radar screen this month.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 7, 2013"

The Yankees have been connected to Young in the past, and he would be a great fit as he fills needs at both corner infield spots and is a right-handed hitter, which the team desperately needs.

Young is batting .284 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 82 games this year, while Chooch is coming off a career year during which he set career-highs in batting average (.325), home runs (16) and RBI (68).

These two guys would both address needs for the Yankees, and the team desperately needs righties like these two in the lineup. Trading the 36-year-old Young and 34-year-old Chooch makes sense, and they could both be donning pinstripes in a few weeks.

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