MLB Trade Talk: 15 Deals the Philadelphia Phillies Should Avoid

Despite having the best record in the majors and a respectable division lead in the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies are in no means a perfect team.

Sure, they have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels bolstering down the MLB's best rotation, but Philadelphia has encountered some major issues that could plague them later in the year.

Chase Utley has had a relatively slow start in the power department, Roy Oswalt is battling a back issue that could potentially end his career, and an array of mystery men have culminated into the Phillies suspect bullpen.

Moving forward into the second half of the season, manager Charlie Manuel could push for a trade, either to help his squad offensively or contribute to securing their late-inning opportunities.

With that said, it's become evident that some of the more well-known names are surfacing throughout trade talks and trade speculations, but how good are these select players?

Here are the top-15 trades the Philadelphia Phillies should avoid this July.

15. Heath Bell, RP, San Diego Padres

It's no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies need bullpen help.

Injuries to Ryan Madsen and Jose Contreras have left the team to turn to young arms like Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes.

Bastardo has been pretty good in the ninth-inning role and even more amazing throughout the whole season, but can you truly trust a first-time closer to consistently produce in the playoffs?

That's the problem for the Phillies.

Finding a closer that can be the guy come October.

Many would say reliever Heath Bell is a perfect fit, who's due to become a free agent after the season,

However, considering the 33-year-old is one of the most valued closers around, the Phillies would have to give up a significant prospect to get Bell's services for less than half the year.

Not to mention he's only pitching an inning every other day.

While Bell has been a trustworthy option for the San Diego Padres in 2011, his strikeouts are substantially low and he's never really pitched in big-time playoff games.

Trading for the elite closer could help the Phillies here and there, but for the value they'll ultimately surrender to San Diego and his lack of experience late in the year, the Phillies should look somewhere else.

14. Kerry Wood, RP, Chicago Cubs

Kerry Wood seems like another good bullpen option for the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, considering he's 34-years-old and is currently rocking a 1.42 WHIP, Wood doesn't seem ready to become the front-man of a playoff team's bullpen.

He continues to be a liability to walk hitters as well, something that a playoff team wants nothing of.

While the Phillies could more than likely get him cheap, Kerry Wood is a last-ditch effort to fix the clubs bullpen woes.

13. Carlos Lee, OF, Houston Astros

The Philadelphia Phillies should be in the market for an outfielder before the July trade deadline.

Raul Ibanez is finally showing signs of old age and is far away from improving his .234 batting average,

Youngster Domonic Brown has been just decent through his first 130 at-bats with five home runs, but he too has struggled with a .218 batting line.

For the Phillies, grabbing a veteran hitter who can play the field may make the difference in winning or losing in the playoffs.

There are a few names out there that have been speculated as possible trade acquisitions amongst the league, Carlos Lee being one of them.

While Lee has been very good over the last two months, hitting .305 and showing signs of a power rebirth, his monstrosity of a contract is going to stand in the way of the Phillies landing the veteran option.

Lee is due to earn $19 million this year alone

The 35-year-old is going to be a free agent next year so keeping him around is going to be nearly impossible.

He's an immediate upgrade over Ibanez and Brown, but is he worth the money and trouble to trade for?

I don't think so.

12. Jonathan Broxton, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton has already been mentioned among trade talks throughout the league.

Once a top-notch closer, Broxton has veered off the road to success over the past two seasons.

In 2011, the 27-year-old has become even more inconsistent.

It could be the fact that Broxton has been sidelined for nearly two months with an elbow injury, or the fact that he boosted a horrid 5.68 ERA before he was put on the DL.

It's a long shot that the Philadelphia Phillies would even be interested in Broxton, but considering his age and low salary compensation compared to Francisco Rodriguez and even Heath Bell, who knows.

11. Bobby Abreu, OF/DH, Los Angeles Angels

Could Bobby Abreu be back in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform within the next few weeks?

It's possible, but the Phillies should look somewhere else.

Abreu was once a top outfielder in the league when he was with Philadelphia back in the early 2000's, but he's become a shell of his former All-Star self.

Currently Los Angeles' designated hitter, it would be hard for Abreu to transform back into a successful outfielder.

He'd surly offer the Phillies an upgrade in hitting over Raul Ibanez and Domonic Brown, but with inconsistent power numbers and a $9 million contract, Abreu isn't going to reunite with the ball club anytime soon.

10. Josh Willingham, OF, Oakland Athletics

Josh Willingham is an interesting choice to solve one of the Philadelphia Phillies outfield problems.

He's proved to be a consistent run producer for one of the worst hitting teams in the MLB, the Oakland Athletics, and has enough pop to hit for power in any ballpark.

So what's the problem?

The problem not only lies in the fact that Willingham is still struggling with his Achilles injury, but it's also because he's a high-risk, high-reward type of player.

He strikes-out a lot, doesn't hit for a high average, and at times can go offensively invisible.

The 32-year-old could land somewhere before the trade deadline, but the Phillies will be looking for a more consistent and trustworthy outfield option for their playoff run.

9. Koji Uehara, RP, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles reliever Koji Uehara could be on the move sooner rather than later.

He has posted a 2.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP through 38 innings of work, but is certainly going against his career grain.

Uehara is a life-time 3.21 ERA pitcher, holding a career WHIP of 1.04.

He's striking guys out at an alarming rate, but how good is he going to be late in the season?

How long can his success last?

Uehara has been dominating AL hitting throughout the year, but his dud of a performance in an inter-league game against the Washington Nationals (two earned runs through 4.1 innings) could prove to be a sample of things to come.

We've seen in the past, that relievers moving between leagues often have problems continuing their success when they face new hitters and different plate tendencies.

8. Ramon Hernandez, C, Cincannati Reds

Catcher Carlos Ruiz simply hasn't been producing this year like he did in 2010, and it's going to be another issue that Philadelphia management addresses before the trade deadline.

His .254 average, three home runs, and 18 RBI in over 200 at-bats suggest that Ruiz has become one of the Phillies offensive weak links.

Cincinnati catch Ramon Hernandez could be an option for the team to put more offense on the field while maintaining a behind the plate presence.

The Reds have a suitable replacement in Ryan Hanigan, so trading the veteran Hernandez would be no sweat to the defending division champs.

Hernandez is 35-years-old, but he's currently hitting .307 through 163 at-bats, crushing eight home runs and 20 RBI.

However, his lack of action through the first three months could prove to be a turnoff for many playoff contenders, including Philadelphia.

He has failed to eclipse 315 plate appearances since 2008, and has only produced 16 extra-base hits this year.

Hernandez is a true gamble for any team entering trade conversations, but considering the Phillies have some young talent to throw on the table, a 35-year-old catcher in a decline may not be the best option.

7. Mark Buehrle, SP, Chicago White Sox

After constant bad news revolving around Roy Oswalt and his injured back, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for a starting pitcher.

Vance Worley has filled in nicely for the team, but Charlie Manuel could be looking for a more dominant presence in the means of a veteran pitcher.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle could be an option as the club's No. 4 starter.

But can the veteran hurler hold up over the next 100 innings and is he worth his $14 million contract?

Buehrle is due to become a free agent after the season so this becomes another situation where the Phillies have to gauge his value for only half a season.

He's become one of the most trustworthy options not only in the regular season but the playoffs, so getting him could mean giving up some top talent.

Buehrle is no doubt going to be a targeted trade option over the next few weeks, but his high salary and seemingly high asking price could push teams away.

The Phillies being one of them.

6. Ryan Dempster, SP, Chicago Cubs

There are many reasons why the Philadelphia Phillies should avoid veteran pitcher Ryan Dempster.

One, the 34-year-old is currently sporting a 4.99 ERA, leaving little left to the imagination.

Two, he's been one of the most inconsistent starters around in 2011, posting a 9.58 ERA in April compared to a 3.08 in May.

Three, Dempster is on pace to give up 220 hits, the most since 2002.

Four, the veteran starter is due $13.5 million this year before he tests the free agent market in 2012.

The Phillies may be tempted to bring in Dempster and help them round-out a dominant foursome in their rotation, but there are too many question marks for the Chicago Cubs pitcher going forward.

5. Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies should avoid Andre Ethier at all costs.

I'm not saying he's a bad pickup, but considering the 29-year-old outfielder is past his prime and doesn't offer much pop, his hefty contract starts to look more unattractive.

Ethier is due to earn $9.5 million in 2011, and has become a familiar name among trade talks.

The Phillies would be better of with Domonic Brown than going after Ethier.

Brown offers a similar power potential, more speed on the base paths, and better defense.

Not to mention the Los Angeles Dodgers would request top level talent in return.

Personally, I think Ethier is one of the most overrated players in the league and trading away future starters for his services seems like the wrong thing to do.

Whether you're in a playoff hunt or not.

4. B.J. Upton, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

The B.J. Upton train to super-stardom has came and gone.

The 26-year-old is still young and still has a lot of baseball left in his career, but how many times are we going to say he's ready to breakout?

The fact remains that Upton is an obvious hitter.

You get what you pay for.

He'll swipe 40 bases, hit .230, strikeout 160 times, hit 15 home runs, and offer little to no potential of changing any of that.

That's the type of player he's become.

While that production isn't bad by any means, trading for him seems like a move that's more desperate than savvy.

The only positive, his contract is significantly lower than really anybody on this list.

3. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs

It looks like Aramis Ramirez is finally back on track.

He has cranked four home runs over the past week, boosted his average to nearly .300, and looks like he's back to his All-Star ways.

However, with a large contract in the mix and suspect injury woes, the Philadelphia Phillies should leave Ramirez on the shelf.

He's no doubt an immediate upgrade over Placido Polanco, but Polanco hasn't been that bad at all.

He's hitting .277 with four home runs and 39 RBI, only striking out 27 times to his 28 walks.

The Chicago Cubs are going to be looking for substantial talent in return for Ramirez considering the third baseman has been the face of their franchise for the last five years.

So how much do the Phillies need to offer in order to acquire the 33-year-old?

It depends, and it will also decide whether or not they pull the trigger.

2. Hiroki Kuroda, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

It's becoming more and more likely that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to have a team fire sale, and pitcher Hiroki Kuroda could be first in line.

Now while Kuroda has been fairly successful in 2011 with a 2.90 ERA through 108.2 innings of work, he's still relatively untrustworthy.

Kuroda has only started three career playoff games, going 2-1 with a lack luster 5.27 ERA.

He may be one of the most consistent pitchers in the regular season, but that's not what the Philadelphia Phillies are looking for.

They need a No. 4 starter who could potentially take over a game if they encounter a seven games series come playoff time.

That and that alone is going to be the reason why the Phillies should avoid Kuroda.

There are many mores options, at cheaper prices, that can come in and have the same effect late in the season.

1. Francisco Rodriguez, RP, New York Mets

Let me start this slide off by saying it's going to be very surprising if the New York Mets trade Francisco Rodriguez within the division, let alone to the rival Philadelphia Phillies.

With that said, even if the Mets decide to push K-Rod out the door, the Phillies should move out of the way and let the 29-year-old go elsewhere.

At one point during the 2011 season, Rodriguez looked like he was back to his former self, pitching like he did when he set the single season saves record with 62.

However, over his past seven appearances, K-Rod has found his way back to earth and has showcased why team's should stay away from trading for him.

He's given up five runs through 7.2 innings of work during that span, surrendering 10 hits to only six strikeouts.

It's become evident that his 7.71 ERA in June has carried over to July, and it could be the end of his high-value within the MLB trade market.

Rodriguez has failed to record a substantial pattern for first half or second half tendencies during his career, so his production going forward is going to be relatively unknown.

The fact remains that he's had some really bad outings of late, carries a $12 million contract, and always seems to get himself in more trouble than not.

The Phillies shouldn't even consider him as an option.