MLB Trade Deadline 2012: Philadelphia Phillies in Unfamiliar Territory

The Philadelphia Phillies have won the NL East pennant in each of the last five seasons. Last year, they were the only team to win more than 100 games, but in 2012, it looks as though they won’t even win 80.

Philadelphia knew this would be a tough season after Ryan Howard tore his Achilles in the final out of the 2011 NLDS, but the demise of the bullpen and the additional injury to Roy Halladay has thrown the Phillies off the tracks.

The Phillies are currently 11 games back of the NL East-leading Nationals, and nine games back of the NL’s second wild-card spot. 

Their 36-45 record is the sixth worst in the MLB, meaning that for the first time in a long time, the Philadelphia Phillies need to sell at the July 31 deadline.

No Success in 2012

In the past three years, Philadelphia has been the team acquiring the biggest names at the deadline (Cliff Lee in ’09, Roy Oswalt in ’10, Hunter Pence ’11). But there won’t be a fourth name added to that list this season.

Last night, the New York Mets pounded the Phillies 11-1, giving Philadelphia its sixth straight loss.

Dating back to the beginning of June, the Phillies have won only two of their previous nine series, with those two wins coming against the Colorado Rockies and the Minnesota Twins (both ranked in the bottom five of the MLB).

A few days ago, manager Charlie Manuel shared his frustration with the Philadelphia Inquirer saying that "it’s pretty damn difficult” to win while simultaneously developing his youthful bullpen.

So why not make 2012 that year to develop. Take this time to freshen up the roster by trading huge assets for a plethora of prospects that can solve more than one problem.

Philadelphia currently has the second oldest roster in the league, but that can change if they choose to sell at this year’s deadline.

LHP Cole Hamels and OF Shane Victorino are their two biggest names in the MLB rumor mill.

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels has been lights out for Philadelphia this season, posting a 10-4 record, 9.0 K/9, and a 3.08 ERA. He was recently voted to the All-Star team for the third time in his career, but what’s the point of keeping Hamels in Philadelphia for the rest of the season?

Hamels has a monstrous trade value and would finally allow the Phillies to revive their lineup with younger prospects at a variety of positions.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Philadelphia’s asking price for Hamels would be three or four prospects, emphasizing third base and the outfield as positions of interest.

Two days ago, however, Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSNPhilly’s Jim Salisbury that Hamels wasn’t going anywhere.

"

All this rumor and speculation is a product of the time of the year and the way we’ve been playing. That’s how this works. Our goal has always been to keep Cole Hamels in our uniform for a long time and that hasn’t changed.

"

But Amaro needs to face the facts.

Hamels’ contract expires at the end of the season, and CBS’ Jon Heyman says there has not been any progress in the discussion of a future deal for the pitcher.

So if negotiations remain stagnant and Philadelphia continues to slide out of contention, why not sell Hamels to the highest bidder?

The New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers are all high payroll organizations that are in need of an additional starting pitcher. They may be willing to rent Hamels for three months, and who knows, they might even feel they can convince the lefty to stick around for a few more years. 

What makes matters really interesting is that each one of those teams has a third baseman locked in for the foreseeable future (Yankees: A-Rod, Cardinals: David Freese, Tigers: Miguel Cabrera, Rangers: Adrian Beltre).

If you are Amaro, why not test the waters to see if you can grab one of their top prospects at third as well as two other minor leaguers, maybe in the outfield or an additional reliever? Third basemen Mike Olt (TEX) and Nick Castellanos (DET) are each ranked in the top-50 in MLB.com’s 2012 Prospect Watch. The Yankees and Cardinals have outfielders Mason Williams (NYY) and Oscar Taveras (STL) ranking 62nd and 86th, respectively.

Let’s face it—it’s time Amaro starts playing the hand he’s been dealt.

It always stings letting a great player like Hamels go, but with the current situation in Philadelphia, selling Hamels makes more sense than having him win 20 games for the last-place team in the NL East. 

Shane Victorino

Shane Victorino’s situation with the Phillies is strikingly similar to that of Hamels.

Despite expressing a desire to remain in Philadelphia for the remainder of his career, the Phillies have decided not to offer a five-year deal, as requested by Victorino.

The “Flyin’ Hawaiian” is currently 31 years old.

Back in June, Victorino was hitting .248 with seven home runs when he told CSNPhilly’s Leslie Gudel that the negotiations were affecting his play, "Is there a little something in the back of my mind, yeah."

Since then, Victorino’s average has improved just six points and he’s hit only one additional homer. 

Batting a career-worst .254, Victorino can’t afford to let the recent trade rumors get to his head and drop his average any lower.

The teams most interested in an outfielder are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and New York Mets.

Victorino’s worth is nowhere near Hamels’ value, but the fact that Victorino is a switch-hitter will definitely raise his stock above the average outfielder.

Teams are always looking for ways to produce extra hits at the end of the summer, and Victorino could serve as that final piece in any of the possible places his name is being mentioned.