Phillies Trade Rumors: J.A. Happ Drawing Interest, Blue Jays Scouting Prospects

As the Philadelphia Phillies continue to explore potential upgrades before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ has popped up on their radar. 

Per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, the Phillies have "definite interest" in acquiring Happ, and the Blue Jays have been scouting the Phillies' minor leagues recently.

Happ knows the Phillies well. He was originally selected by the organization in the third round of the 2004 draft and pitched parts of four seasons with them from 2007-10 before being traded to the Houston Astros. 

The Blue Jays can start looking toward 2019 and beyond. They are currently 43-52 at the All-Star break, 14.5 games out of a playoff spot in the American League. 

Happ, 35, is in the final season of a three-year deal he signed with the Blue Jays in November 2015. The southpaw was named to the AL All-Star team this year after posting a 4.29 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 109 innings in 19 starts. 

The Phillies lead the National League East with a 53-42 record, but their margin of error is slim with the Atlanta Braves at 52-42. Philadelphia starters rank sixth in MLB with a 3.72 ERA, though the group can use depth with Zach Eflin on the disabled list and Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta each sporting ERAs over 4.30.