Philadelphia Phillies: Ryan Howard and 6 Most Ridiculous Trade Rumors This Year

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to have the best record in MLB this season. This Phillies team was built to win now, but there are a few glaring holes that have been pointed out by everyone who follows this team all season long.

The Phillies clearly need a right-handed bat that could provide pop off the bench or even platoon with Raul Ibanez and/or Domonick Brown. Ruben Amaro has stated many times this season that he would like to add another arm to the back-end of his bullpen as well.

Not a bad idea considering the current 'pen consists of names like Bastardo, Stutes, Baez, Carpenter, Kendrick and Herndon. None of those players besides Antonio Bastardo (and Baez because of his contract) seemed like a sure thing to be on this roster before the season started.

Rumors have been swirling like crazy with only 13 days until the trade deadline, and you can be sure that more are soon to come. Names like Heath Bell and Chad Quall's all seem reasonable, but many others are not.

It does seem certain that Ruben Amaro will make some sort of move, but don't expect another Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt trade deadline acquisition.

Here are the six most ridiculous Phillies' trade rumors this year.

6. Michael Young for Joe Blanton and Prospects

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported back in early February that the Philadelphia Phillies contacted the Texas Rangers to discuss the availability of Michael Young.

It's hard to believe that this deal was even being considered by the Rangers. Yes they would be clearing up a lot of guaranteed money with Young, but they would be receiving another $17 million over the next two years to watch Joe Blanton gain weight.

How the Phillies would have been able to take on Young's $48 million is beyond me. If only Ed Wade was the GM of the Texas Rangers.

5. Carlos Beltran and Cash for Prospects

Joel Sherman of the NY Post wrote that the New York Mets are actively shopping free agent to be Carlos Beltran, but not many teams would be able to afford the $6 million that he is still owed this season. 

The deal is interesting in that the Mets may be able to land a top prospect (which they covet) if they pay a portion of Beltran's salary. If they wish to move Beltran for salary relief, then they would not be receiving a top prospect.

Either way it is hard to imagine the hated Mets trading a resurgent Carlos Beltran to the monsters of their division. Beltran would certainly be a difference-maker in the Phillies lineup however.

4. Michael Cuddyer and Cash to Phillies for Prospects

Don't get me wrong, I would love for the Philadelphia Phillies to acquire Michael Cuddyer. I just don't think there is any way the deal can work.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney wrote a terrific piece outlining the pro's and con's of the Twins dealing their star. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=6728576

The Minnesota Twins would have to pay a substantial amount of Cuddyer's remaining $5.5 million salary if they wish to receive in return the top prospect a player like Cuddyer deserves.

The Twins have been the class of the AL Central in recent years and the Indians, White Sox and Tigers have shown repeatedly that no one will run away with this division. Is it really worth it for the Twins to trade the well-respected (and hot-hitting) Michael Cuddyer while having to eat a large portion of his contract?

No deal Howie Mandel.

3. Heath Bell for Prospects

Heath Bell to the Philadelphia Phillies makes a lot of sense to me, but Ken Rosenthal explains in this article  that the Phillies have only about $2 million to spend at the deadline.

Even if Ken Rosenthal does wear a bow-tie, he makes a lot of sense. Heath Bell does not fit into the plans of what the Phillies are looking for.

Rosenthal's article states that because the Phillies gave up so many prospects in the Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Roy Halladay deals, they would prefer to trade for a player that they can control through at least 2012.

Mike Adams of the Padres might be the reliever that the Phillies covet.

Still, Heath Bell sliding onto the mound in the World Series would be pretty cool, as long as he is a member of the Phightin Phil's.

2. Hunter Pence for Prospects

Many Philadelphia Phillies fans scoffed at the notion of potentially acquiring stud outfielder Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros. "How would Ruben Amaro be able to pull that one off?"

While I realize that this deal is highly unlikely, I also keep a slight glimmer of hope that Ed Wade may in fact do something really stupid. It wouldn't be the first time.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported that the Houston Astros are clearly seller's and a plethora of teams would love to acquire Houston's best player. The problem for the Phillies is that the Astros would (should) want a king's ransom in return.

The Phillies seem content to hold on to their top pitching prospects and Jon Singleton, so a Hunter Pence deal has no shot. Pence’s $6.9 million salary is about double what Philadelphia can add (around $2 million to $3 million before they hit luxury tax), and he is due for a large raise in arbitration next year. 

Come on Ed, help us out!

1. Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols

I still get a little giddy thinking about Albert Pujols as a Philadelphia Phillie, and that is taking nothing away from Ryan Howard. Adding the premier bat in baseball to any lineup would be welcomed.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Phillies had internal discussions about a potential Pujols for Howard swap. The trade may seem absurd, but if you dig a little deeper, you realize it may not be.

The St. Louis Cardinals failed to sign Pujols to a long-term contract before the season began, and he will become a free agent. The Cardinals may welcome the hometown hero Ryan Howard with open arms as he is under contract for the foreseeable future.

The Phillies would be acquiring the best player in baseball whose numbers are comparable with any other player in MLB history through their first eight seasons. Howard is a power hitter that can drive in a ton of runs, while Pujols is a power hitter that can hit for average and drive in a ton of runs.

Take a look at their career slash lines prior to this season:

Howard: .279/.376/.571

Pujols: .334/.427/.628

This deal was fun to kick around for a few weeks, but the deal is probably ridiculous if it doesn't even have a chance in a fantasy baseball league.