FanPost

MLB Trade Deadline Predictions. What Must Be Done.

The Phillies are in a situation where we can't be good for a bit. We have great players, like Cole Hamels and Maikel Franco. But we don't have a team that can post a record worthy of contention, so we must trade everyone we can before July 31. I have come up with reasonable trades for many of our clubs trade pieces.

Jonathan Papelbon- The Phillies closer, who holds a 1.30 ERA and who has gone 13 for 13 in saves this season certainly shows he's a dominant closer. The issue is he could have 20+ saves already but the Phillies never can put Papelbon in a save situation. The Phillies could pull a quality prospect if the pay part of his hefty deal.

The Trade:

PHI Gets: OF DJ Davis, 2B Lane Thomas.

TOR Gets: RP Jonathan Papelbon and $10 Million.

Why it makes sense: This trade makes sense because the Jays need a closer. Their pitching is surely towards the bottom of the league and Brett Cecil needs some help. The Phillies do this to move a player who wants out and to gain a pair of quality prospects. DJ Dais has real potential and we can't ignore that.

Ben Revere- The utility outfielder, great glove and a poor arm. He hits for average and his services could be sought by many teams. He is hitting .282 and hardly strikes out. In 273 At Bats, he has only struck out 30 times. Joey Gallo has 27 strike outs in just 58 At Bats. He also has youth on his side, at just 27 years old.

The Trade:

PHI Gets: 3B Kaleb Cowart

LAA Gets: OF Ben Revere

Why it makes sense: Los Angeles needs more depth around that outfield, despite having Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun. Revere can help out in Left field and make them a lot better. Kaleb Cowart, like DJ Davis was a first round pick. Cowart has a glove and an arm with plenty of potential. But his bat has dropped off since 2013. He one day could come to the Phillies and join the lineup in 2016 or 2017.

Ryan Howard- This guy has been on the decline since his Achilles injury. He has it .232 so far and is well overpaid. He is set to make $60 Million by the end of his deal and the Phillies must find a way to send him to another club. He has power at age 35, slugging out 13 Homers in 2015. We will have to pay the rest of his deal t send him anywhere. It's a lot like the Vernon Wells deal. He is the perfect stereotype of the 2015 Phillies.

The Trade:

PHI Gets: C Cody Stanley

STL Gets: 1B Ryan Howard and $45 Million.

Why it makes sense: Ryan Howard needs to go. Plain and simple. The $45 Million is pretty much what's left on his deal. In return we get a ML ready catcher. He won't be much for us. He likely would be sent to Lehigh but to get Howard off the books it's fine. The Cardinals are missing Matt Adams and will miss him more due to injury. Howard could be a platoon player at first base.

Aaron Harang- A 37 year old pitcher who has shown he's still got it in 2015. He carries a 3.41 ERA and that's the best of his career. For real. Harang is a sure bet to be traded to whichever club seeks a middle of the rotation kind of player. Harang has many suitors and an expiring deal.

The Trade:

PHI Gets: RHP Joe Jimenez

DET Gets: RHP Aaron Harang

Why it makes sense: Harang will be traded and this is a realistic offer. Jimenez will be in the MLB by 2018 or so and has the potential of a back of the rotation player. The Tigers have a bad rotation after letting Scherzer go. David price is a star but behind him it's OK pitching. Justin Verlander, Alfredo Simon are washing up slowly. Harang can help them push past the Royals or Twins.

Cole Hamels- The ace. The longtime Phillie should be sent off. He deserves better than what our front office has given him. He holds consistent All-Star numbers year after year but when he's given no run support it's not worth keeping him. We can get multiple prospects who will succeed in the MLB and Amaro has to be honest about Hamels value. Get talent and take te best offer. Last year it was reported he asked the Dodgers for Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Julio Urias. Hamels is a top 25 player and deserves to be on a contending team.

The Trade:

PHI Gets: LHP Brian Johnson, OF Manuel Margot, OF Jackie Bradley, LHP Trey Ball

BOS Gets: LHP Cole Hamels $20 Million

Why it makes sense: I hated using the Sox for trade partners. The Phillies Cole Hamels rumors have been going on since 2012. He must go now while his value is up. In this trade, we'd get back a number 2 or 3 pitcher who is MLB ready. Then after, Margot has the potential to be a center fielder in the MLB one day. Jackie Bradley is a star who disappointed in previous MLB stints. With Pawtucket, he has hit above .300 and looks ready to be a full time Pro. Trey Ball, the 7th overall pick from 2013 comes with a similar potential as Brian Johnson and could wear Phillies uniform one day. The Sox fire on this trade as it doesn't involve Swihart, Betts, Boegarts, Rodriguez or Henry Owens.

Extra wild fun trade idea for jokes:

PHI Gets: SS Raul Mondesi, OF Nomar Mazara, C Jorge Alfaro

CIN Gets: 2B Jurickson Profar, 3B Hunter Dozier

KC Gets: RHP Johnny Cueto, OF Dom Brown

TEX Gets: RP Aroldis Chapman, LHP Cole Hamels