2012 - Philadelphia Phillies, At Least Cole is Staying

[ice grillin you]

It's time. Time for the Phillies to say sayonara to their five-year headlock on the National League East and start thinking about stuff that matters -- like A) the luxury tax and B) the future.

So teams the Phillies have been talking to would be shocked if they don't make two to three deals by the time the deadline buzzer sounds. And maybe more.

Teams that have spoken with the Reds say they appear to be zeroing in on Juan Pierre. Might be the first deal the Phillies make.

The Dodgers look like the front-runner on Shane Victorino, for a young, controllable bullpen arm (Josh Lindblom?). But the Phillies have big concerns about who would play center field if they deal Victorino. So it wouldn't be a shock to see them push for someone like Tony Gwynn Jr., just to cover themselves.

And the Orioles, Cardinals and Blue Jays have all kicked tires on Joe Blanton. Baltimore looks like the best fit, but the $3 million Blanton has coming this year is an issue. Wouldn't be surprising to see the Phillies wait until the last minute to see if a bidder comes out of the ozone on Blanton. And he's also a candidate to get traded in August.

Hunter Pence's name remains in play. But clubs that have checked in on him believe the Phillies will wait until the offseason, to make sure they can line up other outfielders to replace him and Victorino. There's no reason to think, said one exec, that "Hunter Pence won't have a market in the wintertime, too."

And as our colleague, Buster Olney, has reported, the Phillies have never shouted from the mountaintop anything to the effect of: "We're never, ever trading Cliff Lee." So while that's still more unlikely than likely, stay tuned on that front.

But the big thing to remember is that the Phillies' payroll is so overloaded next year, they need to submerge beneath the luxury-tax threshold this year. And that will be a major priority, both in July and August: "They're not that far over," said one baseball official familiar with their situation. "If they get two or three guys traded, they'll get themselves under, no problem."

[ice grillin you]

The expectation in the industry is that the Philadelphia Phillies will be massive sellers before Tuesday's non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m. ET. But that is not entirely accurate.

Yes, the Phillies likely will move their potential free agents – center fielder Shane Victorino, left fielder Juan Pierre and right-hander Joe Blanton – and entertain offers for right fielder Hunter Pence and, according to reports on Monday, left-hander Cliff Lee.

But club officials also are exploring deals that will add to the Phillies' core – hence, the team's interest in San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley and Cleveland Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, according to major-league sources.

The Phillies' farm system is thinner than it once was due to their numerous trades for veterans in recent years. But the team could use the prospects it collects in some of its deals and spin them for a player such as Headley or Choo.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is almost always aggressive at the non-waiver deadline, and this year figures to be no different. But this time, he could be going in two directions at once.

[ice grillin you]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:8213748

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Lee not getting traded. Blanton to O's looking even more likely. Vic probably 10 times more likely to go than is Pencey.

[ice grillin you]

in the case of lee and pence there just isnt enough time for an offer and salary relief to be figured out...i could see lee going in august tho.....pence i think was always going to be an offseason move...

[MDS]

Rube wants the orioles top infield product for fatty

[Don Ho]

After the Mississippi farm boys performance tonight, the Rangers might be all over Philbert.  Oswalt was horrible against the Halos.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

D-Backs are looking to make a "splash" by acquiring a top starter.
Victorino's likely destinations down to LA and Cincy.

[Don Ho]

"Reports" are Lee for Upton.

[SD]

"Reports" are Lee for Upton.

Arizona is denying Upton is available and they're also on Lee's no trade list meaning he'd have to agree to be traded there. I think Lee and Pence are staying put and ultimately we'll see Blanton/Vic and probably Pierre gone for middle relief and prospects and to get under the luxury tax. I'll be shocked if anything of significance happens today.

[ice grillin you]

stark: victorino to LA for josh lindblom and a second player just about done

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Dodgers and Phillies close to a deal sending Shane Victorino to LA for Josh Lindblom and 2nd player.

[ice grillin you]

stark: victorino to LA for josh lindblom and a second player just about done

Dodgers and Phillies close to a deal sending Shane Victorino to LA for Josh Lindblom and 2nd player.

WIP >>> twitter

[SunMo]

2nd player will be either Kemp or Kershaw.  phillies still deciding

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

2nd player will be either Kemp or Kershaw.  phillies still deciding

Who do you want them to pick? I think Kemp would be a truer Phillie.