We’re now five weeks from the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and a lot of teams are going to have some decisions to make. None more so than the Philadelphia Phillies, who have what are easily the game’s two best trade chips, in starting pitcher Cliff Lee and closer Jonathan Papelbon. The question is, are the Phils ready to throw in the towel?
Last year the Phils were one of the game’s big disappointments. Expectations weren’t as high this year, but this was still supposed to be a contender. What the problem is and whether it’s going to turnaround is our topic on in today’s National League MLB coverage.
The vultures are circling around the Philadelphia Phillies now that Roy Halladay has gone to the disabled list, not to return until mid-July at the earliest. It’s even being speculated that the Phils need to be sellers at the trade deadline. In a span of two months they’ve gone from a 3-1 favorite to win the World Series to everyone throwing in the towel. But is this really justified
The window is closing, as the proverbial cliché goes for the Philadelphia Phillies. The organization has mortgaged itself to the hilt for the present and has reaped a lot of rewards—five straight NL East titles, two National League pennants and a World Series title back in 2008. But the team and the fans want at least one more of the latter and with starters up and down the roster on the wrong side of 30, time is running out. TheSportsNotebook evaluates the 2012 Phils to see if they can again make the playoffs and then come up with the big October run that’s eluded them the last two seasons. As always, TheSportsNotebook’s measuring sticks are the ability to get on base, power, starting pitching and relief pitching.