2012 MLB Trade Market: Could Dexter Fowler Be the Next Phillies Center Fielder?

The Phillies will be testing the free-agent market hard in 2012 to find their 2013 center fielder.

If they cannot lock down a free-agent signing like Michael Bourn or B.J. Upton, the Phillies may have to look into making a trade to acquire a player to fill the hole Shane Victorino left.

A team that matches up perfectly with what the Phillies need and what they have at their disposal are the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies are in desperate need of starting pitching depth, and that is exactly what the Phillies have in their farm system.

The Phillies’ minor league affiliates are loaded with pitchers who are only a year or two away from contributing at the major league level.

They also have pitchers on the current major league roster who are now disposable because of that depth. Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick could both be made available if necessary.

Right now, the Phillies have prospects Tyler Cloyd, Jesse Biddle, Brody Colvin, Trevor May, Jonathan Pettibone, Adam Morgan and Ethan Martin who will fill up the rotations for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading. That is some serious depth.

Biddle, Martin and Pettibone will most likely not be traded. The three of them and Cloyd will battle out for the last two spots in the rotation next season if Worley and Kendrick struggle or find themselves traded.

Kendrick’s value may be the highest it ever will be, so moving him now isn’t the worst idea. Worley will be a much tougher sell since he is coming off an injury that will require offseason surgery. 

If a combination of two of these pitchers and some other player of a lower tier can score a major league talent like Dexter Fowler, the Phillies may want to consider it.

Fowler is coming off his best season as a professional. He hit .300 with 13 HR, 53 RBI and 72 runs scored. One issue with Fowler is that his splits playing at home in Colorado are much better than his splits on the road.

If the Phillies can’t land a big-time free agent, they may have to take a long look at Dexter Fowler and other trade possibilities.

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