Scouting Reports for Philadelphia Phillies’ Prospects in the 2014 Futures Game
July 11, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
Although the MLB All-Star Game typically and rightfully steals the spotlight during the annual All-Star break, an event just beforehand that slips under the wire is the Futures Game.
Showcasing the best prospects around the minor leagues and pitting them against each other on United States and international teams, the Futures Game offers the best opportunity for prospects to make impressions—good or bad—on the national stage.
Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies were represented by two prospects: starting pitcher Jesse Biddle, who would end up earning the win in the game, and third baseman Maikel Franco. This year, Franco returns to the Futures Game, while 2013 first-round pick J.P. Crawford will be one of the shortstops on the U.S. team and, at 19 years old, the game’s youngest participant.
Despite coming off a four-game road sweep of the National League‘s best team, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies haven’t had a season with much to write home about. Thus, fans can only hope to get excited about the future, and the Futures Game gives fans a glimpse of future promise.
Here’s an in-depth look at the Phillies’ prospects who will be playing in the 2014 Futures Game.
Cole Hamels Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star
July 7, 2014 by Tyler Conway
Filed under Fan News
For the third straight season, the Philadelphia Phillies look like they’ll be watching October baseball from home. For the third straight season, that futility has raised questions about what general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will do with his high-cost stars—specifically starter Cole Hamels.
The 30-year-old starter again came into July with his name being bandied about in trade talks, as contenders look for ways to separate themselves in a clouded playoff picture. Among the teams most often linked to Hamels has been the Toronto Blue Jays, but Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports highlighted a no-trade clause in Hamels’ contract could prevent that from happening:
While he might prefer to play for a contender, there is little reason to think Hamels would waive his right to block a move to Toronto. With no less than four years remaining on his contract—there is a vesting option that could trigger a $20 million salary for 2019—any trade the Phillies make would not be a short-term move.
If Hamels were heading into free agency this winter, perhaps he’d be more receptive to a short-term trip up north. Players in the past have waived no-trade clauses under similar situations, and with the Blue Jays trying to keep themselves afloat in the AL playoff race, a short-term fix could have helped both sides.
Hamels’ contract complicates matters in that regard. He is less likely to be amenable to waiving his no-trade clause because any deal would require him to spend at least four years in a city where he does not wish to reside. Teams are also going to be skittish knowing the situation—and that’s without factoring in the considerable financial commitment.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports noted that the Yankees could be in play for Hamels if he becomes available, but even their interest is limited. Hamels is due annual salaries of $22.5 million for each of the next four seasons, per Baseball-Reference. There has been no indication on whether the Phillies would be open to eating some of that salary in exchange for better prospect compensation, though that seems like a possibility.
Even with his high cost, it’s not hard to see why teams are kicking the tires on a Hamels trade. A three-time All-Star, he is 2-5 this season but has posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Other than a few minor blips to start the season, Hamels has been one of the best pitchers in the National League. He posted a 1.23 ERA in six June starts, highlighted by three consecutive scoreless outings.
The season has proven a carbon copy of 2013, in which Hamels went 8-14 despite solid peripheral numbers. The Phillies rank 27th or worse in runs, on-base percentage, batting average and slugging percentage. Run support has been non-existent throughout most of the season, a point of contention that Hamels admitted to reporters is frustrating:
It’s a team game, and even if [the hitters] are pressing too hard, then I’m pressing too hard. They like to win, and we’re all accustomed to winning, so when you’re not doing so, you want it and press instead of just going back to basics and playing simplified baseball. I’m probably a big culprit of it, trying to be too fine and not calming down.
Despite the recent frustrations, Hamels remains one of the most consistent starters in baseball. He’s pitched at least 200 innings each of the last four seasons and five of his last six. Though he battled through some issues at the beginning of 2014, his injury history is minimal. Hamels has made at least 28 starts every year since his rookie season.
When it comes to trading for Hamels, it’s a risk-reward situation. Being on the hook for upwards of $100 million is something few teams can even consider—let alone give up assets to make happen. With Hamels holding a no-trade clause against one of the few teams willing to deal, he and the Phillies might wind up stuck together again in a playoff-less October.
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Ranking Philadelphia Phillies’ Best All-Star Game Candidates
July 3, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
The month of July in MLB is arguably the most significant month of the regular season. Not only does it mark the halfway point of the year, it also presents the MLB All-Star Game midway through (July 15) and ends with the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.
In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies, July has only brought a continuation of losing that closed out the month of June. While the Phillies won their first game of the month on July 3 by a score of 5-4 over the Miami Marlins, it was their first win in seven games and still came down to the ninth inning.
Before embarking on a current 10-game road trip, the Phillies came off a 2-6 home stand that saw them go from potential division climbers to permanent cellar dwellers.
It’s been nothing short of negativity surrounding the Phillies over the last couple of weeks, but the bright side is that the All-Star break is rapidly approaching. Not only will it present a much-needed breather for the Phillies to attempt to distance themselves from losing baseball, it also gives fans the chance of seeing the team’s best and brightest playing on the national stage.
While the Phillies don’t have an incredible amount of All-Star talent, there is a player or two who could find himself playing in the Midsummer Classic. This slideshow will look at the Phillies’ most likely candidates of playing in the 2014 All-Star Game, even if only a few are realistically going to be elected.
Without further ado, here’s a ranking of the Phillies’ best MLB All-Star Game candidates this season.
Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest Updates, News and Reaction
July 1, 2014 by Kyle Newport
Filed under Fan News
No team will be in a more interesting situation at the 2014 MLB trade deadline than the Philadelphia Phillies.
They have been near the bottom of the National League East for a while now. However, due to being in a weak division, they are still in contention. That combination presents an interesting dilemma for ownership.
Are the Phillies buyers or sellers?
Should the team decide that it is a seller, it has a few veteran players whom it could try to move. The Phillies could find it difficult to get some good pieces back at the deadline because some of their best assets have no-trade clauses.
The next three weeks or so will go a long way in determining what the team does at the deadline. Philadelphia has the veteran pieces to make a run at the postseason, but it may not be talented enough to overcome an early-season deficit in the NL East.
Make sure to keep checking back here to see what rumors the Phillies are involved in or what deals the team makes as the MLB trade deadline approaches.