Many of this year's trade deadline rumors revolve around a team that can't decide if it should add players and make a run at a wild card spot or if they should start to get rid of some of their veterans and begin a rebuilding process. If the Philadelphia Phillies could just make up their mind this would make things so much easier.
With both Ryan Howard and Ben Revere on the DL (not to mention that Roy Halladay has been there all year long) the Phillies have to ask themselves if it's worth gearing up for a playoff run. They are only 5.5 games out of the second wild card and have been playing well lately but why make a push if the team doesn't have a realistic shot at winning the World Series.
If they choose to be sellers Dave Cameron of ESPN.com has proposed a potential trade that would be a blockbuster. Cameron imagines the Phillies sending Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz to the Oakland A's in exchange for Michael Choice, Jemile Weeks and Michael Ynoa. As long as Utley stays healthy he would be a great fit for the A's to make a serious stretch run. Ruiz is not having a great season but he does manage to crush lefties, making him an ideal platoon with John Jaso who can't hit lefties to save his life, according to ESPN.
This trade, like all good trades would also benefit the Phillies. Choice is an outfielder who is right on the cusp of becoming a major league talent. Keith Law had him as the third best prospect in the A's prospect heavy system, according to ESPN.
Another Phillie who could be on his way out of town if the team decides to sell is Michael Young. SBNation has reported that both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have shown interest in the infielder. Thanks to injuries and ineptitude, in the case of Will Middlebrooks a little of both, the Yankees and Red Sox really need an upgrade at third base. While Young is certainly not what he used to be he's at least serviceable.
There are a bunch of teams who need a closer and/or bullpen help this year (Detroit, Boston, St. Louis, Atlanta and the Dodgers come to mind) and very few quality arms on the market. If the Phillies were in selling mode Jonathan Papelbon would not only be a marquee name but he could probably bring in a pretty sweet return for the Phillies since the demand is so high. One reason demand is so high is that one of the teams that was thought to be having a fire-sale, the Twins, has told teams that Glen Perkins will not be leaving the Twin Cities, according to SBNation.
If the Phillies end up sellers it means that Cliff Lee might be relocating as well. Although, doesn't he get traded at every trade deadline?
