With the clock ticking toward Tuesday?s 4 p.m. trade deadline, the
Phillies remain active on a number of
fronts.
?They?re going to unload,? a person with knowledge of the Phillies? deadline plan said Monday afternoon.
Well, at least they?re trying to unload.
Here?s what we know as of late Monday night:
? The Phils are working on a deal that would send pitcher Joe Blanton to Baltimore. A report on MASNsports.com said the Orioles were reviewing Blanton?s medical records, which is a prerequisite for most deals. A Phillies source confirmed that Baltimore was the team of focus on Blanton. The Orioles are looking for a pitcher and scouted Blanton?s last start in Atlanta.
The Phillies reportedly have shown interest in 19-year-old infield prospect Jonathan Schoop, rated as the Orioles? No. 3 prospect by Baseball America. It?s difficult to imagine the Orioles giving up such a promising player for a back-end-of-the-rotation starter and two-month rental like Blanton. It?s more likely that the Phils would get a mid-level prospect. Joe Jordan, the Phils? first-year farm director, spent the last seven years as Baltimore?s scouting director so he has deep knowledge of the Orioles? system.
So what?s the hold-up in the Blanton-to-Baltimore deal? The Orioles may be balking at picking up the remainder of Blanton?s salary, about $3 million. Having fallen badly out of the NL wild card race, the Phillies are eager to shed salary so they can get under the $178 million luxury-tax threshold.
? Shane Victorino remains a strong candidate to be dealt. A source mentioned the Dodgers as the most likely trade partner, though the Giants and Reds have interest. Victorino is owed just over $3 million for the remainder of the season.
? According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Phils have tried to sell Hunter Pence to a number of teams, particularly the Giants. No team has yet met the Phils? price on Pence, who is under control for next season and could make more than $14 million in salary arbitration.
? Cliff Lee has been in play for weeks and remains so. There were reports Monday that the Phils and Texas Rangers had stepped up trade discussions, but the Rangers aren?t in a position to take on the $87.5 million that Lee is owed for 2013-15.
If the Phils have made one thing clear by dangling Pence and Lee, it?s that they are looking to free up some payroll so they can have the resources to fill several holes. If Pence and Lee survive Tuesday?s trade deadline, they could be moved during the off-season.
? The Phils are also looking to deal from their bench. Ty Wigginton could go and so could Juan Pierre. The Reds like Pierre.
E-mail Jim
Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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