Phillies reportedly pursuing Carlos Beltran

The baseball trade deadline is under two weeks away so you know how rumors fly this time of year. With the Phillies reportedly looking around the league for some extra help in the outfield, Ken Rosenthal presented this little nugget today: the Phillies, along with the Red Sox, are the most aggressive suitors for Carlos Beltran of the Mets.

While Beltran, who will be a free agent after this season, isn't the player he once was, he has put up decent numbers this year, including a .287 average and 14 homers and 59 RBI. If he could remain healthy, he would be a great piece to add as an everyday corner outfielder, likely forcing Raul Ibanez and Domonic Brown into some kind of strange lefty-only platoon situation.

Of course, there are a number of questions that surround this rumor. Would the Mets even trade Beltran to a rival? What prospects would it take? Can the Phillies, who have repeatedly said they are out of money, afford to add his salary? How much, if any, of his salary will the Mets eat? My guess is that the Phillies would have to overwhelm the Mets with a few of their better pitching prospects to make it work, a price that might be too steep for someone who isn't a huge improvement over what they already have.

Prepare yourselves for the onslaught of rumors to come. Expect every outfielder and every relief pitcher to be linked to the Phillies in the coming weeks.

Phillies looking to add righty bat?

Despite Ruben Amaro's insistence that the Phillies won't be making any significant additions to the roster this season, rumors are still circulating that they are looking to add offense. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Phillies are in search of a right-handed hitting outfielder, someone along the lines of a Josh Willingham.

While there has been talk over the last few weeks about the Phillies going after Hunter Pence of the Astros, it's clear that Amaro doesn't want to add any significant payroll. If the Phillies really are looking for a righty bat, expect them to be looking in the bargain pile for someone who can help them off the bench rather than someone who can step in and play every day. With Raul Ibanez, Dom Brown and Ben Francisco already in the mix, the Phils don't really need someone who can play every day, anyway, though it would be nice if they had a bench bat with some power to use late in the game.

Unless the Phillies can find someone to take Joe Blanton's salary off their hands, I think it's safe to trust Amaro when he says there won't be any big moves during the season. Of course, Amaro has been less than truthful before, so you never know what he could possibly have up his sleeve.

Phillies showed interest in Michael Young

Since they signed Cliff Lee back in December, things around the Phillies have been very quiet. That changed today after Jerry Crasnick of ESPN broke the news that the Phillies contacted the Rangers about the possibility of acquiring third baseman Michael Young, who has requested a trade out of Texas. While Crasnick makes it very clear that the talks were short between the two teams and they didn't amount to much of anything, it's still an interesting situation given that the Phillies have no need for a third basemen.

With Placido Polanco at least as good if not better a third baseman than Young, it's curious that the Phillies would even contact the Rangers at all. It's possible the Phillies were just doing their due diligence or perhaps they could have been looking to get Young and then flip him to another team. It isn't known what the Phils were offering the Rangers in return for Young, but you can bet Joe Blanton's name was mentioned. The Rangers were at one point thought to have some interest in acquiring Blanton,but since the signing of Brandon Webb, that interest has likely faded.

Does this trade inquiry for Young mean that the Phillies are actively looking to upgrade at third base? Absolutely not. Ruben Amaro was likely looking to see if he could get a quality player at a bargain price. With the price likely too high for a player with a salary that the Phillies probably can't afford, Amaro quickly moved along.

Believe it: Phillies are in on Cliff Lee

The rumor that just won't die suddenly has new life again: according to multiple sources, the Phillies are one of the finalists in the pursuit of free agent Cliff Lee. While it seems incredibly unlikely and improbable that the Phillies, a team already loaded with starting pitching, would be looking to sign yet another ace pitcher to their rotation, respected sources like Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Jon Heyman of SI have confirmed that the Phillies, along with the Yankees and Rangers, are on the short list of teams that have a shot of landing Lee. Anyone interested in a rotation of Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt? Yes, please.

While it's hard not to get positively giddy about the possibility of Lee coming back to Philly, all indications are that the Phillies are longshots to sign him. With the Yankees and Rangers both making huge contract offers for a lot of years that the Phillies can't compete with, their best hope of signing Lee will be if he wants to take a pay cut to return to a team he is already comfortable playing with in a city that absolutely loves him. The Phillies would also probably have to move some salary to make room for Lee, with Joe Blanton and (hopefully) Raul Ibanez being the most likely candidates.

Before we get too excited about having the greatest rotation in baseball history, remember that Lee signing in Philly is a remote possibility. After all, when was the last time a professional athlete left money on the table and signed for less than his market value?

Crazy but true: Phillies considering Greinke trade

File this under a crazy rumor that has very little chance of coming true. According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, the Phillies have had some discussions with the Royals about the possiblity of acquiring the 2009 Cy Young winner, Zack Greinke. Whether those are serious discussions or simply an inquiry about what it would take to get Greinke is unknown.

While the move doesn't make sense for a number of reasons, like the fact that the Phillies already have three stud starters and can't afford to add another 10+ million to the salary, it's still fun to dream about what could be. Sure, Greinke is coming off a down year by his standards, but if there is even a remote chance that you can acquire someone of his talent, you can't fault the Phillies for at least trying. Given the number of prospects the Royals will likely seek and the way the Phillies farm system has been gutted in the last few years, though, it's doesn't seem like there is a match for a trade.

Despite its remote possibility, it doesn't hurt to dream. A rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Greinke would be so ridiculously good, the Phillies wouldn't ever have to worry about scoring runs or even having a decent bullpen. As a rational fan, however, you really shouldn't get your hopes up because, over the next few days, the Phillies will probably only be adding a bullpen piece and an outfielder. I know we've grown accustomed to the Phillies adding some of the best pitchers in the game but this one isn't happening, folks.

Phillies re-sign Jose Contreras

One of the most important bullpen pieces for the Phillies will be back next year: Jose Contreras has signed a 2 year contract (with a team option for a third year) worth 5.5 million dollars to remain in Philly. Contreras, who is 38 going on 60, was very reliable out of the pen last year, posting a 3.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 57 batters in 67 innings of work. Although some will be annoyed by Contreras getting a two year deal, if he can put up numbers anywhere close to that in the next two seasons, he will be more than worth 5.5 million dollars.

The re-signing of Contreras is just one of several bullpen signings the Phillies are expected to make in the coming months. With J.C. Romero recently shown the door, the team is in the market for a lefty or two. They also will be looking to re-sign Chad Durbin, who is currently a free agent, though several teams have apparently shown interest in signing Durbin.

Add the needed bullpen pieces to whatever the Phillies plan to do with their rotation and in right field and you have the makings of another interesting offseason. Ruben Amaro better get to work.

Phillies and Astros have deal for Oswalt done but wait for his approval

Roy Oswalt may finally be coming to the Phillies. According to Fox 26 Sports in Houston, the Phillies and Astros have agreed on a deal that will send Oswalt to the Phils but they are waiting for the star pitcher, who has a no-trade clause, to approve the trade. While the report mentions nothing about what the Phillies will be giving up, it has long been rumored that J.A. Happ has been someone the Astros coveted in return.

Given that he has reportedly balked at coming to Philly in the past, this deal is far from official. I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to play for a contender like the Phillies, but Oswalt was given a no-trade clause for a reason and he has every right to exercise it and squash the deal.

While I'll hold off judgment of the deal until something official is announced, having a rotation that begins with Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt is insanely good. While we all still wonder what could have been with Cliff Lee, Oswalt is basically the next best available starting pitcher. As long as the Phils don't give up too much, having Oswalt in a Phillies uniform for the next few years will do nothing but increase their title chances.

End of an era? Moyer to the DL as Phillies pursue pitching help

We may have seen the last of Jamie Moyer in Philadelphia. According to Todd Zolecki on Twitter, the Phillies will place Moyer on the disabled list due to the left elbow strain he suffered against the Cardinals on Tuesday. The injury is believed to be similar to the one J.A. Happ suffered that kept him out for three months, meaning Moyer's season could very well done. Since Moyer's contract also runs out at the end of this year, it's possible that he won't be suiting up for the Phillies ever again. While you can bet he will try to continue his career if he is able to, this would certainly be a sad way to see Moyer leave the Phillies.

As for who will replace Moyer in the rotation, the Phillies are expected to call up Happ, who was pulled early from his start at Lehigh Valley and will probably join the team shortly.

Of course, bringing up Happ is only one piece of the puzzle since the Phillies have another rotation spot to fill. According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the Phillies are working on a major trade that could see them bring in a top starting pitcher and then ship out Jayson Werth in a separate trade to get some prospects in return. The pitching names rumored to be targeted include top pitchers like Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren as well as lesser choices like Ben Sheets and Jeremy Guthrie. Look for the Phillies to try to bring in someone who they will have under contract for at least another season beyond this year since bringing in a rental would be a waste of their resources.

Should the Phillies deal Werth, minor league sensation Domonic Brown will step into his spot and play every day. While Brown is yet another lefty bat to add to an already lefty-heavy team, with the way he is tearing up Triple A he deserves a spot on the big club.

Expect the Phillies to make these moves quickly and not wait until the trade deadline; Ruben Amaro needs to get something done quickly if he wants to keep the Phillies rapidly diminishing playoff hopes alive.

Phillies starting pitching woes continue: Moyer strains elbow

With the demotion of Kyle Kendrick, the Phillies were already on the lookout for a new starting pitcher. While the team could turn to J.A. Happ or bring back Nelson Figueroa to fill in, rumors are swirling that Ruben Amaro is close to making a deal for a top-flight pitcher, with the names Dan Haren and Roy Oswalt being tossed around.

Well, now things are about to get even more interesting as Phillies might have two rotation spots to fill: Jamie Moyer, who left Tuesday's game after just one inning, has a strained left elbow. While there has been no initial word as to whether Moyer will miss any time, I would be willing to bet that Moyer will miss at least his next start and could easily find himself on the disabled list.

Moyer hasn't exactly been great this season but his injury puts the Phillies in a tough position, basically forcing them to make a deal for some rotation help and bring Happ back to the team whether he is ready or not. Being forced to make a trade is not a position you want to be in; you can bet that other teams around the majors will try to take advantage of your desperation. As I've said all along, as long as Amaro doesn't move Domonic Brown, I'm all for the Phillies making the necessary moves to improve their rotation.

Add all of this speculation to the rumors surrounding the possible trade of Jayson Werth and we have the makings of a very interesting week and a half before the trade deadline. Of course, if the Phillies keep losing games, there might not be much of a point to them doing anything.

Sorry Phillies fans, Cliff Lee is going to the Yankees (or not)

UPDATE: Or not. Apparently talks between the Yankees and Mariners have fallen apart. Jon Heyman reports that the Mariners don't like the Yankees offer.

Those dreams of Cliff Lee returning to the Phillies appear to be over: word around baseball is that Lee is about to be traded to the Yankees for a couple of prospects, including catcher Jesus Montero.

While your initial reaction is one of depression at the fact that the Phillies won't be getting Lee back and dismay that he's going to the hated Yankees, it's much better that Lee is going to the Yankees than to any team in the National League. Sure, we all dispise the Yankees and can't stand that a player we like is going there but could you imagine if Lee went to the Mets or Braves and the Phillies had to face him multiple times this year?

The trading of Cliff Lee also seems to have increased the chances that the Phillies will be dealing Jayson Werth for a starting pitcher. One possible trade that has already been discussed is dealing Werth for Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez, who will be the odd man out in the New York rotation with the acquisition of Lee. Hopefully the Phillies set their sights a little higher than Vazquez; if Dan Haren is available, I'd love to see the Phillies do whatever it takes, short of prospect Domonic Brown, to get Haren.

Good luck with the Yankees, Cliff Lee. Hopefully the Phillies get a chance to beat you in the World Series.

Phillies news and notes: Madson is back, Werth to be moved?

Lots of news coming from the Phillies today as they look to finish out the first season on a positive note in a four game series with the Reds:

*Ryan Madson has been activated. Madson, who last pitched in late April, has been on the disabled list for almost two months after he broke his toe when he kicked a chair in frustration. Madson will be a welcome sight to the ragged Phillies bullpen. To make room, the Phillies sent Mike Zagurski back to the minors. Big Mike just doesn't seem ready for the majors right now.

*Carlos Ruiz began his rehab assignment yesterday. Expect Chooch to be back right after the All-Star break.

*Brian Schneider is back in the lineup tonight. Apparently his thumb is feeling a lot better; let's hope that's the last we've seen of Dane Sardinha.

*Finally, the biggest news of the day is something Buster Olney tweeted: the Phillies are talking with teams about the possibility of trading Jayson Werth with the hopes that the team could acquire a starting pitcher in return. This is a move that seems more and more likely to happen every day, what with Werth being a free agent at the end of the season and the Phillies slowly slipping further and further back in the division. While I would hate to see Werth go, if he's going to leave at the end of the season anyway, I would love for the Phillies to be able to turn him into Dan Haren or another starting pitcher of that ilk.

Phillies discussing Howard for Pujols swap. Wait, what?

This one comes from out of nowhere: Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the Phillies are having internal discussions about swapping first basemen with the Cardinals, trading Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro has already stepped up and denied this rumor, but Olney must have a pretty reliable source to float out a crazy rumor like that.

Despite what we all think about Ryan Howard, if the Phillies actually made this deal happen it would be tremendous. Pujols, who will be a free agent after the 2011 season, is the best hitter in the modern era and brings much more to the table than Howard. If the Phillies somehow acquired him and signed him to an extension, he would an anchor in the middle of the Phillies lineup for the next decade. Of course, because he's the best hitter in the game, the Cardinals would be foolish to trade him because they could never get equal value in return. It would take much more than just Ryan Howard in a trade to pry him from the Cardinals, who will be doing everything they can to sign Pujols before he becomes a free agent.

Will this trade ever happen? Nope. Despite Howard's ties to St. Louis and his impending free agency in 2012, this kind of trade only happens in fantasy baseball. While we know Amaro is willing to be aggressive in the trade market, don't hold your breath waiting for this one to happen.

Former Phillies finding new homes for 2010

With the recent signing of Jose Contreras, the Phillies roster appears set for the 2010 season. While I have some work to do to update my How They Were Built: Phillies post, I figured now is as good a time as any to look at which Phillies from 2009 won't be returning to the team.

Listed below are all of the players who were on the Phillies MLB roster in 2009 that will be with new teams in 2010 and how they got there:

Arms:
Clay Condrey: Twins, Free Agency (1 year deal)
Scott Eyre: Retired
Cliff Lee: Mariners, Trade
Rodrigo Lopez: Diamondbacks, Free Agency (Minor league deal)
Pedro Martinez: Unsigned free agent
Brett Myers: Astros, Free Agency (1 year deal)
Chan Ho Park: Unsigned free agent
Steven Register: Blue Jays, Free Agency (Minor league deal)
Jack Taschner: Pirates, Free Agency (Minor league deal)
Tyler Walker: Nationals, Free Agency (1 year deal)

Bats:
Paul Bako: Unsigned free agent
Eric Bruntlett: Nationals, Free Agency (Minor league deal)
Miguel Cairo: Reds, Free Agency (Minor league deal)
Pedro Feliz: Astros, Free Agency (1 year deal)
Matt Stairs: Padres, Free Agency (Minor league deal)

The only possible player from this list that might come back to the Phillies is Pedro Martinez. There are some grumblings that the Phillies want to bring back Pedro for the right price but it's not known whether the team can actually afford him.

Let me know if I'm missing anyone!

Your latest look at the 2010 Phillies roster

Things have changed quite a bit with the Phillies since the last time I took a look at their 2010 roster. In fact, except for two spots, the Phillies roster appears set. Ruben Amaro has gone a long way this offseason to plug up all the holes on the roster and give the team depth at every position.

Here's a look at the Phillies roster as it currently stands:

Infielders (7): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Greg Dobbs, Juan Castro, Ross Gload

The signing of Polanco completed the Phillies starting infield. Signing Castro also gave Jimmy Rollins a backup at short. Gload is listed as a first baseman but I would expect he sees more time in the outfield. Only one question remains in my mind: who backs up Chase Utley? Castro? Or does Polanco move over to second and Dobbs starts at third?

Outfielders (4): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Ben Francisco

With Gload in the mix, John Mayberry appears to be on the outside looking in. He will likely be the first call-up should a position player be injured.

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider

Signing Schneider was a great move, he's a veteran leader who can step in and start in a pinch.

Starting Rotation (5): Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, 5th starter

Halladay in, Lee out, and the rotation looks incredibly solid, regardless of who the 5th starter ends up being. The likely candidates are Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick and Jose Contreras. I would bet that Moyer gets the job initially just to see if he has anything left in the tank.

Bullpen (7): Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Danys Baez, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Jose Contreras, Lefty

The bullpen looks solid except for that missing second lefty. Look for the Phillies to give the job to someone in the system, like Antonio Bastardo, instead of signing another free agent. Bringing Baez in as closer insurance was a great move.

Nice work Amaro, the roster looks as good as any in the National League. Should everyone stay healthy, the Phillies should be right in the mix for a third straight trip to the World Series.

Phillies to sign reliever Danys Baez

And the Phillies busy offseason continues. After the trade for Roy Halladay and the signings of Placido Polanco, Juan Castro, Ross Gload and Brian Schneider, the Phillies still had one more area of the team to take care of: the bullpen. According to Jon Heyman on Twitter, the Phillies have made their first move in shoring up the bullpen: they will sign right-handed reliever Danys Baez.

Baez, who has played for the Indians, Rays, Dodgers, Braves and Orioles in his 8 year career, is a former closer turned set-up man. He played for the Orioles in 2009 and had a solid year, posting an ERA of 4.02 and a WHIP of 1.13 in 71 innings of work. Baez was a closer from '02-'05, saving over 100 games and even made the 2005 All Star team.

The years and value of the contract are not known at this point but as long as the Phillies didn't break the bank, Baez is an excellent signing. He will likely be a 7th inning guy for the Phillies, replacing Chan Ho Park, who won't be coming back. With this signing, the Phillies bullpen is nearly complete. With Brad Lidge closing, Ryan Madson coming in for the 8th inning, Baez and J.C. Romero for the 7th, Chad Durbin for the 6th and Clay Condrey likely coming back, the Phillies are just a second lefty out of the pen short of a complete bullpen. While I had assumed the Phillies would still pursue a lefty option via free agency, Phrontiersman, via Twitter, pointed out that the Phillies would be smarter to give Sergio Escalona and Antonio Bastardo first crack at the job.

Danys Baez will make a solid addition to the Phillies bullpen. He will provide them with less versatility than Chan Ho Park in that he won't often go multiple innings but he will still be solid in the set-up role. Baez was signed with the money the Phillies got from the Blue Jays in the Roy Halladay trade, so I would call this a good use of money. Your 2010 Phillies are shaping up very nicely for a return trip to the World Series.

Your very early 2010 Phillies roster

Pitchers and catchers don't report for another 90 days or so but the Hot Stove is just starting to heat up for the defending National League Champions (doesn't have the same ring, does it?). The Phillies don't figure to make a ton of moves this offseason, though after the recent announcements of the removal of Eric Bruntlett and the declining of Pedro Feliz's 2010 option, there are a few holes that need to be filled through free agency and trades for the upcoming season.

With free agency set to begin in a few days, here is my early look at the Phillies 2010 roster, including places where the team needs to bring in new players:

Infielders (6): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, FA 3rd baseman, Greg Dobbs, FA Utility player

The Phils obviously need a new starting third baseman and will look to sign someone through free agency. Names like Chone Figgins and Adrian Beltre have been bandied about but don't be surprised if the Phillies settle for someone like Mark DeRosa or Placido Polanco. The departure of Bruntlett means the team must also look for a new backup utility player that can fill in at second and short. I also wouldn't be opposed to the Phillies finding a way to rid themselves of Greg Dobbs and picking up a better lefty pinch hitter.

Outfielders (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Ben Francisco, John Mayberry

Four spots are set in stone and the 5th is up for grabs amongst several guys in the system. My guess is that Mayberry did enough last year to get the 5th outfielder gig, though the Phils could easily sign a lefty free agent bench bat that can play in the outfield.

Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz, FA Backup catcher

With the Phillies likely letting Paul Bako go and already showing Paul Hoover the door, they will need to find a new backup catcher in the open market. With the trade of Lou Marson, they don't have anyone in the system that is capable of playing in the majors at this time.

Starting Rotation (5): Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, ???

Four spots are set, who gets the 5th starter role? Putting aside the rumors about Roy Halladay, the Phillies do have a few in-house solutions for the rotation: Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and Kyle Drabek. I think Drabek can be ruled out because he likely won't be ready and I don't think the Phils can go with four lefties so Moyer is probably out. That leaves our old friend Kyle Kendrick as the 5th starter. Let's hope they bring someone else in!

Bullpen (7): Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, FA Lefty, FA Righty

Those two free agent spots could easily go to Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre if the Phillies find a way to bring both back. I'm not convinced that the Phillies bring back Clay Condrey, so that could be a spot where they make a change in the bullpen.

Free agency starts on November 20th. At the very least, we should see the Phillies signing a third baseman and a bench player by the end of this month. They may wait a while after that to fill the remaining roles with slightly cheaper talent.

Here we go again: the Phillies are pursuing Roy Halladay

You knew it was only a matter of time before this rumor started up again: according to Jim Salisbury of the Inquirer, the Phillies are interested in acquiring Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Yep, that's the same Roy Halladay the Phils pursued at the trade deadline last year before they balked at Toronto's high asking price and instead went with Cliff Lee at a discounted rate, a move that certainly worked out well.

If you recall, in July, the Blue Jays were asking for J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, Domonic Brown and Anthony Gose from the Phillies in exchange for Halladay. The Phillies didn't have to give up any of those pieces to get Cliff Lee, so it only makes sense that talks could start back up again if the Phillies wanted more starting pitching. With the price likely to fall this winter, the Phillies wouldn't have to give up such an extravagant package to get Halladay this time around.

Of course, one has to wonder if starting pitching should be the Phillies top priority this offseason. While a starting rotation of Lee, Halladay, Hamels and Blanton would be awesome, the team clearly needs a new third baseman and some help in the bullpen. I wouldn't put too much stock in this rumor but it sure is fun to dream. That's what the hot stove is all about, anyway.

Who's on third? Phillies decline 2010 option on Pedro Feliz

The 2010 Phillies will likely have a new third baseman. According to Todd Zolecki on Twitter, the Phillies have declined their 2010 option on Pedro Feliz for 5 million dollars, choosing instead to buy him out for .5 million, making Feliz a free agent.

Feliz was never much at the plate for the Phillies, hitting in the .260 range and belting a dozen homers or so. Feliz made up for it in the field, however, as he was one of the best fielding third basemen in the game. I would have liked to see him come back to the Phillies but not for that 5 million dollar price tag.

So, what now for the Phillies at third base? While it is still possible that the Phils bring Feliz back at a lower price, you have to believe they are going to pursue an upgrade. The top two names you will hear are free agents Adrian Beltre and Chone Figgins, both of whom are a little more solid at the plate and are slick fielders in their own right.

So long, Pedro Feliz. Thanks for your two years of service in Philly, and thanks for your contribution to 2008!

Phillies close to "settling" for Cliff Lee

Roy Halladay is an excellent pitcher, one of the best in the game, and the Phillies were thought to have a great chance to acquire him. Unfortunately, as talks went on between the Blue Jays and Phillies, it became more and more apparent that the Jays wanted more than the Phillies were willing to give up to get Halladay. So, instead of hoping the price would drop, the Phillies began looking at other options. How about acquiring the 2008 Cy Young award winner instead?

Cliff Lee, who the Phillies saw as Plan B if they couldn't get Halladay, appears to be on the verge of being traded to Philadelphia. Reports vary on what the Phillies will give up in return, but it will take a package that includes some or all of the following players: Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Michael Taylor. Notice that the list does not include Kyle Drabek or J.A. Happ, two players the Blue Jays demanded that the Phillies were adamant that they didn't want to give up.

For that price, Lee is an absolute steal when compared to Halladay. If the Phillies were to get Halladay for Happ or Drabek, or both, they would be greatly compromising their future for a great shot at winning now. Instead, the Phillies jumped on the chance to get Lee, who still gives them a solid shot at winning a title, and gave up players that were going to have little impact on the team in the next few seasons.

Yes, there is a drop-off from Halladay to Lee, but the Phillies are smart to get a great pitcher without having to give up the farm. Lee hasn't been quite as dominant this season as he was in his career year in 2008, but he has still posted a 7-9 record with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. That ERA would place him second on the team, slightly behind Happ.

I'll post more later on the deal if/when it goes down. Losing out on Halladay and getting Lee might disappoint Phillies fans, but once they get over it, they will understand what the front office is thinking. Instead of mortgaging the next few years for a great shot at winning it all, why not risk very little for a slightly less great shot at winning? Cliff Lee would be a solid addition to a Phillies rotation that is shaping up to be the best in the NL.

Condrey back to the DL, Kendrick, Register called up

Maybe the Phillies need to stop looking at starting pitching and start looking for bullpen help. Two days after the team placed J.C. Romero and Chad Durbin on the disabled list, the Phillies announced that they have added another bullpen piece to the DL: Clay Condrey. Condrey seemingly just came off the DL, but apparently his oblique strain is acting up again.

With the team up 5.5 games in the division, I still believe that now is a great time for the Phillies to rest their arms. If these injuries keep piling up, however, the Phillies will seriously have to look at adding an arm or two to a bullpen that is suddenly filled with very few pitchers that can be trusted.

To replace Condrey, the Phillies called up Steven Register from Lehigh. Register, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies back in May, has very little major league experience, pitching in 10 games for Colorado last season. There can't be too much expected from him.

The Phillies also made one other move today, calling up Kyle Kendrick and sending Andrew Carpenter back to the minors. Not a very exciting move, since both bring about the same tools to the table, but perhaps the Phils wanted a fresh arm or someone with more MLB experience.

Once again, here are the latest bullpen roles for the team. There are definitely several guys in slots that are above their heads. Seeing Tyler Walker in a 7th inning role is frightening, the Phillies would be smart to look at Chan Ho Park in that spot.

Long relief:
Chan Ho Park
Kyle Kendrick

Situational Lefty:
Scott Eyre

6th inning:
Steven Register

7th inning:
Tyler Walker

8th inning:
Ryan Madson

Closer:
Brad Lidge