Several Moves Could Impact Phillies At The Deadline
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With the MLB Trade Deadline looming, there have been several rumors that have linked Phillies players to a number of destinations. Rumors are not guarantees of a deal to come and there have been some recent moves around baseball that may impede or speed up a Phillies trade.
On Thursday, Seattle made a move to upgrade their lineup. The Mariners acquired Kendrys Morales in a deal that sent relief pitcher Stephen Pryor to the Minnesota Twins.
Morales is a switch hitting DH who played for the Mariners last season and led the team in batting average, hits, doubles and RBIs. The Mariners were rumored to have interest in acquiring Marlon Byrd from the Phillies to help bolster their lineup prior to making the deal for Morales.
Another team that had been connected to the Phillies made a move. The Detroit Tigers made a trade to acquire relief pitcher Joakim Soria from the Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for two pitching prospects.
The Tigers had been rumored to have interest in acquiring Antonio Bastardo from the Phillies. Soria had recorded 17 saves to go along with a 2.70 ERA this season for the Rangers. Soria is expected to serve as a setup man for the Tigers and closer Joe Nathan.
The L.A. Dodgers have also been linked to the Phillies. According to ESPNLA, Dodgers starting pitcher Dan Haren has been told by the team, that they will skip his next start putting him on pace to make another appearance for the team on August 2nd.
That means, the July 31st deadline will come and go before he sees the mound again and there is no guarantee the Dodgers will have a spot for him once that date passes. Haren is 8-8 on the season with a 4.49 ERA.
With Josh Beckett returning from the disabled list, the Dodgers would have no choice, but to remove Haren from the rotation if they acquire a starting pitcher. The Dodgers were reported as one of nine teams that the Phillies could deal Cole Hamels to without his consent. The Dodgers appear ready to make a push to acquire a new starter for the rotation.
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