"TRADE WINDS"


The end of July is almost upon us, and with it, the end of the interleague trading 
deadline. Charlie continues to work with any batting order which he thinks might be 
effective and the pitchers continue to either jump back and forth between the big 
club and the player development system, only to develop injuries that have placed 
the Phillies ability to compete in question.

The latest casualty for the Phillies was Jamie Moyer, who on Tuesday evening, hurt 
his elbow in what the team is saying could be a season ending injury.  This being 
the case, the Phillies do have to make a trade and do something about that pitching
staff. J.A. Happ has been pitching at AAA Lehigh Valley, but his arm strength isn't
where near what it needs to be though he was called up on Friday.  Kyle Kendrick was 
once again returned to the minor leagues, and aside from Roy Halliday, Cole Hamils, 
and Joe Blanton, the Phillies are mixing and matching on the mound.  Andrew Carpenter 
came up for a game and went back down and the Phillies promoted RHP Vance Worley grom
AA Reading.
 
The names bantered around in trades are Roy Oswald, coming to the Phillies while the 
Phillies are talking about moving Jason Werth, the remainder of his contract, and the 
probability that Werth will leave Philadelphia as a free agent at the end of the season. 

The Phillies have made it clear that they are searching for help in a trade.  To acquire 
Oswalt, the Phillies are shopping Jayson Werth, who could net prospects from a contending 
team.  Those prospects could be kept, or flipped with some others to acquire Oswalt, who  
is 6-11 for a last-place team but has a 3.12 ERA this season, and a career ERA of 3.22.
The Phillies would like to have Oswalt or any other starter by this weekend to fill two 
holes in the current rotation, but any potential deal can be derailed for various reasons.
Oswalt told reporters in Chicago, where the Astros were playing the Cubs, that he had not 
yet been asked to waive his no-trade clause in a deal to the Phillies.

Oswalt has said he will approve a trade to a contending team.  He has made the postseason 
only twice in a 10-year career spent entirely with the Astros.  If presented with the trade, 
Oswalt would have to decide whether the Phillies have enough to make a playoff run this season.  
Manuel said despite his team's offensive struggles, he believes adding another pitcher could be 
a spark.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge played with Oswalt for six seasons in Houston.  He said he hasn't 
talked to Oswalt recently but thought he would approve a trade to Philadelphia.

When asked about accepting a trade to the Phillies, Oswalt was noncommittal.  Ostensibly, he 
is referring to the prospect of the Phillies guaranteeing his $16 million club option for 2012.
ESPN.com reported that Oswalt would seek that assurance from any other team. The Phillies 
reportedly have no interest in picking up that option on the 32-year-old.

The Phillies are interested in a pitcher that could help them this season but also beyond 2010. 
Oswalt is due $16 million in 2011.
If the Phillies turn their attention to other pitchers on the market, they most likely will not 
pursue Oakland's Ben Sheets. A baseball source said the Phillies, who had two different scouts 
watch Sheets this month, did not come away impressed.  Sheets is 4-9 with a 4.53 ERA for the 
A's this season.  He is due about $6 million in salary and bonuses over the remainder of the 
season.
But to acquire Oswalt, the Phillies would probably have to trade Werth in a corresponding move.  
Werth is due about $3.5 million for the remainder of 2010 and it appears the Phillies have 
already given up hope of resigning the free-agent-to-be.

The Phillies' aggressive shopping of Werth signals the team believes top prospect Domonic Brown 
is ready to play in the majors.

So, with a week left, something will happen in Philadelphia. It is unlikely that Ruben is ready 
to throw in the towel on the 2010 season and with this in mind, look for something to happen 
and that will be with a pitcher.  When it does, look for Jason Werth to leave and Dominck Brown 
need to be patrolling right field. 

The Phillies Fan Union
Faust Ruggiero, Executive Director