The Phillies began their tear-down of their existing roster by sending Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team trade with the San Diego Padres, pending Matt Kemp's physical. The Phillies need to acquire a starting pitcher or two before next season begins and the team is reportedly shopping. One potential target getting attention from teams: Chicago Cubs left-handed starter Travis Wood.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Phillies are one of the teams interested:
Hoyer wouldn’t disclose any of the specific players the Cubs are looking to acquire or trade. But sources during the week said the Phillies are one of several teams that have asked about left-hander Travis Wood and could be a match for catcher Welington Castillo. The Cubs like lefty-hitting Phils outfielder Ben Revere.
Revere may have recently become expendable.
The Phillies picked up a potential replacement for Revere when they selected Odubel Herrera from the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 draft. Herrera led the Texas League (clas AA) in batting last season, and recently moved to center field from second base and shortstop, where his defense was suspect. The Phillies must keep Herrera on their active roster all season to keep him. Since the Phillies are rebuilding, they may have the ability to let him play in center field this season.
As for Wellington Castillo, he is the Cubs' starting catcher from 2014, who recently lost his starting job to Miguel Montero. Castillo could fill the role of backup catcher that is currently vacant on the Phillies. Or, if the Phillies moved Carlos Ruiz in a trade, the Phillies would have someone to catch every day.
Wood went 8-13 for the Cubs last season, with a 5.03 ERA. Wood's appeal to the Phillies would his ability to throw many innings for the club, something important for a rebuilding team. Wood pitched 200 innings in 2013 and 173 2/3 in 2014.
