I've ripped Ruben a lot of late. Why? Because his baseball team sucks, and he's doing very little about it. The natural reaction of some is, "what would you do then?" It's fun to think about that, so here is what I would be doing in his shoes.
Cole Hamels-
If you want to deal, you go out and be pro-active. If you think GM's are going to come up to you and offer you top prospects, you're nuts. I would call the Dodgers and see if I could work out a deal to land Joc Pederson and a top pitching prospect (preferably Julio Urias), knowing full well that I probably would have to either eat a lot of money or take Matt Kemp in the deal. I'd explore deals built around prospect packages that are pitching heavy (and leave Pederson out) as well. I'd talk to the Giants about a package that is centered around Kyle Crick, and see how much money has to be thrown in to make that package worth it. I'd talk to St. Louis about a package that includes some of their rich minor league talent, and maybe even consider Shelby Miller in a deal. I'd talk to Boston, who doesn't want to really rebuild so much as re-tool. While I'm in the East, I'd talk to Baltimore about a package centered around Hunter Harvey and a lot more too, and Toronto should absolutely get a call to see if they want to bid too. Even the Yankees would get a call, though they don't have the prospects. I would be really pro-active though, and not wait for the offers to come to me.
Antonio Bastardo-
I'd absolutely have moved him by now, and I'd get aggressive about how I use him in a trade. Since his value has bumped up so much, I'd try to package him with a player who we're trying to trade, but their contract is prohibiting us. So, A.J. Burnett with Pittsburgh or Baltimore, Marlon Byrd with Seattle or Pittsburgh, or Papelbon with whoever. I'd also try to shop him to Atlanta and Detroit hard, both of whom have shown interest before. If I can get a piece that fits into my 2015 team, I am thrilled. If he helps me get a decent package or move money with a tougher contract, I'm very happy.
Marlon Byrd-
The point of trading a relatively affordable, pretty good player is to get prospects. Yes, that probably means eating some cash, but that makes sense in this case. I'm not saying you pick up his option and eat it for him, but be reasonable. If you want to avoid eating a lot of money, see my proposal above with Bastardo. Sending both to Pittsburgh might get you a nice return. Toronto might be a good option, and the Phillies have been scouting their minor league pitching.
A.J. Burnett-
Burnett probably has to go to Baltimore or Pittsburgh to get his blessing, so you are limited. With that said, you make it happen. You make it happen by packaging him with someone else (Bastardo or Byrd in Pittsburgh, Papelbon or Bastardo in Baltimore), or by eating this year's money. Why would you ever not move him though, at this point?
Jonathan Papelbon-
He has to go, whether we pay to get him out or not. Remember, we're paying a closer $13 million to pitch for a last place team right now. That's a waste. We owe him the money either way, so let's get something of value back, even if we have to eat salary. With that said, I'm also happy with getting nothing at all back and just dumping his salary. The reality is, he's blocking Giles and/or Diekman from getting an extended look in the ninth right now, and that's not good. Baltimore and San Francisco stand out as good places to land for him, and Pittsburgh could be good if we pay him.
Chase Utley-
Right now, Chase doesn't seem too inclined to accept a deal, and ownership isn't into dealing him. If the Phillies deal several of these guys soon though, he might re-think it. The Dodgers, Giants, and Blue Jays all make sense, as could the Yankees if they find the prospects. Getting back an arm and a position prospect who can play in 2015 would make it worthwhile for the Phillies to move him and his salary. Obviously, they'd have to be both top five in the system types of guys. A Urias/Lee type of arm from the Dodgers, a Crick from the Giants type, or a Sean Nolin and more package from Toronto could all be starters here.
Kyle Kendrick/Roberto Hernandez-
Straight salary dumps here, if necessary. If you want them, and we can work out the right prospect/money deal, it's on. If we have to pay their deals, we should try and get usable pieces.
Dom Brown-
For sale, I'll even take a fixer-upper.
Cliff Lee and Jimmy Rollins-
I'm actually hesitant on these two, right now. In Lee's case, I don't think they would get regular market value, so I'd pass. If he's healthy, they could get more in August or the Winter for him, and they could match his current value at next year's deadline, even though he'd be a two month rental. I see no reason to trade him unless a market-value package is offered.
On Rollins, i'm hesitant, right now. If you got a shortstop prospect better than Crawford in a deal, who can play next season, I might be willing to change my mind. If not, I want Rollins to play out next year, so I can hand the spot to Crawford in 2016.
Ryan Howard-
It's sad to see such a big part of the winning team go down like he has, but he has. I'd try like hell to move him, even if I had to eat $50 million. If I can't, and a platoon isn't an option, I'd release him this Winter.
Rusney Castillo-
He will hold a private workout for the Phillies. If his workout is good, and he is healthy, and the price isn't insane, I would sign him and get him playing as soon as possible. Lots of if's, but if they are met, go for it.
