We are just minutes away from the trade deadline day. While the deadline looms at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, the Phillies have yet to make a single trade. The pressure of the deadline is usually enough to make something happen. But it appears the Phillies are not close to much of anything.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted:
Sources: #Phillies have not received acceptable offer for ANY of their players. Surprised teams not more aggressive. About 17 hours to go.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
Since the word "acceptable" is open to intepretation, Rosenthal followed it up by trying to make the different sides' known:
Sources: #Phillies adamant that they will not give players away. Do not need to cut payroll. Can try again in off-season if necessary.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
The flip side of the #Phillies’ equation: Rival executives say team is asking too much for older, expensive players.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
More on #Phillies (in trying to present all sides): They have made it clear they are willing to include cash in deals to get better talent.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
Possible Translation: teams assume the Phillies are desperate when approaching them for trades.
The Phillies are indeed a team in need of an infusion of talent. Money-wise, the team is set and can eat whatever payroll necessary. With what many think is an overvaluing of prospects going on, teams seem more willing to pick up the tab on a player's contract than to send some players in a deal. That puts the Phillies at a standstill for now.
The good news is, someday the Phillies will be the team looking to deal for players again, and they'll be able to take on the money. That will happen as soon as the Phillies can build a core of young talent. If they do well at the deadline, that could be sooner than later.
