We are just about five weeks away from the July 31 trade deadline, so the heavy scouting of other farm systems continues. One team to watch is the Pittsburgh Pirates. While they do not have the financial resources of other teams, they have prospects to trade should the Phillies be willing to eat some money.
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune, the Phillies are looking at Pirates prospects:
Source tells me #Phillies have sent scout to Altoona to evaluate some of #Pirates Double-A players.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 25, 2015
One name at Altoona the Phillies could be watching is Josh Bell.
Bell is a switch-hitting corner outfielder who can hit for average and provide a small amount of power. The Pirates currently have a full outfield with Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, and Gregory Polanco, so Bell might be expendable. The Pirates have been using Bell at first base since he is blocked.
Would the Pirates be interested in Phillies starter Cole Hamels? Hamels would really help in putting the Pirates over the top. Pittsburgh has some solid starters, but lacks a proven ace to lead the way. A playoff appearance could lead to a quick exit for the Pirates. Last season the Pirates were unable to get out of the Wild Card game.
Earlier this season, our Kevin Reavy suggested that in a Hamels trade with Pittsburgh the Phillies could land Bell, their top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow, catching prospect Elias Diaz, and Pirates fifth starter Vance Worley. (Note: Worley is nothing more than a back-end starter who can take Hamels' rotation spot this season.) The deal assumes the Phillies are picking up significant money.
