Ruben Amaro came into the deadline looking to acquire prospects for A.J. Burnett, Antonio Bastardo, and Marlon Byrd. In the end this year, no one traded prospects for major leaguers. Outside of Addison Russell and Jake Thompson, every named prospect has seen their stock plummet this year. For the Phillies trades for under control talent didn’t make a ton of sense because 2015 is likely a down year too. Prospects would have been the currency they could develop into major leaguers or trade for major league pieces. But it takes two to make a deal and other teams were unwilling to go in on trades.
On to the good news. Literally everyone on the Phillies is going to be a waiver trade candidate and the Phillies knew that. They can still move guys as situations change in the playoff races. I would not be surprised if an AJ Burnett or Cliff Lee is dealt in August to a team that is a bit more desperate. More than that Marlon Byrd will have plenty of demand this offseason where the FA hitters are going to be putrid. Cole Hamels will continue to have value for a while.
Meanwhile this doesn’t mean the Phillies aren’t rebuilding, they haven’t given up an asset since trading for Ben Revere, they have had 4 solid drafts in a row, a revitalized Latin America program, and a farm system that is on the rise.
Today does not change that. The opportunity to get what they wanted wasn’t there, they didn’t panic, they moved on, you should too.
Picture by Baseball Betsy
Re: The Cosart trade = RIGHT? Moran and Marisnick are both HUGE prospects. Houston and Chicago (NL) should be crazy good in 2016.
Neither are really that amazing. Moran is a first round 3B putting up a .393 slugging in hi-A. Marisnick has seen his star fall as his pitch recognition issues have dominated. I still like the trade for Astros, but I have really soured on Cosart. But overall my reaction has been less one sided on it.
Well said Matt !! Ive moved on and am waiting patiently for Football and the other football, Phillies farm should atleast be interesting for a while with all of these high draft picks in the future. Its a shame but now is the time of year for the phillies when I actually hope they lose as much as possible and I dont wanna be that guy but really there is no choice