The non-waiver trade deadline is still more than a month away, and while the Phillies intend to be buyers, it remains unclear if they'll have much to buy.
Seeking to bolster their pitching staff, specifically their starting rotation, the Phillies have been in contact with several teams. They also have dispatched scouts to watch Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia, Seattle's Erik Bedard, Milwaukee's Ben Sheets and other pitchers who may be available. But, according to general manager Pat Gillick, most of the sellers haven't separated themselves from the buyers. In other words, few teams are ready to start trading.
"Seattle is one club that is out of it right now," Gillick said before the NL East-leading Phillies faced the AL West-leading Angels on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. "The other clubs who might have some interesting personnel are still in the race. Some of the sellers don't know they're sellers."
Gillick said the Phillies are unlikely to find the pitching help they crave internally. Other than right-hander Kris Benson, who continues to attempt his comeback from shoulder surgery, the Phillies don't have any major league-ready pitching prospects in their farm system. Top prospects Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo are still in Class AA.
Another dilemma for the Phillies will be whether to mortgage their farm system to help win this season. The Phillies have few attractive prospects in a still-retooling minor league system, and they may be reluctant to trade Carrasco, Bastardo, catcher Lou Marson, center fielder Greg Golson or infielder Adrian Cardenas for a pitcher like Sabathia, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner who will be a free agent after the season.
ANGELS 7, PHILLIES 1: Adam Eaton allowed 12 hits -- more than he had given up in a start in almost four years -- as the Phillies dropped the opener of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies mustered only two hits against Angels starter Ervin Santana and two relievers. Santana, who earned his ninth victory, allowed only a single by Shane Victorino and a double by Chris Coste. Chase Utley went 0-for-3, extending his career-worst slump to 0-for-23.
