I don't know what I'm doing!

I don’t know what I’m doing!

We’re ten days away from the MLB trade deadline, and as it has happened the past few years, rumors are surrounding the Phillies organization. What many fans are hoping however, is that they aren’t just rumors this year, and Ruben Amaro realizes he’s lost what little support he had left in the fan base. Now is the time to make moves, and luckily for Ruben, there are lots to choose from.

In an ESPN Insider piece published yesterday, Jim Bowden laid out the deals he says the Phillies “should make now.” A kind soul on Reddit copy-pasted the whole thing (because really, ESPN Insider isn’t worth your money), and it lays out the following deals:

“Hamels to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for center fielder Joc Pederson and left-handed pitcher Julio Urias.

Lee to the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Aaron Judge and right-handed starter Luis Severino.

Utley to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for third baseman Renato Nunez and second baseman Chad Pinder.

Right-hander A.J. Burnett and Papelbon to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey, left-handed pitcher Tim Berry and right-handed hurler Parker Bridwell.

Right fielder Marlon Byrd to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Gabby Guerrero.

Rollins to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for right-handed reliever Corey Knebel and middle infielder Hernan Perez.

Bastardo to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-handed pitcher David Hale and infielder/outfielder Edward Salcedo.”

Of those deals (obviously the other teams would have to be interested too), I can see any of them happening except the Hamels and Utley deals. The Hamels rumors, at least to the Red Sox, have already been plenty squashed and replaced with Lee trade rumors. As long as Cliff pitches tonight without his arm falling off, he’s as good as gone (the Yankees and Blue Jays are reportedly very interested).

As for Utley, not only does the dude not really want to leave, but I think that’s a line Ruben wouldn’t cross. Even if he’s possessed by the demonic soul of Sam Hinkie, Utley is untouchable. Dealing Byrd and Lee and Burnett is fine, because they were brought here. But Chase started here, and Ruben gave him a deal so he would stay. He’s the (beautiful) face of this team, and sending him away would be Ruben putting all of the success of the last decade in the rear-view– something he’s not willing to do.

Ken Rosenthal says Papelbon is “generating little interest” which is certainly not what Jonathan Papelbon wants to hear. And in addition to the rumored deals above, the Yankees are reportedly (along with the Red Sox) interested in John Mayberry. So, let’s hurry up and deal him before they realize their mistake.

We’ll know what the future of this team looks like in ten days (plus some change, that trade deadline is a little flexible), but many fans are hoping they’ll have to add a new full page over here. My guess? Burnett, Lee, Papelbon, Mayberry, and Byrd jerseys will see a real price drop at Marshalls. Just, don’t dump them by Wednesday. I’m finally dragging my ass to a game and… well… I’d like to say goodbye.