The Phillies have released 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Chris Duffy. Duffy played in 91 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 84 of 346 (.243 avg, .668 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 5 homers, 34 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. The Phillies just didn’t see any way that Duffy would play for them at some point in 2010 so they did the right thing in cutting him loose.

The Phillies have acquired 32-year old righty starting pitcher Roy Oswalt from the Astros for 27-year old lefty starting pitcher J.A. Happ, 19-year old lefty swinging outfielder Anthony Gose and 19-year old switch hitting shortstop Jonathan Villar. Oswalt has started 20 games for the Astros this season and he was 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Oswalt has only given up 109 hits in 129 innings this season and he has whiffed 120 batters showing that he’s still on top of his game. Oswalt also has pinpoint control as he has only walked 34 batters this season. Oswalt has now pitched in 303 games (291 starts) in his ten years in the majors and he is 143-82 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Oswalt has been to 3 All-Star Games in his major league career and he has been in the top five in voting for the N.L. Cy Young Award 5 times. J.A. Happ has started 3 games for the Phillies this year and he was 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He pitched in 47 games (31 starts) in parts of four years with the Phillies and he is 14-5 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. The Astros hope that he tightens up his control a bit as he has walked 84 batters in 217 career innings in the show. Anthony Gose was the Phillies’ #6 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Gose has played in 103 games in A-ball this season and he is 110 of 418 (.263 avg, .710 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 4 homers, 20 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. Jonathan Villar was the Phillies’ #22 prospect heading into this season. Villar has played in 100 games in A-ball this season and he was 101 of 371 (.272 avg, .690 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 2 homers, 36 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. This was a outstanding trade for the Phillies as Oswalt gives them an amazing top three in the rotation with Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.

The Phillies have placed starting CF Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list with a left abdominal strain. Victorino has played in 99 games for the Phillies this year and he is 101 of 404 (.250 avg, .749 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 15 homers, 53 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The Phillies have recalled their top prospect, 23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Domonic Brown to replace Victorino on the active roster and in the starting lineup. Brown has played in 93 games in AA+AAA-ball this year and he was 112 of 343 (.327 avg, .980 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 20 homers, 68 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Brown has now played in 424 games in his five years in the minors and he is 472 of 1,593 (.296 avg, .836 OPS) with 265 runs scored, 48 homers, 232 RBIs and 89 stolen bases. The Phillies will get a good glimpse of the future starting tonight.

27-year old lefty starting pitcher J.A. Happ has been mostly forgotten about by the Phillies. He has been on quite an extended rehab assignment in the minors. Happ has pitched in 9 games (8 starts) in A+AA+AAA-ball this year and he is 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He pitched in 2 games (both starts) for the Phillies before getting injured and he was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Happ has pitched in 46 games (30 starts) in parts of four years with the Phillies and he is 14-5 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Phillies hope that Happ pitches well in Jamie Moyer’s old spot in the rotation because they need the help if they are going to make a run at the Braves in the N.L. East.

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed 35-year old lefty swinging outfielder Timo Perez to a minor league deal. Perez played in 41 games earlier this season in AAA for the Dodgers and he was 34 of 115 (.296 avg, .762 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Perez has played in 603 games in his 8 years in the majors and he is 449 of 1,671 (.269 avg, .690 OPS) with 187 runs scored, 26 homers, 185 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. This was a solid signing for the Phillies as Perez might be able to help them off the bench in the near future.