The Phillies have demoted 25-year old righty starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick to AAA. Kendrick has pitched in 20 games (18 starts) for the Phillies this year and he was 5-4 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Kendrick’s biggest problem was gopher balls as he gave up 18 homers in 108 1/3 innings for the Phillies. The Phillies have recalled 25-year old righty starting pitcher Andrew Carpenter to replace Kendrick in the starting rotation. Carpenter has started 18 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 7-6 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has also pitched in 4 games (1 start) in his two years in the majors and he is 1-0 with a 9.45 ERA and a 2.55 WHIP.

I think the Phillies have to make some deals to catch up with the Atlanta Braves. First off I would trade with the Cubs for 2B Mike Fontenot who would start until Chase Utley is ready to return. The Cubs bullpen is in shambles so they would likely jump at an offer of 24-year old righty David Herndon and 26-year old righty Scott Mathieson. The Orioles are looking to deal away a lot of their veterans so if I was running the Phillies I would offer up 23-yar old lefty reliever Matt Way straight up for lefty reliever Will Ohman. I’m certain the Orioles would make that deal. I don’t think the Phillies can trust Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson late in games and with that in mind I would offer 24-year old lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo and 18-year old lefty swinging 1B Jonathan Singleton for Matt Capps of the Nationals. The Phillies have never been shy about trading prospects and if they could add Capps, Ohman and Fontenot they would be a much better team going forward.