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.

The Phillies are 43-38 on the season which has them in third place in the N.L. East, 5 games behind the Braves. The Phillies need to add a solid starting pitcher and a couple of infielders who can start now and return to the bench when Chase Utley and Placido Polanco come off the D.L. Targets should include guys like Ty Wigginton, Mike Aviles, Mark Ellis, Jose Lopez, Adam Kennedy, Christian Guzman, Craig Counsell, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, Jeff Keppinger and Andy LaRoche. As far as the starting pitcher goes I don’t think it will be Pedro Martinez as it would take him some time to get into shape. Don’t be surprised to see the Phillies go after Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren. More than likely though they will likely turn to the second tier going after guys like Jeremy Guthrie, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets, Ricky Nolasco, Dave Bush, Ted Lilly, Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Edwin Jackson or Rodrigo Lopez. The Phillies have to make some moves if they want to make the playoffs because the Braves and Mets are for real this season.

The Phillies are scouting the White Sox right now looking at J.J. Putz and Bobby Jenks. I think a deal can be made between these two teams as the Phillies are desperate for a closer. I would offer the White Sox Antonio Bastardo, Scott Mathieson and Ben Francisco for Bobby Jenks and infielder Jayson Nix. With Jimmy Rollins and Brad Lidge all beat up getting Jenks and Nix would be outstanding. From the White Sox side of things they would be shedding Jenks’ salary while getting two live arms for the pen and Ben Francisco who could work his way into a lot of atbats for the White Sox who are struggling offensively this year.