Phils Low on Pitching Options: Need to Trade

With 29 days until the trading deadline, an unfortunate series versus the Mets and an ailing pitching staff the Phillies need to make a trade if they intend to contend until the end.

The Phillies have had 6 pitchers make their major league debuts this year. Here is the list of newcomers; J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Joe Bisenius, Zack Segovia, Michael Zagurski and Yoel Hernandez, all made their big-league debuts this season,

Additionally, the pitchers have just called up one Anderson Garcia, who will be the 7th big league debut on the mound this year for the Phillies. He will also be the 25th pitcher to pitch this year inching closer to the record of 27 different pitchers from the 2002 season.

The bottom line is... we need pitching help.

Rumors are circulating that some teams are interested in Pat Burrell. Undoubtedly, to deal Burrell the Phillies will have to pay part of his salary. Considering he makes $14 million, I would gladly deal him and pay up to $7 million this year and next to open up the roster spot. That $7 million could be used to bolster next year's starting rotation. Burrell could be dealt for pitching.

The recent play of Micheal Bourn will make this transition easier, not to mention add even more speed to the Phillies lineup. Rollins and Victorino at the top and Bourn at the bottom. Very nice.

Another option I would not put past the Phillies is the trading of Aaron Rowand. I was an advocate of keeping him on the team when the Phillies faithful were shouting for him to be traded. I pleaded with Gillick to give this club house leader and ultimate gamer a chance to prove his worth... and he has. He's even been selected to the NL All-Star team. He'll accompany the well deserved Chase Utley and Cole Hamels. But, with Rowand's recent success, it begs the question do we trade him for the future? If we were take advice from an old investment maxim of buy low and sell high, it would be the perfect time to put him on the block... and I wouldn't put it past Gillick... though as a guy who enjoys his play, I hope he sticks around and Gillick finds other options...

The recent call up of Chris Coste makes Rod Barajas expendable. And Coste's homerun on Friday makes you wonder what he's been doing in the minor leagues all this time, while Barajas flirts with Mendoza. The Cubs could use a catcher...

Given Pat Gillicks history, something will be done.