Likely Trade Candidates

With the Phils looking for a trade partner, several candidates have emerged as potential Phillies. Let's take a look and see who is feasible and who is more a figment of the fan imagination. Thanks goes out to Cot's Baseball Contracts for some of the contract information.

One name floating around is Jake Peavy. The Phillies payroll sits at around $128 million in 2009 and Peavy is owed about $8 million over the rest of the season. The Phils payroll increased by $30 million after last year. Basically, when its all said and done, the Phillies would need to be really creative with their payroll or send some major league talent to the Padres to clear up some space. The Padres wouldn't be inclined to make that deal as it is likely they would want prospects. Peavy also has a full no-trade clause and has expressed interest in teams that fit three characteristics: NL, contender, close to home. The Phils are in the NL, are a contender, but are only 3 or so thousand miles away from home. We'll see if that affects Peavy's decision. So for now, Jake Peavy: Figment

Let's take a look at another name--Erik Bedard. Bedard is also set to be a free agent after this year and therefore would cost significantly less than Peavy. Bedard has somewhat of a reputation as being a clubhouse "cancer" so to speak--the type of player Phillies try to shy away from. Nevertheless, the Phillies can't afford to be picky about what they can get. Erik Bedard--Feasible

The third candidate is Roy Oswalt. Oswalt is set to make $14 million this year, $15 million next year, and $16 million in 2011, with a $16 million dollar option in 2012. He also has a full no trade clause, like Peavy. Its up in the air whether or not Oswalt would accept a trade here, but one thing to keep in mind is a relationship with Brad Lidge, former Astro. Lidge was a great Astro and then had a bad year, was traded, and flourished in Philly. Oswalt isn't having a great year so far in Houston and may choose to honor a potential trade to follow in Lidge's footsteps. Regardless, Oswalt may be a little out of the Phils' price range. For now though, it's somewhat Feasible

Let's take a look at one dark horse that has been thrown around--Roy Halladay Halladay is set to make a lot of money and it is very highly unlikely that he is on the block right now...he's someone Toronto wants to hold on to. It is 100% figment