The Philadelphia Phillies finally have traded one of their core players by sending outfielder Shane Victorino to the team Victorino had some of his brightest moments against as a Phillie, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Phillies, in return, are getting something they are in desperate need of — youth. Pitchers Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin are what the Phillies will be getting for the Gold Glove winning center fielder. They will supply much-needed help for the Phillies’ bullpen and also offer a glimpse into the future of the club.
For most of the past month, Philadlephia has been sitting and waiting to turn things around, hoping for one last push so they wouldn’t have to part with one of their veterans. That push never came and, with the team being swept by their division rival, the Braves, it appears a fire sale is about to happen.
Victorino may be the first domino to fall, but it is unlikely he will be the last. Deals for Joe Blanton and Hunter Pence still are being discussed, and it is likely the Phillies may drastically change their lineup by today’s 4 p.m. trade deadline. Top prospect Domonic Brown already has been called up and is believed to be taking Vistorino’s place in the lineup.
I am sure the rest of the season most likely will not be as successful as years past, but at least the Phillies are looking to the future and trying to fix what is clearly broken.