Phillies Focused On Buying

There has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the Phillies in recent weeks and which veterans could be moved between now and the July 31st deadline.  However, rival teams that have spoken with General Manager Ruben Amaro recently say that the club is talking about buying, not selling, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.

Third baseman Michael Young and second baseman Chase Utley – both in their walk years – have popped up in trade rumors a great deal.  Amaro has been vocal about his desire to see Utley remain in a Phillies uniform but the club is said to be quite open to moving Young.  Carlos Ruiz, who can also hit the open market after this season, could bring back a solid return thanks to a thin catching market.  Jonathan Papelbon and Cliff Lee would obviously net the club a strong return, but the perception has been that they'll hang on to the closer and the left-hander.

The Phillies are reportedly using their current ten-game homestand to gauge whether they will be buyers or sellers in July and they're 4-1 heading into tonight's game against the Nationals.  Philadelphia currently sits in third place in the NL East, 7.5 games back of the division-leading Braves.