The Phillies could be ready to part ways with longtime members Rollins and Ruiz.

US PRESSWIRE

Four MLB teams ready to blow up their rosters

By JASON LOGAN - WRITER

We’ve come to the part of the MLB season in which struggling clubs begin eyeing the dynamite plunger and listening to their inner Wile E. Coyote.

Baseball bettors have already witnessed the Houston Astros’ self-imposed demolition, dealing longtime star Carlos Lee to Miami and sending pitchers J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter to the Blue Jays. At 34-59, it was just a matter of time before the Astros blew themselves up.

Houston isn't the only team looking to cut its losses on the 2012 season. Here are four other MLB clubs ready to blow up the roster and start looking ahead to 2013:

Records and stats as of Friday, July 20.

Philadelphia Phillies (41-52, -23.21 units)

The 2012 campaign couldn’t have gone any worse for Phillies bettors, and it might only get nastier if the team decides to pull the plug on its current roster. Mainstays like Jimmie Rollins, Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz have all been rumored traded bait, along with struggling ace Cliff Lee. Philadelphia is hoping to hang on to starter Cole Hamels, but nothing is written in stone. With an aging roster and consistent problems providing run support, the Phillies brass may wash their hands of their year’s squad and reload for 2013.

Miami Marlins (44-48, -11.00 units)

The 2012 season was supposed to be a fresh start for the Fish, with a new name, new ballpark and new talent. However, Miami has failed to live up those expectations and the front office is threatening to blow up the team if things don’t turn around - like right now. Hanley Ramirez and struggling closer Heath Bell have been talked about in a deal for Boston’s Carl Crawford and Giancarlo Stanton has shown up in rumors, with the team looking to sell the slugger while his stock is high.

Arizona Diamondbacks (44-48, -7.98 units)

Justin Upton is the hot commodity with the Red Sox and Pirates licking their chops over the talented outfielder. He’s not the only D-backs member being shopped around. Shortstop Stephen Drew, who returned from an ankle injury last month, has rumored suitors like the Tigers, who are also interested in third baseman Ryan Roberts. Arizona should know better than any team that it's not out of the race in the NL West after last year’s comeback. But it does seem like the D-backs are packing it in.

Chicago Cubs (38-53, -7.03 units)

We knew the Cubs were a project when Theo Epstein took the reins in the Windy City. Chicago has rightfully been the center of swirling trade rumors following the All-Star break, most of those centered around pitchers Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. The Cubbies may also deal Alfonso Soriano to a club looking for a big bat, like the Giants, and part ways with Bryan LaHair and Geovany Soto. Chicago is reportedly focused on getting back prospects for these moves.

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Posted by rafaelite
10 months ago

tend to agree, phills need some offense, dnt hit like they normally do but saw same thing from cards last yesr, everybody was on pujols early but like this year, comin around, maybe when howard starts hitting em out again, philly in the post season.

Posted by JasonDC
10 months ago

Fervent0127, It would make it so much easier to read your post if you would use commas and periods..especially a long post.

Posted by fervent0127
10 months ago

There is nothing wrong with phillies they are in the thick of thing if they can just get may be one good pitcher or hitter by the trade dead line they can make a push remember is not how you look is how you finish i seen my cards in the same position last year i will tell you lucky i kept faith i was cashing out while those who laugh at me where saying they'll fold next game so they did but i rather win three then just one well getting back on point i see the same in the phillies with howard hurt and their ace pitcher out for games and few batters yet with no confidence all that can turn around in one quick winning streak so what if you didn't get your philly steak in time as long as it came out right maybe they where missing the peppers at the time or just building your anticipation so when you had doubt it was you who got served i'm not even a phillie fan but i have been good at guessing if you would take luck away and add forsight in who is going to be the well bred horse or overlooked stud to see the promise land and have persistence i tell u phillies have my cards futures prop bet in a tentative motion to vouch to my bankroll to sleep easy and then there is the oakland A's

Posted by thewhitesmith
10 months ago

if he does end up being dealt, lee should fetch more than hamels because of the long term stability. also from the philly area and i haven't heard anything concrete about ruiz, but have heard the rumblings that if there was ever a time to trade him its now. rollins, vic, pence, polanco, blanton are getting the most mentions though

Posted by moejoe318
10 months ago

the next 2 weeks are important, if the phils win with there original line-up they may only deal victorino for back of the end quality bull pen relief pitcher+

Posted by moejoe318
10 months ago

living in philly i can tell u there are no reports of a trade for carlos ruiz . Rollins Victorino and i heard Pence. I heard Lee back to the rangers but not for as many prospects as what Hamels would of gotten them.

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Posted by JasonDC
10 months ago

"Fervent0127, It would make it so much easier to read your post if you would use commas and periods..especially a long post."

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Featured Free Play

MLB: Kansas City vs. Houston

Pick:: U (KC at HOU)
Start:: May 20, 2013 - 8:10 PM
Capper:: Bryan Power
Offered at:: 5dimes @ Under 9 100
Analysis:

1* Under Royals/Astros (8:10 ET): I went a perfect 9-0 this weekend, including 5 for 5 in MLB! One of my Saturday winners (Oakland) came at the expense of the Kansas City Royals, who would eventually get swept by the A's, scoring only five total runs in the process. They certainly seem to have a more favorable opponent to start the week, but don't be surprised to see fewer runs scored than expected in Monday's opener....

KC will send Jeremy Guthrie out to the mound tonight. He should have no problem containing an Astros lineup that was shut out yesterday in Pittsburgh, losing for the 7th time in 9 games. While Guthrie is coming off his worst showing of 2013 last time out, his overall numbers remain impressive; he's 5-1 with a 2.82 ERA over eight starts. He's also never lost to Houston in three career outings, turning in a 3.68 ERA and 1.045 WHIP. Two of those starts came last year.

The problem with taking the Royals here though is the fact their offense is struggling mightily right now and that they average only 2.9 runs per game vs. lefties. That should give Houston southpaw Dallas Keuchel a decent shot at a quality outing. The Royals, like the Astros, come into this series having lost 7 of 9. In those seven losses, the Kansas City offense has scored a grand total of 17 runs. This game could easily turn into a pitcher's duel with the two inept offenses. 1* Under KC/Houston.

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