In the week's edition of Phillies Must-Reads, we take a look at the diets that the Phillies have put some of their minor leaguers on, potential trade deadline targets and more.
Rising right-handed Zach Eflin impressing with IronPigs — Philly Voice
Most of the attention the Phillies have garnered over the past year came from their two biggest deals, with Texas for Cole Hamels and with Houston for Ken Giles. The results of Vince Velasquez and Jerad Eickhoff at the major league level and Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Mark Appel can't be denied. But let's not forgot some of the under-the-radar deals such as the one with Cincinnati which sent OF Marlon Byrd (currently with his third team since the deal) for a young righty named Ben Lively. Lively is 4-0, with a 2.12 ERA at Double A Reading. Another impressive deal that may have show more immediate dividends is the deal that sent Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers for a 22-year old named Zach Elfin. Elfin is part of very talented group of starts currently at Triple A Lehigh Valley. Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice brings the attention to this acquisition that it rightfully deserves.
Joe Giglio of NJ.com takes a look at some of the outfielders that the Phillies could potentially target at this year's trade deadline, should they still be contending later this summer. Though names like Mike Trout are discussed in a more hypotehtical sense, names like Jay Bruce and Carlos Beltran could be more realistic if the Phillies choose to be buyers.
Despite their stumble in St. Louis, the Phils have played beyond our wildest imaginations. The young starters are blossoming a year sooner than expected. A bullpen led by journeyman Jemar Gomez has been fairly impressive after a slow start. Can a team not expected to a be a contender until 2018, shock the world and continue at this playoff contention pace? Sam Donellon looks deep inside the numbers and examines if the 2016 Phillies are for real.
The Philadelphia Phillies have taken their rebuilding efforts to even further heights than just looking to add young talent. The team, under GM Matt Klentak, is taking care of their own both on-and-off the field. Matt Gelb of Philly.com has the story of the team's nearly $1 million expenditure that will hopefully improve the quality of their careers and their lives.
In the past 12 months, the Phils catching depth, what was previously a black hole of uncertainty, has become one of the strongest areas in the system. Led by Andrew Knapp with the IronPigs and Jorge Alfaro at Reading, the team will have options when it comes to replacing Carlos Ruiz in 2017. The forgotten man behind the plate has been Cameron Rupp. Rupp has made big strides with his bat in 2016 and Matt Breen of Philly.com says Rupp's name needs to be in the conversation of possibly Phillies long-term solutions behind the dish.
George Gouvas (@SummerofGeorge3) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
