FOLLOWING WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Ben-Revere-not-working-out-as-planned 5/19/13 - Ben Revere not working out as planned
BACK
Add the Philadelphia Phillies to My HUB

Phillies fire sale begins with Victorino and Pence headed west

by The Wire       July 31st, 2012 12:36 PM
  • Phillies-fire-sale-begins-with-Victorino-and-Pence-headed-west
  • Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Hunter Pence celebrates scoring with center fielder Shane Victorino. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

    • With the hope of a sixth straight playoff appearance all but non-existent, the Phillies unloaded two-thirds of their starting outfield prior to Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline. Centerfielder Shane Victorino is headed to Los Angeles to take over the starting left field job for the Dodgers, while right fielder Hunter Pence is off to the Bay Area to play for the Giants.

    Victorino was a fan favorite during his seven full seasons in Philadelphia, providing speed and decent power at the top of the order and Gold Glove defense in center field. However, he is also a free agent at season’s end and is reportedly looking for a five-year deal on the open market, something that the Phillies were never going to agree to given his age (31) and the fact that he’s in the midst of the worst season of his career (.724 OPS).

    As a result, the return for the Hawaiian native isn’t all that great for the Phillies. The Dodgers sent 25-year-old reliever Josh Lindblom and pitching prospect Ethan Martin, neither of whom ranked very high on their organizational totem pole. Lindblom has put up good basic numbers in his time in the big leagues with a 2.92 ERA, but has struggled with the long ball to the tune of 1.05 HR/9, a feature that’s only going to be exacerbated in the small dimensions of Citizens Bank Park. And Martin, a former first round pick, has been a picture of inconsistency throughout his minor league career. He possesses a good fastball but is very erratic with his secondary pitches, which could compel the Phillies to move him to the bullpen in the coming months.

    The deal for Pence, however, involves a lot more talent. Many wondered if Pence would actually be moved given that he’s still arbitration eligible next year and is a valuable outfielder who hustles and hits for power. The Phillies also gave up quite a bit to acquire him from Houston at the deadline last year, and he was thought to be part of the core that they wanted to build around. But San Francisco, who has been desperate for a big outfield bat for the past few years, made a very strong play for him by sending a package centered around C/1B prospect Tommy Joseph to Philly, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Joseph has exceptional power for a young hitter and was third on the San Francisco organizational rankings, and Jon Heyman reports that outfielder Nate Schierholtz will be included as well.

    — Craig Lowell

    What did you think? Leave a comment

    TOPICS

    RELATED STORIES
    • Ben-Revere-not-working-out-as-planned

      Ben Revere not working out as planned

      May 19th, 2013 1:51 PM

      The Phillies thought they had solved their center field problems this offseason when they traded for Minnesota’s Ben Revere, but it hasn’t very well for the young…

    • Roy-Halladay-to-have-surgery-on-shoulder

      Roy Halladay to have surgery on shoulder

      May 8th, 2013 6:05 PM

      Roy Halladay confirmed Wednesday that he will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. While no surgery is god news for a pitcher — let alone one…

    More

    Fan Hub Action

    LATEST CHATTER

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    • Jeanne-Marie Jansen Lowell May 23rd

      Greatest relief pitcher EVER! Someday we can all tell our grandchildren we got to see him pitch. A true legend!

    • Charlie Lobosco May 23rd

      Ask Craig; I’ll say it again; not the best relief pitcher ever; the best MLB player ever. Yes, that includes everyone.

    • Jim Lowell May 23rd

      Great tribute to a great player, a great Yankee, and a great man.Thank you!

    • Frank Lowell May 23rd

      Great job, Ryan! As a life-long Yankee hater since the 1950’s in the closing days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, I can only sit back and…

    Belly putter ban to is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf
    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities
    The irony - and bravery - of Jason Collins's decision

    • Charlie Lobosco May 1st

      This is a very compelling story because Mr. Collins is a very passionate, tough, intelligent, athelete taking on some additional responsibliity to help others as…

    • Scott Cohen May 1st

      Charlie.. very well said.. he does have guts

    POPULAR NOW

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    May 22nd, 2013 2:56 PM

    2
    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities

    May 16th, 2013 12:13 PM

    1
    Belly putter ban to is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf

    May 23rd, 2013 1:49 PM

    1

    ALL TIME FAVES

    Despite tragedy, Boston and its marathon will endure

    April 16th, 2013 12:15 PM

    6
    Tiger on top is the best thing for golf

    April 9th, 2013 11:57 AM

    18
    The irony of Kobe Bryant's injury

    April 16th, 2013 3:48 PM

    15
    Questions about sexuality arise at combine

    March 1st, 2013 8:37 AM

    10

    Twitter Chatter

    PEOPLE

    VIDEOS