Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and mlbtraderumors.com both have rumblings of the Phillies being interested in outfielder Mark Kotsay of the Braves.  Atlanta has put Kotsay on waivers and will listen to offers.  Kotsay is a free agent next year so there is no obligation to a contract beyond this season.  He is a very good left handed bat and has been hot lately.  Speculation is that the Phillies could use him to replace injured Geoff Jenkins on the roster.  The Red Sox also are apparently very interested in Kotsay as J.D. Drew may be going on the disabled list soon.

Colorado has placed relief pitcher Brian Fuentes on waivers with the same concept in mind.  Fuentes is a free agent for the 2009 season and the Rockies are willing to deal him now but since he is a Type A free agent they would want value higher than the two first round draft picks they will get in return if they keep him for the balance of the season but then lose him to free agency over the winter.  Some team will most likely claim Fuentes to at a minimum block others from geting him.  The Mets would look awfully tough if they were able to obtain him at this point. 

In order for a player to be eligible for the post season he must be on the roster prior to August 31 so Sunday is another cutoff day if contenders want to add punch to the playoff roster. 

Kotsay might be had for a mid level type prospect but obviously Atlanta will hold out for the best deal, not sure if the Phils would dangle Olympian Jason Donald at the Braves but he might be a fit for them at second base next season as Kelly Johnson has been a disapointment at that position for them this year.

As the trade deadline looms the Phillies need of starting pitching makes rumors persist. The team might be in pursuit of Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett. SI.com has recently reported that a Blue Jays top executive was recently seen in Reading, PA scouting the Phillies double A team. Potential prospects of interest include catcher Lou Marson, pitcher Carlos Carrasco or outfielder Greg Golson. Burnett has top of the rotation type of stuff but has not been consistent with results. He has the option of voiding his contract at year end and becoming a free agent or continue and collect on the $24 million left on the deal.

The team needs to take a risk especially in light of recent trades of C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee and Rich Hardin to Chicago. Burnett may not be the answer but it is readily apparent the need is not being filled by the present roster. Phillies starters are collectively 31-31 with an E.R.A over 4. Twenty five of those wins are claimed by the trio of Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. As a lifelong Phillies fan I think the time is now and if it means mortgaging the future a bit by dealing a prospect so be it……….. after all we have only one world series championship and over 10,000 losses as a franchise!

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The 2007 season didn’t end the way the Phillies were hoping as they were swept away by the Colorado Rockies during the first round of the playoffs.  Can the Phillies turn it around and make it back to the playoffs in 2008 and hopefully get out of the first round?  Can they overtake the mighty New York Mets and when the division first?  I think it will be hard to do, but that is why they play the game because anything can happen!

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