Phillies: Buyers or Sellers?

    As the trade deadline approaches, numerous questions still linger for the Phillies. At 49-49 the Phillies sit in an awkward position as the time comes to decide whether they should buy for a postseason push, or sell to start rebuilding for the future.

    The Phillies currently sit in the purgatory of the league, not bad enough to sell off all valuable assets for young players, but not good enough that making one move will solve all their problems, especially another farm desecrating trade. At 6.5 games back from both the division lead and the second wild card spot, the Phillies definitely aren't out of the race quite yet, but will certainly need one hell of a finish to the season if they hope to make it back to the playoffs after a disappointing 2012.
    It may not be popular (and most-likely is wrong), but my opinion is the Phillies need to pretty much sit tight at the deadline and make only minor moves. There is no point in bolstering our sad bullpen unless we will need it for the playoffs, which at this point is somewhat of a long shot, so we might as well let some young arms gain some experience. There isn't, at least in my opinion, much help the Phillies can acquire for the outfield without sacrificing too much, so unless they are getting a player with at least another full year or two on his contract, it probably isn't worth it.
    The infield is another problematic situation. Jimmy Rollins probably isn't going anywhere, although we do have some talented young players in the system who can already field just as well as him (Galvis). Chase Utley is a trade possibility, but for some reason I don't see him leaving (I may just be delusional since he is my favorite player, but that's neither here nor there). So we have come down to my most eligible to be traded, and sorry to disappoint the people clamoring to replace Chooch, its not him. Most eligible trade piece, Michael Young. Young has proven he can field adequately enough to not be a total detriment in the field, and can still provide good at-bats, although he does hit into more double plays than anyone I can remember. Teams (Yankees, Red Sox, etc.) have shown interest in Young, who in the final year of his contract may be the best option to dispense of in an attempt to pick up some pieces for next year. With youngsters waiting in the wings (Lehigh Valley and Reading) to move in at third base in the very near future, it may be time to send Young on his way and build for the future.
    Thus we have reached the end of this somewhat incoherent rant. If you've made it this far you're probably wondering whether I am saying we are buyers or sellers. Sorry to disappoint you, but I think we're a little bit of both. Minor moves are the best option right now, so sit tight folks, it will probably be an uninteresting trade deadline for the Phillies.