The Phillies are in last place in the N.L. East right now and things don’t look to get much better any time soon. Unless they sweep the Braves this weekend, I think they are going to be sellers at the trade deadline. Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino would probably spawn widespread interest, giving the Phillies likely a very solid return. Mike Fontenot, Ty Wigginton, Juan Pierre, Laynce Nix and Joe Blanton wold also likely garner interest from other teams. Like I said though, it all depends on how well or badly the Phillies play this weekend. Stay tuned.

The Phillies need bullpen help really badly. The Phillies are 36-42 on the season, which has them in last place in the N.L. East….9.5 games behind the Nationals. The Phillies will likely be targeting both pitchers that can set-up Jonathan Papelbon (Matt Capps, Brandon League and Grant Balfour. They also will likely be targeting righties like Brandon Lyon, Shawn Camp and Matt Belisle as they need help up and down the pen from the right side. With Chase Utley back and Ryan Howard on rehab, the Phillies aren’t ready to become sellers….but they can’t afford to wait too much longer to add bullpen help.

The Philadelphia Phillies don’t need a lot after already bringing Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome and Jonathan Papelbon into the fold. But, these are three free agents that I would bring in if I were running the team:

1. Rafael Furcal - Righty swinging shortstop Rafael Furcal would be a solid replacement if Jimmy Rollins decides to leave the Phillies (which is a distinct possibility). A healthy Furcal is essentially a cheaper version of Jimmy Rollins.

2. Reed Johnson - The Phillies could use a guy like outfielder Reed Johnson off the bench. He can handle all three outfield slots defensively and he’s a good hitter off the bench. Don’t forget that he likes to get dirty, so he would fit right in on the Phillies.

3. Joel Peralta - The Phillies are rebuilding the bullpen and Peralta would be a nice set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon.

The Phillies are looking to try to make some moves to fortify the roster for another World Series run. They want another outfielder and are currently talking trade with the Rays about B.J. Upton. He won’t come cheap. If the price is too high for Upton, look for the Phillies to go after guys like Melky Cabrera, David DeJesus, Coco Crisp, Corey Patterson, Ryan Sweeney, Juan Rivera and Chris Denorfia. The Phillies could also use a utility infielder who can handle 3B. Adam Kennedy, Blake DeWitt, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carroll, Mike Aviles and Jeff Baker each fit the bill. A lefty reliever would be nice for the Phillies to add with Will Ohman and Craig Breslow at the top of their list. Jason Frasor, Michael Wuertz and Matt Lindstrom are some hard throwing righty relievers that are likely on the Phillies’ radar right now. The Phillies have never been shy at the trade deadline so look for something to go down before this Sunday’s trade deadline.

I don’t see the Phillies needing to make any major moves but I can see them making a few minor trades to really stengthen the team the rest of the way. First off, the Phillies should call up the bankrupt Dodgers and offer to take some salary off the books. Infielder Aaron Miles and righty reliever Matt Guerrier would come to the Phillies for young rookie lefty swinging 1B Matt Rizzotti. I would also offer outfielder John Mayberry (his dad played with the Royals) to the Royals for outfielder Mitch Maier. Righty reliever Chad Qualls also would be appealing to the Phillies and I think the Padres would be happy to deal him for righty relievers Drew Carpenter and David Herndon. Finally, the Phillies should offer righty reliever Scott Mathieson to the A’s for lefty reliever Jeremy Blevins. If the Phillies pulled these deals off, I don’t see any team that could challenge them for the World Series.

The Phillies, barring injuries, will likely be only looking to make minor deals to help the bench as the trade deadline looms. I would think that guys like Jorge Cantu, Conor Jackson, Jerry Hairston, Adam Kennedy, Jeff Keppinger, Aaron Miles and Jamey Carroll would be infielders that might appeal to the Phillies. Matt Diaz, Chris Denorfia, Mitch Maier, Felix Pie, Scott Hairston or Ryan Sweeney would also be of some interest to the Phillies. The Phillies won’t have to give up much to get any of these players from their current teams. All of those players mentioned are going to be available for the right price and the Phillies should be in on all of them next month.

The Phillies have seven free agents heading into this winter. This is how I see things shaking out with these players:

Jamie Moyer: 47-year old lefty starting pitcher Jamie Moyer started 19 games for the Phillies last season and he was 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. His season ended with injury. VERDICT: The Phillies should thank Moyer for the decent years that he gave them and then let him walk.

J.C. Romero: 34-year old lefty reliever J.C. Romero pitched in 60 games out of the pen for the Phillies last season and he was 1-0 with 3 saves, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. The Phillies already have declined his option for 2011. VERDICT: The Phillies will let him walk.

Jose Contreras: 38-year old righty reliever Jose Contreras pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 6-4 with 4 saves, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He was really tough in his first year as a full time reliever. VERDICT: The Phillies should give him a raise and bring him back.

Chad Durbin: 32-year old righty reliever Chad Durbin pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. VERDICT: Like Contreras, I would give Durbin a raise and try to bring him back.

Mike Sweeney: 37-year old righty swinging 1B Mike Sweeney played in 26 games for the Phillies last season and he was 12 of 52 (.231 avg, .695 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Sweeney played in 56 games for the Phillies & Mariners last season and he was 38 of 151 (.252 avg, .765 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 8 homers, 26 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. VERDICT: Bringing back Sweeney on a minor league deal might be a good idea because he can still hit.

Jayson Werth: 31-year old righty swinging RF Jayson Werth played in 156 games for the Phillies last season and he was 164 of 554 (.296 avg, .920 OPS) with 106 runs scored, 27 homers, 85 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Werth is the second best outfielder on the free agent market behind only Carl Crawford of the Rays. VERDICT: The Phillies decide not to ante up and they let Werth leave.

Jimmy Rollins: 31-year old switch hitting shortstop Jimmy Rollins played in only 88 games for the Phillies last season and he was 85 of 350 (.243 avg, .694 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 8 homers, 41 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The Phillies have a club option for the 2011 season on Rollins. VERDICT: I see the Phillies picking up Rollins’ option and then praying that he can stay healthy.

I think the Phillies have to make some deals to catch up with the Atlanta Braves. First off I would trade with the Cubs for 2B Mike Fontenot who would start until Chase Utley is ready to return. The Cubs bullpen is in shambles so they would likely jump at an offer of 24-year old righty David Herndon and 26-year old righty Scott Mathieson. The Orioles are looking to deal away a lot of their veterans so if I was running the Phillies I would offer up 23-yar old lefty reliever Matt Way straight up for lefty reliever Will Ohman. I’m certain the Orioles would make that deal. I don’t think the Phillies can trust Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson late in games and with that in mind I would offer 24-year old lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo and 18-year old lefty swinging 1B Jonathan Singleton for Matt Capps of the Nationals. The Phillies have never been shy about trading prospects and if they could add Capps, Ohman and Fontenot they would be a much better team going forward.

The Phillies are 43-38 on the season which has them in third place in the N.L. East, 5 games behind the Braves. The Phillies need to add a solid starting pitcher and a couple of infielders who can start now and return to the bench when Chase Utley and Placido Polanco come off the D.L. Targets should include guys like Ty Wigginton, Mike Aviles, Mark Ellis, Jose Lopez, Adam Kennedy, Christian Guzman, Craig Counsell, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, Jeff Keppinger and Andy LaRoche. As far as the starting pitcher goes I don’t think it will be Pedro Martinez as it would take him some time to get into shape. Don’t be surprised to see the Phillies go after Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren. More than likely though they will likely turn to the second tier going after guys like Jeremy Guthrie, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets, Ricky Nolasco, Dave Bush, Ted Lilly, Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Edwin Jackson or Rodrigo Lopez. The Phillies have to make some moves if they want to make the playoffs because the Braves and Mets are for real this season.

The Phillies are scouting the White Sox right now looking at J.J. Putz and Bobby Jenks. I think a deal can be made between these two teams as the Phillies are desperate for a closer. I would offer the White Sox Antonio Bastardo, Scott Mathieson and Ben Francisco for Bobby Jenks and infielder Jayson Nix. With Jimmy Rollins and Brad Lidge all beat up getting Jenks and Nix would be outstanding. From the White Sox side of things they would be shedding Jenks’ salary while getting two live arms for the pen and Ben Francisco who could work his way into a lot of atbats for the White Sox who are struggling offensively this year.