Skip to content
Phillies
Link copied to clipboard

Could Ben Revere be next to be traded?

The Phillies already cashed in by far their biggest trade chip in Cole Hamels, but they could still make a lesser move or two before the trade deadline at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Phillies already cashed in by far their biggest trade chip in Cole Hamels, but they could still make a lesser move or two before the trade deadline at 4 p.m. Friday.

Ben Revere is the most likely candidate to find a new home on the final day for non-waiver trades. The 27-year-old outfielder entered Thursday night's series opener against the Atlanta Braves hitting a team-best .298, and a contending club might find him valuable as a complementary piece for the stretch run.

Speaking before Thursday's game at Citizens Bank Park, Revere said he hadn't heard any news of a trade involving him. He has heard his name mentioned as a possible trade chip since the beginning of the season. It's not his first time experiencing this, of course: The Phillies acquired him from the Minnesota Twins in December 2012.

"It's a business," Revere said. "If it comes down to it, then I'll say my goodbyes, but for right now I'm not really thinking about it. I'm going to try to help this team win."

Fox Sports reported Thursday that an American League club was interested in acquiring Revere. The Baltimore Orioles are one possibility. Toronto has discussed the versatile outfielder, according to a baseball source. Revere was previously linked to the Los Angeles Angels, but their acquisitions this week of Shane Victorino and David Murphy filled their need for corner outfielders.

Only 24 qualified hitters in the major leagues boasted a better season average than Revere. He went into Thursday night hitting a blistering .356 in 160 at-bats since June 3.

"Anything can happen in baseball," Revere said. "Someone could go down and [it could] be like, 'OK, we need a guy,' and they could choose me or choose him. Anything can happen. That one phone call. That one trade could happen."

Jeff Francoeur has also heard his name in trade speculation - the Pittsburgh Pirates were said to have interest in recent weeks - but he is probably more valuable as a veteran influence on the Phillies' young players than the low-level prospect he would bring back to the farm system. The journeyman rightfielder was hitting .270 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs.

If not traded Friday, veterans such as Francoeur and starting pitcher Aaron Harang could be candidates for an August waiver trade.