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Phillies Notes: Mackanin expects trades to alter roster

Pete Mackanin understands the reality of the task he agreed to take on. The Phillies' interim manager knows that the roster he has been handed could very well see one or two high-profile subtractions by the end of this month.

Pete Mackanin understands the reality of the task he agreed to take on. The Phillies' interim manager knows that the roster he has been handed could very well see one or two high-profile subtractions by the end of this month.

So as the calendar turned to July, Mackanin did not dance around a question regarding the possibility that Cole Hamels could be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline. He even called it "probable," but added that's just his gut feeling.

"I know exactly what's going to happen, but I don't want to tell anybody," Mackanin said with a straight face. "I really have no inside scoop. I read the papers and I have the same feelings [the media] probably have.

"It boils down to getting good deals for these guys. We're obviously in a youth movement, trying to develop younger players and get something out of players like Hamels. So I would like to think that we can make a good deal and get some good-looking players."

Hamels, of course, headlines the Phillies' trade chips. Closer Jonathan Papelbon, outfielder Ben Revere and starter Aaron Harang also will continue to hear their names in trade speculation over the next four weeks. But the ace is the one who could bring back a haul to expedite the Phillies' rebuilding process.

"I can't speak for [general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.] and anyone else involved in making that deal. We're not involved on the field," Mackanin said. "But the whole point of this year basically is to see young guys help us get ready for next year and beyond. If we can get good deals for Hamels and good deals for whoever else there might be out there, Papelbon. There might be a team that will come after Ben Revere or after [Jeff] Francoeur. We're not sure about anything, so we're going to have to wait and see what develops."

Even before the potential subtractions of Hamels or Harang, the Phillies' rotation is struggling mightily. It entered Wednesday with a combined 5.05 ERA, the worst in baseball.

Short outings have forced the relief corps into extra action. The Phillies' bullpen has thrown the third-most innings in baseball. Justin De Fratus (765 pitches) went into Wednesday having thrown 90 more pitches than any other reliever in baseball. Luis Garcia and Jeanmar Gomez (599) were tied for the ninth-most pitches thrown among relievers.

Ahead of Chad Billingsley's return from the disabled list to start Thursday's game, the Phillies will announce a roster move regarding their rotation. They have yet to reveal who will start in this weekend's three-game set in Atlanta.

Extra bases

Phillies prospect J.P. Crawford was selected to the July 15 Eastern League All-Star Game in Portland, Maine, along with double-A Reading teammates Zach Eflin, Roman Quinn, Cameron Perkins, and Brock Stassi. - Jake Kaplan