PHILLIES PHODDER

I have ripped Phillies GM Matt Klentak- rightfully so- for numerous reasons lately- but I give him kudos today for trading Jeremy Hellickson and Howie Kendrick last night.

The return was as expected- prospects. From Baltimore, the Phils got outfielder Hyun Soo Kim. Hee will finish the season as a reserve, playing behind the outfield of Altherr, Herrera and Williams.

Kim becomes a free agent after the season. The Phillies can cut ties and start over.

The Phils get money off the books by getting rid of the one-year vets. They also got more money in the international pool. The prospects are at the single-A level, so they are a few years away form sniffing Philadelphia.

The organization is stockpiling left-handed starters in their farm system, a wise move. They are without a lefty starter on the big league level, so it's nice to see them add depth in the minors.

Will they make any more moves before the Monday 4 p.m. deadline? Probably not. Nava is on the DL, so he will be an August waiver transaction. Maybe reliever Beniot goes. It looks like Joseph, Herrera and Hernandez will stay for the remainder of the summer.

The Joseph situation will be an interesting one. The club would love to take a look at 1B prospect Rhys Hoskins, sharing time with Joseph at first base. My feeling is that we won't see Hoskins until September. As conservative as they are, the front office will want Hoskins to be in the International league play-offs and possibly win a championship. As long a Joseph continues to play well, they can justify keeping Hoskins a t Lehigh Valley.

They will need to do something in the off-season to break the logjam. Joseph is still only 26 and has shown power. But I think Hoskins' ceiling is higher, with  a  combination of power and the ability to reach base. The market for Joseph may be higher then, and a package for pitching would be sweet and open up a spot for Hoskins.

I think the team will tire of Herrera's antics and will try to unload him too. Immaturity is his problem, and unless he changes his tune in the off-season, I can easily see Herrera packing his bags.

Hernandez is a solid player but Scott Kingery is ready to take over second base. I don't see a position for Cesar in the future. Galvis or maybe \Crawford have shortstop locked down. Blanco won't be back as the utility guy. I think Hernandez will be dealt, as Kingery is emerging and the Phillies can get something decent in return for Cesar.

Nola is becoming an ace-type pitcher, if he stays healthy. Pivetta looks like a keeper in the rotation. Who knows about Valasquez and hos role as a starter or close Eichoff has the stuff but needs to be more consistent.. Garcia will get a closer look as a potential closer, with Neris shifting back to 8th inning set-up man.A group of Lively, Efflin, and Thompson  may fill out the rotation, with possibly  a free agent veteran stabilizing the staff.

The games may not mean much for the rest of the season, but the stories will remain, and the off-season will be intriguing too.

All through this dreadful year, I'm wondering "What's the plan?" What's the point of signing a Kendrick or Saunders or Bucholtz in the first place? Is it a total rebuild, playing the kids, or are they trying to be competitive but mixing the prospects with veterans?

It's kind of scary to know that even the Phillies themselves don't seem to be sure if there is a plan or not.

I have two games remaining to attend: the Pete Rose Wall of Fame induction, two weeks from tonight, and a Saturday night encounter with the world champion  Cubs.

The Rose ceremony should be electric. And the Cubs series in late August will be fun, especially if more kids form the Iron Pigs make their way to Citizens Bank Park by then.

Finally, the organization is doing everything they can to get  fans in their empty seats for the rest of the summer. Promotions will be heavy, including added events like Beatles night on Monday, Sept. 25 vs. Washington. They are giving away a combo Phillies/Beatles ski cap for the price of your ticket.

Basically, after the trade deadline comes and goes on Monday, it will be all-Eagles form now on, at least until the Baseball Winter Meetings and spring training.