The Philadelphia Phillies have informed teams that they have players available for trade, including Michael Young. However, Cliff Lee is not on the list of players they are looking to deal, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.
Phillies trade rumors: Michael Young, others available; Cliff Lee not
The Phillies have been reluctant to name themselves as sellers this season, but have made the jump by putting several players on the block.
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The Phillies are 49-55 this season, 10 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead. They had previously been tight-lipped on whether they would sell at the trade deadline, but now it appears they will, provided they can find a buyer.
Young immediately becomes one of the best bats available. He has hit .277/.342/.402 with seven home runs over 97 games in 2013. He finished eighth in AL MVP voting just two seasons ago when he hit for an .854 OPS with the Rangers. Texas had traded him to the Phillies last offseason. Though Young has played all around the infield in his career, he has been relegated to the corners in 2013.
There has been talk that the Rangers could look to re-acquire Young, but those rumors have been squashed. The Orioles and Red Sox are also looking for a bat and have allegedly inquired about Young in recent weeks.
Lee is under contract through 2015, with a team option for the 2016 season. He would be the best pitcher to be available this offseason if the Phillies did decide to trade him, but it appears they still see him as a big part of the team’s future.
Though Young was the only player explicitly mentioned as being available, it's likely that others such as Chase Utley and Jonathan Papelbon are also on the block.
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