As we approach baseball’s Mid-Summer Classic, the trade-winds will begin to swirl.  Who are the sellers, focused on picking up some young players as they pack in the 2008 season and look toward next?  Who are the buyers, looking around at other teams to find the final piece to put them over the top?

There are already rumblings surrounding Erik Bedard, C.C. Sabathia, Derek Lowe, and Greg Maddux, and where they might be collecting their paycheck come August 1st.  Obviously as we get deeper into the season, the rumors will mount, and the list will grow.

It’s no secret the Phillies will be one of those teams looking to make additions to their ball club.  Primarily in the starting rotation.  The problem is the common consensus is the Phillies don’t have the prospects to make a deal to land an impact pitcher.  If you’re looking for major league-ready prospects, then that might be true, but there is some talent in the organization who would be desirable to a club looking to rebuild.  When it comes to talent at the lower levels, it’s more of who the Phillies are willing to give up for the three-month rental for a pitcher.

Here are some players who are making an impact in the minors who might couple be moved to put the Phillies over the top:

Jason Jaramillo- Jaramillo is probably the only player on the Lehigh Valley roster (which is primarily made up of minor league veterans), who would be moved in a deal. Jaramillo ranked #10 on Baseball America’s Top 10 List of organizational Prospects. Jaramillo isn’t known for his bat, as much as his excellent defensive presence behind the plate, which is what earned him a spot on Team USA in this years World Cup. The Phillies have hoped Jaramillo would be their catcher of the future, and after a very poor start in Triple-A, he’s turned it around. Over the past 10 games he’s hit .314, raising his average to .260 on the season.

Will he be dealt? Jaramillo could easily be dealt this season, but he’s not the kind of player who will be the center of the deal.

Lou Marson- Marson is tearing the Eastern League up hitting .356. He is second in the league only to Mike Carp in batting average. Marson won’t hit for a ton of power, but he will get on base often. He also handles himself well behind the plate. He’s the primary reason that Jaramillo could become available.  While he’s stating to look more and more like the catcher of the future in Philadelphia, he’s only twenty-two years old and is a few years away. How he adjusts to advanced pitching will be very telling for Marson in the near future. 

Will he be dealt? While Marson is the 8th ranked prospect in the system, he is playing higher then expected. While the Phillies are high on him, he might be a player you sell high on. If the right offer comes along, Marson could easily be part of a late-season trade.

Greg Golson- The Phillies have taken it very slow with Golson since they drafted him in the first round of the 2004 Draft. Similar to this year’s first round picks, Anthony Hewitt and Zach Collier, he possess five tools, but was extremely raw. Well taking it slow has paid off.  Although he’s had a really poor start to the month of June (5 for 38), he’s still has had a strong season.  To date he’s hitting .299 with 3 home runs, 36 RBI’s, and 17 steals.  Unfortunately he leads the Eastern League in strikeouts with 77.

Will he be dealt?  The Phillies invested too much in Golson to deal him now.  They see him as a prototypical centerfielder (providing he can cut down on the strikeouts).  He’ll be going nowhere.

Carlos Carrasco- Carrasco is the Phillies #1 prospect and was ranked #51 in all of baseball by Baseball America.  Carrasco was an undrafted free agent in 2003 and many feel he’ll be a strong #3 starter with the ceiling of a #1.  He has a live arm and pinpoint accuracy, but struggles at time mixing his pitches.  It’s been an adjustment period in his first full season at Double-A, and while he’s had a few rough starts overall he’s been impressive.  On the season he’s 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA.  He’ll probably spend the rest of the season at Reading (if not traded), but should an injury happen in the rotation it’s not out of the question that he’ll receive the call.  Contributing in 2009 is more likely where he’d probably be given a shot to earn a spot on the roster out of spring training. 

Will be be dealt?  The Phillies love the idea of a Cole Hamels/Carrasco 1/2 punch, but if the Phillies expect to land a bigger named pitcher, Carrasco would probably be one of the centerpieces of the deal. 

Jason Donald – Donald was a third-round pick in the 2006 draft.  A speedy shortstop with an excellent glove, Donald has also blossomed at Reading.  His .290 average has begun to give scouts a reason to pay a little more attention to him.   The player I’ve heard him most compared to was a young Mike Bordick.  Given Bordick’s career, that’s not a bad thing.

Will he be dealt?  With Jimmy Rollinsunder contract until 2011, there’s really no room for Donald.  While he’s not the sexiest name on the Phils minor league roster, he could be an attractive option as part of a package.

Adrian Cardenas-  The twenty year-old second baseman is tearing up the Florida State League.  Judging by his .319 average he’s showing his skills are far advanced for Single-A baseball, quickly proving why he’s the Phillies top position player.  But given his age and players currently at Reading, the Phillies are hesitant about moving him up through the system this early.

Will he be dealt?  If there’s an ideal player to deal it’s Cardenas.  An infielder with a high ceiling, he’s the type of player franchises will salivate over.  Given his position is blocked by Chase Ultey, there’s not much room for him.  He doesn’t have the arm for third base, or have the power for a corner outfield spot.  If a deal is made for an impact pitcher, Cardenas will be the centerpiece of the deal.

Others worth mentioning are Michael Taylor, Drew Naylor, Dominic Brown, Javon Moran, Brad Harman, and Antonio Bastardo.  Although they are a few years away, all of these players are attractive options to a team looking to rebuild.

While the  Phillies don’t have a farm loaded with blue-chip studs, they have more then enough chips to upgrade the pitching staff.