The Boston Red Sox have scouted Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson as one of several rotation options via the trade market, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.
Hellickson, 29, is 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 18 starts with the Phillies this season. On Wednesday night, the right-hander turned in another quality outing, allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits in six innings of the Phils' 4-3 win over Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.
Acquired from the Diamondbacks last November after a down season in Arizona, Hellickson has bounced back well with the Phillies. He's averaging about six innings per start, while his K/9 is up by 0.4, his BB/9 is down by 0.4 and he's allowing one fewer hit per nine innings.
The Phillies are in an interesting situation with Hellickson, as CSNPhilly.com's Corey Seidman breaks down here. They acquired him from Arizona at a low price with the hopes of being able to turn him for higher value, and now it appears they will be able to get more than they paid for him if they opt to trade the veteran.
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said after Wednesday's game he "would hate to lose" Hellickson.
"I don't know what's going on, that's not my area," Mackanin said, "but if they did (trade him) I'm sure we'd get something we really like in return. But you'd hate to lose a guy like that who sets the tone for the rest of the staff."
