It appears as though the Philadelphia Philles are now building for the future as other key pieces like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could be dealt soon. The Philles have traded one of their best relief pitchers in Antonio Bastardo to the Pittsburgh Pirates in-exchange for a young right handed reliever named Joely Rodriguez.

pirates acquire antonio bastardo from phils

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2014

Phils get pitcher joely Rodriguez for bastardo from bucs

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2014

Bastardo made it clear he wanted out of Philadelphia earlier in the year as the Philles continued to struggle

For my career, it could be way better to be somewhere else. If there was a team interested in me, I could be a part of a team and … help more. Be more in the game, stuff like that. Help them, and it could help me in my career. I’m moving forward not to be a mop-up guy in the game. I just like to be in the biggest spot that I can get.

Bastardo had a 3.94 earned run average with 81 strikeouts and a 5-7 record in 64 innings pitched last year for Philly.

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