Phillies Notebook: Will right bat be available at right time for Phillies?

ST. LOUIS - Part of the intrigue of this year's trade deadline is the Phillies' payroll situation for next year. Although they have already committed $107 million to nine players for next season, only one of those players is an outfielder (Shane Victorino), and only two are righthanded hitters (Carlos Ruiz, Placido Polanco). Even if you pencil in Domonic Brown (a lefty) in rightfield, they will need a shortstop (Jimmy Rollins is a free agent), a leftfielder (Raul Ibanez) and five bench players.

That means the Phillies have some long-term flexibility as they contemplate players who become available before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. The short-term is another story.

The Phillies have made it clear they are operating with limited funds. And, really, they have limited needs, as is the hope for any team with a payroll already pushing $170 million.

But their one need is a serious one. Heading into yesterday, the Phillies' .667 on-base plus slugging percentage against lefthanded pitching ranked 12th in the National League. Graver still was the lack of production they had gotten out of the No. 5 spot in the order. Last night, slap-hitting Polanco played there yet again. On the season, Phillies five-hole hitters had combined to produce the third-lowest batting average (.210) and slugging percentage (.322) in the NL. To put that in perspective, the league averages in those two categories at No. 5 were .251 and .413, respectively. It's hard to score runs when the top of your order is followed by that kind of hole.

Asked whether the Phillies could afford to survive the rest of the season with their current situation, manager Charlie Manuel said, "We'll kind of have to work it around, I guess."

Despite having the best record in the majors and a rotation that has lived up to its billing, the Phillies can clearly use a righthanded bat who can produce power against lefties or righties.

Has Manuel lobbied general manager Ruben Amaro Jr?

"When we talk, I always tell him things I think can help our team," he said.