"The Phillies are telling rival clubs that they can add about $2 million in salary. The amount makes sense, considering that the Phils' payroll reportedly is within $3 million of the $178 million luxury-tax threshold. But the relatively modest sum doesn't mean the team will be unable to address its needs.

The Phils, for example, could add Padres reliever Mike Adams and Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur with payroll room to spare — Adams and Francoeur combined are earning slightly more than $5 million, which means they will be owed about $1.7 million on July 31.

Again, that's just an example — the Phils have serious interest in Adams, but so do the Yankees, Rangers and other clubs, major league sources say. Francoeur, meanwhile, might not even be traded; the Royals instead are pushing another of their outfielders, Melky Cabrera.

The point is that no deal is impossible, even for a team that is limited financially. The Phillies could even make a deal work for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran. All it would take is the Phils giving better prospects in exchange for the Mets paying the bulk of the approximately $6 million left on Beltran's contract.

But therein lies a problem, sources say.

For the Phillies, rentals such as Beltran and Padres closer Heath Bell are less appealing. The Phils parted with numerous prospects in trades for pitchers Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt over the past two years. They would prefer to expend additional young talent on players they can control through at least 2012, sources say.

Adams, in particular, would be an ideal addition; the Phillies could retain him for one more season by offering him arbitration. That way, they would be protected against the possible loss of Phillies closer Ryan Madson as a free agent."