“Yes we’re caught up in the trade winds,

The trade winds of our time,

And we are riding on the trade winds,

The trade winds of our time.”

Those were some of the lyrics from the song “Tradewinds” that Bob Dylan recorded in 2017. Versions of the song date back to the 1940s, which maybe some of you remember.

No, this isn’t a column about love and relationships, but instead about the “tradewinds” that have been circling around baseball, primarily in the Phillies camp. The winds are kicking up, and they should be swirling at full force in late July.

The Phils entered Tuesday night’s action in Washington with an overall 42-36 mark and in the second spot for the NL Wild Card spot, 1 ½ games ahead of the Cubs, who had the third and final spot.

Let’s face it, though. The Phils may have enough to grab a spot in the watered down league without a trade.

Alan Rangel made his first major-league start Monday night in a game started by opener Tim Mayza. Rangel had a solid five-inning outing in which he allowed one run (a homer), five hits, struck out four, and walked one.

It certainly was better than any recent performance by Andrew Painter. Meanwhile, ex-Phil Ranger Suarez is 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 62 innings for the Red Sox.

The question now is whether Rangel is the long-range answer who could make as many as 15 starts down the stretch. In case you missed it, the Phils DFA’d Bryse Wilson, who had a 20-23 record with a 4.80 ERA over 57 career starts.

So, where does that leave them in reference to a fifth starter? And how about another bat? Should rookie Justin Crawford be playing every day, regardless of facing left-handed pitching?

Hopefully, the answer my friend, isn’t “Blowing in the Wind,” but instead in some “Tradewinds.”

What’s My Five? ... To borrow the title from the old game show, “What’s My Line?,” who will be the Phillies’ fifth starter. If Aaron Nola can regain his form, the Phils wouldn’t have to rely on a fifth starter as a necessity.

For now, it will likely belong to Rangel unless Painter does a complete turnaround.

Arizona’s Zac Gallen has emerged as the latest rumor to be mentioned as the fifth starter. Gallen (3-6, 6.16) is struggling, but he previously has been on the Phils’ radar. This might be the time to snatch him away cheaply.

If anything, Phils’ president Dave Dombrowski likely will land a relatively unknown starter, or could try and bring back Walker Buehler (4-3, 3.96) who should have been kept instead of Taijuan Walker. Buehler would be tough to turn loose because he has emerged as the Padres’ emergency arm, like he should have been with the Phillies.

What’s My Line? ... Besides Gallen, here is a list of other possible options:

• Sonny Gray, Red Sox - He’s 8-1 with a 3.12 ERA, and teams will be after him.

• Robbie Ray, Giants - A lefty, Ray has a huge contract, but is a former Cy Young Award winner with his 5-6, 4.17 slate.

• Brady Singer, Reds - Another pitcher with an off year (3-6, 4.81), but can be effective.

• Dustin May, Cards - Had promise with the Dodgers, and is starting to come around in St. Louis (5-6, 4.30).

• Ryan Feltner, Rockies - He is the sleeper here with his 2-2, 4.79 line. Teams think he is a steal.

• Carlos Carrasco, Braves - A seasoned veteran, he could be a good rental.

Finally, there’s the Mets’ Freddy Peralta, who I have openly criticized on YouTube for his inconsistency. He would strictly be a rental, and has had strong second halves. Last year, he went 4-1, 3.58 in July, 4-0, 0.32 in August; and 1-1, 3.58 in September.

My guess here would be Feltner, and I would be surprised if Dombrowski pulled the trigger on Gallen or Gray.

By the way, Walker is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA with the Angels’ Triple-A team.

Bux It Up ... Minnesota outfielder Byron Buxton continues to be near the top of the list of outfielders the Phillies should try and acquire to bolster their lineup.

In a recent Times News Lehighton Sports Facebook poll, the question was posed on whether the Phils should get Buxton and move Justin Crawford to left field, where he played with the IronPigs.

Well, an overwhelming 78% agreed with the move, 14% disagreed, and 8% didn’t care.

How Do They Do It? ... It certainly sounds good for the Phillies to get either Buxton, Angels outfielder and South Jersey native Mike Trout, fellow Angel Jo Adell, or Astros first baseman Christian Walker to mention a few.

But how do they get them? Early in the season, Alec Bohm looked like the logical choice, but Bohm has rejuvenated his season, and is now third on the team in RBIs, primarily from the cleanup spot.

The farm system is in bad shape with little to offer from the IronPigs. Third baseman and top-20 prospect Aidan Miller may have been pried loose for the right deal, but his recurring back issues have overshadowed his career.

Reading second baseman Arron Escobar (.230), and Dominican Summer League outfielder Francisco Renteria (.379) would be the likely trade options, as pitcher Gage Wood would be untouchable. Would Gabriel Rincones bring back anything?

For the Phils to acquire a major bat, it would have to be a package of minor leaguers.

And don’t even think about the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal.

Readers Write

Wishful Thinking

Dear Jeff,

If the Phillies get Buxton, they should put him in right and keep Crawford in left.

He might be a decent right-handed bat for the lineup, which the Phillies desperately need. The only problem is who do you have to trade?

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

He’s a Gamble

Dear Jeff,

Buxton has only made it through 100 games three times in 11 seasons. He is a big risk with reward though. A ticking time bomb until he’s on the shelf every year. I hate the unavailability, but he’s a great player, though.

Justin Carlucci

Allentown

Bohm’s Away

Dear Jeff,

To get Buxton, the Phillies should offer Bohm, a backup catcher, and some minor leaguers.

Vic Monaco

Philadelphia

Big Boost

Dear Jeff,

Buxton would help tremendously.

Martin Calia

Paterson, NJ

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will review the career of a former stellar player from the area.

Derrik Walling was a four-year outfield standout at Pleasant Valley, where he helped lead his team to a district championship and to two Mountain Valley Conference (MVC) titles. He was the Times News Player of the Year in 2011, and the MC MVP, both in his senior year as well as an all-state choice.

Walling, who is the nephew of former Astro Denny Walling, went on to play at Bridgewater College, where he hit .286 overall with seven homers, 92 RBIs, and he struck out only 56 times in 518 at-bats in 145 games.

In his sophomore season, Walling hit .317 with 28 RBIs and 46 hits in 45 games.

He later served as a coach at the college.

Time Passages ... In each column, I will review the career of a former player, manager, or media personality from our favorite pastime.

In 1977, California’s Frank Tanana achieved a mark we’ll likely never see again — he hurled 14 complete games from April 29 until July 3.

During the span, Tanana went 12-5 with a 1.35 ERA and recorded 105 strikeouts. Afterward, Tanana began to develop arm issues, and finished the season with a 15-9 record with a 2.54 ERA and 20 complete games.

He pitched 21 seasons with eight teams, and finished with an overall 240-231 record and 3.66 ERA and 143 complete games. Tanana split his final season in 1993 with the Mets and Yankees, going 7-15, 4.48, and 0-2, 3.20 with the Yanks.

Steve Carlton tossed 17 complete games in the same year, but his consecutive streak was three with wins over the Padres, Dodgers and Cubs in August. Carlton ended the year with a 23-10, 2.64 mark. Overall, “Lefty” went 329-244, 3.22 with 254 complete games.

Over the next month, though, we’ll be caught up with the “tradewinds.”

Your comments and thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnonline@tnsports.com

Check out my “Sports In The Lehigh Valley, TN-LV Press” channel on YouTube.