The time that we have all been waiting for is here, as the Philadelphia Phillies are finally changing leadership of their office staff and team. Well, they sort of are anyway. In fact, the new guy will be officially assisting the old guy until the end of the year for some reason. Whatever the politics behind that, it shouldn’t change the fact that new leadership in Andy MacPhail should bring about the official beginning of trade season both in Philadelphia and the rest of MLB.

For seasons upon more seasons, the Phillies have had tons of trade chip players draw interest, not get traded and get older. While some of those players are either finally gone or currently outlasting their value, there should be plenty of activity to be had when MacPhail unofficially takes over. The timing of the hiring cannot be a coincidence. Considering it is happening a month before the MLB trade deadline, expect changes aplenty.

Ben Revere, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon and more could be on the way out in the biggest fire-sale in years. Of course, there could be no change at all in the way things are handled, but anything can be gleaned from the resignation of former manager Ryne Sandberg, it’s that things are expected to change quite a bit. Kudos to him for getting out before the heads started to roll, so to speak.

The Phillies have always been a respectable franchise with the latest down period coming only because of the office being unwilling to trade veterans in return for young talent. Hopefully, for current and future seasons, things will be much better now for the Phillies. Imagine new talent, young talent and soon the return of World Series contention. It could all begin right about now for this franchise.

David Miller is an MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google