Mets Predictions; Trading Howard
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Mets Predictions; Trading Howard
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Several times a week I'm asked for my predicition on how this season will end for the Phillies. It happens on radio shows, on television, via email, and occasionally while I am waiting in line for a Hoagie. Two months ago, I would provide an answer and pretend like I knew what I was talking about. Now, however, I happily admit that I have no bleeping idea. A couple of weeks ago, I was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, the Phillies offense was what it was, and that things were not going to get better, and that even the overachieving pitching staff wouldn't be able to overcome the deficiencies the team had displayed at the plate.
I thought this after the Dodgers swept the Phillies, and Mets took a 2.5 game lead in the National League East.
But then the Padres series started, and for whatever reason I got the feeling that this team was not, in fact, finished. I remember sitting in the dugout at Petco Park for the first game against San Diego and being amazed at how loose the players and coaches seemed. They were coming off a four game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, had fallen as far out of first place as they'd been in quite some time, yet had an air about them. I was talking to one of the Phillies PR people and I told him that I had a feeling they were about to go on a run. Seven out of the next 10, I said. Turns out it was nine of 11.
So now its time for the Mets, and I was just asked 45 minutes ago what I think, and to be very honest, I have no clue whatsoever. If somebody binded my hands behind my back and walked me to the edge of the Ben Franklin Bridge and forced me to make a prediction under threat of my life, I would say that the Phils and Mets will split, that the offense will jump all over Pedro tonight -- he's due for a stinker -- and then get shut down by Santana tomorrow night. And then on Thursday as they fly out to Chicago everything will be back where it began.
But don't take that to the bank by any means.
^
I appeared on Daily News Live yesterday and had the chance to speak with Fox's Ken Rosenthal, who is always pretty plugged in when it comes to the Phillies. One topic he broached was the possibility of trading Ryan Howard in the offseason. He didn't say the Phillies were likley going to make a deal, or even that they should make a deal. Just that they "could explore" the possibility. Now, a lot of things could happen in the offseason. The state of New Jersey could break off into the ocean and we could all have beach front property by this time next year. But a lot of what Ken said makes sense: Howard could command upwards of $14 million next season. From a contract standpoint, his trade value will creep downward as he grows closer to free agency. And he has obviously struggled this season.
That said, the Phillies have in many ways built this team around guys like Howard, at least from a marketing standpoint. Yeah, he has struggled this season. But he is also among the league leaders in home runs and RBIs, and if he can accomplish that in a year in which he is hitting under .230, there's no reason to think he won't continue to do it for the forseeable future. This guy has a chance to put up some record home run and RBI numbers, and I'm sure a lot of people would like to see him do it in a Phillies uniform.
What do I think? I think its way too early to even be talking about any of this. Lets see what happens over this next month, first.
Jeff, isn't Donald a possibility at third base? I don't know who else in the system projects at third anytime in the near future, and if he's a decent defensive SS, he can probably handle third. Know anything about his arm?— B in DC- I think trading Howard is a great idea. Sincerely, Delusional Fan— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- Just looked it up - Donald has 17 errors in 86 games at Reading. That's not so good.— B in DC
- Howard would look good in Yankee pinstripes. That will be his final destination in the future. DH for the Yankees.— Drew777
- (Sorry if I double post, but I don't see the first one) Two years ago I would've said to all of you wanting to trade Howard that you were all nuts. Right now, I won't go that far. There are so many issues surrounding him, like the contract that he will demand and the friction between him and management attached to that, and the recently love-hate relationship with the fans, that he is not taking very well. It seems he is a very sensitive guy. Not good if you play in Philly. Boston will be a nice place to ship him to replace David Ortiz, but they have Yoikulis, who can play both first and third and DH. He did a nice job replacing Ortiz in the line-up this year. If the Red Sox are willing to part with him, and one of the young pitchers they have, for Howard, I will do it in a second. He is a .300 hitter with good power. But I don't know if they will trade him. He is becoming too valuable for Red Sox, even more now that they don't have the right-handed bat they lack when they traded Manny. The Yankees, in the other hand, are a better fit, unless they keep Pudge and move Posada to first next year. Nevertheless, I agree. This is the time to trade him, but like David Murphy said, it can change in a minute if he starts hitting like crazy and the team wins something. Then, the city will love him until he start swinging at too many pitches in the dirt and we start revisiting this conversation. Which is not good.— EL Zorro
Comment removed.- B in DC: one of the shorcomings of our farm system is that there is no 3B in line to be moved up in the coming years. It is the reason that we went out and got Feliz. As you noticed, Donald isn't great in teh field, though he is thought highly of in general. Personally, assuming Burrel is back next year (a must I think) what we need off season is a top pitcher, a RF and a catcher unless Marson is ready to start--and indications are that he isn't. We also need a set up guy in the pen in place of Gordon— jeff gross
- bucktoofwilly: think with your head and not your heart. Rollins isn't going anywhere unless we can get a top quality pitcher or hitter for him. Same with Howard. You don't trade people because you don't like their attitude-unless you get qulaity in return— jeff gross
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Trade him to Colorado for Holliday and Atkins. Atkins and Utley are best friends, and sign Holliday longterm as the replacement for Burrell. Both Atkins and Holliday hit for a nice average, with good power numbers, and would help keep the offense more consistent.- Comment removed.
- Clem I guess you don't follow things too closely. How is he soooooooooo young? He is almost 30.— scars73
- I like the fantasy trades going on, but why do you think that Colorado, Boston, NY, etc will be willing to pay us what we want for Howard knowing how much he is demanding for a long term contract? Just the fact that we are willing to listen to offers is enough. let them all come to us and see if something sounds interesting.— jeff gross
- Comment removed.
- Is Howard a Dave Kingmanesque first baseman? Pitching is the key, why not explore what could be traded for Howard? Keep the options open— reddevil
