Mets Predictions; Trading Howard
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.
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.
Since the Phillies are never, ever, going to pay Ryan Howard "Manny Money", he will become a free agent as soon as he is eligible. So it's not "if" but "when" he is traded and to get best trading value it should be well before he reaches free agency eligibility. Trade him for whom? The best deal you can get. That, of course, brings up trust in the GM --- an entirely different problem.— Rajah- you have to trade howard if you're going to sign hamels. that's just the economics of the situation. they can't afford to give huge contracts to both of em. and hamels is way more worth breaking the bank for than howard. so trade howard for something really good, and that's the smartest move.— Ryan
Comment removed.- While a good hitter can capitalize even off a pitcher's best pitch, Ryan Howard can only come through when the opposing pitcher makes a mistake. He has shown no ability to adjust to pitching schemes, and is about as streaky as I've ever seen a hitter. I say we move Howard, Rollins, and something to the Blue Jays in exchange for Halladay and Rios.— silverfade80
- I am sure that Howard's trade value has dropped significantly. Even though he leads the league in Hrs and RBIs, the fact that he is hitting .224 with a projected 220 K's, will scare a lot of teams off. Therefore, Howard will probably be a Phillie next year, even if they try and trade him.— PortCity
- what is with the thinking here? BUILD! Build around Howard that is one piece down. Now keep trying to aquire each piece as each other piece becomes expendable. There are positions ,and rotation spots that will need to be replaced long before Howards turn. YOU DOPES forgot how hard it was to tolerate Myers pitching , just weeks ago. but no one will trade howard's rbi production for goose eggs if they take time to weigh the possibilities. ... I'm just saying— bigbuck54
- trade howard for an ace and sign c.c then have the best staff in baseball.. with a top 3 like that nobody could beat the phils in the playoffs— acp44
- KEEP HOWARD -- He is worth every penny!— Lehigh Philly
- I've seen the Phillies do some incredibly smart, and some incredibly stupid, things over the past 40 years. I can't imagine that they would be stupid enough to get rid of Howard when he is, in essence, still a rookie with nowhere to go but up as he matures.— JMBrowning
- there aren't many available pitching ACES out there for cheap but where would those rbi come from but , the so-calledstrike out machine. people forget that rbi win games , and if not, they support winning efforts.- they are runs. if Chase were constantly producing,there might be an argument. but where in the lineup would those 130 come from?- the twilight zone perhaps? sorry, no math whizzez out there. when i was a kid nobody complained about Schmitty's ugly whiffs. Howard is what time it is. 130 leads the league, and only freaky spurts even come close.— bigbuck54
- He don't worry Howie's going nowhere. I just read tat the rockies placed Fluentes on waivers.— biggie99
- Trade Rollins— Rome-Rox
- Howard is a natural DL. ANY trade will involve AL. Given Phils $$phobia, its doubtful that long term deal for a whiff king with subpar D and no speed will ever happen. Bronx anyone ??— mick314
- give me texiera for howard right now— theannswr6
- Trade Burrell, when? Now? He is a free agent at the end of the year. It has to be a sign and trade deal. That doesn't happen much in baseball.— EL Zorro
