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.
"Ok, I only hit .220 but I had good power numbers and I want $200 mill for the next 8 years." At that point he goes year-to-year 'cause the Phils won't pay that and how much more than $10 mill for this kind of year from a guy who plays no defense? Some day he'll make a decent DH but I think he'll be here a couple more seasons.— PhillySubsMac- I always wonder what the purpose of a hitting coach is when I see someone like Howard batting. The ESPN crew last night made a good observation. Howard needs to learn to make better contact. He doesn't need to swing for the fences. With his size and strength, all he needs is to make contact. But, he looks lost up there. So again, what do hitting coaches actually do?— GANick
- Dear Mr. Murphy: No, Ryan Howard is not going to be traded. There, it's settled. Now find something else to write about. How about some Phillies limericks, or maybe a Phillies haiku? Here's mine: Ryan Howard swings bruised white ball in the still air the fevered fan breathes— p-diddy
- I demand that this board be changed to accommodate poetic line breaks.— p-diddy
Comment removed.- Jeff: They have no obvious anything else coming from the farm in the short term either, (Marson and Carrasco not withstanding). Gillick's all about "the now", but not being very smart about it, as the Blanton deal proves. He gave up what could have been 2 (possible) pieces for the future, on the field or in a more meaningful trade, for someone who "eats innings". Note - they never claimed he "wins games". That makes little sense for the now, and none for the future. I know it was Brett Myers Insurance, but all it really did was bump Adam Eaton out, when J.A. Happ could have done the same thing.— B in DC
- Texeira is not coming here. The Angels have an owner who is not afraid to spend. If they let him go, the Yankees will be all over him. I don't like the idea of negotiating with Howard year to year. It could become a big distraction and at the end we may get nothing for him, besides a couple of draft picks when he becomes a free agent. Those draft picks will depend on what type of free agent (A, B, C) he will become at that point.— EL Zorro
- It would need to be a 3 team trade and I propose the teams being the Rockies and anyone in the AL. Phils trade Howard and 2 prospects and get Matt Holiday and a bona fide pitcher. As well as Jamie Moyer is pitching, he can't pitch forever. This is contingent however on re-signing Burrell and moving him to 1st base.— pbuscio
- Comment removed.
- Trade Howard and Rollins for Pujols and Ludwig, let Burrell walk, bring up the kid to play short.— Bake McBride
- You know that old saying, buy low, sell high? Now is the worst time to trade Howard - we'd be selling low. At the end of the day, forget about batting average and strikeouts - what counts is RUN PRODUCTION. Despite having a bad year and the Phillies 1 & 2 lineup spots not doing their job, Howard has stayed among the league leaders in RBI. Trade Howard, and there is NO CHANCE of keeping Hamels.— Bobby G
- If someone is willing to way overpay in a trade for Howard, why not? I love the guy and think he puts a lot of excitement into the stands, but people in baseball don't fear him like they do other great hitters. If anything, he puts up huge numbers against sub-par pitching, but he won't ever help you in the playoffs (where he will see no sub-par pitching). And...every year he's gotten a bit worse, which means either he's degrading as a player (doubtful) or the league finally has a working book on him and we're finding out he can't adjust to them as quickly as they can now adjust to him (probable). I'm not advocating trading him, just quietly listening to offers.— vinni
- Too much Bakin' and not enough Shakin' there McBride. Why on earth would the Cardinals trade either of those guys let alone both? And Jason Donald only is projecting as a marginal major league player.— pbuscio
- Because he is a vital part of the offense and marketing, they will not trade him ... unless they are overwhlemed with an offer similar to what Texas received for Mark Teixiera last year. They will continue to offer him arbitration before he leaves as an unrestricted free agent. He should yield two first-round draft picks as compensation, which is a great return on a fifth-round draft pick.— bacbank
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