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.
HOWARD- PHILLIE FOR LIFE— Will.i.Am- Howard goes nowhere. The minute he bats .290 and gets those crazy numbers that he put up during the first year, there will be no rap..— DAMEcanread
- can we get a bonafide ACE for him? if not, keep him. If you can, good bye howard. Pat to first, and get us a OF to play LF (and possibly RF as well)— jeff gross
- Agent asking for $120-160M or so - so we don't keep him -- we trade him to the Red Sox where he will replace an aging Ortiz and we get some real prospects.— AllDawk_AllTheTime
- If we can get a stud pitcher for Howard then I wouldn't even blink, since this team is obviously not committed to shelling out the money for premium free-agent starters. How about a deal to the Angels for Ervin Santana, Juan Rivera and Howie Kendrick - move Chase to first base and this team is in pretty good shape.— baconlover
- To baconlover..Chase Utley is NOT a first baseman. Why do you take the best second baseman in baseball and put him at first. If you do trade Howard, you have one less power threat on the team. If you did move Utley to first, who would play second?? Howard will NOT be traded. To jeff gross..How many bonafide aces are there out there?? The Phils pitching is not that big of a problem.— SallyAnn
- How can both teams sweep? I guess you meant split.— kse
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- SallyAnn, get your facts straight. Howie Kendrick is one of the most promising young 2nd basemen in recent memory. And Utley is the best hitting second baseman in baseball- far from the best fielding. He'll still provide a respectable bat at 1st base, and his defense will be head and shoulders about K-How's. The Phillies pitching is NOT a big problem this year- but it's foolish to assume that Moyer has another year like this in him, that Myers will continue at this pace, that Kendrick is anything better than a #5, and that Blanton will ever become consistent. You add a serious ace to this staff and make Cole the best #2 in baseball, then you're talking a top team. K-How must go!— maximusud
- Sally Ann: I have no idea how many aces are out there, I only need one. Yes, our pitching this year, at present is good. Next year, however, Moyer is 46, Myers either pitches like he is now, or like he did the first half, Gordon is gone... I wouldn't say no to CC or Webb and march out a staff that stops teams dead. As for who plays first, it's PAT BURREL!!!! don't let him go FA sign him for reasonable money. He plays first, you bring up Golson (SP) to play LF or you try to get an OF via trade or on teh FA market.— jeff gross
- WIRE: you make no sense. Trade Howard for a P they won't be able to afford....and they can afford Howard?? please think before you type— jeff gross
- How can anyone realistically desire trading an everyday player for a guy(even an ace) who plays every 5th day? despite his SO and porous defense (Both fixable) they guy is sooo young! With what he has accomplished so far, he could be (barring any long term injury)...dare I say it?......a HOF'er. And until they ask me to personally pay his salary, who cares what the guy makes?— Clem
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- Does Jason Donald figure into any future? And if the Angles sign Mark Tex, why would they want Howard? Please. The Angles have great prospects and don't need Ryan. Now as to the Red Sox, maybe pitchers, a catcher, two OF prospects might help. But, my guess is not. And note, now no one is calling for Rollins to be traded!!!— KGKoons
