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 ...thank you very much. I would love to see Howard gone and Burrell in the infield where he belongs. And finally Charlie has figured out moving him up in the lineup, watch Burrells, RBI's skyrocket at the end of the season.— Batless Again
Comment removed.- clem - Howard is not that young.— Gary Varsho
- Howard stays no questions asked. Why would you give up a sure 45 homer and 130 rbi every season guy ? An ace can throw out his arm at any given moment. Plus Howard plays every day. A starter goes every 5.— tsoprano
- I'll be happy with a split in the 2-game series with NYM. I'd like to see Howard in Philly next year. It's a little too early to give up on him, although he's played really poorly this year. If he has another season like this next year it'll be time to move him to the AL where he can DH, and we can get prospects in return.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- clem....29 is soooo young?? Not really G. I would trade Howard in a heartbeat if the deal included a stud starter. They could get someone to play first and get good numbers at the Bank, not Howard numbers but good. Oh and if you do that you have to keep Burrell. Where do I submit my resume for the gm job?— Rob Cherry
- Howards not going anywhere any time soon. Let concentrate on something productive like how do we get rid of that idiot Wheeler?— Wheelermustgo
- If Ryan Howard could learn to strike out only 150 times a year and hit closer to .280, plus still get 45HR/140RBI, he'd be worth every penny of what his agent's asking for. Remember when Hamels asked for a chiropractor? Howard should ask for a better hitting coach.— B in DC
- Trading Howard in the off-season is definitely worth discussion. He is not a position player, and he has just three full big league seasons under his belt, and is already on a three-year decline. Anyone who knows baseball will tell you that one season means nothing, and three-year trends are the truest evaluation of a hitter. You may love his HR and RBI numbers enough to defend his K's, but I don't, since his statistics prove that his strikeouts have a direct negative bearing on everything else. As his K's conitnually go up, his Avg., hits, BBs, HRs, RBIs, Runs Scored, OB%, Slg.% and even Fielding % go straight down proportionally. He is trending downward at an alarming rate, and if you know you cannot sign him long-term, you need to trade him sooner rather than later, before his value bottoms out. And by the way, he is also not that young. He'll be 29 before next season, and players his size and body type do not often stay healthy past their early- to mid-30's.— RollinsWasRight
- I'd love to trade him for a bunch of young cheap talented players, and then sign Teixeira, but there is no way I trust the Phillies to get proper value in return for Ryan Howard. They were able to get a bucket of slop--absolutely nothing-- for career .900+ OPS player named Bob Kelly Abreu... oh, and just to sweeten they deal also threw in Cory Lidle (RIP). No way I want them trading Howard for a bunch of scrubs— HappyPete
- The question isn't whether we want to trade Howard or not, but do we have a choice. he is going to price himself out of Phila when he is able to be a FA. Better to trade him for a pither or palyer we can sign and keep for a while. In today's game there are no more players who stay with teh same team for their career like Schmidt, Bull, etc.Also, he's not that young,. He's nearly 30 and has maybe 5-8 more years. As for the question about Donald, he figures as eitehr trade bait or Rollin's replacement if he is traded. No room at the inn for both— jeff gross
- Daily news should trade Will Bunch— shoeshineboy
- Ryan Howard to Toronto for Roy Halladay. They need the ticket sales he can generate, we need the scoreless innings, K's and W's Halladay can generate. Anyone who thinks Howard shouldn't be traded for a stud pitcher clearly does not grasp the notion that "pitching wins Championships". This team needs to move away from the fascination with the HR, and start moving toward the fascination with ERA, WHIP, and team W-L (not to mention BA w/ RISP). Resign Burrell, move him to first, and get me a new left fielder with some pop who drives in runs, but more importantly who will hit around .300 and strike out 80 times or fewer.— RollinsWasRight
- I'd trade Howard in a second. He is brutal in the field and let's be serious, would anyone want him at the plate with the game on the line? There is a 70% chance he strikes out, 10% he chops one to second and 20% he homers. I appreciate his power and the numbers he has put up, but he belongs in the AL. Trade him for an arm, then spend Howard's money on Teixera (Gold glove with some power and a better average).— Tim34
- jeff: 5-8 years is pretty generous, if you ask me. I wouldn't give him more than 6, tops. By the time he hits 35, with his body size and the shape he keeps himself in, his physical health will become a serious issue and hinder his ability, if not prematurely end his career. Anyone remember Mo Vaughn? Similar players, similar bodies... similar ends?— RollinsWasRight
