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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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.

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.

Posted by David Murphy @ 11:55 AM  Permalink | 101 comments
101
Comments   
Posted 09:46 PM, 08/27/2008
xfactor
"How can anyone realistically desire trading an everyday player for a guy(even an ace) who plays every 5th day?" This is an important question. The answer is this: a starting pitcher averaging seven innings does more on one day than the everyday player does in four. Starting pitching is the name of the game. But I'd rather not trade Howard.
Posted 02:34 PM, 08/27/2008
philasportsfan
I think it's time the vault was opened for a guy who's capable of the kind of production we've seen the last few years, regardless of the number of strikeouts. PAY RYAN HOWARD! If he's traded, it better bring some really good production in return. I have no idea who that might be, but it better be more than a #1 or #2 starter. A guy who's really good every 5 days is not a full replacement for the number of runs that Howard would provide. The deal, if one is made, needs to be a blockbuster. That being said, I'd still rather see him get his checks mailed from Philadelphia for as long as his career lasts.
Posted 01:39 PM, 08/27/2008
Original #11
The pitchers have adjusted and Ryan Howard hasn't. He hit lefties much better in his first three years but is batting .170 against them this year. He will strike out 200 times. No matter how his backers try to spin it, a strikeout offers you NO chance of anything good happening and it is demoralizing. If Matt Holiday were available (why was he available in the first place?!!), I'd get him, sign Burrell and put him on first. Howard's strikeouts and terrible fielding (the past few games aside), along with the fact that he is making $10M a year AND is unhappy about it do not bode well. If a guy making $10M a year is not happy, will he ever be, regardless of the salary increases? I would have a real hard time giving Mike Schmidt style money (adjusted for inflation) for a Dave Kingman type of one-dimensional player. I am not saying the club should give him away but if Holiday or someone like him (good contact hitter, not many strikeouts) comes along, it is time to move Howard while you can get great value. This lineup, while scoring a ton of runs over the course of a year, is very vulnerable to slumps because it is filled with potential strikeouts. If I am the GM, I have to figure that with this current cast of players, it is time to make a big splash and go for it. Sign Burrell (the woods are not full of 30HR-100RBI guys), make a serious pitch for Holiday and throw a heavy bag of money at CC Sabathia. The idea of joining a good team that is making the moves to get better and a ton of green will wipe out that "CB-Park-is-a-bandbox" talk.
Posted 10:57 AM, 08/27/2008
Wally 24
Unless Howard has told the Phils to trade him I question the logic here. Ryan's biggest problem is he doesn't hit consistently and without that consistency at the #4 hole he hurts us in the RBI and runners advanced department. ALSO because he doesn't hit for average other teams pitch around the #3 hitter and we lose a bat that had been effective. Since we moved Utley to #2 and Burrell to #3 look at what has happened. Chase has suddenly been reborn and Burrell is slumping. If Ryan was hitting well no one could pitch to this line up. If he was hitting well he would set records for RBI's, HR's & at a high Average. He has that kind of talent but since we have Milt Thompson instead of Terry Pendelton for a batting coach we may never see it.
Posted 09:54 AM, 08/27/2008
Flyers2001
Trade Howard for an ace or top prospects and sign matt Holliday. Resign Burrell and move him to first.
Posted 09:53 AM, 08/27/2008
steveku2
I confess I was ready to give up on this team, just like I was at the beginning of September '07. Ryan Howard's catch of a foul ball the other night typifies this team. Howard wasn't doing too well. The team wasn't doing too well. Yet there was Ryan, streching out and sliding in the dirt to catch a foul ball. Look at Rollins' performance the last two nights. Somehow this team always manages to live up to its nicknam - the "Fightin'" Phillies.
Posted 09:50 AM, 08/27/2008
Wallace1
It is hard to believe that Dave "Kong" Kingman would be worth $10-$14 million per year in today's market, but who knows?
Posted 09:41 AM, 08/27/2008
bruce thompson
am i in the twilite zone? trade the most feared hitter in baseball.ryan stays,end of story
Posted 09:39 AM, 08/27/2008
judas_priest
Trade Howard? For the right deal, sure? Can they get the right deal? Quite unlikely. BTW, Howard is hitting above .300 with runners in scoring position,]...Oh, David. The past tense of "bind" is "bound," not "binded." "Binded" is not an English word.
Posted 09:17 AM, 08/27/2008
John in LA
Clem, he's an old 29 in Novemer. While most players get better in their prime, Howard hasn't. Check his numbers. See, he has no work ethic. They should get what they can for him ASAP.
Posted 08:30 AM, 08/27/2008
Bigbadrookie
This is why I always shake my head when I hear or read what the fans in Philadelphia are saying. Why on earth would you trade a guy who is leading the league in home runs on a down year? First if all the Phillies kept him in the minors too long which probably resulted in him losing a few million dollars and now you want to trade him for a pitcher. As much as he is struggling this year, please go back (this year only) and count how many games the Phillies would have lost if we was not swinging the bat. The Phillies would not have been anywhere close to being in first place right now!!! Hush up and stop looking at what he is making or what he will make in the future and look at his productivity. Howard is not here to hit .300; he is here, to hit big home runs and drive in many runs!
Posted 08:03 AM, 08/27/2008
EL Zorro
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.
Posted 07:27 AM, 08/27/2008
theannswr6
give me texiera for howard right now
Posted 05:56 AM, 08/27/2008
mick314
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 ??
Posted 05:37 AM, 08/27/2008
Rome-Rox
Trade Rollins
Posted 03:48 AM, 08/27/2008
biggie99
He don't worry Howie's going nowhere. I just read tat the rockies placed Fluentes on waivers.
Posted 12:29 AM, 08/27/2008
bigbuck54
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.
Posted 12:24 AM, 08/27/2008
JMBrowning
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.
Posted 12:20 AM, 08/27/2008
Lehigh Philly
KEEP HOWARD -- He is worth every penny!
Posted 11:53 PM, 08/26/2008
acp44
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
Posted 11:42 PM, 08/26/2008
bigbuck54
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
Posted 09:22 PM, 08/26/2008
PortCity
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.
Posted 08:14 PM, 08/26/2008
silverfade80
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.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:12 PM, 08/26/2008
Ryan
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.
Posted 06:04 PM, 08/26/2008
Rajah
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.
Posted 05:53 PM, 08/26/2008
Dull
I have a hunch that Joe Savery will wind up at first base in two years or so. In the meantime Burrell goes to first next year after signing a modest two year contract and Howard is moved for a leftfielder among others until Michael Taylor is ready.
Posted 05:01 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
Gary Matthews Jr. will be next to his old man in the press box in a year. No roids, no game.
Posted 05:00 PM, 08/26/2008
dfresh
Teixiera will be available, right? Trade Howard for an ace, and sign him.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:49 PM, 08/26/2008
pbuscio
Bake, I am not opposed to trading Howard. It just won't be the Cardinals. How's this scenario. Texeira signs with the Yankees. The Phils re-sign Burrell, then trade Howard to the Angels for Ervin Santana and Gary Matthews Jr. They then trade Matthews, along with a minor leaguer or 2 to Colorado for Matt Holliday. So in essences you are trading Howard and a minor leaguer for Holliday and Santana. Maybe a prospect going each way.
Posted 04:47 PM, 08/26/2008
B in DC
Forget Pujols, I have it - Howard for Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. AZ will totally go for it.
Posted 04:44 PM, 08/26/2008
MtnClmr
Get what you can for Howard and go after Mark Texeira in Free Agency. Great numbers, tremendous defense and just loves to play the game. I also like that he makes no secret that he is eager for his payday in free agency. Make the play, step up, and truly get your franchise first baseman for the next 10 years.
Posted 04:43 PM, 08/26/2008
Inthemiddle
Pat Burrell is going to want more money than his worth. He is consistently okay and unless he takes less money they shouldn't sign him. He's had two okay years batting behind MVP years for Howard and Rollins and one of the best hitters this league will see for a while in Chase Utley. They need to resign Howard and pay his worth. Halladay would be sweet but CC would be the best. NL hitting can't touch him. The Brewers may just put up the money to retain him to support thier young core. They are actually a similar looking team to the Phils just in a tougher conference and has management willing to make moves.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:39 PM, 08/26/2008
aklein24
Ryan Howard for Josh Beckett
Posted 04:31 PM, 08/26/2008
nervegenerator
I want the Phillies to have Utley, Howard, Hamels, and Rollins for a very long time. Everyone else....doesn't matter. Those 4 players are the identity of this team.
Posted 04:29 PM, 08/26/2008
Bake McBride
pbuscio, maybe the Cardinals SHOULDN'T trade for Howard. But, if you could get a home town former MVP locked up for the same money as your somewhat injury prone former MVP at the same position, AND get another MVP who may be the best SS in the league for throwing in your 9-year minor leaguer who's just having an absurd season (fluke), you might just consider it. This year, JRoll has been (ahem) a marginal leadoff hitter and only an average SS. Will he rise for the last 35 games? Who knows? What I do know is that Ryan Howard has about as much chance of getting $18M/year/8 years from the Phillies as I do. He walks as soon as he is able. So does Hamels. The Teflonics like cost control, in addition to keeping those controls down. Personally, I think both Howard and Rollins will close strong and the Phils will win the East. Holliday should have been MVP last year though, and Polanco should still be in Philly, playing 3B...
Posted 04:23 PM, 08/26/2008
bigtbone
Clem, I'd like to live in your world where 29 years old is sooo young. What you see from Howard is what you're going to keep getting, a strikeout machine that swings at terrible pitches and gets his homeruns and RBI's when we're way ahead or way behind. He is a below average first baseman that cannot make a throw to 2nd base. He is what he is, get used to it. The only time he had a decent average was when none of the teams knew how to pitch to him.
Posted 04:21 PM, 08/26/2008
bpiont
Clem-- Howard is not sooo young and his average had dropped each year. Pitching wins and aces are few and far between. This team will never win a championship with Ryan Howard.
Posted 04:21 PM, 08/26/2008
dikfer69
It is impossible to get equal value for Howard in a trade because it is uncertain who he is as a player. Is he the MVP RYHO of 2006 or the .230 doesn't know the strike zone RYHO?
Posted 04:21 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
bacbank, what are you smoking? Howard is no longer a 5th round draft pick, he's a former NL ROY/MVP and is good for 40HR/130RBI. That's worth more than 3 first rounders. If they Phils brass aren't going to pay him, he's traded. Let's hope it's for more than Omar Daal, Vicente Padilla, Travis Lee, Placido Polanco, Mike Timilin, and Bud Smith. (did i miss anybody)?
Posted 04:09 PM, 08/26/2008
bacbank
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.
Posted 04:09 PM, 08/26/2008
pbuscio
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.
Posted 04:09 PM, 08/26/2008
vinni
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.
Posted 04:08 PM, 08/26/2008
Bobby G
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.
Posted 04:05 PM, 08/26/2008
Bake McBride
Trade Howard and Rollins for Pujols and Ludwig, let Burrell walk, bring up the kid to play short.
Posted 04:01 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
Blanton has a MLB track record, where Happ does not. I'm assuming that has a lot to do w/the Blanton deal. Which signing was worse? Adam Eaton or Mo Vaughn?
Posted 03:56 PM, 08/26/2008
pbuscio
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.
Posted 03:55 PM, 08/26/2008
EL Zorro
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.
Posted 03:54 PM, 08/26/2008
B in DC
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.
Posted 03:51 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
A hitting coach is supposed to know the swings of all the players on the roster and help them identify what in their swing is off when they're struggling, or give them suggestions on how to cure what ailes them in their swing. I guess Milt Thompson is just overwhelmed w/the amount of veteran struggles this year...
Posted 03:49 PM, 08/26/2008
p-diddy
I demand that this board be changed to accommodate poetic line breaks.
Posted 03:47 PM, 08/26/2008
p-diddy
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
Posted 03:44 PM, 08/26/2008
GANick
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?
Posted 03:44 PM, 08/26/2008
PhillySubsMac
"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.
Posted 03:43 PM, 08/26/2008
reddevil
Is Howard a Dave Kingmanesque first baseman? Pitching is the key, why not explore what could be traded for Howard? Keep the options open
Posted 03:41 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
Jeff Gross: Chicks dig the long ball... that's why the Jays or Dbacks might have interest in him. He'll sell tickets.
Posted 03:37 PM, 08/26/2008
jeff gross
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.
Posted 03:34 PM, 08/26/2008
scars73
Clem I guess you don't follow things too closely. How is he soooooooooo young? He is almost 30.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:31 PM, 08/26/2008
Hammer859
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.
Posted 03:29 PM, 08/26/2008
Flyguy12
I would deal Howard for a #1 (Halladay/Webb type) w/o blinking. Dropping Hamels, Myers, Blanton down a spot and choosing b/t Kendrick/Carrasco as a #5 would possibly give the Phils the best roatation in ALL OF BASEBALL. Howard will turn 29 this offseason, not exactly young by baseball standards. Throw the $ Howard is hoping for to Texeria and the Phils are WS contenders even if Hamels walks in his FA year (which isn't until 2012).
Posted 03:28 PM, 08/26/2008
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
Posted 03:26 PM, 08/26/2008
jeff gross
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
Comment removed.
Posted 03:04 PM, 08/26/2008
EL Zorro
(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.
Posted 02:52 PM, 08/26/2008
Drew777
Howard would look good in Yankee pinstripes. That will be his final destination in the future. DH for the Yankees.
Posted 02:48 PM, 08/26/2008
B in DC
Just looked it up - Donald has 17 errors in 86 games at Reading. That's not so good.
Posted 02:45 PM, 08/26/2008
Philly Fan in Kuwait
I think trading Howard is a great idea. Sincerely, Delusional Fan
Posted 02:34 PM, 08/26/2008
B in DC
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?
Posted 02:33 PM, 08/26/2008
RollinsWasRight
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?
Posted 02:31 PM, 08/26/2008
Tim34
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).
Posted 02:29 PM, 08/26/2008
RollinsWasRight
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.
Posted 02:24 PM, 08/26/2008
shoeshineboy
Daily news should trade Will Bunch
Posted 02:21 PM, 08/26/2008
jeff gross
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
Posted 02:20 PM, 08/26/2008
HappyPete
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
Posted 02:15 PM, 08/26/2008
RollinsWasRight
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.
Posted 02:11 PM, 08/26/2008
B in DC
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.
Posted 02:03 PM, 08/26/2008
Wheelermustgo
Howards not going anywhere any time soon. Let concentrate on something productive like how do we get rid of that idiot Wheeler?
Posted 02:00 PM, 08/26/2008
Rob Cherry
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?
Posted 01:58 PM, 08/26/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
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.
Posted 01:54 PM, 08/26/2008
tsoprano
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.
Posted 01:48 PM, 08/26/2008
Gary Varsho
clem - Howard is not that young.
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Posted 01:42 PM, 08/26/2008
Batless Again
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.
Posted 01:39 PM, 08/26/2008
KGKoons
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!!!
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Posted 01:35 PM, 08/26/2008
Clem
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?
Posted 01:32 PM, 08/26/2008
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
Posted 01:31 PM, 08/26/2008
jeff gross
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.
Posted 01:21 PM, 08/26/2008
maximusud
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!
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Posted 01:04 PM, 08/26/2008
kse
How can both teams sweep? I guess you meant split.
Posted 01:03 PM, 08/26/2008
SallyAnn
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.
Posted 12:52 PM, 08/26/2008
baconlover
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.
Posted 12:42 PM, 08/26/2008
AllDawk_AllTheTime
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.
Posted 12:38 PM, 08/26/2008
jeff gross
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)
Posted 12:34 PM, 08/26/2008
DAMEcanread
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..
Posted 12:24 PM, 08/26/2008
Will.i.Am
HOWARD- PHILLIE FOR LIFE
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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