A Trade Deadline Retrospective. . . and a Happ start?
According to GM Pat Gillick, the Phillies were considering Manny Ramirez as a viable option at one point, but eventually turned their attention toward landing a starting pitcher in a three-way deal that fell through.
A Trade Deadline Retrospective. . . and a Happ start?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Lots of stuff to get to. Before I get into some of the details of the trade deadline negotiations, I thought I'd point out one of the most intriguing and bewildering developments of the day. General manager Pat Gillick said the Phillies were pondering an "adjustment" that would get J.A. Happ out of the bullpen. When asked if that adjustment involved sending Happ to the minor leagues, Gillick said that the Phillies were examining another "alternative." I'll tell you this: it isn't Brett Myers going to the bullpen. Beyond that, I have nothing concrete.
Gillick didn't say it was a definite. But everything the Phillies have said - particularly Charlie Manuel, who reiterated today that he views Happ as a starter - seems to indicate that they want the young lefty to get another major league start.
Now, onto the other business. . .
Gillick said the Phillies thought they had a chance to add a starting pitcher through a three-way trade that eventually fell through. He also said the Phillies were involved in discussions for Manny Ramirez, but that the asking price was too high. Ramirez eventually landed with the Dodgers.
Other notes:
1) The market for lefty relievers was well beyond what the Phillies were willing to pay. For example, the Marlins gave up a 21-year-old pitcher who Baseball America rated as the No. 5 prospect in the organization to land 38-year-old Arthur Rhodes.
2) Interest in short stop Jason Donald was significant, but it would have taken the right player for the Phillies to part with him.
3) Gillick and Manuel both said they are not disappointed that they did not add another piece. The silver lining: the Mets and Marlins did not significantly upgrade either.
Though the Phillies spent much of the past two days actively trying to land a lefthanded reliever in order to bolster their playoff chances, Major League Baseball's trading deadline passed at 4 p.m. today without any announced moves.
The Phillies had considered a number of players, including Pittsburgh's John Grabow, Atlanta's Will Ohman, San Francisco's Jack Taschner and Kansas City's Ron Mahay, but were unable to strike a deal.
The Phillies still could add a player before the end of the season, but any players involved in a trade would have to pass through waivers before being dealt. It isn't out of the question -- the Phillies added Jamie Moyer in that manner two years ago -- but general manager Pat Gillick said yesterday the likelihood of a deal decreases significantly once today's deadline passes.
"There are guys that slip through, but there is just a larger pool of players to pick from prior to (the deadline)," Gillick said.
The Phillies added righthander Joe Blanton earlier this month, but were hopeful to add a lefty reliever to supplement J.C. Romero in the bullpen. They also were exploring a possible deal for a hitter that could help bolster an offense that has been inconsistent for most of the last two months.
Striking a deal beyond July 31 can be difficult because rival clubs can block a trade by claiming a player off of waivers and forcing his current club to withdraw the waiver request and keep him on the team.
So while the Phillies may not be done adding personnel, all the major parts are likely in place for the playoff run.
Hey Pat. Don't let the door hit you on the way out! Thanks for nothing!— SportsmanshipMatters- This was an extremely overhyped trade deadline this year with nothing happening at the end. I really don't mind that the Phils did not make any moves because everyone's asking price was so high. That is why only Griffey and the 500 year old Arthur Rhoades were the only guys to move today. It should be interesting because this the time in the season when the Phils make their push (no more panic about trades I guess). Lets see what happens from here.— rvb2321
- there you go, thats what the ownership of this team thinks of its fans...a big fat NOTHING!!!!!...keep buying their tickets...biggest bunch of saps as a fan base in the history of sports..great job gillick, you should be fired for incompetance this minute— 32pitch
- For all of you who bash Gillick, tell me who you would go get and what you give up for them. Please include players who were being shopped and not say Victorino and Ruiz for Lincicum— rvb2321
Comment removed.- It wasn't Pat's fault. He had to take orders from Dave and the Invisibles.— matteo
- You people that are ripping Gillick don't know baseball. Name one player that was available to the Phils that they didn't get.— beansdale1
- the problem isnt the lame of moves now... its the lack of moves in the past off-season. you over pay for pitching at the deadline, yet the phillies seem to forget that each winter. if the phillies had just signed kyle loshe instead of ignorantly refusing to discuss a contract with him after he turned down their initial offer, we wouldn't be worried. does anyone know if kris benson (who the phils constantly touted as a legitimate backup plan) can start throwing lefty & out the pen? i don't want to say it, but i already see the hey-day of jimmy/howard/utley going to waste due to the phillies not adding the piece that puts them over the top (eagles anyone?)— main liner
- Nope, it's not about "prospects" it's always been about having the commitment to doing what it takes and basically the b*lls to make the moves and spend the money. They have neither. Did we mention spending the money and doing what it takes? Same old Phillies, how short will they come up this year? It's a loser's mentality and these owners have it in spades as they count the money rolling in.— PhillySubsMac
- Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers. No word on who Boston got in return.— whofeelsit
- B atkinson is absolutely right. The fact is, there was no "blockbuster" deal to be made. People in this city are unbelievably ignorant about personnell (in all sports) Now that this deadline has passed I'm sure we can look forward to suggestions that the Eagles trade Hank Baskett and Lito Sheppard for Terrell Owens...
- They need to make the bar at the stadium (McFaddens) much bigger, or put in another bar all-together. Enough of the family atmosphere BS. It takes forever to get a beer at McFaddens it's way too crowded. Do something about that Gillick, and you've got my full support. I mean come on it's so simple!!!— Tacklebury
- Actually, the phils do have some prospects, a few of which I bet we see when the rosters expand. I can't imagine Pat will be happy that his final big trade was Blanton... doesn't do much for his legacy, does it. Then again, we don't know why they couldn't make it happen. It's possible ownership blocked trades and it's also possible that other players blocked trades because they didn't want to come here. I think I'm just going to concentrate on this lovely 4 game win-streak they've put together, and hope that they go in to St. Louis and do what they've done previously, which is HIT.— als
- THIS TEAM IS A BUNCH OF LOSERS ....THE FRONT OFFICE IS PROBABLY DOWN IN THE CARRIBEAN COUNTING MONEY IN FRONT OF A MIRROR SO THEY DONT CHEAT THEMSELVES.....THEY ARE SUCKING MONEY OUT OF US FANS AND THEY DONT DO ANYTHING...WE NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDED A PITCHER FOR 3 YEARS NOW THE FANS ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS BUT THE FRONT OFFICE LIKE THEIR MONEY... I WILL NEVER GO TO A GAME AGAIN.. I HAVE NOT FOR 2 YRS NOW THEY ARE SUCKING YOU PHILADELPHIA JUST LIKE THE EAGLES— jclemas
- what exactly do you want them to trade?— seaonasdad
