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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Phillies trade away Golson

More news. It's coming fast and furious today.

The Phillies have traded outfield prospect Greg Golson to the Texas Rangers for outfielder John Mayberry.  I haven't had a chance to touch base with GM Ruben Amaro -- as luck would have it, the move was announced after our conference call with him today -- but it appears to be a swap of projects. Mayberry is a power-hitter type, the son of former major leaguer John Mayberry Sr. He is a right-handed hitter with power, which the Phillies could use more of in case Pat Burrell departs via free agency.

The 25-year-old hit .264 with 20 home runs and 71 RBI last season at Double A Frisco and Triple A Oklahoma. A Stanford graduate, he was assigned to Triple A Lehigh Valley.

The bigger news might be the departure of Golson, whom the team drafted 21st over all in 2004. Once considered one of the organizations better prospects, he hit .282 wth 13 home runs, 60 RBI and 23 stolen bases for Double-A Reading this season. But he didn't appear to be major league ready. While he stole a base after being called up in September, he went hitless in six at-bats.

Posted by David Murphy @ 5:51 PM  Permalink | 59 comments
59
Comments   
Posted 11:54 AM, 11/21/2008
fiveforone
Mayberry has the potential to be Pat Burrell a .250 hitter with 30 HR and 100 RBI. Golson is impossible to predict, probably a Michael Bourne who strikes out like Rob Deer (terrible combo). The scariest thing about Golson is that his SO numbers never improved at any level and neither did his OBP. I like the deal.
Posted 11:32 AM, 11/21/2008
EL Zorro
Basically Amaro traded a center field prospect with speed, who only stole 23 bases last year at AA to go with 100 Ks, for a corner outfield prospect with power that is hitting 20 hrs in the minors. I'll take that trade anytime. Golson is being blocked by Vitorino in CF, while Mayberry could be our leftfielder of the future.
Posted 10:22 AM, 11/21/2008
Mark1npt
Mayberry may yet evolve into a ML hitter, Golson NEVER will. We have to stop drafting speedy (read: tools) kids, thinking we can teach them to hit ML pitching...it didn't work with Roberson, Moran, Bourn, nor Golson and it probably won't work with this past years' #1 either....we're just throwing picks away when we do that...thank God we keep finding teams to pawn these lifetime AAA'ers off to.....now let's get the roster set (LF and BP) and play ball!
Posted 10:20 AM, 11/21/2008
topwonk
I saw Golson in Spring Training, Reading before that, and again during his call up to the show this season and my consistent perception was that he cannot hit the curve ball. At this point in his maturation process, that is not a good sign. There are a ton of guys with speed and great arms in the bushes, but if they can't hit a major league hook, that is where they will stay. I've never seen Mayberry play, but as a popwer guy, his numbers aren't bad and he has a great pedigree. Worth a shot, I say...
Posted 10:15 AM, 11/21/2008
Dull
I really like the Mayberry trade and it is not that I tried to watch Golson hit AA pitching last year. IMO Burrell will not be back. Mayberry makes perfect sense as a platoon in left with Jenkins or Dobbs. This guy hit .350 with 8 home runs against lefthanded pitching in a little over 100 AAA plate appearances in 08. Howard had 265 plate appearances against lefties last year. Mayberry seems the likely candidate in 09 to get most of those hacks against lefties in left. Ruben has said relief pitching is his priority. That means to me if a big free agent contract is given out by him requiring a loss of a first round draft pick it will be to Juan Cruz not an expensive bat in left.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:43 AM, 11/21/2008
davekrieg
I don't care baout the move. I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt. You get that when you actually are able to seal the deal. HEAR THAT IGGLES?!
Posted 09:29 AM, 11/21/2008
mick
Who?
Posted 09:23 AM, 11/21/2008
BJV
Any chance that Amaro is loading up to go after Matt Holiday?
Posted 08:53 AM, 11/21/2008
Discostu
Hey robreagan - now is not the time to hate on the draft...last i checked they've done a pretty good job with their drafts. For anybody to say that Golson will NEVER be a hitter after watching 6 ab's is ridiculous.
Posted 08:51 AM, 11/21/2008
Discostu
The move makes sense...All signs point to a long-term commitment to Victorino and Werth...You can't have three similar players in the outfield. On this team, you need power out of the left field position and Golson wasn't going to give you that.
Posted 08:48 AM, 11/21/2008
PhillyTheKid
michael bourn II is gone - good riddance...mayberry may never pan out; however, golson was never going to contribute more than pinch-running duties on this team...mayberry is a monster, like his dad, and may eventually show off his blood line...to those typical phils phans who just can't be positive no matter what, please sit down, take your meds. from nurse ratchett and enjoy the show...(i bet a nickel")...pk
Posted 07:58 AM, 11/21/2008
mick314
Golson was Dolly Parton. Mayberry could be Opie.
Comment removed.
Posted 02:33 AM, 11/21/2008
Gmilst1
Wow. Even if he isn't "major league ready" (yet), how do you give up on a guy that is only 23 years old. Although, David Murphy made an excellent point that "he went hitless in six at-bats" this season when he was called up to the phils. If Golson becomes a solid major leaguer, like many experts proclaimed he would be, than this move won't be looking to good than. oh yeh, how old was Ryan Howard when he became a start in the majors?? Good night
Posted 01:45 AM, 11/21/2008
caseman88
This is a good move. Golson cant hit and is just another Michael Bourn. This Mayberry guy might have some potential.
Posted 11:55 PM, 11/20/2008
Delaware Jim
You heard it here: no other team will want Pat Burrell and he will be back with the Phillies in '09
Posted 11:40 PM, 11/20/2008
Huge
Maybery went to Stanford.. he's smart..another guy that played college ball in Cali, like Chase at UCLA (ucla is not easy to get into either).. get it? the phils like smart guys..good trade.
Posted 11:28 PM, 11/20/2008
bobbyuk
Well, Giggs--the last time the Phils traded with the Rangers, they traded Vincente Padilla for some no name reliever who maybe pitched 2 games for them--meanwhile, Padilla wound up winning 14, 6 and 15 games with the Rangers.
Posted 11:18 PM, 11/20/2008
URkidding?
I like it, Mayberry sounds like a bigger upside than Golson, who as others have said looked lost at the plate in his couple appearances. I go with a big agile power guy in LF than a guy like Golson who really has no place in the lineup like the Phillies right now.
Posted 11:04 PM, 11/20/2008
bryneb
Lehigh Philly... Okay, I won't mention Chris Coste. How about Ryan Howard. He won rookie of the year at 26. Please, we're not even a month removed from being world effin champions and we have a bunch of minor league experts coming out of the woodwork to blast what will probably end up being an insignificant trade. I'll admit that I hated getting rid of Bourne for some washed up closer last year. Exactly, I'm an idiot like most of the others posting nonsense. I'll leave personnel decisions to the pros.
Posted 10:29 PM, 11/20/2008
Conshy04
Phillies want to continue to win now they need to make trades like this. The key to the Phillies having success will continue to be a unique combination of veteran players and pre-arbitration players. This will allow them to compete over the next five years while the Yankees and Mets bankrupt themselves into mediocrity..
Posted 10:29 PM, 11/20/2008
Conshy04
Phillies want to continue to win now they need to make trades like this. The key to the Phillies having success will continue to be a unique combination of veteran players and pre-arbitration players. This will allow them to compete over the next five years while the Yankees and Mets bankrupt themselves into mediocrity..
Posted 10:29 PM, 11/20/2008
Bob1
This deal is pretty tough to assess as fans here have not seen much of Golson. He should be ready by this time. I guess they don't think so. It's interesting that Amaro traded him right after the farm system director left.
Posted 10:23 PM, 11/20/2008
IRAMITLA
Anyone who has seen Golson play even one game should see he'll never be a major league hitter, EVER.
Posted 10:21 PM, 11/20/2008
jszulewski
Isn't Amaro a Stanford guy?
Posted 10:03 PM, 11/20/2008
stoky
This is the BLOCKBUSTER we've all been waiting for. Golson left Reading this morning for Ellen
Posted 09:54 PM, 11/20/2008
eagles2010
Mayberry will replace pat burrell
Posted 09:22 PM, 11/20/2008
Bake McBride
Golson = Jeff Stone. Mayberry = Maybe his dad? Whatever the case, JEff Stone could never play for these Phils.
Posted 09:13 PM, 11/20/2008
93phils
Mayberry turns 25 in December. Howard AND Utley made their MLB debuts when they were 25.
Posted 09:10 PM, 11/20/2008
93phils
Another reason not to go crazy over that scouting guy who left. For every Utley and Hamels, there are plenty of Golsons...
Posted 09:09 PM, 11/20/2008
baseballdad1
man you guys are a joke.....mayberry's stats are pretty good and i saw golson about a dozen times and he did not impress me at all so this could be a good trade we won't know until spring training but i don't think he's our lf in 2009...
Posted 08:57 PM, 11/20/2008
Lehigh Philly
It was too early to give up on Golson. BAD TRADE. If a 26 year old hasn't made the show by now...he will not. Please don't mention Chris Coste.
Posted 08:36 PM, 11/20/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
I would have liked to see more of Golson before they shipped him out of town. Hopefully Mayberry develops next year and gets a chance to play at the ML level.
Posted 08:19 PM, 11/20/2008
david
Wow, it took all of what, three weeks for people to start flipping out over the World Champ Phillies? Yeah, I know, I continue to have high expectations for them too, but let's give the guys the benefit of the doubt on this one (and a couple more too).
Posted 08:05 PM, 11/20/2008
EricChase
Mayberry could be the starting LF in 2009. Low risk, high reward move. His power numbers throughout the minors have been impressive, as is his speed for a man that size.
Posted 08:01 PM, 11/20/2008
Joseph060701
Guys we won the World Series so they must have done something right. Didn't you hear the 5 year rule where you can't criticize your team after a world championship?
Posted 07:51 PM, 11/20/2008
cigy77
Why would the Rangers give up on a guy who had 75 homeruns in 3 minor league seasons? The only reason I could think of is that they have a lot of power in their lineup already but lack a leadoff type player. Where as the Phils have an open spot for a power hitting outfielder. Maybe that is why they made the move. With Victorino in CF, Golson would have been out of place in LF. Other than a another trade or free agent signing the Phils had no power bat in their minor leagues that was righthanded to compliment Utley and Howard. Just hope that Mayberry isn't a a strikeout machine. Go figure Mayberry went to Stanford just like the Bat Boy Amaro.
Posted 07:45 PM, 11/20/2008
burholme
Ruben's still a Stanford fan!
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Comment removed.
Posted 07:41 PM, 11/20/2008
inquisitor
Funny Robregan, but Texas now has Byrd & Golson and Millwood and Padilla too! Maybe he'll eventually be in the mold of Griffey Jr or Bonds (Jr), but not an Amaro Jr (haha)
Posted 07:29 PM, 11/20/2008
CSpangler
Golson a great prospect?? LOL who are these rubes who post on this site?
Posted 07:24 PM, 11/20/2008
KGKoons
I also want to know where Joe Savery and Drabek are. Mayberry is a good risk because of some power. Milt will make him a better hitter. Golson can't get on base to steal anyhow.
Posted 07:23 PM, 11/20/2008
robreagan
Golson was another one of those "sure fire" future phillies star. RIIIIIGHT. I suppose he was gonna be great just like Reggie Taylor...oops I meant Marlon Byrd....aaahh, no no no...Michael Bourn....ah I give up.
Posted 06:50 PM, 11/20/2008
OppoJack
Golson will never hit better than .220, if that... see M. Bourn. From what I have heard, Mayberry has 30+ HR potential. Anyone see Golson's AB's late in the season? UGLY. His blinding speed and 50+ sb potential may be missed.
Posted 06:37 PM, 11/20/2008
Phillyexp
He's not a great prospect. I saw him 3 times down here in Maryland when Reading played Bowie and at Clearwater. He's not a good hitter but they made a big deal over his arm and speed. But you have to get on base to show off your speed and he didn't. He made a throw trying to get a guy trying to score from second and it sailed way over Marson's head. They don't need fast outfielders who can't hit. Pitching Pitching Pitching. We've got plenty of hitting and Marson and Donald are really good prospects. I'm wondering where Savory is and how Drabek is doing.
Posted 06:36 PM, 11/20/2008
dawggone
Good deal, I watched Golson play in AA and the guy simply strikes out way too much for a player of his ilk. He reminds me of Michael Bourn.
Posted 06:35 PM, 11/20/2008
93phils
Listed as 6'6" 230... turns 25 in December... 2 years older than Golson... but Golson looked lost at the plate this year
Posted 06:29 PM, 11/20/2008
tgray83
Cardinal pride from Ruben Amaro. I think Mayberry better addresses our needs than Golson. If all goes well, Mayberry can contribute, off the bench, as a power bat against lefties. As far as rolls of the dice go, is Amaro looking to Mayberry as a long-term replacement for Ryan Howard? I'm not saying that he is nearly as talented, but he was projected to be a 20hr a year 1st baseman.
Posted 06:28 PM, 11/20/2008
Gigs1777
Im ok with the move. The Phils need someone who can come up by July and add depth to the OF, something they lack. Golson looked lost in the few AB's he had in Sept. Besides Amaro traded with the Rangers. When have the Rangers ever pulled a fast one on any team?
Posted 06:18 PM, 11/20/2008
phillybirdz53
Who??
Posted 06:18 PM, 11/20/2008
phillybirdz53
Who??
Posted 06:15 PM, 11/20/2008
crenshaw53
No No No....wrong move...don't trade away a great prospect for someone who is struggling to made the show.
Posted 06:11 PM, 11/20/2008
phillybirdz53
Who??
Posted 06:08 PM, 11/20/2008
akaufman16
Why? For what? For WHO?
Posted 06:06 PM, 11/20/2008
akaufman16
Who is John Mayberry...except a 59 year old 1B from the Yankees
Posted 06:04 PM, 11/20/2008
martin710
Looks like we are beginning to repeat 1981. The phillies trade away a potential MLB player for a single to double AA star. This guy will never make the majors....his stats are pittiful!!!!!! Hey Rubin your 0-1!
Posted 06:04 PM, 11/20/2008
mwilgus
Uncle Chollie and Mayberry -- there's a joke in there somewhere.
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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