About that rumor
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About that rumor
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- For an idea of how serious Ryan Howard and the Phillies are taking the ESPN report that the team has had internal discussions about proposing a Howard for Albert Pujols trade to St. Louis, we present this scene:
As Howard discussed the rumor with reporters this morning, Shane Victorino walked through the clubhouse and chanted, "Albert! Albert! Albert!"
Yeah.
"I don't believe in anything until it's done," Howard said. "For me, I didn't really pay attention to it."
Of course, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has categorically denied the story. And even if the Phillies had internal discussions about trading a player (I'd imagine this happens occasionally.) it's hard to believe these internal discussions were very serious.
But Howard discussed it this morning.
"I really don't have anything to say about it," Howard said. "Truthfully, I can go back to all the stuff that happened when I was in double-A -- all the talk about trade rumors. I don't know anything about anything. I'm not really focused on it. If that were the case -- I don't know if it is or not -- it is what it is. You just keep going out there and doing your thing. If you get a call saying you're trade, then you're traded. Until that happens, I'm still a Phillie. I'm still here. Let's ride it out."
And that's that.
THE LINEUP
The Phillies are boarding a bus for Bradenton, Fla., where Roy Halladay will make his third Grapefruit League start.
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Jayson Werth DH
6. Ben Francisco 7
7. John Mayberry 8
8. Ross Gload 9
9. Carlos Ruiz 2
Chad Durbin and David Herndon will also pitch in relief.
Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer will start his third B game of the spring over in Dunedin, Fla., against the Blue Jays.
It doesnt matter the Phillies arent winning the WS anyway.....— DonovanistheEaglesallTimeGreatestPlayer
Reef, how dumb is Halladay for three years vs. Lee for one year!!! And where are you getting "selfish decisions" instead of "championship" decisions? What team other than the Yankees last year has made better "championship decisions"? Crawl back to the Eagles side, tailgate brain.— John621- This is how I picture the "internal discussion" going. Charlie-"would you ever trade Howard?" Rube-"yeah maybe for Pujols, hahahaha!"— b-house
- the rumor was obviously concocted by a wishful Phillies' fan...ain't no way a Cardinals' fan wants to make that trade!
- Rollins Polanco Utley Pujols Werth Ibanez Victorino Ruiz You're new batting order...in a video game maybe— dsh129
- Reef215...Are you kidding? The Phillies organization has won three straight NL East Division titles, 2 straight NL Championships, and a World Series in the past 3 years and you are going to make an idiotic comment about holding them accountable. Accountable for what you moron? Winning? Find a tall building, go to the roof, walk to the edge, and then jump. End your misery.— OMIGODEAGLES
- Yeah if you wouldnt take that trade off, you must be a moron.. Hey sure howard may hit 5-10 more homeruns, but Pujols is far and away the more complete hitter. you can have howard and his 47-50 homeruns and his .250 batting average and 200 plus strikeouts,or Pujols and his 40-45 homeruns .300 batting average and less then 100 strikeouts. Plus put Pujols in that lineup he'll drive in as many runs if not more then howard since there are more ways to score runs then hitting homeruns. Not that Howard stinks, but Pujols is clearly the better player— jamurf
- DonovanistheEaglesallTimeGreatestPlayer -Funny name. That statement alone proves that you have absolutely no intelligence whatsoever— OMIGODEAGLES
- Polanco for Pujols and throw in aumont and brown, and put pujols at third base.— Tough* Juice*
- Howard is going to walk first chance he gets; I don't believe he's ever really enjoyed playing here. His major bud, JRoll, I expect to do the same thing when he hits free agency. So, everyone may as well get used to this roster turning over eventually.— JBinPA
- Trade Wheeler? Take up a collection around the region and pay to get rid of the testosterone deficient, 46xx creep. You could pull 7 figures.— Bob1
- It's nonsense. Olney's blog post hit count must be down.— JimG
- Pujols = juicer.— F. Harry Stowe
- CAN WE TRADE BLACKWELL? SHE'S DEADWEIGHT— dreinterests
- I got it!!! Trade Wheels to the Japanese league, at least their fans wouldn't be able to understand the hack.
