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.
As a Phillies fan, I would do that trade straight up, especially to get a righty basher in the lineup besides Werth. (The fact that it is the BEST HITTER IN THE GAME doesn't hurt either!) I'm not sure how much I would throw into the deal to sweeten it, though. There's not much more we can give unless someone is ready to step up from the minors, and I don't know who that would be. Howard is great, but Pujols is far better, and even if he didn't re-sign after 2011, we'd be in the same place as we would be with Howard after that season. Make it happen, Ruben!— steveinphilly- we wouldn't even get a dozen doughnuts for wheels— ingy9
- ...what?... don't want to give up Nutter?... Okay, let's talk the Mariners into talking the Seahawks into taking McNabb.
- Yeah, trade Wheels for Scott Graham back.
- I would love the trade, but I dont think it will happen. Pujols would make the Phils almost unbeatable!— rgreen72
- Gotta give Howard props for even being considered in a one for one trade discussion for what many consider the best all around player today and the only serious threat to win a triple crown in the last 10 years, possibly longer. However, with our lineup, my opinion is that I would actually prefer Howard...in this lineup. -no bob levy— remyy
here's what happened: Reporters and baseball men sitting around at some tiki bar somewhere on the gulf coast of florida, quaffing some cold beers, chatting baseball. One mentions trades - Jeter for Lincicium? Howard for Pujols? Big Papi for anyone? Now, deadline approaches, they're drunk and without any actual "work" done, so they file a report. End of story. This is how they work, folks.- You don't F with chemistry and this team is ALL chemistry. There's something special about this team that you just do not want to mess with. It's the reason Cliff Lee was so upset about leaving. In his 4 months here he blatantly recognized that this team is special. He said so, saying that he has never seen a TEAM like this or been apart of a clubhouse this special. Trading Howard for Pujols kills that.— Mr Norristown 6
- Actually Reef215, fans don't have any say in who goes and who stays.— celtic_13
- so Reef, I guess you won't be watching or attending any Phils games this year, in protest of their lack of commitment to winning? Do you think any of the Phils' execs care what you post anonymously on the internet? You sure are hoding them "accountable" by posting comments on a philly.com column. I'm sure they're shaking in their boots.— mbphilly
- mick314: Even if the Phillies offer to pay his contact, Wheels still has no trade value....— joeolive
- What good is an internal discussion unless you have a willing trade partner? The only reasons for the Cards to do something like this would be to add a lefthanded bat to their lineup (too right handed with Pujols, Holliday and Ludwick), which is exactly why the Phils need Pujols over Howard, to add a RH power hitter, especially after Werth is replaced by Brown next year. What happens after 2011 is a wash, as Pujols and Howard will present the same signing issues with their demands. With this lineup, Pujols will knock in more runs than howard because he will hit 50 points higher and produce runs with ground outs and fly balls, something Howard does not do often enough. Unlikely there is any juice to this rumor, but it sure keeps bloggers and talk show hosts in business.— tommy2times
- Thanks Philly media, you guys rock. Way to go planting seeds in our perennial MVP candidate's head and trying to divide the clubhouse. Yous are a bunch of jerk offs.— beezer77
- I love Howard, but this would be a deal that had to be made. Pujols is a legitimate triple crown threat and a solid first baseman. Howard is a legitimate HR/RBI leader (as well as K's) and while his defense has gotten better, Pujols is still a better defender. The Phils would be an even bugger offensive juggernaut with Pujols in the lineup.— jonnyb0916
- Sounds like ESPN is trying to manufacture a story, as always.— everydayguy
