Can the Phillies Make that Big Trade?
Jim Salisbury takes a look at whether or not the Phillies have enough talent to make a big trade before the July 31 trade deadline.
Can the Phillies Make that Big Trade?
Todd Zolecki
So you want C.C. Sabathia.
Who doesn't?
But do the Phillies have enough talent to trade for him -- or somebody like him? Would you trade Shane Victorino and Carlos Carrasco for Sabathia, knowing Sabathia probably won't be back next season and Carrasco is very close to contributing at the big-league level? Jim Salisbury takes a look at what the Phillies have, and what it might take to make a big splash before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Sabathia obviously would be a tremendous pick up for a team that lacks a clear No. 2 behind Cole Hamels. Sabathia started the season slowly with the Cleveland Indians, but is 5-5 with a 2.14 ERA in his last 12 starts. Could you imagine Hamels and Sabathia pitching the first two games of the National League division series this year?
The odds are against the Phillies to acquire Sabathia. In fact, I'd bet against it. But I think the Phillies are more likely to pick up a mid-level starter like Kyle Lohse in 2007 and Jamie Moyer in 2006. But this certainly wouldn't be a bad time for the Phillies to go for broke. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are in their primes. The National League is weak, and there for the taking. They have a potent offense -- despite what we've seen lately -- and a solid bullpen.
One stud starter could put them over the top.
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Utley continues to lead all major leagues in votes for the All-Star Game with 2,179,006 votes. Rollins ranks fourth amongst shortstops, Howard ranks fifth amongst first basemen and Pat Burrell ranks sixth amongst outfielders.
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Utley endorses EAS products. Here he talks to the company about how he trains in the off-season. And, of course, how wonderful EAS is.
Time for a shake-up / wake-up. Send Ruiz down, bring up Lou Marson. Release Geoff Jenkins. The game has passed him by. He is washed up. Now we know why Milwaukee let him go. Bring up Greg Golson.— RAS
I have to agree with many folks here and that selling the "farm" for a "rental" pitcher is a bit risky. I think Harden or Oswalt would be a better way to go. Also I'd hate to see Victorino traded. He can adds speed to line-up that would be lacking if he were traded. Plus now that he's an everyday player he probably wouldn't want to leave at this point since he has his starting job. (clarification: is Oswalt the pitcher who hates the Phillies?)— KarenA- The Phillie hating pitcher is Olsen from the Marlins.— RAS
Comment removed.- timm.......Totally agree about Charlie leaving Jamie in too long. That's always been my only complaint about him. I'm sure during the conference on the mound, Jamie said he was OK. But any player, barring any injuries, thinks they're OK to stay in the game. I'm sure Jamie's kicking himself this morning. Charlie needs to step up and take control. HE'S the manager. Not the players.— Norma
- And.....I don't think Charlie's pulling Pat for any DEFENSIVE problems. I think it all goes back to his lack of speed on the basepath and probable problems with his foot. Still! Good idea having him be the DH. There's an article on phillies.com addressing just that. Apparently Charlie's thinking of DH'ing Chase or J.Roll. Letting Bruntlett get more playing time.— Norma
- RAS Thanks for the clarification. Brief senior moment what with both names beginning with "O".— KarenA
Sorry to have to regress back to Charlie-bashing days, but what he did last night was flat out unacceptable. You cannot let a pitcher talk you out of making the switch in that situation. It wasn't even a shock when that ball went out. And letting Ruiz bat with bases loaded is just wrong. Hands-free managing is great when things are going your way, but at some point you have to make moves to win games.— bobby- I agree with bobby. The fact that Greg Dobbs got no at-bats in that game is absolutely appalling.... Someone posted an analogy to the Stepford Wives earlier in the year on this blog.... that's what the Phils reminded me of last night.— RAS
- Sorry bobby, Charlie did not lose that game the hitters did. Look at Utley, Howard, Burrell, Rollins and Jenkins. Charlie can't hit for those guys.— phillies fan
- phillies fan: I won't argue with you there! The offense has been nonexistant for some time now, and this pitching staff (any pitching staff) can only do so much without run support. But that said, as a manager you can't make hitters hit. What you can do is manage the situation. That can result in manufacturing a run or two here and there, or helping out your pitchers by knowing when they are at their limit. Just like we say a player can "pick up" a guy who makes a bad play or has a bad AB, the manager can sometimes pick up a team that's not performing up to par. That's what Charlie had the opportunity to do last night and he opted not to do it more than once.— bobby
- I wish I knew why Manuel didn't pinch hit for Ruiz in the 7th. He didn't and of course Ruiz hits into an easy DP. Could someone please explain this to me? I think the last two losses are on Manuel. First, he lets Taguchi swing 2-0 resulting in a pop out to end the game and then he lets the DP machine bat with the bases loaded. I don't usually blame the manager but this time I have to. I know Manuel can't make players hit but....— James TL
- I am not even going go into the past failures...in 1980 I had hoped that the sigma of the choke of 64 was over...havn't heard much about the 2007 Mets and your not likely to...the Phillies have made so many bad mistakes...does anyone remember Ryan Sandberg?...or Curt Shilling?...Ed Wade tried to trade Howard for Kris Benson while he was a member of the Pirates...it's no wonder why the average Phillies fan thinks he can run the team better then Monty & Company...HE CAN!...this team is too good not to try to win now...I think they need a top starter a real #2 guy...send Meyers back to the bullpen and these Phillies would have a great chance to make a deep playoff run...starters go 6 and the pen takes over in the playoffs that what it takes to win!— PHILLYMARK
- JAMES TL: The only possible explanation is that Manuel followed the conventional wisdom of not hitting for your catcher with a couple innings to go. You know, because once you put your backup catcher in the game, you've got nobody to catch if he gets hurt. I understand it, but I don't agree with that thinking all the time, especially in a case like last night. Besides, I thought Jason Werth was our emergency backup. That was one of his selling points when Gillick picked him up. We should be able to take a chance here and there hitting for Ruiz with Werth as insurance.— bski
- Werth, Feliz, and Victorino all can cath in an emergency. Manuel has been pinch hitting for his catchers with regularity all year, and yet last night in a critical game situation that was screaming for Dobbs in NEON LIGHTS and SIRENS, Charlie lets Ruiz hit into DP. Inexcusable.— RAS
