The Morning After
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
The Morning After
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON -- The Phillies trained down to meet their new ace late Thursday night. I'm doing the same right now, trying to catch my breath after a crazy week of rumors and roster moves.
Needless to say, this is a dizzying time for these Phillies.
Incredible what a week can do. When we left St. Louis, the Phillies had escaped with one victory -- but needed 11 innings despite one-hitting the Cardinals. A rumored deal for Roy Oswalt had hit the skids and the Phils were still teetering on the edge of contention in the National League East.
Incredible what a week can do. Now, we're headed to Washington to watch a pitcher named Roy make his anticipated Phillies debut. Sound familiar?
So much happened Thursday and it was hard squeezing all of it into the paper. But we had substantial coverage of the deal.
A few tidbits that were buried or didn't make it:
-- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he is likely done making moves. "We've added enough payroll, I think," he said. That said, Amaro will keep some discussions open in case anything favorable falls his way, like a lefthanded reliever for example. But I highly doubt another move is made before Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline.
-- When asked about what adding Oswalt's contract means for free-agent-to-be Jayson Werth, Amaro avoided the question. "This is a situation where we'll have to take that matter when it's time," he said. "Right now we're focused on trying to win this year."
-- Details about that 2012 Oswalt club option that turned into a mutual option: If Oswalt opts out of the $16 million option, he receives a $2 million buyout. If the Phillies terminate the option, Oswalt receives a $3 million buyout.
-- We won't be able to speak with Oswalt until after he makes his start Friday night. It'll be interesting to see how much he interacts with his new teammates before the game. Typically, pitchers don't like to be bothered before games they start. But there will be so much going on.
-- Oswalt's career ERA is 3.42. In August, that drops to 2.80. In September and October, it's 2.78.
-- What is Roy Halladay's favorite thing about Oswalt while watching him from afar? "The competitiveness," Halladay said. "He goes after guys. He challenges guys. He competes every time he goes out there."
-- Brad Lidge redefined the role of closer. He spent a good deal of time reassuring Oswalt, his friend and former teammate in Houston, that Philadelphia was a place to be. But Lidge downplayed his role. As he said, "Philly kind of sells itself right now."
"I think he was going to come here regardless," Lidge said. "For the most part, he's pitched in the National League his whole career and he wanted to do that. He's a guy who wants to win. He wants to win a ring. This is his opportunity. This made a lot of sense for him."
-- Jamie Moyer (who has seen his share of midseason trades), probably best sums up the team's attitude at this point:
"I think this club – we’re in an envelope of time where, we have a great chance to win, and I think this organization respects how hard it is to win, the players understand how hard it is to win, the coaching staff understands how hard it is to win, and we’re making a nice little push right now.”
-- And lastly, the Phillies lost a genuinely good guy in J.A. Happ. He has always handled himself professionally -- especially with the writers -- but was obviously overcome with emotion Thursday. Happ is a smart guy (three years at Northwestern will do that, I suppose). He understands the situation, but it didn't make it any easier for him. All he's known is this organization. Wish him the best with Houston, where he starts Friday night.
Amaro should get a closer. without a real closer no matter who's starting your not going to win.— JACK V- I agree, don't make too much of Lidges 1,2,3 last night.. I mean even in his "perfect" year he rarely got em' out without everyone taking a nitro pill under the tongue. And remember, our fabulous bullpen blew a 1 run lead in the 9th... Is there an ace shut down man even out there? Can we get Billy Wagner back? I mean Atlanta doesn't REALLY think they have a shot do they? Oh yes, 1 more thing Reuben.. Please fire Manuel and dubeee immediately.. They're totally clueless and don't deserve to ride the backs of the players to another div. or WS title.— dedhed
- anyone who doesnt like this trade should have their head examine...though the thought did hit me..if they had kept Lee (and non-tendered Blanton), they still could have done the Oswalt trade, giving us a rotation for the rest of 2010 of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels and Kendrick....could you imagine that? you'd lose Lee and WErth for picks but have Blantons 8 mil to pick up another #4 starter for next year. Or if you hadnt caved to Moyers second year, Blanton as our #5 now and #4 next year... just something to think about..anyway, heres a good writeup on the trade: http://phuturephillies.com/2010/07/29/my-analysis-of-the-oswalt-trade/#comment-77728— jim715
- eeesh...leave it to the Miserables' on this site to focus on the cloud surrounding the silver lining.— JoeyMax
- Good luck A.J., you were a hell of a competitor. Hope to see you vying for the Cy Young in a couple of years. Rueben/Management: Thanks for being aggressive, this move will pay off in the playoffs. Go Ozzy and Go Phillies!!!!!— flyerdup
- Relax about the bullpen people, a few points: 1) It is not even August yet. Plenty of time to get stuff figured out..2) The Phils can still add a reliever after the July trade period is over. They did it with Eyre in '08 and those trades presumably cost less to give up in talent than the July trade rush does..3) Did you see the talent that the Twins gave up for Matt Capps? That is the asking price for relievers now. If the Phils gave up Singleton or Worley for Farnsworth, would everyone be happy? I wouldn't be...4) The Phils have shown that they can get to the WS with a lack of bullpen. They can do it again. And now they have three horses leading the rotation.— ESFjellin
Let's not overlook one of the most crucial byproducts of this trade ... it DEPRIVED THE CARDINALS of solidifying THEIR STAFF. May prove to be a major factor down the road ...
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