Repercussions of Hamilton becoming an Angel
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Repercussions of Hamilton becoming an Angel
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sure, the Phillies were intrigued by Josh Hamilton. But the sense from front office officials was his price would never sink to a level with which they were comfortable. That sentiment was vindicated Thursday when the Los Angeles Angels reportedly agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract with Hamilton.
The aftershocks will rattle throughout baseball, and Philadelphia is included. The top corner outfielder is off the market; Nick Swisher and Cody Ross could soon follow. The Phillies are wary of offering more than three guaranteed years to any player above 30. Both Swisher and Ross are fits on paper, but not yet in reality.
Now, with Texas scorned by Hamilton and needing some sort of offensive addition, they could enter the market for Swisher or Ross. That would drive their prices up. They could also pursue first baseman Adam LaRoche, formerly of the Nationals, to fill a hole.
The Angels have a surplus of offensive pieces, which could lead to a trade of Peter Bourjos or Mark Trumbo. The timing is not great for the Phillies, who have long coveted Bourjos and may have had him valued above Ben Revere. ESPN.com reported Trumbo will not be made available in trade talks.
Even if there was a possible match there, the Phllies have already exercised almost all of their trade chips. Catcher Sebastian Valle is one remaining piece. There is some pitching depth, but it is slimmer after Vance Worley and Trevor May were dealt.
If the Rangers bid for Swisher or Ross, that could drive Ruben Amaro Jr. to improve his club through pitching additions because the offensive market is prohibitive. The GM has said he wants a "low-risk, high-reward" pitcher to be his fifth starter. There are better options out there and Amaro has money to spend.
Ryan Dempster is off the board after signing a two-year, $26.5 million contract with Boston. Anibal Sanchez, Kyle Lohse, Edwin Jackson and Shaun Marcum are the top available starters.
Hamilton was the white whale, the one "difference-maker" on the market, as Ruben Amaro Jr. said. But with so much money tied into long-term contracts with players older than 30, the Phillies were merely gazing this time around.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
- @honomugym: Wake up and smell the B*llsh*t that Amaro is cooking for you unless, of course, you're satisfied with mediocrity. Why would anyone want to root for another team's GM? What most of us want is for Montgomery to hire a competent GM, like most of the other teams currently employ. Their are some stinkers, but that doesn't mean that we have to accept incompetence here in Philly.
- ghostofcallison.Rather than constantly whining and moaning find an organization a GM that you admire and root (positive) for them.I love the Phillies sometimes they make good decisions sometimes bad.Some years are good some bad.If you feel the Phillies break your heart and you can't get over it go find another girl.
— honomugym - @honomugym: And, the advice I have for you is to stop accepting mediocrity, expect that your GM will use his supposed "talent" to maintain excellence for a team that should have been a force for at least 7-8 years(with possibly 3-4 WS championships by now), and hold that team's feet to the fire to excel, because WE are the fans that pay their bills and keep them in business. If you were a business man, would you accept anything less than excellence from your employees? I doubt it.
- posting numerous complaints about a ballteam means you don't accept mediocrity?So these trivial posts we make affects the teams decision makers in what way? You are not WE and if You didn't spend another dime on the Phillies I think they would do just fine. — honomugym
- You're hopeless. Please ignore my posts as I am tired of talking to apologists such as yourself. You, and losers like you who continue to accept mediocrity, are why the Phillies rake in the bucks while you sit on your couch and cheer for cr*p year after year. Just remember: Ownership, Montgomery, and Amaro are counting on people like you to keep hoping against hope. Well, I wasn't raised to accept failure. Apparently, you are content to wait for another 10,000 losses.
- LOL, you want to hire a competent GM, like most other teams? What GM has won more games in the last 4 yrs? If your standard is just winning Championships then that eliminates twenty some GM's. Please dazzle us with your baseball acumen and tell us how the twenty some Gms that haven't made the playoffs are better. Please dazzle away genius — DogBiscuitthedope
- The apologist extraordinaire lives! Please, just go away. The fact that you've apparently been jilted by your former lover warbiscuit has fried your brain. Anybody that would come up with a handle directed at one individual is, indeed, one sick puppy. Please find another outlet for your aggressions, other than your significant other. You are a poster boy (or girl) for why insane asylums should still be operating.
- Yeah figured you wouldn't answer the question. Just make dopey statements with no facts to back it up. Please tell us all the teams that have performed better than Philly the last 4 yrs so we can cement your moronic poster title — DogBiscuitthedope
- Hey loser dope boy. Why don't you tune in the mess that is the Eagles playing as we speak? They are playing just like you accept -- loser football. Want to prop up Laurie, Roseman, Reid, and Mornhinweg while you're at it? Time's yours, moron.
- Didn't think you'd answer the question, you would have to understand baseball, it's just easier to make dopey comments. Whah whah fire everyone we didn't win a championship whah whah. Dope — DogBiscuitthedope
- I'll tell you what, Mr. Keyboard Commando. I'd be very happy to meet you in person anywhere you like and at any time. We could discuss the state of our Phillies face to face. Would you enjoy a personal discussion? If so, please tell me where and when. You can be sure I'll be there. Will you?
- Oooh a keyboard tough guy, figured you still won't answer the question, you made the dopey statement now back it up. As far as your where and when babble, please be careful what you ask for sparky. — DogBiscuitthedope
- Just what I figured. A pansy behind a keyboard. When you grow a set, look me up. I'll be happy to "school" you. Just another keyboard commando hiding in his mother's basement and banging on keys instead of girls who you could never get.
- I will ignore you from here on out. You have proven yourself to be what I always thought you were -- a jilted lover -- probably some girl warbiscuit discarded. You might consider washing on occasion. Guys might be able to stomach you.
- Yes you'll ignore me, that's code for I made dopey statements so rather then attempt to back them up with facts I'll try to change the subject and if that doesn't work I'll slink away. Bye Mr Mediocrity. — DogBiscuitthedope
