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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Say Mahay?

Could Kansas City Royals lefthander Ron Mahay be headed to the Phillies?

Maybe, but I spoke with a Phillies source earlier today and he said they are not close to a deal with the Royals. In fact, he said there is no proposal on the table. That could change with the Phillies looking for a lefthanded relief pitcher before Thursday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline. ESPN.com reported that double-A Reading shortstop Jason Donald could be part of a deal for Mahay, who is having a great season and is signed for $4 million in 2009. But again, there apparently is no deal on the table.

*

The Phillies have recalled lefthander J.A. Happ to take righthander Adam Eaton's spot in the bullpen.

*

The Phillies placed third baseman Pedro Feliz on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation. He returned to Philadelphia today, where team physician Michael Ciccotti will examine him. The Phillies don't know how much time Feliz might miss, but he is eligible to be activated Aug. 9 against Pittsburgh. Triple-A Lehigh Valley infielder Mike Cervanek has been recalled and will take Feliz's place on the roster.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 3:04 PM  Permalink | 64 comments
64
Comments   
Posted 10:32 AM, 07/30/2008
Truth
Gary Varsho-I second jimmymacks synopsis, only to add we are not in a pennant race we are in a wild card division race. No chance at the pennant and thats why they should re-tool/sell at the deadline or bring guys up or trade players they are not going to re-sign and get a piece(s) for next yr's pennant run. It's very simple.
Posted 09:48 AM, 07/30/2008
jeff gross
Happ shouldn't be in the Pen. If you wneed an arm in the pen call up a reliever, not a starter. Typical front office BS. I assume we DO have a few relievers in the minors we hope will make the team in the future? Where are they? Bring Happ up when he can start games.
Posted 09:38 AM, 07/30/2008
floridelphian87
getting mahay would be great for the phils bullpen. though he's coming from the royals his stats are impressive and we could use another left hander to go along with romero. happ wont last long in the pen so getting mahay would be a nice addition be nice to have.
Posted 09:19 AM, 07/30/2008
cg
Mark, every team has games where they barely score against a pitcher that isn't that good so your logic is out the window on that front.
Posted 09:18 AM, 07/30/2008
cg
Mark, every team has games where they barely score against a pitcher that isn't that good so your logic is out the window on that front.
Posted 09:17 AM, 07/30/2008
jimmymack
Gary, point is that our front office consistantly HOPES that a bad situaton (Eaton, Myers, Gordon) will get better instead of proactively rolling the dice by bringing someone up who might be better. Can't be any worse. They won't even take the chance until they have no options left. Could Happ or Carassco have helped us earlier, who knows, but you won't know if you don't try. I jumped off the hoping Eaton would get better train last year (even though he faked us out a bit in the beginning of this year). All I ask of the front office is to be aggressive trying to win, not worry about covering their butts on bad decisions. Eaton (Barajas, Helms, Garcia)were mistakes, fine, admit it and move on to someone who might be more productive. At least try.
Posted 08:54 AM, 07/30/2008
Mark1npt
Let's not get too carried away, he still only beat a minor league team...and barely at that. Our vaunted offense managed only 1 run scoring hit all night against another nobody pitcher.....not a sign of a team destined to go far......
Posted 08:50 AM, 07/30/2008
Gary Varsho
Jimmymack - why would we bring guys up "just to to see how they fared in the bigs" while we're in a pennant race?? And if Myers and Eaton hadn't imploded, Happ wouldn't be here, but that's baseball. You can't compare the two situations.
Posted 08:26 AM, 07/30/2008
jimmymack
Encouraging performance by Myers, I'll take it, even if it was the Nats. Loved Tom McCarthy's comments on Washington pitcher, how he was good in minors and showed potential, team thought they should bring him up and see how he fared in the bigs (he wasn't bad, other than Chase's dinger). Gee what progressive thinking. I know we are in pennant race and Nats have nothing to lose, but I found his enthusiam curious compared to our brain trusts reluctance to bring anyone up. If Eaton and Myers hadn't imploded as much as they have, does anyone think Happ would be here? Just saying....
Posted 05:38 AM, 07/30/2008
tyler1023
Bigdog, who's Warren Spaughn? I heard of Warren Spahn.
Posted 01:02 AM, 07/30/2008
broad
phils seriously need some help. i really think pat the bat should be traded now while we can get something out of it or else we'll lose him after this season and be left with nothing. phils are definlty not signing him next year so tehres really no reason keep him. our rotation just sucks.
Posted 12:51 AM, 07/30/2008
KMG
FYI- a lot of talk about Rowand over the last few days and what he meant to this team- since June 1, he's hitting .245, 2HR's and 21RBI's. Utley got killed for doing a lot better than that.
Posted 12:08 AM, 07/30/2008
Norma
To continue the positives of the game.....Yes. We didn't score a lot of runs. But we did get a decent number of hits. A few caught right at the wall. Shane's and Chase's. Yeah! I know! I know! "An out is an out." But we're making decent contact. And less K's in the top of the order.
Posted 12:01 AM, 07/30/2008
Norma
Guys.....Be happy for the WIN! Please don't let this blog turn into a forum for *Negadelphia* fans!
Posted 11:40 PM, 07/29/2008
cg
Also Cervanek's RISP numbers look like this:
.301/.319/.439/.758
6 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 48 (of 56) RBI, and 19 Ks.
He's also been a 3 time minor league All-Star
Posted 11:31 PM, 07/29/2008
cg
fredshead, to answer your question about Cervanek, he was leading the International League in BA. He isn't a patient hitter as he's only had 11 walks on the year and 54Ks. He doesn't have much pop in the bat hitting only 7 round trippers on the season but does have 56 RBI to his credit in AAA. He's easily been one of the best player on a horrible AAA team. He's top 20 in BA, RBI, R, H, TB and 2B. He;s definitely come up big for the IronPigs this season...one of the few bright spots.
Posted 11:16 PM, 07/29/2008
cg
Yhampy, I have to disagree. The most feared hitter other than Pujols is Big Papi and I think he's just about on par with Pujols. Manny would come after Pujols and Ortiz. Ortiz has to be one of the most clutch hitters I've seen in a while.
Posted 11:02 PM, 07/29/2008
KMG
A win is a win- there are no style points at the end of the year.
Posted 10:51 PM, 07/29/2008
Phillies08
You are all a bunch of looooooooooooooooooooooooosers
Posted 10:39 PM, 07/29/2008
MichaelZoe
what a joke, dealing for Manny. almost same player as Burrell at this point in his career and next. WHAT HAPPENED TO PITCHING? NOT RELIVERS, WE HAVE A GREAT BULLPEN. STARTERS????
Posted 10:36 PM, 07/29/2008
Mark1npt
Clinton, you are exactly right.....another pitiful offensive and I mean offensive performance...1 swing of the bat for our only runs of the entire game.....how is that possible against this nothing pitcher? PLease explain that to me?
Posted 10:35 PM, 07/29/2008
Norma
LEAVE MANNY IN BOSTON!!!! We don't need THAT drama!
Posted 10:33 PM, 07/29/2008
MichaelZoe
jackwads, the move was to make a deal for a TOP starting pitcher earlier in the season. period. they did not. we will lose. period.
Posted 10:33 PM, 07/29/2008
Norma
GOOD JOB, BRETT!!!! And I guess Chase is feeling better!!! We'll just ignore that error that made the 8th a nail-biter! LOL!
Posted 10:23 PM, 07/29/2008
Clinton, NJ
A win is a win, but 2 runs?? The guy going for the Nats wasnt exactly an ace, or a number 4 pitcher for that matter. They should have crushed this guy, instead they only really score once, a two run homer. I hope tomorrows starter isn't a lefty for the Nats, cause they are worse against the south paws...
Posted 09:49 PM, 07/29/2008
KMG
Another win, boys and girls. Nice pitching by Myers, I know he faced a AAA lineup so I'm not ready to give him the Cy Young award, yet, but he pitched well and certainly earned another start.- I'd love to add Mahay to this bullpen and make it even deeper. The Phils could be like the Angels in 2002, get the starter to go 5-6 innings and then shut everybody down.- Truth, I don't think anyone gave the 1988 Dodgers, the 1990 Reds or the 2006 Cardinals any chance to win it all but they all did. Let's get to the post-season first and see what happens.- On Burrell, if I'm getting back a #1 starter, like a Jake Peavy, I include him in the deal. Otherwise I want him in the lineup. Re-signing him depends on how much he wants and length of deal, I'd be reluctant to give him more than three years. If he leaves we get two draft picks in the top 50, which would help our minor league depth and we could use his money on pitching.
Posted 09:43 PM, 07/29/2008
KarenA
A pleasant surprise from Myers. Glad he got such a good outing against the Nats. Hope it helps him gain more confidence. Nice HR by the "injured" Utley (although his error was a bit hair pulling?!?)
Posted 09:26 PM, 07/29/2008
Clinton, NJ
Im glad Myers got to face the Nats, this is the perfect team for him to build up momentum after a decent start against the mets. I think he might just have a good stretch run for the Phils, everybody knows how bad they need him to step up.
Posted 08:54 PM, 07/29/2008
RG
Call me crazy but I don't do Manny for Burrell. If anyone bothers to read up on the s--t he is pulling in Boston (scratching himself the day of games to duck top pitchers, shoving a 60 yr old, etc), he ain't worth it. The offense would be marginally better and the defense would be worse, and they'd still lack pitching. If the red Sox, in the midst of a pennat run to defend their title are willing to dump him, theres something really wrong.
Posted 08:29 PM, 07/29/2008
yahmpy
yeah, ok dude. Burrell couldn't hold Manny's jock. To quote one national sportswriter, "Outside of Albert Pujols, there isn't a more feared hitter in the game. Period." BTW, according to Sports Illustrated (who broke the Texeira story), the Phillies are in the lead to get Manny.
Posted 08:21 PM, 07/29/2008
tpcapone30
If they trade burrell to get manny I will lose my mind. It will officially be the worst deal every done by the phils. Burrell is doing better this year, and is surprisingly better at defense. Manny is getting old. phillies need to re-sign burrell. SERIOUSLY
Posted 07:51 PM, 07/29/2008
fredshead
Who tff is Mike Cervanek
Posted 06:52 PM, 07/29/2008
Norma
Just heard about the Texiera trade. Too bad it didn't happen last week. Would have made our job a little easier. LOL!
Posted 06:23 PM, 07/29/2008
colon1951
I think if they geth a good picher that will go at lease seven strong inings they will have achances buth they need to bring in that good picher.
Posted 06:22 PM, 07/29/2008
vinni
Even if you trade burrell you're not going to get any more than the 2 draft picks you'd get in return anyway...teams love getting those picks...milwaulkee traded for 6 months of CC and 2 high draft picks, etc.
Posted 06:14 PM, 07/29/2008
RG
Oh, the Angels just landed texiera for Kotchman and a double A pitcher.
Posted 06:13 PM, 07/29/2008
RG
JimG and bski, you are right on. It isn't always about money however, you need to spend it wisely. The Yanks have been making dumb moves for years now (doubling Damon's salary when he's a poor CF with minimal power). The other factor is you are competing against stupid GMs, one makes a bad move and sets the martket, everyone else suffers. Case in point San Fran with Zito and Rowand. Now prices for SP and decent OFs are through the roof.
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/29/2008
bski
MrPhillie: It appears that the Phils are looking at it the opposite way, which is that they intend on keeping Rollins. That means Donald is blocked until 2012. They must be figuring that Galvis will be ready to step in at that point.
Posted 05:39 PM, 07/29/2008
MrPhillie
While Guillen is a nice player, he is far from being an impact player. I don't see much difference between him and Burrell, or even Werth if he had the same number of at-bats. I think the Phils definitely need another LHP in the bullpen and really, should have had one long before this point in the season, but even that move is not a "put-you-over-the-top" kind of move. I've heard a lot of good things about Jason Donald and I'm not sure I'd want to get rid of him for a relief specialist, especially if the Phils have even the slightest concern about Rollins' attitude and simply average play. I'm not saying Donald is ready to contribute to the Phils right now, I'm just saying that if Rollins begins to wear out his welcome in another year or two, the Phils would have a very nice prospect ready to jump in. Plus, don't the Royals have a solid shortstop already in Aviles?
Posted 05:16 PM, 07/29/2008
cg
I just read on ESPN that Jose Guillen wants out of KC, could the Phils swing a deal for Guillen and Mahay? Guillen is signed for 2 more years at $12M per, he's a right handed bat with a .273 career average, and 51 of his 69 RBI have come with runners in scoring position...discuss please. I'm interested to see where this goes.
Posted 05:08 PM, 07/29/2008
bski
JEFF: The Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets spend a lot of money on stiffs as well. It's just that they have so much more to spend that they can take more chances. If a signing doesn't work out for them, they are able to eat a contract and then go out and spend even more to fill a need. When the Phils make a bad signing, they are stuck with it.
Posted 04:51 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
Jim G: yes they are spending equal to their revenue, but they are spending on Eaton, Thorpe, Garcia, and who remembers who else they wasted top dollar on. Imagine if this money went to a pitcher or a bat? What a team we'd be today
Posted 04:43 PM, 07/29/2008
JimG
The sad thing about the money issue is that the Phillies are actually spending in line with their revenue. Their money spent on salaries is ranked the same as their revenue ranks in the league. Baseball is in dire need of some sort of salary cap. The amount of money that teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets have available compared to teams like the Pirates, Twins, etc. is just absolutely ridiculous.
Posted 04:40 PM, 07/29/2008
JimG
Just remember, the trade has to make sense for the other team too or it's not going to happen. Nobody wants to trade guys like Sabathia, Santana, Halladay, etc. They do it because they can't afford them. But they always want top-notch prospects back. Guys like that get traded in salary-dump type situations usually so the team doesn't want to take back salaries. They want young phenom prospects. Put yourself in their shoes and think what you would really want for someone like Halladay. Are you going to give up Halladay for Burrell and Kendrick or Burrell and Happ? Hell no. If you're giving up Halladay, then you want the next Joba Chamberlain in return and we have no prospects of that level.
Posted 04:38 PM, 07/29/2008
MikeP
I'm not following you, Truth. You say you want an immediate impact player. But you also say that are pitching and hitting can't get us to the World Series. So, we need a number 2 and 3 pitcher and need to replace what hitters - Utley, Rollins, Burrell and Howard? At what players are available and what do the Phillies have to trade for these players that every team in the league is looking for. It's beyond what is possible and realistic. They need to hit and Myers needs to get back to being effective or they're cooked. They're looking for a lefthanded reliever to spell Romaro and another bat. They may get a reliever. That's pretty much it. You can't get blood from a stone. Unlike the 76ers, the Phillies are poorly positioned to compete in this market.
Posted 04:25 PM, 07/29/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
Burrell is good as gone after this seasonm but he's not going anywhere now. No way the Phillies are going to match offers for a guy who really can't play the outfield. Its too bad the Phillies weren' able to land AJ Burnett. He would have had a real impact, and we may have been able to keep him next year too.
Posted 04:20 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
I was assuming that the first line wasn't conected to the rest of the article lmfao. if it is, boy do I look stupid
Posted 04:20 PM, 07/29/2008
Tacklebury
Why are you asking me if they're interested in this guy? I don't know nothin!! You're the reporter get out there and report!!
Posted 04:14 PM, 07/29/2008
jimmymack
If by scooping Zo you mean the announcement that PETA likes the Bank food, I'm glad he didn't bother....LOL. Now I'm hungry for a steak sandwich or some ribs.
Posted 04:13 PM, 07/29/2008
Truth
jimmymack- When I say a top prospect I mean someone ready to come on board next yr. Birddog, the whole point is we are tired of going after the division title or chasing the wild card. How do you this team is going to do against the Brewers or Cubs? We have a chance against the Mets b/c there SP is as bad as ours. THIS team as constituted has no chance of getting to the big show. When the Cards won 82 gms and backed in a few yrs ago they had severe injury problems but had a Cy Young (Chris Carpenter) and real 2/3 pitchers backing him up. Really who is our 2/3 pitchers? Blanton? Kendrick? Moyer? Myers can implode at anytime. WE HAVE NO CHANCE. Not to be negative but does anyone reaaly think these hitters that have not beaten an A-list starter all season can beat Zambrano/Harden or Sheets/Sabathia? Santana will not compolain about pitching on 3 days rest in the playoffs if needed.
Posted 04:13 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
MikeP: teh 2nd tier players have been doing their share+ all year. Look at Coste, Werth, Dobbs, Burnett, etc. It's the starters who haven't been playing up to par
Posted 04:06 PM, 07/29/2008
MikeP
The Phillies won't be able to resign Burrell. His value as a DH in the AL will drive his salary up to the point that it doesn't make sense for the Phillies. I'm not ready to give up on this year yet. I think they can still get to the World Series. I wonder if they'll ever be in a better position to beat a team like the Red Sox. Go for it now. Get help if you can without making a bad trade. If not, go with what we have and hope they the Phillies are still in it and healthier at the end. Time for the second tier players to earn their pay by picking up their production. That's what good teams do when the stars are slumping. We've seen a little more of that recently. Stop standing around waiting for someone else to get things going. Do your part.
Posted 04:05 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
we need a few trades/ free agent signings like the phillies did between '79-'80 when they got Rose, etc in order to go for it then and there.
Posted 04:05 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
we need a few trades/ free agent signings like the phillies did between '79-'80 when they got Rose, etc in order to go for it then and there.
Posted 04:02 PM, 07/29/2008
jimmymack
Just to clarify, I don't want prospects back. The window for this core (Utley, Howard, Rollins) and guys like Hamels, Myers, Kendrick, Victorino, Werth is a few years. I am not interested in any 3 or 5 year plan that relies on prospects, suspects, B list players or never gonna be's. I've had a lifetime of that, with a few exceptions (76-80). I want a Halladay, Holliday, Oswalt, Sabathia impact player that helps get this group over the top this year or next. The Mets become the Yankees, spending wise, in a year or two and we can't/won't compete for any FA. Geez, this division is so weak right now, we gotta take advantage of it. I'm tired of hearing about the labor pains, I want to see the baby.
Posted 04:00 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
Did you see that feliz is on DL?
Posted 04:00 PM, 07/29/2008
Bigdog61783
I don't understand how, being only 1/2 game out, we are suddenly throwing in the towel. The bats are starting to come around, the bullpen is still formidable, and if Mr. Blanton can get his head on straight, and pitch decently, he doesn't have to be Warren Spaughn, just decent, they have as good a chance as anyone in the East to win the division, and after that, who knows. Also, don't discount Mr. Gillick pulling something out of his hat. And if he doesn't, then there wasn't anything good enough to help us out there, and he will have been shrewd with the moves he didn't make. Give the whole Philly tough thing a break please.
Posted 03:53 PM, 07/29/2008
jeff gross
don't trade the bat--sign him to a 3 year deal. he's been a great player for us except for one year. We need a RF. AS for your news, Todd, your competition at teh Daily News is announcing a major trade coming this afternoon. He's beginning to scoop you lately. What gives??
Posted 03:53 PM, 07/29/2008
RG
I think that was '06 and he vetoed it which was actually a good thing. the return was supposed to be Rodrigo Lopez.
Posted 03:47 PM, 07/29/2008
Truth
You guys are right he can veto a trade and his teammates would probably encourage him to do so b/c that would be throwing in the towel on THIS season but if Gillick is as crafty as his reputation indicates he should be able to make it a win/win for all involved. I just think its possible. wasn't Burrell willing to go to Baltimore a few yrs back when he was at his low that we all seem to have forgotten?
Posted 03:38 PM, 07/29/2008
RG
Truth, sorry, but I don't see them getting alot in return for either of them guys. Burrell would almost def need to go to the AL as a DH, so that greatly limits the teams.
Posted 03:36 PM, 07/29/2008
Gary Varsho
How can you get real value for Burrell? He is in the last year of a contract and has a no trade clause - so he can veto any deal. I don't think trading Burrell is an option.
Posted 03:33 PM, 07/29/2008
Truth
To carry on jimmymacks' thread from earlier in which I think he hit it pretty much dead on. Let me ask should the Phillies dump Burrell and say a Kendrick since they are not winning a World Series this yr and get 2-3 TOP prospects? We badly need a contact hitter, a flame throwing pitcher and a real set-up man(assuming Myers remains a starter). If we move Myers to the pen then we can use a SOLID 3 type pitcher to replace him. Happ can do what Kendrick does. Get value for Burrell now instead of nothing later. I'm as greatful for his miraculous contract year turn around as anyone else but this would be a shrewd move by Gillick and would truly make the team his whether he's here next yr or not....If Gillick does this the Phillies could win the series next yr assuming Carrasco is ready for prime time. Thx Pat the Bat its been real!
Posted 03:18 PM, 07/29/2008
phairmount
I would def make this deal. Mahay has been dominant for KC and is familiar with the NL from his braves days.
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Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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