The Trade Deadline Approaches
Pat Gillick said the Phillies are "cautiously optimistic" they can make a trade before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline.
The Trade Deadline Approaches
Todd Zolecki
Pat Gillick thinks the Phillies have a chance to make another trade before Thursday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.
He used the words "cautiously optimistic."
Can you really be cautiously optimistic? Isn't that an oxymoron? I mean, if you're cautious about your optimism, how optimistic are you? Yes, we're deep thinkers here, so chew on that one for a while. But Phillies fans shouldn't get their hopes up for Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday or Brian Fuentes. Gillick indicated yesterday that none of those players will be wearing red pinstriples anytime soon.
But he still hoped they could add another lefthanded pitcher to their bullpen. If they don't find a lefthander from outside the organization, the Phillies could convert lefthander J.A. Happ into a reliever. In fact, he could be announced today as Adam Eaton's replacement in the bullpen. Happ was pulled from Sunday's start after just 2 2/3 innings. Mike Arbuckle explained why, "We pulled him as a precaution. We really don't know what's going to happen at the trade deadline, and we didn't know if we were going to need him in the big leagues or weren't or whatever. We just wanted to keep all our options open, and we thought the best way to do that was limit his outing just so that he might be ready in case we needed him or there was a trade. A lot of different things could happen over the next couple days."
In other words, they might need him tonight in DC against the Nationals and they might need him as a trade chip and didn't want to risk injury.
*
Eaton is scheduled to start Thursday for single-A Lakewood. He isn't expected back to the big leagues until Sept. 1, when rosters expand. There's no question at this point that he has been one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history. Why not just cut him? Well, for the simple reason that he's under contract and making $8.5 million next season. I also think the Phillies will keep him around -- I can't imagine anybody trading for him unless the Phillies eat almost his entire contract -- because they might want to have an extra arm in spring training. Who's knows what the future holds for Jamie Moyer and Brett Myers? Moyer could retire. Myers might not be successful as a starter and could become a full-time reliever next season. They might want to create some competition in the rotation next spring, even though Eaton hardly has provided much of that.
*
Myers goes tonight. The Phillies desperately need him to pitch well. If not, the Phillies have said they can't sit around and do nothing.
"He's going to have to perform well," Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We're trying to win our division, so we're going to try to put the best starters out there we can to win. We have to keep our minds open with what we're going to do. We're not locking ourselves in with anything. We believe he'll stay in the rotation, but we have to keep our options open, and we will."
Could we see Myers in the bullpen at some point? It's possible. But that wouldn't be good. The Phillies think an effective Myers is the second-best pitcher in the rotation and gives them a better chance in the postseason. If Myers moves to the bullpen and Happ takes his place, who's the No. 2 starter come the postseason?
*
Chase Utley has "mild soreness" in his hip. It's not serious, and doesn't require surgery.
MARK: You are right that we have a poor track record with trading guys like Schilling and Rolen. Although in each case weren't they going to walk at the end of the season? They had us over a barrel and the entire league knew it so we had to take what we could get. That's why trading Howard could make sense. Please let me state once again for the record that I do not WANT to trade Howard. All I am saying is if the Phils KNOW that they will not or can not keep him, they need to trade him and get everything they can in return instead of letting him walk. IF this is the course they are on, then trading him sooner would be better than later. Since Howard has two more arbitration years, the team that gets him knows they will have him for at least those two seasons. This should increase what we get in return. If we keep him for two more seasons and try to move him at the deadline, we're in a Schilling/Rolen situation again.— bski- After Myers get roughed up tonight he will be moved to the bullpen and Happ will be in the rotation. Don't be surprised to see Happ as the first reliever tonight especially if Myers is taken out before the 6th inning which is a distinct possibility. Myers just doesn't have the concentration to be relied upon as a starter. Happ is a starter-- they shouldn't even try to make him a reliever.— James TL
- RG: The problem is the Phils will try to use option 'b'. It's what they always do which is why they fail. Blanton is a 'b' option. He sucks but he's cheap. You and I both know the Phils are only about making money. They seem to have no intention of trying to win it all.— James TL
- JamesTL, they do have a payroll of $100 mil this year and did lock up Utley, Rollins, Abreu, and Burell long term, plus they made the splashy moves with Millwood, Thome, Milton, etc. Its not all about them being cheap. I just think they are poorly run, especially with player development and drafting. That said, if they won't bust the budget, we can't do anythign about it, so I'd think the next best move is to trade guys who have max value, lower the payroll to about $40-50 mil, rebuild the farm, and run out some talented youngsters. When the time comes, they can trade for and resign a guy like Sabathia.— RG
- If Gillick pulls the trigger on the Mahay deal, it cements the fact that there was never any intention of putting Rollins on the block.(for all you "trade Rollins" people). Donald will probably be the Royals starting SS next year. Rollins is signed through 2011, so Donald would be blocked here until 2012. It's a clear sign of who the Phils are sticking with.— bski
- That changed quickly, now Stark is reporting they are not close on Mahay, and Happ has officially been added to the roster.— RG
I'm on vacation, so not checking in so often, but Norma, Werth an even trade for Holliday? I can't imagine the Rockies seeing it that way.— bobby- Norma: Too cool for school meeting Jamie Moyer!Sorry you didn't get a chance to ask Chase about this mysterious hip injury...lol I agree with everyone about Myers returning the BP. I think he'd be happier there and more productive if he was the set-up man for Lidge. Phillies website said they called up Happ to replace Eaton's place on the roster, but haven't said whether he's a starter or in the BP.— KarenA
- I did a comparrison of this year's team and teh 1980 team. I was surprized to see that the 80 team had an average player age (starters, starting pitchers and top 2 relief pitchers) of 30.6 compared to this years team of 30.2. The differene is in time in majors. The 80 team had an average of 8.7 years in big leagues while this team has only 6.8 years. This takes into account the two rookies on teh WS team (Walk and Bystrom). We are a young team. No need to rebuild. Jut add the right missing peices— jeff gross
- bobby.....By *even trade*, I meant outfielder for outfielder. I agree the Rockies would never go for it unless someone else was included in the trade. Not sure what they need though. Bullpen help? Maybe we can send Brett along. LOL!— Norma
- JimmyMack: I agree with you except- I would trade Coste-we got Madson coming up next year and Ruiz is a good back-up catcher. I would trade Moyer though I love him, he is 45 and how long can his arm last? I would trade Werth, provided we sign Pat. We need to sign Pat!! We need a RF, a 3rd baseman who can hit, and at least 3 starters and a set up guy— jeff gross
- I don't know who you could get for Moyer---plus I bet he either retires as a Phillies (since he grew up here) or goes back to Seattle since that is where he lives now and he might want to retire from the Mariners. I agree we definitely need to sign Pat Burrell even though the odds seem against it.— KarenA
- Is David Montgomery editing this blog??? Well Dave if you are....do us all a huge favor and set Adam Eaton free. Eat the rest of his contract and rid the team of a consistent distraction and disappointment. Start running the team like any other business and cut the FAT. As for Myers, you better be on point tonight buddy because you are now pitching for job again. Let's see a sweep of a lifeless Washington club start tonight!!— GHOSTPHAYCE
- I agree we probably couldn't get much for Moyer, but he is touchable if someone wants him as a pitching coach— jeff gross
- J-Roll you need to pick up your game too. I expect A LOT more out of the reigning MVP.— GHOSTPHAYCE
