OK, clearly, the Phillies are broken. But you didn't really need to see a third straight loss to the Mets yesterday to know that, did you?At 4.96, the Phils have the highest ERA in the NL, and with only three proven starters (Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Adam Eaton) left in their injury-ravaged rotation, that number is bound only to go up. So, it's no secret they need to improve their pitching if they have any chance of staying in the NL playoff race.
But how?
First, pitching is at a premium. There isn't a team around, except maybe the Padres, that thinks it has enough. And even they aren't about to start trading away quality arms.Second, and most importantly, GM Pat Gillick doesn't have depth to deal and little payroll flexibility. Consider the possibilities:
1. Aaron Rowand: Yes, he's having a career-best offensive season. But if you think his value is at an all-time high, think again. Rowand, owed only about $2.25 million for the rest of this season, will be a free agent. No team will pony up a decent starting pitcher for a center fielder they can sign in the offseason. Right now, Rowand would be appealing only to a contender as a short-term loan, and the Phillies may not get much more than a prospect or a middling reliever in return.
2. Michael Bourn: He makes the major-league minimum ($380,000) and would generate interest from non-contenders looking for a young, affordable center fielder of the future. But the more Bourn plays, the better he plays. Everybody always knew he could run (12-for-12 in steal attempts) and play defense (did you see the two catches he made Friday night?). But Bourn is proving he can hit, too. With Rowand hitting the free-agent market, he could be the Phillies' next everyday center fielder. Do you really want to see him achieve that status elsewhere?
3. Shane Victorino: He's appealing for all the same reasons as Bourn. And, for all those reasons, the Phils don't want to move him.
4. Carlos Ruiz: Another low-cost option for a rebuilding team. But he has proven he can be a starting catcher, and the Phils envision him behind the plate for years to come.
5. Pat Burrell: Keep dreaming. There's the no-trade clause, the $14 million salary next season, and oh yeah, the .203 batting average. Who wants that? If the Phils could trade him, they would. They'd even drive him to the airport.
6. Carlos Carrasco, Adrian Cardenas, Kyle Drabek: They are the top prospects in a weak farm system. Right now, the Phillies are six games behind the Mets in the NL East and 4-1/2 behind the Dodgers and D-Backs in the wild-card race. If they trade one or more of these kids, they better make the playoffs. Or else, the short-term reward isn't worth the long-term sacrifice.
OK, put yourself in Gillick's shoes (or at least his flowered shirt). How would you get the pitching the Phillies need to contend? Who would you get, and who would you give up?
*
All-Star rosters will be announced later today. Here's a rundown of the Phillies' candidates. I'll post the rosters when they are unveiled.
*
Five more losses until, well, you know.
3 comments:
you don't fix the team this year. as you said, the farm system is weak up top(AAA and AA). but the farm system is extremely strong from the bottom(high A, low A, and the GCL and Williamsport). there are some guys running around in the upper area that i think will pan out to be useful to the big club, but another team isn't going to want to take a flyer on them.
so you basically can't trade prospects for a guy. you have no one on the club you canr eally get rid of and still hope to contend. so that means that gillick must be smart and SELL SELL SELL. get what you can for rowand and maybe even victorino. you can probably get decent position prospects that are a year or two away from going into the majors.
Scott the Burrell and the airport joke gave me a good laugh.
At the beginning of the season yes, but now that hes an all star Rowand should be able to get us more than a prospect or middling reliever.
Hopefully if hes dealt, Gillick will get fair value. Id rather see prospects, who are generally too young to know what type of team they're coming too, and therefore less likely to pack it in once here. (READ: Freddy Garcia)
Post a Comment