Ryan Madson and Brett Myers are close friends and co-conspirators of wacky clubhouse hijinks. So, there was some extra bounce in Madson's step (he actually danced a little jig) Friday when Myers rejoined the Phillies after being sidelined for nine weeks with a strained right shoulder.Now, Madson will take Myers' place on the disabled list -- with the exact same injury.
Madson walked off the mound in the eighth inning today with a strained right shoulder and was placed on the DL (Geoff Geary has been recalled from triple-A to replace him). The initial indication is it's a Grade 2 strain, the same degree that kept Myers out for more than two months. If an MRI exam tomorrow in Philly confirms that diagnosis, well, don't expect to see Madson again this season. "If it's a Grade 2 or more," Madson told reporters, "I'll see you guys in spring training."
I'll have more on Madson tomorrow from Chicago, which happens to be my favorite city in the National League. Great food here ... and here ... and here. Breathtaking scenery and architecture. Classic ballpark. Chicago has it all.
*With the trade deadline now two days away, you're bound to hear some strange things. But the possibility of the Pirates dealing Ian Snell has to be among the strangest. I'm not saying the Pirates absolutely, positively will keep Snell. Teams that haven't had a winning season since 1992 tend to some some crazy things. But a month ago, we were talking about Snell as a potential All-Star. He can't be a free agent for at least three more seasons, and he's making only $490,000.
Why, again, would the Pirates trade him?
And people who say Snell was asking to be dealt last week when he questioned his teammates' desire to win obviously don't know Snell. He can be outspoken, not to mention emotional and even flaky. I don't think that was anything more than Snell being Snell.
But, hey, if the Pirates are willing to move him, there won't be any shortage of suitors lining up to take advantage of their stupidity.
*
Another day, another big hit for Chris Clutch, er, Coste.
5 comments:
Scott, I just want to say that you do a great job with the blog and I enjoy reading it every day. That aside, what do you think should be done with the Chris Coste situation? Clearly, Rod Barajas has shown that he can't come through in the clutch while Coste seems to do it nearly each and every game he plays. Do you think the Phillies would try to release Barajas, or is he a burden to the 25-man roster until the season is over?
Also, Geary's numbers in Ottawa looked pretty good, so hopefully he'll be able to fill Madson's spot, especially since Madson has been doing so well as of late. If Madson ends up having a Grade 2 strain like Myers has seemingly recovered from, let's just hope that he meant to say "I'll see you guys in October" instead of spring training.
Zach: Thanks for the kind words. Regarding the Barajas-Coste situation, let's see how the roster looks after the trade deadline. If the Phillies move Michael Bourn for pitching help, they theoretically could keep three catchers, even after Jayson Werth returns.
Otherwise, their choices are to a) designate Barajas for assignment (sort of like they did with Sal Fasano and Ryan Franklin last season) or b) send Coste back to the minors. Charlie Manuel loves Coste. But he loved Coste during spring training, too, and there wasn't a roster spot for him. As I wrote the other day in the newspaper, it'll be difficult for Pat Gillick and the braintrust to ignore what Coste is doing.
You have to believe that Gillick has something personal against Coste. That has to be the only logical explanation for his not being with the team out of Clearwater.
And regarding the Bourn/Reyes debate, Id say this: we just got Iguchi for a Single A player. Id hold Bourn back and try to get Reyes cheaper. Obviously, it can be done.
Paul W: One MAJOR difference between the Iguchi deal and any trade the Phillies would make for someone like Reyes: Iguchi doesn't pitch.
As we've been saying all along, the price for pitching is astronomical. So, if you want a young pitcher like Reyes who is under contract for the next several years, you're going to have to pay with someone like Bourn. In fact, Bourn probably doesn't get you Reyes. The Phillies likely would need to throw in a lower-level prospect or two to even out the deal.
I'm wondering if Bourn, Happ and Cardenas would be enough to get Snell.
I don't know if the Lohse acquisition means they are done dealing, but they shouldn't be.
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