Sunday, July 29, 2007

July 29 -- REYES OF HOPE?

Heard an interesting rumor last night after our final deadline for the 50-cent edition. The Phillies dispatched major-league scouting director Gordon Lakey to St. Louis to watch Anthony Reyes, the Cardinals' down-on-his-luck right-hander who was making his first start since returning from triple-A. Reyes gave up two runs on two hits and struck out four in six innings against the Brewers to earn his first win in his 13th start. It's possible the Cardinals could be interested in Michael Bourn.

MY TAKE: If I'm the Phillies, and I can get Reyes for Bourn straight-up (or in a package with a B-level prospect), I make the trade. Yes, Reyes is 1-10 with a 6.11 ERA this season. But he allowed four runs or less in his first seven starts, and the Cardinals scored a grand total of eight runs for him. He's also the same guy who beat the Detroit Tigers with eight stellar innings in Game 1 of the World Series last October. Reyes is only 25 years old, making a mere $392,000 this season and not eligible for free agency until at least 2013. And while it's true that some prospects never fulfill expectations (see Floyd, Gavin), some need only a fresh start to thrive. Reyes has the talent and potential to help the Phillies, both now and in the future.

Thoughts?

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As you might imagine, the game story in today's paper focuses on Chris Coste and his big 4-RBI night. Not sure how the Phillies would be able to justify sending Coste back to the minors and keeping Rod Barajas when Jayson Werth returns. In his six starts this month, Coste is batting 8-for-26 (.308) with one homer and five RBIs. Barajas is 3-for-15 (.200) with no RBIs in five starts in July.

The notebook opens with Brett Myers' successful return. Within The News Journal's Sunday baseball notes, you'll find my suggestion for the Phillies' lineup without Chase Utley. How would your lineup look?


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Jimmy Rollins was snubbed for the All-Star Game when the selections were announced July 1. That day, he homered against the Mets, starting a stretch in which he's batting .317 (33-for-104) with three triples, seven homers and 17 RBIs in 22 games.

Asked if he's playing with a chip on his shoulder because he didn't make the All-Star team, Rollins said, "Truthfully, I didn't even think about it. I didn't really expect to go to the All-Star Game, to be honest with you. It would've been nice, but that's just the way it is. If I get to do it next year, in New York, on that stage, that would be great. I'd love to go, but we have a lot of other things to do here besides play in All-Star games."

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Stat of the day: Rollins has 57 extra-base hits this season. Alex Rodriguez has 60.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

bourn straight up for Reyes? show me the paperwork.

if utley didn't go out injured a month, this team would have a historic offense. i don't think the NL has seen something like this before. 6 players with 20+ homeruns? right now 6 of the top 10 in OBP are on the phillies. the top 3 would of all had over 100 runs, maybe even the top 4.

mind boggling.

Anonymous said...

Is it just me or does how Reyes wear his hat annoy anyone else? I wouldn't do it because Rowand is having his career year and Bourn is cheaper (more money for pitchers). And c'mon, he lost 10 games already, and has been jumping between AAA and the Majors.

Interesting fact of the day btw.

Anonymous said...

A FB pitcher in CBP? No thanks. Almost 50% of the balls in play against Reyes are FB. In his win v. Milwaukee, 3 GB outs and 10 FB outs.

They need to do better than that.

And while Reyes is cheap, is he good? If you trade Bourn, you need to pay Rowand or find another OF.

I'd prefer they spend Rowand $$ on a quality pitcher and keep bourne.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure how I'd feel about Reyes pitching half his games in CBP. Sure, he was highly touted last year, but his fly-ball tendencies don't bode well for the Bank. Interesting, nonetheless.