NASHVILLE -- Good morning. Day 3 of the winter meetings is upon us. A few thoughts, big and small, as I set up the ole' computer for another long day ...* Before anyone gets too giddy about the Phillies' Haagen-Dazs meeting to woo Tadahito Iguchi, keep this in mind: The Brewers have talked about moving NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to left field, which would open a spot at third base (their trade talks for Scott Rolen apparently are dead). They're also looking for a situational hitter who gets on base. If they're willing to give Iguchi a multiyear deal, he'd be a good fit. And Iguchi lives in Chicago, so agent Rocky Hall said he'd be open to going to nearby Milwaukee. By the way, Hall is scheduled to meet with the Brewers today. So, stay tuned.
* Didn't make the paper: There is precedent for the waiver Iguchi would be seeking from the commissioner's office to allow him to re-sign with the team that released him after the season. Former catcher Steve Lake actually re-signed with the Phillies by obtaining the waiver in 1989. From talking to Hall, it sounds like getting the waiver is doable. But it's also time-consuming.
* Spoke to Charlie Manuel yesterday, and he expressed doubt over Bartolo Colon's health. Indications are the Phillies are higher on Kris Benson than any of the other pitchers rehabbing from arm injuries. As you'd expect, Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, told me yesterday that Benson is doing just fine. He'll prove it Dec. 17 by working out for the Phillies and nine other teams in Arizona.
* Now that the Tigers have pulled off the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis blockbuster, what becomes of Brandon Inge? Whispers in the lobby late last night were that Inge will be traded, perhaps giving the Phillies another third-base option, if they're so inclined. Inge, you should know, batted only .236 with 14 homers, 71 RBIs and a .688 OPS, the same number as the trio of Wes Helms, Abraham Nunez and Greg Dobbs that combined to give the Phillies the lowest third-base OPS in the NL last season. Inge also has three years and $19 million left on his contract.
* It's starting to sound like the Mets' "solution" to their starting pitching problems won't be Dan Haren or Erik Bedard, but rather free-agent Livan Hernandez.
* For the first time, Pat Gillick indicated the Phils may trade a top prospect or two for pitching help. So, for the right return, Carlos Carrasco, Joe Savery, Josh Outman or Adrian Cardenas may be had. You play GM: What would it take for you to give up one or more of those guys?
Plenty more later today, including Manuel's forecast for 2008.
13 comments:
What about only giving up one of those guys, you probably don't even have to use any of those guys, and going after Derrick Lowe from the Dodgers or somebody like that? I remember hearing stuff about him during the season, so maybe he is still available.
I would give up any two of them in a heart beat for Haren. A trio of Haren, Hamels, Myers heading our rotation for the next 3years would put us in a great position. Haren's affordable contract wouldn't hinder us financially either.
Do you think an Outman, Savery, Kenndrick deal would be enough or am I overvaluing our players?
You're overvaluing them. Not to mention Savory isn't eligible to be traded yet. Why do I know this but the guy writing the blog doesn't?
Why do you not know how to spell Savery?
screw you, mister delaware. this is the most complete and intelligible phillies blog out there
He's not a savory snack, Mister Delaware. Plus, Gillick is the one who said he'd trade him; Scott's the reporter, and with this blog, his job is to get information to us as soon as possible. Thanks for being at lesat the 69th person to quickly and obnoxiously point that info out on a blog, though.
But honestly, why is Gillick suddenly flipping all of his cards over? Admitting we're chasing Iguchi, admitting that the best prospects are available - I don't see his negotiating strategy. Either he's extremely sure that he's got something good cooking, or he's trying to appease us fans with a "Look, we're trying!" Either way, it seems kinda odd.
BEDARD BEDARD BEDARD
I'd really hate to see Cardenas traded ... I'd rather give up all of the aforementioned pitching prospects instead of Cardenas. We have so few REAL position playing prospects I greedily want to keep our one true blue chipper!
One thing is for sure ... before Gillick completes any deals involving prospects ... he better get an MRI, cat scan, urine sample and finger nail scrapings from the guy we're getting in return!!!
Kevmac: You're overrating their prospects. Carrasco may be good, but he isn't regarded around baseball the same way Andrew Miller, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and many other names we're hearing are.
Mister Delaware: Thanks for the note. I was referring to trading prospects, in general. So, the reference to Savery was a down-the-line sort of thing.
Jamie: I know where you're coming from, but it's not happening. Sorry.
What we need is a person in charge of the Phillies that has the ability to mesh the long term strategy with the short term. We have to be very careful with Gillick, he might mortgage the future with a short term fix. He is leaving after this season and will leave a mess for the next person, just like Brown with the Sixers. Be very careful with Gillick, VERY CAREFUL!
I'd be curious to see if anyone wants these "prospects." None are near major league ready.
by the way, Savery COULD "effectively" be traded - by using the PTBNL.
Then after 1 year from draft date, you name the player....
Hmm, personally I would like to see us save our young guys...especially the farm arms. Let Carrasco, Savery, and Happ develop and hopefully contribute in the next year or two. Baseball has suddenly become a game of good farm players again (look at the sox and yanks).
As for the short term, I really wouldn't mind a 2 year deal of Kris Benson if hes healthy enough to go. As for the infield, I personally wish we could bring back tadahito, as well as resign abraham nunez. Follow that up with a designation for assignment mr wes helms. Personally, I feel like Aaron Rowand is someone we can not let go...and must find a way to get a deal done with him, even if it means offering maybe only 9-10 a year and give him the 5 year committment he wants. The NL East is and should be the phils for a long time to come, lets make sure we keep it that way
Post a Comment