Two Birds, One Stone and the Defending Champs...

On the heels of one of the most hyped and rumored potential trades in Philadelphia Phillies history, involving acquiring storied right handed pitcher Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. appears to have snuck in the back door and snagged a different front line starter, along with a capable right handed bat, instead of giving up top prospects Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown, along with major league starter J.A. Happ for Halladay, to help carry his team into the postseason for a third consecutive year.

While there have already been numerous stories printed, written, spoken and blogged about the centerpiece of the deal, 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee, what really puts this deal over the top is that the Phils also made off with a very capable right handed bat to bring off of the bench in the name of Ben Francisco.

Francisco, twenty eight years old from Santa Ana, CA, may be just what the Phils were looking for, aside from a starting pitcher. He is a right handed hitter with pop in his bat and even has some speed to burn on the base paths. In three hundred and eight at bats this season, Francisco is only hitting .250 but has compiled ten homeruns and even stolen thirteen bases so far, numbers that the Phils will be more than happy with from a pinch hitter and utility outfielder.

What may be getting overlooked about Ben Francisco is that he not only gives Phillies manager Charlie Manuel some much needed pop off the bench from the right side, but also some speed as well. In recent years Manuel has loved the ability to put guys like Michael Bourn and Chris Roberson in to pinch run late in games to have that extra burst of speed on the bases that guys like Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz simply don’t have. For the most part in fact, he has been without a guy like that since 2007, until now.

All in all, the acquisition of Cliff Lee is of course, the thing that puts the Phillies in prime position to at least get back to the post seeason, for a third consecutive year, but in the National League, where the benches are such a factor because of pinch hitting for pitchers, Ben Francisco makes the Phillies, arguably one of the best benches in all of baseball and may help lift them through the playoffs and back into the World Series. Kudos to Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies for going out and doing what it takes to make their already impressive team better without giving away the entire future.
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How many sides to one story can there be?

Not that this is new for me when it comes to the Mets, but I'm confused. I like to think of myself as someone who stays on top of the latest information - but am I the only one who didn't know the Mets were in talks with the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay? According to a July, 20 2009 Daily News article, SI.com reported that the Jays offered the Mets Halladay for Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Ruben Tejada and Jon Niese.

Why wouldn't Omar Minaya strongly consider that deal? Even if the GM considered this year a lost cause, which I'm not sure they do yet, Halladay could fully contribute to next season as well. With the team that was assembled in preparation for the 2009 season, there's no telling where the Mets would be in the standings if everyone stayed healthy. I'd even go so far as to say they'd still be a definite contender.

Of all the episodes of Baseball Tonight and Sports Center I've watched on ESPN over the past few weeks, not once have I heard mention of the Mets in the conversation with Halladay. I know they have a lot of needs right now, the most important probably being a bat, but what could it hurt to add, quite possibly, the best pitcher in the majors?

And as awful as people have deemed the Mets Farm System, it doesn't seem as far gone as we're to believe. For some specifics, check out Eddie D'Anna's article on SIlive.com.

Since Minaya has been around, he has made some interesting moves. Some have worked out, others haven't - and like I've said before, it's hard to know how much blame you can place on the GM and manager when it seems that the talent just may not be there. But what's the case against Halladay? Or making any move right now? I'm not sold either way, but I'd love for him to come out and tell us something. His cryptic quotes are getting a little old. I'd like his side, but in understandable, logical terms. Read more!

There’s no need to argue, Ruben just don’t understand

I get that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn’t want to give up Kyle Drabek as well as J.A. Happ in a trade for the much-coveted Roy Halladay. But the Blue Jays organization has made it incredibly clear that a trade without both of them involved is going to be nearly impossible to negotiate. They made this clear by quickly rejecting a four-for-one trade with three of the Phillies best prospects and Happ. Now, the burning question is this: who cracks first?

The Phils latest offer was Happ, OF Michael Taylor, RHP Carlos Carrasco, and SS Jason Donald. This isn’t a terrible trade, except for the fact that Toronto wants Happ, Drabek and OF Dominic Brown. I get why Drabek was removed from the deal, but Brown? If Ruben’s going to get Halladay on the cheap, it’s not going to be off the $.99 cent rack: we have to give them SOMETHING that they want. Brown is going to have to be in this trade whether the Phillies like it or not.

And call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first) but if we’re grabbing Halladay to make us a favorite for a run this year then I say screw keeping Drabek and let’s keep Happ who’s had an amazing 2009. He recently tied a Phillies record of eight-straight wins, which included a win from 2008, and except for a sub-par showing on Friday night he’s been lights out all season.

If you trade away Happ then our rotation is only slightly better than what it is now. There’s still going to be a hole somewhere, and I’m not completely convinced that Pedro Martinez is the Mighty Putty we’ve been looking for all season. There’s a reason why he was still in the Dominican Republic halfway through the season, but the Phils front office is too desperate to realize that right now.

Here’s the thing: if the Phillies are welcome to a four-for-one trade, then there’s no reason why they don’t come out of this on top. Toronto is in some tight binds financially and they know Halladay won’t be there when it comes time for free agency. All they want is something that’s going to let them save face in trading away the only active pitcher with 100+ wins and no playoff appearances.

So Rube, if you’re listening, make them a four-for-one they can’t refuse: Drabek, Brown, Taylor and Donald. They would be getting four outstanding prospects, all of whom were once on your “untouchable” list, and we would get to keep both Happ and Carrasco. Prospects are a dime a dozen and every team out there has the next Nolan Ryan somewhere in their farm system.

The truth is, no one knows how good Drabek will be until he stops pitching to wannabes and starts pitching to the big boys. Let them be disappointed, as most “untouchable” prospects do disappoint, and we’ll be laughing all the way to our second straight World Series win.

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Ruben, it's a no-brainer

Friday night J.P. Ricciardi and the Toronto Blue Jays made public their list of demands from the Phillies for pitcher Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays are asking for pitcher J.A. Happ, minor league pitcher Kyle Drabek, and minor league outfielder Dominic Brown. Reports out of Philadelphia, however, are that the Phillies and General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. do not want to make the deal for fear they are giving up too much, and honestly, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

If that is all Toronto is asking from the Phils, I will gladly pack each of their bags and drive them to Philadelphia International Airport. Yes, the Phillies would be getting rid of new fan-favorite J.A. Happ, who is a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. Yes, the Phils would be giving up their top prospect in the minors in Kyle Drabek, whom most fans in Philadelphia think is the second coming of Nolan Ryan but who also have never seen pitch. Yes, the Phillies would be trading away minor league outfielder Dominic Brown, who I am certain most Philadelphians couldn’t even tell you on what minor league team he plays. But, what the team would be getting in return far outweighs what they would be giving up.

For the fans who want to hold onto the minor leaguers like Eagles coach Andy Reid holds on to draft picks, they need to remember that prospects are players that scouts and minor league managers think have the potential to be impact players in the big leagues. They are not guaranteed stars, so to treat them as if they are, especially the pitching ones, is ridiculous. For every Cole Hamels there is a Tyler Green. Sure, there might be a player or two you don’t want to trade away, but sometimes you have to be willing to take that gamble and hope it pays off. When you have an established major league team that is already winning (like the Phillies), then the talent in the minor leagues become the pawn pieces used to tweak or bolster a roster for a playoff run.

In that case, the trade essentially becomes Halladay for Happ, which should be a no-brainer for the Phillies GM. In his start Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, Halladay pitched nine innings and struck out 10 on his way to a no-decision, and the Blue Jays ended up losing the game 4-2 in 10 innings. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, J.A. Happ gave up five earned runs in six innings of work against the Cardinals on his way to his first loss of the season. Happ is good, and he has the potential to be a decent starting pitcher in the majors, but Halladay is an ace, and aces don’t exactly grow on trees.

And if that doesn’t sell Ruben, instead of looking at who the Phillies would be giving up in a trade, look at who they would be keeping. They would be keeping Lehigh Valley outfielder Michael Taylor, who is hitting bombs in the minor leagues like Ryan Howard used to do. They would be holding on to minor league pitchers Joe Savery, who is 12-3 for Reading, and Carlos Carrasco, who I think now may be included in a deal to get a right-handed bat off the bench. The Phillies would also be keeping shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, who could be with the club next season with Chris Coste gone and Paul Bako being 37 years old himself. Plus, the Phillies still have newly signed and former three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez they can plug into the rotation, and there are even talks about the injured Brett Myers rejoining the squad (probably in the bullpen) some time in August.

The Phillies are built to win now, so they need a player that can help them win now. Their core players are in their prime and are actually signed for the next couple of years. If the Phillies were an up and coming team, then I would encourage Ruben Amaro, Jr. to hold on to the prospects in the minors, but they are not. They are a defending world champion looking to repeat, and acquiring arguably the best pitcher in the American League makes the Phillies the hands-on favorite to do so.
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Halladay or No Halladay, Let's Have Some Faith...

Halladay, Halladay, and yes, you guessed it, more Halladay. Roy Halladay’s name has been tossed around so much in the Philadelphia area the past month or so that people who, thirty days ago didn’t know Roy Halladay from a national holiday, have become masterful experts with opinions as loud as gunfire on the pitcher. Of course, it’s not a bad thing to have this many people interested in the Phillies. In fact, it’s a welcome change of pace from years past when the majority of the region was ready for football season by the beginning of July. While the majority of fans seem to be willing to acquire Halladay at any cost, perhaps we should try to recall some very recent history.

Last season, the Brewers gave up a ton in prospects, including top outfield prospect Matt Laporta, to essentially “rent” C.C. Sabathia for a couple of months. The Cubs gave up four of their most highly regarded prospects to get Rich Harden. The Phillies, however, made the smallest splash in acquiring Joe Blanton for three prospects. Only one of these teams won the World Series.

While most media outlets proclaimed Milwaukee and Chicago sure favorites in the National League with their respective acquisitions, the Phils flew a little bit under the radar with theirs. In the end, it was the team who made the smallest splash at the trading deadline that made the biggest splash in the postseason.

This of course is not to say that Phillies fans shouldn’t be ecstatic if the team does, in fact, make a deal to put “Doc” Halladay in red pinstripes, but it is to say that they should not be overly disappointed if they do not. Given the Phils’ track record the past couple of seasons, maybe it’s time we had a little faith that they might make the right move, even if it’s not the loudest one.
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All Talk and No Action Makes Omar a Dull Boy

Yesterday was of those all talk and no action days for the Mets. As if to take the focus off the weekend’s debacle series against the Braves, GM Omar Minaya addressed the media to update everyone on the status of his and manager Jerry Manuel’s job security, as well as on the Mets’ stance on the looming trade deadline. Since Omar often speaks in a circumlocutious manner, let’s analyze the meaning behind the giant puffs of hot air spewing forth from his mouth.

Job Security

In addressing reporters on Monday, Minaya spoke of an encouraging conversation with Jeff Wilpon that ironically occurred just as the Mets were being swept by their cross-town rivals, the Yankees. In this ill-timed conversation, Jeff Wilpon said, "I want you to be our general manager, and I want Jerry to be our manager." In an amusing twist, when Jerry Manuel was asked about this vote of confidence prior to the game, he said that he hadn’t recently spoken to Jeff Wilpon about this! Perhaps Omar should have filled Jerry in that he was about to rehash an old conversation to the media! Where’s PR Director, Jay Horowitz in all of this? Maybe still hanging out in St. Louis from the All-Star game?

Ok, I digress…But now, considering this vote of confidence came about two weeks ago before the wheels completely came off the bus, what was the point of Omar bringing this up to the media now? Could it be a message to the fans that Omar and Jerry bear no culpability for the state of this season given the injury situation? Or is it more of a message to the players that both Omar and Jerry will be back next year and to not mail it in the rest of this season? Players give up when they sense a manager’s mortality. Maybe this is management’s way of saving Jerry Manuel from becoming a lame duck. Who knows really what they are thinking. After all, this is the same front office that flew Ryan Church with a concussion, flew Willie Randolph from New York to California to fire him at 3AM and flew Carlos Delgado to Los Angeles to put him on the disabled list. Clearly, at the end of the day, what they say and what they do are two totally different stories. It may just be that with the whole Bernie Madoff loss, the Wilpons really don’t want to fire Omar and still have to pay him for the three year extension they so foolishly bestowed upon him last year. The same goes for having to pay Jerry Manuel for 2010. As we all know, though, the Mets change their minds as frequently as they change their underwear so only time will tell if one or both still hold their jobs next season when the Mets finish 2009 in fourth place.

Trade Deadline

In an effort to save face with the legions of disappointed fans, yesterday, Omar addressed the team’s stance on the looming trade deadline. "Are we buyers? We're going to continue to talk to different clubs," he said. "If we have the opportunity to improve the club, does that make us buyers? Yes. We're going to continue to talk to clubs."

Pardon me for asking, but what exactly does this mean, Omar? Are you sure you have command of the English language because essentially, this is a giant circle of BS and you are tap dancing around a straight answer. All we as fans ask is to just be honest. Are you buying or selling at the trade deadline? Or are you standing pat? What is the approach here?

Clearly you really have nothing to sell that’s going to bring you anything of value. And you really have nothing with which to buy with. The Mets have no real prospects of interest, and again, I have a sneaking suspicion that thanks to good old Bernie M., the Wilpons either don’t have the funds or don’t want to spend them. If they do have the funds and the rumored Halladaytrade proposal from the Blue Jays is true, you would have to be smoking crack not to jump at the deal. Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Ruben Tejada for Halladay is a no-brainer if you can get Halladay to agree to an extension. This is as one-sided a deal as the Santana coup was. Martinez looks more and more like the bust Alex Escobar was every day. Niese projects to be a fourth starter at best. Parnell has shown cracks in his armor the last two months and Tejada will likely never play shortstop for the Mets unless Reyes is unloaded. You have no farm system as it is so what’s a few more mid-level prospects? The Jays aren’t even asking for your two best prospects in Brad Holt and Jenryy Meijia. Even though the Mets look done for 2009, to have Halladay and Santana pitching next year is about as dominant as you can get. You add a bat to replace Delgado’s and you’re 85% on your way to a division title. And Halladay doesn’t go to the Phils or any other NL East team. What are you thinking?

Somehow, I get the feeling this trade proposal really is a rumor because if it isn’t and the Mets just won’t even consider it then Omar definitely needs to go…and if it’s the Wilpons being reluctant to let Omar do this then they should just sell the team, make back some of that lost Madoff money and call it a day.

And what did Omar have to say about all of this? "That rumor's out there right now, but I'm not going to comment about rumors.”

Well, Omar, do you know what I have to say about this? Until you and the front office are forthright with the fans about what your plans are for this team and how you plan to fix this giant mess, maybe you ought to keep your mouths closed instead of spewing a bunch of nothing as a placebo. Mets fans are loyal to a fault. We have put up with way more losing and disappointment than success and yet we return every season with new hopes and dreams. Clearly, we hate ineptness, but we can deal with it. Deception, however, whether intentional or not, is unforgiveable so don’t go there…We deserve better. Oh, and come September, if anyone is thinking of making Jerry Manuel take the fall for this lost season, you had better make sure Bobby Valentine is locked in to take his place. He’s probably one of the few people I trust to put words into action and turn this ship around. Read more!

Phillies making headlines off as well as on the field

The Phillies are 7-1 on their current homestand, bouncing back from an atrocious road trip. They swept the hated Mets, took three of four from the Reds, and took game one of the three-game series versus the Pirates. Their offense, led by the revival of Jimmy Rollins, seems to have found its groove. The starting pitching is living up to its expectations by going deeper into games and not giving up many runs. The bullpen is finally starting to hold on at the end of games.

These things alone will have any Phillies fan talking enthusiastically about the team, especially since all of the above were things that weren’t really clicking in the opening months of the 2009 campaign. The team couldn’t win at home, Jimmy Rollins looked lost, and the pitching was in shambles. However, it is the off-the-field rumors and activities that are making Philadelphia the new windy city.

It was earlier in the week that Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi made a statement that the team is now willing to talk trade for their ace pitcher, Roy Halladay. Halladay is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA this season and would certainly be a valuable acquisition to a team already defending a world championship and whose starting rotation has a slew of injuries. What Ricciardi neglected to mention was that the Jays basically have Halladay tied to a chair with a blindfold on and are reading off a list of demands if anyone wants him. From the Phillies, who seem to be one of the top suitable teams interested, Ricciardi literally wants the farm (Drabek, Taylor, and Donald for starters) as well as some starting pitching as well (Happ). Although the 32-year old pitcher would be that vital Game 2 starter in the playoffs the Phillies would so desperately need if they wish to repeat, is he really worth significantly overpaying this much?

The Phillies are also said to have interest in former three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez. The 37-year old pitcher has been out of baseball this season but has had a few teams show interest in him as of late. This week Martinez threw a three inning simulated game for the Phillies at their Dominican Republic complex. Sources say that Pedro’s agent is in constant talks with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., as well as other teams, but it looks like the Phillies seem to be Martinez’s top choice. Pedro’s most recent stint came with the New York Mets, where they grossly overpaid for a pitcher who, in four years, only yielded them 32 wins. I am certain that the Mets will be more than thrilled to see the Phillies sign a pitcher that even they didn’t want.

On a lighter note, earlier in the week, the MLB All Star Game’s rosters were finalized, and the Phillies are well-represented. Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel will be managing the NL squad, and second basemen Chase Utley and outfielder Raul Ibanez were named starters to the team. Manuel then named first baseman Ryan Howard to the roster to back up at first base as well. On Thursday, Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino won the fan choice with over 15 million votes for the final roster spot. Then on Friday, Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth was named to the team to replace Mets injured outfielder Carlos Beltran.

Friday also saw the end of Chris Coste’s career as a Philadelphia Phillie. Coste was waived by the team yesterday to make room on the roster for Raul Ibanez, who returned off the disabled list before Friday night’s 3-2 victory over the Pirates. Coste spent 11 years in the minor leagues before actually making the Phillies roster four years ago at age 33. In his time in Philadelphia, he batted .282 with 23 home runs and 98 RBI’s.

The Phillies still have two games left against the Pirates before heading into the all star break, which ironically doesn’t appear to be much of a break for a lot of their players. The team is playing hot right now, and history has shown us that their best baseball has yet to come, although most fans believe that a roster move needs to be made if the team is going to win down the stretch. Read more!

A Phillies Dream Scenario

While the Phillies play on the field has steadily improved since their recent return home (and who would have thought that?), they've also made a few headlines off the field as well. Between Shane Victorino's All Star campaign, Roy Halladay rumors, and a potential Pedro Martinez signing, there has been plenty to keep a Phillies fan busy between games over the last few days. With that in mind, let's take a look a scenario based on real possibilities that would take place for the Phightin' Phils in a perfect world...

The Phillies sign Pedro Martinez. As an isolated transaction, I don't really support this move. But every indication is that this thing is happening, so we might as well get on board. I'm concerned that Pedro hasn't been healthy or effective for several years, he doesn't seem to be much more than a 5 or 6 inning pitcher, and I don't like how his stuff plays at Citizen's Bank Park. Also, he still has a little too much of the Mets stink on him for my liking, and frankly, I just don't want to root for him. That's not to say there isn't some upside there, especially if he is as healthy as he claims to be. But...

This could and should be a precursor to the Phillies trading for Roy Halladay. If the Phils sign Martinez, it could free them up to include JA Happ in the deal for Halladay. I've written at length about Halladay here (short summary: Yes. Do it. Kyle Drabek? Sure. Dominic Brown? Enjoy.), and I like Happ a lot and would prefer not to trade him. But Happ's ceiling isn't as high as some of the other top pitching prospects the Phillies have in the system and his inclusion in the deal likely means that they'd probably get to keep at least two out of a group that consists of Kyle Drabek, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, and Antonio Bastardo. They'd probably also get to keep either Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown (one would likely have to go) and all of a sudden the farm doesn't look as decimated as everyone says it will be if Halladay is acquired. It will likely take 4 or 5 very good to great prospects to get the Toronto ace, but with the core of talent the Phillies have in their primes at the major league level, the team can weather the loss when the return is only THE BEST PITCHER IN BASEBALL. But wait, the dream isn't over...

Brett Myers makes his triumphant return. I promised that I would try to make this somewhat realistic, and I am. My plan is not for Myers to return to the rotation. My plan is for him to return to the bullpen. You see, Myers has been cleared to start a throwing program any day now and if the team gears his rehab toward a return to the bullpen, the process is much shorter than if his goal is to return to the rotation. Myers' stated objective is to come back and pitch this season, and just about every indication is that a return to the rotation this season probably isn't realistic. But a return to the bullpen could be. If he can return sometime near the beginning of September, that ought to give him plenty of time to find himself a groove and allow the team to settle on a role for him. If all goes according to plan, and everyone stays healthy and pitches relatively close to established norms, take a gander at this playoff staff:

Rotation: Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer, Pedro Martinez (with one of the last two a playoff long man)
Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, JC Romero, Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, Brett Myers, Chad Durbin/Clay Condrey

Oh, and you know our offense can score a run or two, right?

So did you enjoy that big parade we had in Philly last year? Yeah, me too. Let's do that again. Hey, a guy can dream, right...

If you really want to, you can also read me at MikeonthePhillies.
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A Cy Young winner among us?

The Blue Jays are shopping ace Roy Halladay and it has been reported the Phillies are one of the teams interested. On Tuesday morning it was reported that Toronto Blue Jay’s General Manager J.P. Ricciardi would entertain offers for the team’s ace and 2003 American League Cy Young winner Roy Halladay.

Halladay, recently off a stint on the 15-day disabled list, owns a 10-2 record and a 2.79 ERA.

The two-time 20-game winner has one year left on his current contract worth $15.75 million as well as a no-trade clause on his contract in which he has said he would waive if the situation was good for him and for the team.

In order to beat out the trade offers from teams such as the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels, the Phillies will have to give up a hefty package to obtain the hard-throwing righty.

Scott Lauber from The News Journal reported via twitter that a Blue Jays scout was in attendance at Citizens Bank Park tonight which may mean Toronto is interested in J.A. Happ as part of the deal.

But that’s certainly not all it would take to land Halladay.

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman said he heard Ricciardi is looking for a shortstop. Maybe minor-league youngster Jason Donald would work in that regard.

But if the Phils want Halladay, they would have to give up at least one of their young studs from the farm system: Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Dominic Brown, Yohan Flande, Joe Savery, or Michael Taylor.

If I’m Reuben Amaro, I am working out a deal with any of those guys with the exception of Drabek, who I give up if all else fails.

The time for this team is now with the nucleus of players — Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels — Halladay, a 6-6 right-handed ace, is what this team needs if it wants to get back to the World Series and be the last team standing in October.
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