Trade: Phillies bolster the rotation with Cliff Lee

Let me come out first and say this right off, I love this trade. The Phillies traded Triple-A right-hander Carlos Carrasco, Class A righty Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson and shortstop Jason Donald will be sent to Cleveland. Carrasco is behind J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek, Knapp is a stud, but is 18 and 2-3 years away, Marson is behind Carlos Ruiz, and Donald behind either Chase Utley or Jimmy Rollins. The Phillies didn’t lose any crucial parts for their future. Whereas Drabek could be in the rotation next year and Dominic Brown could be in the outfield in the next year or so.

That said…

There is a little less than 48 hours left in the trade deadline an the Phillies have some major tradable pieces to go out and strengthen the bullpen. Hell, Cito Gaston even joked that the Phillies could still get Halladay – they still have the pieces to get him.

Cliff Lee is the reigning AL Cy Young winner, has been pitching really well, and is half the price of Halladay. Everyone in this city has been going crazy demanding only one player thinking that this was a guarantee of the World Series but remember this – the Brewers got C.C. Sabathia last year and the Cubs got Rich Harden and neither team made it past the first round. Roy Halladay guaranteed nothing.

Outstanding questions:

• Who is the odd man out of the rotation? Pedro Martinez or Happ?
• The Phillies picked up Ben Francisco, a right handed batting outfielder, so who’s out? John Mayberry Jr or Eric Bruntlett?
• Are there other trades in the offing?

It’s a great time to be a Phillies fan. Not only are we buyers, but we’re buying five star properties and have minor league prospects that other teams covet. Gotta love it. Great job Rueben.

Maybe the Phils should let Roy Halladay get away

I’ve been rethinking the Philies possible acquisition of Roy Halladay. By all accounts, it will take a lot of good talent to get Halladay. And being one of the best pitchers available, it might be worth the risk. But as J.A. Happ continues to make a case for Rookie of the Year honors, you have to wonder if keeping Happ, and finding another, less expensive option would make more sense. In today’s Inquirer, Phillies beat reporter David Murphy discussed the options of going after Dan Haren of the Diamondbacks or Cliff Lee of the Indians. Either would be less expensive (in terms of prospects), younger, and in contract for longer. The other issue with trading J.A. Happ is that it assumes that Martinez fills the 5th spot well. If he doesn’t, then even with Halladay – we still have a problem at 5.

Of course the Phillies are not thinking of that 5th spot and the rest of the season if they trade for Halladay – they’re thinking of the playoffs and having a Cole Hamels/Roy Halladay one, two punch.

I just keep thinking about the Phillies attempting to trade Ryan Howard in 2004 to add an additional piece for that year’s playoff run. Thank god they didn’t. It’s easy to forget that prospects can become important players in the future. Don’t forget that three fourths of the Phillies infield, plus Cole Hamels, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, and Ryan Madson all came through the Phillies farm system. I’m glad I’m not Reuben Amaro Jr. This is as big a decision as you can make – and either way it may be a huge mistake.

Pedro is ok – but Roy Halladay is better

So today the Phils signed Pedro Martinez. That’s fine – he fills a spot that was going to hurt us come playoff time. What bothers me is that there is a big hole in the rotation between Cole Hamels and Cole Hamels. Roy Halladay would fit that hole nicely. What I don’t like is the idea of them trading J.A. Happ for him – especially if that trade also includes Kyle Drabek.

I know that everyone thinks that with the core of the Phillies line-up in their prime, it makes sense to try and win now. I agree somewhat – but I think about how the Braves dynasty was built – Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. Halladay would be a great addition for the next year or so, but Drabek and Happ along with Hamels could be great for the next decade. I know the old saying about potential – it’s a word that means you ain’t worth a damn yet. But there’s an awful lot of potential going to Toronto if this happens.

Thoughts?

Werth added to All-Star roster

To the victor goes the spoils. It always annoyed me to see 7 or 8 Yankees or Res Sox players in the all-star game. Now it’s time for everyone else to be annoyed. Plus, if you think you have a chance yo get to the series, why not load up with your guns and get home field advantage?

Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth has been named to the 2009 National League All-Star roster, replacing New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, who is on the disabled list. Werth was selected by NL manager Charlie Manuel in conjunction with Major League Baseball

Eric Bruntlett is pointless

There, I said it. As fascinating as his flesh-colored lumberjack beard was for a while there, I’m over it. The 9th inning with everything tied up is not the time to pop one up three feet in front of the plate. Thank you for saving the day Shane Victorino!!!

All-star teams announced: Phillies 3 -Mets 4 (players)

The all-star team was announced yesterday and for those that are keeping count, the Phils have 3 players on the team to the Mets’ 4. The fans have a chance to add an additional player in the Final vote (more on that in a second). As expected Ryan Howard was selected to join the team by Charlie Manuel to join Raul Ibañez and Chase Utley. Howard’s numbers aren’t as great as they’ll be, but one of the problems with the All-star game being played in the summer is that players that put up numbers when it counts get screwed. Based on what Howard does year after year, he deserves to be there.

I think Shane Victorino will end up replacing Carlos Beltran anyway, but why not make the point moot? You have a chance to put him in yourself by voting in the Final Vote. Shane versus 4 other high profile snubs: Christian Guzman of the Nationals, Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks, and Pablo Sandoval of the Giants. All have great cases, but I think Shane’s value goes beyond the numbers he puts up. When the team is going well, he’s in the middle of everything; he’s turned himself into the consummate pain in the ass player; that’s a good thing. Growing up, the best example of those types of players were Pete Rose and Lenny Dykstra (in his pre-Phillie/steroid days especially). If you get a chance you should ask C.C. Sabathia what he thinks.

Anytime I hear Shane’s name in trade rumors, I cringe; there’s a reason why so many teams want him. Shane deserves to go to St. Louis just as much as Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, or Raul Ibañez – so put him there.