Phillies season 10

[BigEd76]

Wagner

[Rome]

Edited - I have a feeling Wagner's gone regardless.  Too many bridges burned with management. 

huh? They've been working on a deal with him this whole time. If they didn't want him to stay, there'd have been no talks.

Apparently not.  See/hear Ed's link.

[rjs246]

They should Package Burrell and Rollins for a sack of footballs and a pair of testicles.

[PhillyGirl]

I did. But if he burned bridges with management, it would have been months ago...and they might not have talked more in the last few days as the link stated, but that doesn't mean he hasn't talked at all. Just 3 or so weeks ago he was talking about how they were making progress.

[Rome]

Alright, a little analysis then.

They're not negotiating with him now per the interview.  That leads me to believe that either they're not going to re-sign him or the management team that is in power now isn't free to negotiate with anyone because their heads are on the chopping block.

Either way, I can't see him returning if someone else gets a chance to sign him.  He's made that abundantly clear, PG.  Judging from his comments and the tone of his voice, it's pretty obvious that he wants to return but it takes two to tango.

[BigEd76]

First time in 73 years Phils have had 3 100 RBI guys

Meanwhile, the Yankees just did it for the 4th year in a row... 

(Another quick note:  the Indians teams of 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001 also completed this feat.  Manuel was the hitting coach or manager for those teams.  Just sayin'.....)

[NGM]

If and when Wade gets the axe, the Phils should pursue Cashman from the Yanks.  Last I heard him leaving the organiztion is pretty much a foregone conclusion.  Unless of course the Spankees win the World Series. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092202410.html

Related article.

[Wingspan]

there's no way of knowing how good cashman actually is.

are there any players for the yankees that were groomed by the yankees other than Jeter? (i really dont know the answer). or that they traded for before they were big names (brought in as a prospect)?

it doesnt take a mastermind GM to go out and sign the biggest names each year. just a big open payroll. i mean anyone here (except MDS) could be GM of the yankees.

[NGM]

there's no way of knowing how good cashman actually is.

are there any players for the yankees that were groomed by the yankees other than Jeter? (i really dont know the answer). or that they traded for before they were big names (brought in as a prospect)?

it doesnt take a mastermind GM to go out and sign the biggest names each year. just a big open payroll. i mean anyone here (except MDS) could be GM of the yankees.

I would argue that anything is better than Wade right now and he does have a track record of winning regardless of his payroll.  The Phils went out and spent boatloads of cash and still can't make the playoffs (this year excluded  ).

[Wingspan]

in my opinion the phillies are not that far off from being a more threatening contender. i think the offense is above average, but just lacking leadership and the strikeouts are too high.

the bullpen is ok enough, but every year they get overused and wind up completely ineffective by september, which leads (to the same thing every year) to the need of a #1 pitcher. Leiber, Myers, Padilla (in that order) can be a ver good 2-4 starter set. but we still need to see them get a #1.

basically, i would do this

1)(as someone else said) get rid of Burrell or Abreu, they both have value right now. (maybe a 3B prospect, or a catching prospect.

2a) If this year was just a bad year for Thome: do what you can to teach howard to play the OF, left or right field. (preferably left).

2b) try and trade thome. i dont know how or who. but some AL team must have interest as a DH. or something. i wouldnt want to see howard traded, this kid is for real.

3) get rid of either David Bell or Mike Leiberthal. it's unrealistic that they could get rid of both. but you should replace one of them, preferably bell. If they can get rid of bell, dump tomas perez, sign a new everyday 3B, and let bell sit on the bench and become a utility guy.

4) I would try and keep wagner, although i dont see this happening. Urbina is okay as a closer, but i would still prefer wagner, and i am afraid that the phils will lose him for nothing.

5) if they shore up the 3B or C spot, i am ok with the platoon in CF that could work with Victarino or Michaels or Lofton (if he is resigned).

All this and i am counting on Utley and or Howard as they grow to become more leaders on this team.

[MDS]

You guys can't be serious trying to trade Abreu. All he does is have a .400+ obp, 100 rbi's, 100 runs, 100 walks, a near .300 avg, 20 homers, constantley leads the league in pitchers seen and pitchers per at bat. He is the best player on this team, I think him playing at 50% this past two weeks has warped your mind into thinking hes not that good. He is.

Burrell I wouldn't mind, but right now he's your only right handed power in the lineup. You need someone to break the lefties up somehow. What can you get for him and that contract? I dont know....

[NGM]

Wingspan, I agree with everything you say there, though I just don't see Thome, Bell, or Leiberthal getting traded.  The Phils have a insurmountable aversion to eating any salary.

MDS, I wouldn't trade Abreu but I sure as hell would trade Burrel now.  That guy is a headcase as far as swinging a bat is concerned. 

[MDS]

Burrell has had a great season. Just the past two games he totally blew. And he sucks ass in the clutch. But I'm fine with him. Out of our 4 rbi guys, 2 of them are soft and 2 of them want to bat in the clutch. I guess it evens out.

[rjs246]

Burrell has had a great season. Just the past two games he totally blew. And he sucks ass in the clutch. But I'm fine with him. Out of our 4 rbi guys, 2 of them are soft and 2 of them want to bat in the clutch. I guess it evens out.

Hahahaha. Only Phillies fans...

[MDS]

Must. Stay. Positive.