Phillies Offseason Talk

[MDS]

Why are you always talking about jizz?

[PhillyPhreak54]

Anyone else see Padres Super Scout Ed Wade on CSN? They showed him at a retirement ceremony for MDS'sU baseball coach. Wade spoke because he is a Temple Alum. Anyways he was up there making fun of himself and the firedwade.com site. What a loser.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Jayson Stark on ESPN.com:

Five seasons have roared by since a pitcher named Curt Schilling talked his way out of Philadelphia.

Since then, Schilling has won 20 games in a season three times. No Phillies pitcher has done it any times. Schilling also has won seven postseason games since then -- while no Phillie has thrown a postseason inning.

So from the day Pat Gillick arrived in Philadelphia as the new GM, he has made it clear exactly what the Phillies need, and exactly what he'd be shopping for -- an ace. A real ace. A Schilling-esque ace. A guy, he says, "who can strike people out ... who can stop a losing streak."

Now, with just a few weeks left before spring training, he's still rolling his shopping cart up and down those offseason aisles. But Gillick still hasn't found what he's looking for.

Using Bobby Abreu as his prime currency, Gillick has spent the winter chasing an ace collection that included Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Carlos Zambrano, Mark Prior, Javier Vazquez, Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Erik Bedard and, more recently, any and every starter on the White Sox roster.

Well, it's a hell of a shopping list, anyway. But not one pitcher in that crowd went anywhere this winter -- except for Vazquez, who put the Phillies on his no-trade list. In fact, not one starting pitcher who won more than 15 games changed teams anywhere in this entire offseason, either by trade or free agency.

So if you're just going by the principle that it's tough to buy what isn't on the shelves, it's been a rough winter to go ace-hunting.

But that doesn't get the Phillies any closer to ending that 12-year playoff drought. And it's no consolation to a GM who isn't interested in any five-year renovation plans.

Gillick stunned the press corps and fans of Philadelphia the other day by announcing, bluntly, that he's "not satisfied" with the job he's done this winter. Then he topped that lightning bolt by uttering words you almost never hear a GM utter -- that his team, as its pitching staff is constructed right now, isn't good enough to win its division.

In some towns, remarks like that would get the GM fired. In Philadelphia, it actually won Gillick rave reviews from a fan base tired of hearing their favorite mutt was a threat to run off with the gold medal at the Westminster Dog Show.

But that isn't the kind of winning this GM is interested in. So he hasn't torn up that shopping list. And he won't.

The latest buzz is that Gillick has been talking to the White Sox about swapping Abreu for one of their "excess" starters. But the White Sox don't want to take on money. They're not interested in moving Mark Buehrle or Freddy Garcia. And Jon Garland and Jose Contreras don't quite fit the mold of pitcher the Phillies want back for Abreu.

So the Phillies also are attempting to move outfielder Jason Michaels for an eighth-inning setup man. (Michaels to Cleveland for Rafael Betancourt, David Riske or Arthur Rhodes apparently has been bounced around, without success.) And if that doesn't fly, a package of pitcher Robinson Tejeda and A-ball prospects is another option.

Adding a setup arm would free Ryan Madson to head for the rotation, where he went 59-34 in the minor leagues and started both the Double-A and Triple-A All-Star games. But as good as Madson could be, he's closer to Steve Trachsel than Pedro Martinez.

So Gillick now talks about making a deal in March. Or even July. For now, there are worse Opening Day options than starting Jon Lieber -- a pitcher who won more games last year (17) than any other 2004-'05 free agent. But Pat Gillick wants to get him help.

And his tenure in his new town might well be judged by whether he succeeds.

[Geowhizzer]

Jayson Stark on ESPN.com:

Gillick stunned the press corps and fans of Philadelphia the other day by announcing, bluntly, that he's "not satisfied" with the job he's done this winter. Then he topped that lightning bolt by uttering words you almost never hear a GM utter -- that his team, as its pitching staff is constructed right now, isn't good enough to win its division.

At least Gillick can acknowledge that we're not stupid enough to believe the party line, like Ed Wade was apparently too stupid or too arrogant (or both) to do...

This team will, as constituted, finish fourth, unless Dontrelle Willis has a Carlton vintage 1972 season- then they'll finish last.

[ice grillin you]

except for Vazquez, who put the Phillies on his no-trade list

thats says it all about where this franchise is right now...a career below .500 pitcher puts the phils on his no trade list...i mean who the hell is javier vasquez to be putting any teams on a no trade list...he should just be happy to be in the majors...embarrassing

[Geowhizzer]

except for Vazquez, who put the Phillies on his no-trade list

thats says it all about where this franchise is right now...a career below .500 pitcher puts the phils on his no trade list...i mean who the hell is javier vasquez to be putting any teams on a no trade list...he should just be happy to be in the majors...embarrassing

Unfortunately, the franchise has been there for years.

[MDS]

Anyone else see Padres Super Scout Ed Wade on CSN? They showed him at a retirement ceremony for MDS'sU baseball coach. Wade spoke because he is a Temple Alum. Anyways he was up there making fun of himself and the firedwade.com site. What a loser.

I knew our president is retiring, but I had no clue we even had a baseball coach. I've seen the team before, they apparantley all live in a house together.

But what a dork Wade is. I can't believe he's still showing his face around town.

[MDS]

Rumor has it Boston is getting Coco Crisp, and were trading Michaels to Cleveland for either Rafael Bentecourt or Arthur Rhodes.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

World Series, here we come.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Rhodes would be nice if he's still got anything left. He'd replace Rheal Bad Cormier as the top LH guy. Well, we have Fultz too, but I want to see him duplicate last year first before I think he's any good.

If they trade Cop Killa then that dude they got on waivers from ARZ, Josh Kroeger, could be the 5th OF.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Just saw this on ESPN's BottomLine...

The Boston Red Sox are nearing completion on deals that would bring them Cleveland Indians outfielder Coco Crisp and free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to published reports.


The Boston Herald, citing unnamed baseball sources, reported that the Red Sox and Indians had agreed in principle on a deal that would send Crisp to Boston along with a swap of prospects.


The Boston Globe, also citing multiple major league sources, reported the team was still working on a deal for Crisp as well as a free-agent deal with Gonzalez, formerly of the Florida Marlins. Both newspapers said the Red Sox would include third-base prospect Andy Marte, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Edgar Renteria trade, as well as reliever Guillermo Mota.


The Herald reported the deal hinged on the Indians' ability to acquire another outfielder, possibly in a trade for the Phillies' Jason Michaels or through signing free agent Jeff DaVanon, formerly of the Angels

They have dealt Crisp to the BoSox for Marte and Mota. So that opens up the door for JMike to go to Cleveland.

[PhillyPhreak54]

According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies.

There was some indication that the Phillies and Indians were hoping to complete the deal for Michaels as soon as last night. Cleveland was believed to be sending one of two relievers - left-hander Arthur Rhodes or right-hander Rafael Betancourt - to the Phillies in exchange for Michaels.

From the Boston Herald...

Betancourt is another guy who tested positive for roids last year. But after looking over his and Rhodes numbers I would prefer the roid monkey. Him and Ryan Franklin can scope out the dealers in Philly now.

[MDS]

Only thing about this is now if Abreu is traded, we need an outfielder in return. Michaels could have been a very effective bat off the bench/spot starter against LHP, but I suppose the bullpen sucks ass and this move should make it a bit better.

[Geowhizzer]

According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies.

There was some indication that the Phillies and Indians were hoping to complete the deal for Michaels as soon as last night. Cleveland was believed to be sending one of two relievers - left-hander Arthur Rhodes or right-hander Rafael Betancourt - to the Phillies in exchange for Michaels.

From the Boston Herald...

Betancourt is another guy who tested positive for roids last year. But after looking over his and Rhodes numbers I would prefer the roid monkey. Him and Ryan Franklin can scope out the dealers in Philly now.

Maybe Gillick is using the "if you can't beat them, beat them up philosophy..."

[Westy]

Cleveland gave Philly their pick of either Betancourt or Rhodes.. Rhodes who was injured last season or Betancourt who was caught with steriods.. If Cleveland does not sign DaVanon, whom the Mets are looking at, they will try and pull the trade with Philly to replace Crisp

Cleve would get Marte who projects as a David Wright type player