"This is Where We Want to Be."

It's official Roy Halladay is a member of the Phillies wearing Cliff Lee's #34. As R.H. pointed out today "There is a new Doc in town - also a new R.H." It is now possible that we will have 3 namesakes here at DW.
Read More

So What Do We Think?

Still not finalized but it looks like the Phils are going to be giving up prized prospects Michael Taylor, Kyle Drabek and Travis d’Arnaud in return for prospect pitchers Phillipe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez and outfielder Tyson Gillies.

Am I forgetting anybody? Ahh yes, the Phils get Roy Halladay and lose postseason hero Cliff Lee.

What could have been without Moyer's ill advised 2nd year?

Short term, I don't think the Phils are much better if at all for 2010. This deal was made for the security of having Halladay for multiple years- which is huge. Halladay is widely regarded as the best pitcher in baseball. Lookinng forward to some Halladay vs Santana matchups this summer. The Phillies have to hope Halladay stays healthy and Hamels can learn from his work ethic.

I can't say I know much about the Aumont, Ramirez and Gillies except from what I am reading - they seem pretty good yet raw. Taylor hits the snot out of the ball but he would have been stuck at AAA this year with an even bigger prospect (Brown)on his heels. It is tough giving up Drabek but hopefully Aumont and/or Ramirez can offset losing him. Gillies seems to be a few years away but could replace one of the outfielders eventually.

This is a tough deal to grade right away. Yes I would have loved to have Lee and Halladay but the wallets say that could not have happened. I say suck it up, eat the 9 million and then collect the two 1st rounders next year...Oh well. I am cautiously optimistic. I hate to lose Clifton but it didn't seem like he was going to resign. I hate to lose the prospects but it seems like the Phils got some in return.

I look forward to seeing Roy in Phils Red and another long postseason run.

Been quiet around here. What do you guys think?

Reading material:

Stark

Matthew Pouliot

Salisbury
Read More

Latest on Halladay

This is from Jayson Stark: The specifics of the trade took some twists and turns on Monday. The trade’s latest structure would send Phillies outfielder Michael Taylor, Phillies catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and a Phils pitcher — either Kyle Drabek or J.A. Happ — to Toronto, sources said. And indications Monday night were that that pitcher was likely to be Drabek. Under that scenario, the Phillies would not have to include their top position-player prospect, Domonic Brown, and they would receive Seattle’s top pitching prospect, Phillippe Aumont, who originally appeared ticketed for Toronto.
The Phillies also would receive one other prospect — believed to be 21-year-old outfielder Tyson Gillies — from Seattle in exchange for Lee, who is a year away from free agency.


In this scenario the Phils would lose their top pitching prospect and gain one of Seattle's top pitching prospects. I think the Jays should stick with the French Canadians, Aumont and d'Arnaud.

I'm sure there will be new rumors tomorrow..crazy shit
Read More

Halladay to the Phils, Lee to Seattle * updated

Wow! Si.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Phillies are in agreement on a three-team trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay. Halladay has to agree to a contract extension to complete the deal but that is apparently a formality.

The deal is rumored to have Lee going to the M's for prospects who would go to Toronto. The prospects have not been confirmed. No word if Happ or Hamels were involved.

I am going to hold judgement until I hear who all is involved but Wow! that is a blockbuster.

Cliff Lee's second half and playoff performance will never be forgotten in Philadelphia.

* UPDATE: Now Heyman is backing off! "sorry, quick trigger finger. Mariners definitely the third team. checking now with cliff lee is the pltcher they get." Some people are saying maybe it's Cole Hamels

nbcsports

Heyman

**Update: The source said Phillipe Aumont — a Canadian right-hander — is among the players headed from Seattle to Toronto in the deal; the source added the Philadelphia is expected to send one of its outfield prospects, possibly Michael Taylor, to the Blue Jays. (foxsports)

Read More

Yanks get Granderson

NYY gets: Curtis Granderson from DET

DET gets: Austin Jackson and Phil Coke from NYY; Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from ARI

ARI gets: Edwin Jackson from DET; Ian Kennedy from NYY


This looks like a great trade for the Yankees, a good one for the Tigers and a questionable one for the D'Backs. The Yankees receive a young star in exchange for their top OF prospect and 2 solid pitching prospects. Detroit saves money and gets younger. Getting ESPN's Mark Schlereth's kid who throws gas. Max Scherzer, another potential star who throws gas. And a couple of good prosepcts.

Arizona gets Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy which will add to a deep rotation but gave up a lot of potential that they had control over for a long time.
Read More

NL West adds Weapons

The San Francisco Giants signed Brad Penny, and plan to start him Wednesday night against the Phillies. The Giants are tied with the Rockies for the NL Wild Card lead. The Dodgers added power with Jim Thome and righty Jon Garland.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti envisions Thome to be a weapon off the bench. He clearly remembers Matt Stairs home run at Dodger Stadium last October.

The Rockies added pitcher Jose Contreras. Contreras is generously listed at 37 years old.
Read More

Pitching Rant

Late morning pitching rant from friend of DirtyWudders, The Don.... I think the Lee acquisition certainly makes the Phil’s starting rotation the best in the NL and on par with Boston and the Yanks (assuming neither lands Halladay). The number one question now is what to do about the back of the bullpen? Lidge, right now is terrible, Madson has been erratic, and Condrey, Durbin and Romero are on the DL. Should Lidge stay the closer? What about Myers if he comes back healthy or Pedro with his four pitch repertoire? He might be able to let it all hang out if he only had to go one inning. Too many starters (Hamels, Lee, Happ, Moyer, Pedro, Lopez) and a bullpen that needs to be settled soon. Coming up with the right pitchers to fill the right roles will be Manuel’s hardest decision as we head toward the playoffs. Read More

Phils get Cliff Lee

The Phillies have reached agreement with the Indians on a trade that would bring them left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to major-league sources. The deal is pending a review of medical records. (Foxsports)

Read More

Carrasco Scratched from Start

Jason Stark is reporting that Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson have been pulled from the Iron Pigs lineup on Wednesday morning (11AM start) and that all signs are pointing the Phillies to Cliff Lee.

Take it for what it is worth, as there are millions of rumors floating out there but if the deal is Cliff Lee for those three players, I think it is a steal for the Phillies. Stark says the offer may be Carrasco, Jason Knapp and Trevor May.

Foxsports is reporting: The Phillies are in discussions with the Indians to obtain left-hander Cliff Lee and possibly another player for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to a major-league source...Also the Dodgers are going to make a STRONG push

Warning - These may very well be posturing or just more crazy rumors. What are the thoughts on Lee vs Halladay? Knapp vs Drabek.
Read More

Mets will Buy!

10.5 games out of the division, 7.5 out of a wildcard berth but with Reyes, Maine and Delgado scheduled to return in the coming weeks, the Mets are going to make a run for it. "Right now we do not envision [being a seller]," Omar Minaya said. "If we're 6 ½ [back] in the wild card with a couple of teams in front of us, we are still kind of trying to find out how we can improve this team, if we can improve it through trades.". (NYPOST)

This is good news for the Phillies. Omar Minaya is clearly on the hot seat and it looks as if he is going to do what it takes to make this team win, now. Will he mortgage the future like he did in Montreal, when he dealt Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee for Bartolo Colon? Well, probably not, but only because he doesn't have those types of prospects.

This Mets team is dead. Beltran is more than likely out for the year. Now John Maine is probably done. Will Reyes be able to run like he did before his hammy problem? I'll take my chances on that. Even Billy Wags is coming back for his least favorite month.

Here is hoping the Mets make a big splash at the deadline. It is not quite as much fun having them out of it in July. Lets see them mortgage the future for another failed shot at the playoffs.

thanks to The huddle for the pics
Read More

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

The Phillies are in a ridiculously strong position here. How often do the World Series Champions, also have the best prospects to acquire the top talent? The Red Sox and Yankess, I guess, have in the past but alot of that was just willingness to spend money.From (foxsports);The notion that the Jays cannot justify trading Halladay to the Phillies without acquiring Brown or the team's other top prospect, Class AA right-hander Kyle Drabek, is absurd. One scout who covers the Phillies says he likes Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, who is currently on the disabled list, even better than Drabek.

That should be great news for those who do not want to trade Drabek. In Rosenthal's article; The same scout says he would be comfortable taking Class A outfielder Anthony Gose or Class AAA outfielder Michael Taylor if he could not acquire Brown.

There is also a report that Kyle Kendrick has been pulled from his 'Pigs start tonight, raising speculation that he may be part of a deal soon - possibly for right handed bat, Josh Willingham or the Rockies Ryan Spilborghs.

Go Phils


Read More

Roy Halladay on the Block

Let the bidding begin for arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Roy Halladay is 10-2 with a 2.79 ERA for the Toronto BJays's and is 141-68 with a 3.47 career ERA. Would he not look good in Phillies Red? Toronto is 43-41, seven games back in the East and six games back in the Wildcard, behind six other teams. They also owe approximately 160 million to Alex Rios and Vernon Wells between 2010 and 2014.

Is he a rent-a-player? No, he is under contract through next year at $14.75 million this year and $15.75 million next year. Do the Phillies have a realistic shot at him? Jon Heyman from SI.com says the Yankees and the Phillies have the best shot at him, with the Angels next. That suprises me that Toronto would consider dealing him to the AL East but even if they were, I would have thought the Sox since Boston has more trade chips and a very good farm system. Ken Rosenthal from Foxsports, says the Phillies would have to give up an "untouchable" such as Dominic Brown but they also have to worry about the added salary. Toronto is said to also want a top SS prospect. Jayson Stark from ESPN is skeptical saying the Blue Jays would want 5 or 6 players plus the top 2 players in your system. Yikes! I am not willing to mortgage the entire future but would still make some offers.

I would be hesitant to deal Drabek because I think he has an Ace like future but Doc Halladay might be worth it. If the price was Dominic Brown, Jason Donald and J.A. Happ and maybe a Mayberry, the answer is Yes - though I might try to sneak Dalembert in the deal. Happ has pitched great recently but Halladay puts the Phils over the top.

Read More

Why Not?

I think Eagles fans have gotten soft since the NFL Draft this past April. There was a huge push from the fanbase in the offseason to land a top tier receiver, namely Anquan Boldin, but since the draft I haven't heard a peep. The Boldin thing didn't work out in the end, but the Birds did land a decent rookie WR in the first round, Jeremy Maclin. Now don't get me wrong, I'm pumped about Maclin's future with the team, but how much can we expect him to produce in his rookie season. It would be nice if he has a season comparable to DeSean Jackson's last year, but there are no guarantees in the NFL. Anyway, here's my point: I haven't heard any noise around town since Maclin's arrival about the latest malcontent who wants out of his respective team, Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos.

I understand the reluctancy of some fans to accept a guy of Marshall's moral fiber to the team after the infamous TO debacle, but if I remember correctly the Birds went directly to the Super Bowl with 'The Receiver' on the squad. The Eagles No.1 receiver from last year, DeSean Jackson, caught 62 passes for 912 yards, not bad. Compare that to Marshall's 104 passes caught for 1265 yards and Jackson's numbers look pedestrian. I'm not hating on the Eagles receiving core like a would have in previous years because I am actually optimistic about their future, but why not upgrade if you have the opportunity. If the Broncos would accept, I would absolutely be willing to part with Kevin Curtis and a No.1 pick for a player of Marshall's caliber - I'm sure 5 wouldn't mind either. Screw his attitude, I want to win.
Read More

Rumor: Phils Looking at Penny

Rumor has it that the Phils may be in the hunt for Brad Penny, via the Boston Globe:

You can make a case that Brad Penny might be the most-watched pitcher in baseball. Why? Because there are so many teams who would love to pry him from the Red Sox and get him into their rotation.
Last night was no exception, with scouts watching from behind home plate. Philadelphia and Texas appear most interested.

I know we blasted the idea of the Phils getting Penny a few weeks ago, but the guy has been on fire lately. With Peavy and Bedard both going down with injuries, he may be the Phils best bet at this point. They need to do something about their starting rotation and the options are starting to dwindle. I would consider making a move if the price were right.

Your thoughts?

Read More

Myers Done for Season? What the Phils can do...

This is not good. An excerpt from the piece...

After having an MRI today, Phillies pitcher Brett Myers was told that there was fraying to the labrum in his right hip, an injury that could require surgery and jeopardize the remainder of his season.

Even before hearing this news, Philly fans were wondering if the team would be adding an arm before the trade deadline. This pretty much ensures they will do something, the question is who will they get? The good news for the Phils is that a few of the teams ready to sell also have some pretty decent starting pitching to deal. There is also the question of who they will have to give up for a top line starter. John Mayberry Jr, Lou Marsen, Jason Donald and Carlos Carrasco are a few names that come to mind if a team is looking to get younger. Would you be willing to part with a combination of these guys for Jake Peavy? I would. Your thoughts?

Below is a list of four starting pitchers the Phils should be targeting...

Jake Peavy, RHP

27 years old

2009 Salary: $11,000,000

2009 Stats: 5-5, 3.30 ERA, 84 K's, 1.13 WHIP

Obviously the cream of the crop, but rumor has it he will only play for a few teams. I don't see why the WFC's wouldn't be on that list, but you never know. His family is in San Diego so he may be hesitant to play on the east coast as well. There is also the issue of his No Trade Clause, but again, why wouldn't he want to come here. His salary increases each year for the next few, but he is 100% worth it. Do it Ruben.

Roy Oswalt, RHP

31 years old

2009 Salary: $14,000,000

2009 Stats: 1-2, 4.62 ERA, 47 K's, 1.36 WHIP

A 2-time 20-game winner, Oswalt would be a great addition to any staff. He is consistently near the top of the league in innings pitched, and would be the much needed workhorse the Phils need right now. He is struggling so far this season, but I don't think anyone would be upset about picking him up.

Erik Bedard, LHP

30 years old

2009 Salary: $7,750,000

2009 Stats: 3-2, 2.48 ERA, 54 K's, 1.12 WHIP

Erik Bedard is off to a nice start this season, however, I have to believe his ERA is at least partly a product of playing in Seattle. He was traded from the Orioles last year for 5 prospects, so maybe the Mariners try to recoup some of those picks by dealing him this year.

Jason Marquis, RHP

30 years old

2009 Salary: $9,875,000

2009 Stats: 6-3, 4.45 ERA, 27 K's, 1.29 WHIP

A sinker ball pitcher, Jason Marquis has won 11 or more games in each of the last 5 years, with his most wins coming in 2004 with the Cardinals(15). Not as big of a name as the other three players on this list, but I think he would be more easily attained. He is off to a great start in 2009 and would not be a bad addition. He can hit too.

My guess is that the Phils make a push for Marquis. They probably would not have to give up as much, but would still be getting a decent starting pitcher. I'm hoping for Peavy... but I'm not holding my breath.

Who do you think they target? Who do you think they get?

Read More