For those fans who worry the Phillies might trade Aaron Rowand before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline:
Relax.
Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said after last night's 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park that chances are "slim" they will trade Rowand, which means to me the possibility is remote. There are three reasons for that:
1) The Phillies think they can make the playoffs, so it makes little sense to trade their most productive righthanded bat, who also happens to anchor the spot in the lineup behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
2) Rowand is having a tremendous season, but some have overestimated his trade value. He's not going to land a stud pitcher to help the rotation. Think about it. If a team is in contention, they're not going to trade a rare commodity (ie. super stud starter) for a free-agent-to-be centerfielder. And those teams out of contention with a super stud starter (yes, I have coined that phrase) certainly are going to want something more than a free-agent-to-be-centerfielder. They're going to want somebody like Michael Bourn, whom they can control for the next several seasons, and probably at least another top prospect.
3) If Rowand qualifies as a Type A free agent after the season and the Phillies offer him salary arbitration, they would receive two draft picks in return if he signs with another team. So everybody's concern that the Phillies would get nothing in return if Rowand walks is a little misguided.
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Jim Salisbury talked with Pat Gillick about the next six days leading up to the trade deadline and what the Phillies might be able to do. Gillick said if they made a move it probably would not be something terribly exciting.
So cross Roger Clemens off your list.
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I should have posted it yesterday, but the latest Philliescast is up.
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Davey Lopes talks about the dangers coaching first and third base in light of the death of double-A Tulsa coach Mike Coolbaugh. We also talked about how dangerous it can be for fans. I personally do not understand parents who bring infants and sit in the lower deck up and down the first and third base lines -- prime territory for hard-hit line drives that nobody can catch.
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Brett Myers makes his third rehab appearance tonight for single-A Clearwater. He could be activated before Friday's game against Pittsburgh. Outfielder Jayson Werth also will play tonight in a rehab appearance for Clearwater.
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Photos from last night's game.
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Awwww ...
Mike Bacsik blew a kiss to Larry Bowa's nephew, Nick Johnson, last night on the Kiss Cam. Bacsik was in the Phillies organization two years ago, and will start against the Phillies tomorrow afternoon in the series finale.
Comments (4)
I have no doubt that they'll keep Rowand through the trade deadline, but it seems like a mistake to let him go through free agency...even with the two comepensatory draft picks he'd probably bring. Everyone knows about the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse, but he's really proving this year that he can be a game changer. Case in point: not only did he hit the game winner last night, but he scored two of the three previous runs via his strong OBP (.400 this year) last night AND saved a run with an outfield assist. I don't see how the Phils can, in good baseball conscious, let him walk away. They need his right handed bat and they need him as the deep ball threat from the outfield. Next year's presumed outfield of Burrell-Victorino-Bourn is too light hitting for a park as shallow as the Bank. Play to your strengths, play to your crowd...keep Rowand.
Posted by Lea | July 25, 2007 12:04 PM
Posted on July 25, 2007 12:04
sorry about the double post above...i've got an itchy index finger today...
Anyways, about the Phillies possible trade chips. I keep looking at the roster for possible moveable pieces, although I'd hate to see any of them go (possible exception being Burrell), but Gillick's comments today speculate somebody on the 25 man roster is bound to move. What about Carlos Ruiz? I really think that would be a mistake, but catching is always a commodity and it could bring a bounty of pitching. Plus, we have some talent in the minors with Jason Jaramillo and Lou Marson. Conversely, what do you all think those two, Jaramillo and Marson, might bring in return? Doesn't a package based around one of those names sound like a match for SF and Matt Morris? B. Molina is having a good year, but he's about to reach baseball's pearly gates... Even with Rob Bowen, maybe the A's would be interested in parting with Joe Kennedy for some decent young catching?
And what to do with Adrian Cardenas? Couldn't he be the most effective trade chip in the Phillies system? Clearly, he's not starting at second base for the Phils any time soon. Ditto at shortstop. Gillick has said he doesn't have the arm for third or the bat for the outfield. He's a natural middle infielder, at a time when we have no need for that. As Baseball Prospectus' 22nd best minor leaguer, can't he bring something decent?
Posted by Lea | July 25, 2007 12:29 PM
Posted on July 25, 2007 12:29
My worst nightmare is that the Phillies buckle to pressure and make a move with Rowand just for the sake of doing something. If they dealt him for some 7-8 starter, that would be a disaster (can you say Placido Palanco?). The best way to get a stud starter is to give up very promising prospects or younger players like Michael Bourne to a team that is out of the race already. The sad part of that is that the Phils have very little to offer in that area.
Posted by bobby | July 25, 2007 5:27 PM
Posted on July 25, 2007 17:27
Gee, Pat Gillick making a move that's not terribly exciting? that's a new one.
Posted by Baron | July 26, 2007 9:13 AM
Posted on July 26, 2007 09:13