The Zo Zone

Tag? Are you serious? I know the trade for Iguchi should take precedence, but tag? Wait until the end of the season, A Row.

I like your three tidbits your provided about the trade. It'd be interesting if the Sox' general manager ever said he hoped this trade would pay dividends for the unbalanced deal that involved Garcia. But you know you'll never get that out of him.

Have to disagree with you on defense - it's a net minus because instead of playing Nunez at second they will be using someone with much less range and not as good at the double play. Having Nunez as a 3B defensive replacement is a good thing if they use him that way, but they could have gotten someone else to come in at third.

Overall Iguchi should hit enough to carry his glove, and the team needs another RH bat anyway, so this a good move. I would like to see him split time with Nunez at second.

There is no starting pitching out there. Although I love Michael Bourne, if you could move him for Brad Lidge you could move Myers back to the rotation and add 2
All-Star caliber pitchers to the mix. And why isn't Aaron Rowand signed yet?

I'm with Todd on this one, having Nunez available at 3rd base makes us stronger defensively and doesn't strip Manual of much needed options. Although he blew it the other day not having Abe in for Helms.

This offense can still afford to carry his bat in return for superior defense at 3rd.

I'm not a fan of Gillick & Co., but I give them a B for this move, he's got some right handed pop, I'm satisfied that we got a decent replacement without giving up much.

Kenny Williams still owes us big-time.

Granted, I'm possibly the only member of a certain leftfielder's fan club, but it's possible the Phils' biggest acquisition at the deadline could be a rejuvenated (sp?) Pat Burrell. If nothing else, that makes him especially valuable as a trade-chip (assuming they're willing to eat some salary) come the off-season.

Again, the Phils lost Rowand and Abreu last year and somehow pulled things together. The Mets and Braves just aren't that good.

Yo Todd, how you weren't listed in the Philly Magazine "best of philly" is beyond me. And that crap sidebar article on sportswriting didn't take into account at all your blog, or the Q&A you and others have on Philly.com.

Of course, it's not unexpected from a magazine that trashed Harry Kalas last month.

Clueless.

I know you didn't take it or anything, but that's one of most incredible photographs I've ever seen.

My question is this: does Gooch or Utley play third when Utley gets back, because the hot corner has been awful. I try to avoid using a Mike Schmidt standard the way the Giants used to use a Willie Mays standard, but I'd settle for a Dave Hollins or a Chalies Hayes standard, at this point.

"From what I could find about Iguchi's contract, Iguchi, who makes $3.25 million this season, has a clause that states the Sox (now the Phillies) must sign him to an extension during the season, or he becomes a free agent, despite just three seasons of big-league service time."

By "find out" do you mean what you looked up on Cot's Contracts?

To kdon: Sorry to disappoint. I also should have put in there that the Phillies can't offer Iguchi salary arbitration as part of his contract, which would allow the Phillies to receive draft picks as compensation should he sign with another team.