With all the talk about the Phils trading for a pitcher, much of the trade bait speculation has centered on Aaron Rowand. It is believed that the potential free agent is our main bargaining chip as the Phils are pretty much devoid of decent prospects down on the farm which could return any pitcher of value.
Peronally, I think that unless they can trade Rowand for either an above average #2 or, more likely, #3 starter or 2 quality middle relievers, then we should hold onto the guy and do your damnest to re-sign him.
First of all, even if we do include Rowand in a trade package, it doesn't mean that we will be able to obtain the type of pitcher that would make any difference for the rest of the season. Additionally, it doesn't take a baseball genius to realize that this team desperately needs a right handed bat in the middle of leftty mashers, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Therefore, if we let the guy go, we will still need to find a righthanded outfielder to replace him. So, why not just keep the guy and solve the problem? He's well liked by his team and is an above average complimentary player...especially in the National League.
Overall, this team is not going anywhere anyhow, so why give up on a guy that could be a useful piece for the next three or four years in order to obtain a pitcher that likely won't add a whole lot to either short term or long term success.
(One other Phils' note....I'm still up watching the Phils as they enter the bottom of the 4th. They are up 8-1, but the bases are loaded....can they blow this one? The fatalist in me says that with JD Durbin on the mound, it is quite possible.)
Peronally, I think that unless they can trade Rowand for either an above average #2 or, more likely, #3 starter or 2 quality middle relievers, then we should hold onto the guy and do your damnest to re-sign him.
First of all, even if we do include Rowand in a trade package, it doesn't mean that we will be able to obtain the type of pitcher that would make any difference for the rest of the season. Additionally, it doesn't take a baseball genius to realize that this team desperately needs a right handed bat in the middle of leftty mashers, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Therefore, if we let the guy go, we will still need to find a righthanded outfielder to replace him. So, why not just keep the guy and solve the problem? He's well liked by his team and is an above average complimentary player...especially in the National League.
Overall, this team is not going anywhere anyhow, so why give up on a guy that could be a useful piece for the next three or four years in order to obtain a pitcher that likely won't add a whole lot to either short term or long term success.
(One other Phils' note....I'm still up watching the Phils as they enter the bottom of the 4th. They are up 8-1, but the bases are loaded....can they blow this one? The fatalist in me says that with JD Durbin on the mound, it is quite possible.)
8 comments:
The guys hitting .340 and you can him a servicable NL player. He's having a terrific season and last year he was on his way till he bashed his face into the wall. Give the guy some credit.
I think they should just keep him. We all know that he isn't going to garner the type of trade (for a star pitcher) that the Phils need.
Keep HIM unless they can get a #2! Yo T did you forget about that he's the BEER PONG CHAMP?
You must remember the orginazation that you a talking about. While I do agree that keeping him would be the best option, we all know that the Phils already have a plan on how they are going to suck it up next year. I'm pretty sure that Rowand is not part of that plan. You know why? Because it makes too much sense.
I've said my peace.
Peacock
Trade him now for something because you know that the Phillies won't put up enough money to keep him in the offseason. Somebody else will come along and pay him more and the Phillies will end up with nothing to show for it. Although, I did hear on the radio that there wasn't much interest in him. Michael Bourn is generating more interest than Rowand.
G - heard the same thing about Bourn. The problem is, he's such a hustler in the field and a decent hitter that I don't know if I want the Phils to trade him. It all depends on who they will get for him.
The dilemma in my opinion is that if they trade Bourn, they are losing a great utility outfielder for a possibly decent (at best) pitcher.
Will Bourn ever develop into a starting OF? That's the question. I have no idea, but i'm not sure many felt Shane would develop into an everyday player and he has. I like Bourn's hustle and he can run, put the ball in play etc.
If the LF could protect Utley and Howard, then Rowand becomes expendable, but we all know that is an impossibility.
I hate this team....
It's dry on the farm
By SCOTT LAUBER
Gannett News Service
With fewer than two weeks before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, Mike Arbuckle is feeling helpless.
Arbuckle would love to say the Phillies could get help for an injury-ravaged pitching staff by turning to their farm system. He wishes he could walk into general manager Pat Gillick's office and offer the name of a player who could aid the Phillies right now, either as a call-up or as trade bait for a proven major-league pitcher.
But years of forfeiting draft picks in exchange for signing high-priced free agents such as Jim Thome, David Bell and Jon Lieber left the Phillies with fewer picks in the top three rounds than any other team from 2000 through 2004. Thus, the farm system is bereft of major league-ready prospects at the highest levels, hamstringing the Phillies in their search for pitching help.
"We made some moves at the major league level that took talent away at the lower levels," said Arbuckle, the assistant general manager who oversees the farm system. "I'm not saying we shouldn't have done it. We thought we were close (to making the playoffs). I was all for it. But when you come up short and you don't win, you miss out on the talent you could've had.
"I've told Pat, "I wish I could give you more alternatives.' But the reality is we're thin, and right now, I can't present many more options of guys that I think are ready or close to ready. It hurts us because we can't provide replacements when guys go down, and it hurts us because we don't have a surplus to trade."
Entering the season, Baseball America rated the Phillies' farm system 21st out of 30 teams. Most of the Phillies' top prospects, save 20-year-old right-hander Carlos Carrasco, are playing at the Class-A levels. And Carrasco, signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2003, was promoted to Double-A Reading only four weeks ago.
Second baseman Adrian Cardenas is excelling at low-A Lakewood, and after signing with the Phillies late Wednesday night, 2007 first-round pick Joe Savery is about to begin his pro career at short-season Williamsport.
But Arbuckle said general managers of non-contenders, already concerned about their job security, aren't looking for A-ball talent. They want prospects who are nearly ready to play in the majors.
The Phillies have few of those. Their rosters at Triple-A Ottawa and Reading are dotted with 16 players who are 29 or older, hardly the profile of a top prospect.
"We're definitely better in the lower parts of the system," Arbuckle said.
"Our depth is from (high-A) Clearwater on down to the rookie league clubs."
Here, then, is a look at five of the Phillies' top prospects.
Carlos Carrasco: Don't be shocked if he's pitching in the majors before season's end.
In 2005, the Phillies mistakenly rushed Carrasco two levels from the rookie-level Gulf Coast League to Lakewood. Overwhelmed by the jump, he went 1-7 with a 7.04 ERA in 13 starts.
But Arbuckle said the Phils are no longer hesitant about moving Carrasco too fast.
"Our philosophy is build a foundation at the lower levels with a guy," Arbuckle said. "Now that we feel he has the foundation he should have, we'd feel more comfortable moving him up. I think it's more important for a hitter to see Triple-A than a pitcher."
Still, Arbuckle said Carrasco (9-2, 2.99 ERA between Clearwater and Reading) needs more time in Double-A before the Phillies can consider him a candidate for their rotation. In a start Wednesday at Erie, he walked six batters and threw more than 90 pitches in four innings.
"He'll go through some growing pains there," Arbuckle said. "But, by and large, he's made good strides the last two years from a maturity standpoint."
Adrian Cardenas: The Phillies' top position-player prospect plays a position in which the big club needs no help. Chase Utley is signed through 2013.
But don't expect Cardenas to change positions.
After watching him play three games this week for Lakewood, Arbuckle said Cardenas, 19, lacks the physical skills to play third base. And while he has decent power for a second baseman, the Phillies don't think his bat would stand out among corner outfielders.
"He's not going to play the (left) side of the infield. His tools just don't lend themselves," Arbuckle said. "It's too early to talk about changing positions. It's way too early to be too concerned."
Kyle Drabek: He's made one start since May 26 and none since June 15 because of a tender elbow, and the Phillies are taking no chances with their 2006 first-round pick. Arbuckle said the 19-year-old Drabek, who was 5-1 with a 4.42 ERA for Lakewood, will undergo further tests within the next week.
"We're not sure if it's just that he's cautious because he's a young kid who's never had arm problems or if there's anything there," Arbuckle said.
"Hopefully it's nothing serious and we can give him some peace of mind."
Mike Costanzo: In 346 at-bats through Wednesday night for Reading, the third baseman had struck out a whopping 117 times.
Arbuckle insists he isn't concerned. Costanzo, 23, batted .272 in June, his highest average in any month this season. And his raw power is undeniable, with 22 doubles and 17 home runs.
"The last month or so, we've seen the most progress from him that we've seen at any point in all areas," Arbuckle said. "Strikeouts and average don't show it, but when you're looking from a development standpoint, we're seeing progress. The light is starting to go on with him."
Joe Savery: People who knew him at Rice University called him "Captain America" for his clean-cut, wholesome image.
And the Phillies need someone to rescue their pitching staff.
Post a Comment