We all know a lot can happen to a baseball team over the course of a week for a baseball club, so talking about a day that's a month and a half away seems foolish. While it may be, it's one of those days that can win and lose World Series titles.
Remember the 2008 trade deadline? Probably not. But the Phillies picked up this guy named Joe Blanton. What did he do after the trade deadline? Go 4-0 in the regular season. Then ended up 2-0 in the postseason, including 1-0 in the World Series. Players like him were underestimated and under-credited toward the World Series that we will never forget.
Everyone in Philly wanted us to bring in C.C, but He ended up 0-1 in the postseason, thanks to Mr. Victorino and Brett Myers. Everyone wanted the Phillies to bring in Manny Ramirez. Had we got Manny, we wouldn't of been guaranteed those game 5 hits Geoff Jenkins and Pat Burrell put up that ultimately led to that swing and a miss from Hinske.
But these days leading up to the trade deadline often determine champions. Will the Phillies pull the trigger, and if so who? Here's my thoughts.
First I take a look within the Phillies organization. I dont see JC Romero and Danny Baez having guaranteed playoff spots. I wouldn't be surprised to see either of these guys go with just how well Stutes has pitched. With their play recently tho, there isn't too much that can be said about the bullpen in the negative light we got so used to talking about in the past. I assume the Phillies will turn to a 4 man rotation come playoffs, and it's likley that Joe Blanton or Kyle Kendrick could be dropped for a guy like Vance Worley who has a little more experience coming out of the bullpen.
Don't get me wrong, I do not want to see Vance Worley make an appearance on the Phillies for the rest of the year unless one of our starters goes on an extended DL stint. He needs to start in a consistent rotation, since I fully believe he will be on the Phillies staff next year.
The use of position players in the Phillies organization isn't what it used to be. Along with success comes a standard lineup, and we haven't seen the integration of players from AAA into games like we used to just 6 or 7 years ago. Scott Posednik, Ronnie Belliard, Delwyn Young are three household names in our minor league system, but none of them have had a season this year good enough to mention. In reality, there aren't many position players in our minor league system that could help us out.
So in reality, the Phillies could very well reach out to pick up another bat. Speculation about the return of Jim Thome to be that big pinch hitter came and left without anything happening, but in reality, it still makes sense. Ross Gload has had that persistent injury, and I don't know how reliable he can be down the stretch. I say the Phillies trade something for Thome, and then god forbid something happens to Howard, we have Thome backing him up. Then Gload can finally go on the DL instead of sitting in the dugout every game doing nothing. Thome and Manuel have a great relationship, and Thome and the city of Philadelphia have just as great of a relationship. And wouldn't we all love to see Thome hit the 2nd deck in right once more?
That doesn't address their biggest issue, a right handed bat. Mayberry Jr had his chance to be that man, and did nothing worth remembering after his opening day walk off hit. Buster Olney of ESPN has said the Phillies may be interested in guys like Josh Willingham and Michael Cuddyer. While I love the idea, I dont think it'll be all that easy to get guys like that.
In reality, I could pull up a ton of names of right handed bats who would be great for the Phillies, and are likley available come this trade deadline.
If the Phillies get a right handed bat, who leaves the lineup? I can't see how it's anyone other than Francisco or Martinez. Phillies have 4 replaceable bench players (not including a catcher); Gload, Martinez, Valdez, and Francisco. You can eliminate Gload since he's the only guy who's ever played first (and why Thome isn't a bad idea.) You can eliminate Valdez for how good he's been as a filler, and you are left with Martinez and Francisco. I think it'll come down to if we get an IF or OF player as to who goes. I'm more satisfied with letting Francisco walk, he's had his chance, and he's failed. Martinez is a Rule5 player, who if the Phillies release, is out of our organization. He's young and hasn't really had the chances Francisco has had, and his versatility in the field is unappreciated.
And I want everyone to understand, despite how frustrating the Phillies have played so far this year, they are still the best team in baseball. They aren't as bad as you think. As one of my favorite blogs Zoo With Roy states :
"As everyone knows, the Phillies are in serious trouble and the roster is flawed and their offense stinks and Jimmy swings too early in the count and too many guys are past their peak and Ryan Howard's contract is terrible and there are too many lefties and Cliff Lee has given up runs and Victorino is a space cadet and basically their problems are way too huge to ever think about overcoming.
Oh yeah also we have the best record in baseball."
-Cheers!
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