But here’s the thing. This team is doing pretty well offensively without him right now. If Jimmy comes back and stays healthy, and if the other guys play to their potential, maybe we’ll be pretty good offensively without him.

Pitching wins championships. Right now, the Phils look like a playoff caliber team. But can they win a playoff series? More importantly (and people are gonna hammer me for this, but we need to think about it), I want all of you to think long and hard about this question:

Can this Phillies team legitimately compete for a world championship?

My answer: No, not with this rotation. The bullpen looks solid. The offense will be fine. But Hamels is somewhat injury prone. I’d pit Myers against anyone if it’s really Myers, but you never know when his evil twin is going to show up. Eaton’s a goddamn joke and we all know it. Kendrick is a good AAAA pitcher. I love Moyer, but he’s a bottom of the rotation guy.

So picture yourself as Pat Gillick. You know there’s a team or two (Oakland? San Diego?) that is willing to part with a solid middle of the rotation guy, and that desperately needs a power hitter. I think you have to consider every possibility to make this team better. I’m just saying that maybe, maybe, the Phils package Howard and Eaton (we might be able to sell Eaton to someone under the “a change of scenery will help him” umbrella), eat some of Eaton’s contract, and get a starting pitcher and maybe a prospect.

I really don’t think this is insane. I think it’s worth considering.

Thoughts?

I was talking about when Pat hit .209 in ‘03. You hope Howard has that type of year? Seeming of course your response at 5:05 was for what I said…

I saw Lieber’s stat line today as well…glad I had Joey Votto starting!

Go Phils – no bet because last time after being benched Howard hit a home run. Tonight is a huge game – someone said early that good times do not let a bad game extend into two bad games.

PS Liber gave up 4 HRs today

If he doesn’t came around this year…so be it. He should take less money next year and re-prove him self.

My point is that Howard has shown in his pre and post all-star splits to be a better hitter post-all star game. He is having a season much like Burrell did a few years ago…after a while it got in his head how he wasn’t hitting. Hopefully Howard looks at tape of himself this year and from the past and makes the adjustments.

Since I’m going to tonights game…Howard will hit a Homer! Bets anyone?

Howard / Utley ‘08
For the Good of the Nation!

I think the point people are making is not that Howard is a bad player – but right now he is not playing to the level that justifies his contract – even if it is only one year. I think Howard could be a HOF player but right now it is frustrating to watch a player that seeming (and from our vantage point it SEEMS) like he is not making the adjustments that are needed. Therefore, right now he sucks.

Todd you are placing A LOT of HOPE that he will come out of this slump – what if he does not?

Ok funny guy…”you need glasses”…I said a bad YEAR..not entitlied to bad YEARS!