Comments on: Gillick: I Might Negotiate Deals During Season

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:39:29 +0000

As recently as spring training, I could not have imagined Phillies fans having a serious discussion about re-signing Burrell. He’s neither the savior he looked like in April nor the devil he looks like at his worst. He is what he is: an inconsistently hitting, poorly fielding corner outfielder with 30-HR, 100-RBI power. If the Phillies can cut a good deal with him, he’s on par with a bunch of other guys with the same skill set, so sure. However, the Phillies already overpaid him once; I hope they don’t do it again.

By: Don M

Don M — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:30:42 +0000

Brett Myers has stated over and over again that he wants to be a closer, because he hates the days sitting around between starts. Not only that, but look how much more productive he was in that role vs. his career as a starter. Myers has been labled as a start with unlimited potential, the ability to become a staff ACE.. well he’s not young anymore… and the three most important factors are #1 – he wants to be the closer. #2 – he is one of the best in the league in that role, he isn’t anywhere near the best in the league as a starting pitcher. #3 – he still has a few years under contract, Lidge is only signed through this season.

I would much rather see Myers become that solid #2 starter behind Hamels, and we sign Lidge, and live happily ever after… but the reality is that they need to make a decision regarding that closer role. If you keep Myers as a starter you risk his unhappiness, and uneffetiveness… if you move him to the closer for next year, you wouldn’t keep Lidge, because someone will pay him top dollar to close, he wouldn’t stay here to be a setup man.

That is really something that they should decide before the deadline, because Myers would net you a whole bunch as trade bait… more than Howard. I’d like to see him stay, but if you want to keep Lidge instead, and move Myers for prospects, that seems to be a likely scenario

By: Mike T.

Mike T. — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:39:24 +0000

There goes Bruce with this emoticons again.

By: Sean P.

Sean P. — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:38:05 +0000

It seems like the bottom line with all this talk is if the Phillies are going to try to sign Lidge and/or Burrell do it before the season ends, right?

It doesn’t even make sense to wait for free agency to try to sign someone b/c there is always a team that will give a mediocre player an insane contract and then the Phillies will have not shot any signing either player. Ala Carlos Silva & Andruw Jones (currently batting .174 making 18 mil after hitting .222 last year!)

I think they should lock Lidge and Burrell up before the season ends for sure.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:19:33 +0000

I’m wondering how many minds here will be changed about Howard if he duplicates his power numbers (HRs & RBIs) of last season and help the Phillies make the playoffs?

Also another poster suggested the Phillies “need” to make a choice between Myers and Lidge as closer and trade the other. I’m sure the Phillies’ front office don’t see it your way. Myers is a legitimate starter with a LOT of upside. He has and will continue to accept his role for the good of the team. With 123 games left in the season, Myers will have abundant opportunities to show he belongs as a frontline starter. To give thought to trading a legitimate closer in Lidge who has been OUTSTANDING so far is preposterous. He has given the bullpen a HUGE lift and in turn made it one of the best in the league. With the starters going 5-7 innings, the team lives or die with bullpen. Another words, don’t attempt to fix something that ain’t broke.

By: Tim Malcolm

Tim Malcolm — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:32 +0000

I’m going two years with Burrell because I’m considering his age and the future. While I don’t necessarily see Greg Golson manning left field for this team in 2011, I could see Adrian Cardenas doing it. I do think, however, a lot of Burrell’s feature depends on Howard’s, and vice versa. If the Phils extend Burrell I wouldn’t be surprised if they dumped Howard.

By: Don M

Don M — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:06:44 +0000

If they let Burrell get to free agency… they’ll lose him. Lots of teams need a power-bat from the RIGHT. and this year especially, there won’t be any out there. Last year you saw Tori Hunter, Andruw Jones, Rowand.. maybe not classic “power” guys, but def all with 25+ HR potential.

Lidge is a different story… they need to decide quickly what they want with Myers. He wants to be a closer, he is more valuable to this team as a closer… so its looking like one of them has to go, because neither should be limited to an 8th inning role. Myers is signed through this year which makes him a prime candidate to stay. OR… if they think Lidge is the guy, get the deal done early, and move Myers at the trade deadline… a definite closer can net you a lot more than Howard would at this time.. he could bring you back maybe 2 top-tier pitching prospects.

By: Mike T.

Mike T. — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:47:03 +0000

This day every year, the first game of the season vs. Atlanta, always reminds me of how much I hate Ted Turner and his Braves. Less now because of the Andruw Jones and Renteria departure – but I still hate the Braves.

By: chris m

chris m — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:35:41 +0000

burell doesnt need incentives with 3 yrs/40 mil…thats what hes worth if not less… every1 is in love with him right now. hes already started to slump

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:29:31 +0000

I like your contract proposals. Any chance of you going for the GM job when Gillick retires? I would give Burrell of third year option based on performance.

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