Phillies Nation

102 Responses to “Saturday Open Thread: Your Opening Day Rotation”

1. CXL72 Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

   Hamels / Myers / Zito / Blanton / Kendrick

   How about we get Zito from the Giants and get them to pay 1/2 his salary? His road numbers the last two years were comparable to Derek Lowe. The world is down on Zito and he is signed for the next 5 years and is only 30. I am concerned about a Steve Amery like flame out but I’d take that chance. It would work for the Giants so they can sign Sabathia.

   I’m willing to give KK a few starts to get himself back on track. He made 30 starts last year and is building his stamina as a pitcher. I like that he only makes $400k and Happ has his service time limited. Carrasco is the wild card in all this. If he can pitch well in spring training I’d give him a shot at the #5 job. I want no part of a long-term commitment to Lowe or Burnett. I’d take a chance on Zito. He has 5 years and $100mil left. If we could give him $10mil a year I’d take it.

2. RichieAllen Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 12:41 pm

   Who, in your opinion,is the one player we cant do without?and why..

3. Justin Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

   Ok so let’s say we get Zito, exactly what are we giving the Giants to get him? The only thing i’d even consider giving them is a swap of pitchers who need a change of scenery. Zito for Eaton and each team picks up the other players full salary because both are bad contracts that neither team needs but I’m not giving any prospects for a guy that hasn’t had a decent year since 2005.

4. psujoe Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

   I’ll buy into some of the rumors.

   Hamels/Lowe/Moyer/Blantan/Happ

   We pick up a LF for Myers in this rotation.

5. NJ Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

   Zito… That’s just silly! The Giants would take any offer to be rid of him but even at 50% your still on the hook for near the $50m mark. Any deal for him going anywhere would be salary relief for some form of prospects but he’s not pitching like Hampton was at that stage of his deal so he’s deadwood in SF for the forseeable future.

   Hamels/Myers/Blanton/Moyer/Happ.

   I don’t see where Moyer gets a mcuh better offer without uprooting his family, I just don’t see the logical fits in Seattle or the Bucs making it worth it for him to not return. Don’t see Garland having much appeal unless it’s a Lohse to Cards type deal late and Lowe’s still pretty unrealistic.

6. Russ Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

   I think Zito would be a solid pick up if we could get off the hook for at least half the salary. The Giants would be happy to rid themselves of him, and it would free up some cash for a potential CC bid. I think all Zito needs is a change of scenery.

   As for the rotation: Hamels/Myers/Blanton/Zito/Happ.

7. Manny Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

   Hamels / Lowe / Myers / Blanton / Happ

   3 righties, 2 lefties…sounds about right. The need for a second lefty (assuming Moyer leaves) would give Happ an edge over Kendrick.

   I don’t think it’s even remotely possible to have both Moyer and another new, good pitcher… Plus, Amaro has made pretty clear that starting pitching is his top priority. Therefore I expect a clear upgrade… and that upgrade is Derek Lowe, our No. 2 for 2009. We let Jamie walk since he is asking for way too much (both money and years).

8. psujoe Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

   I don’t think Lowe is far feteched if they deal Myers. The Phils could go as high as 15 per and get a LF for 11 or 12 and call it a wash(not counting the arbitration salary increases which is a given).

   Myers(12)+Burell(14)=26, Lowe(15)+LF(11/12)

9. psujoe Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

   Heck, If the Phillies want to go all in they sign Lowe and keep Myers, but that would cost about an extra 8 Million so they’d have to go cheap in LF.

10. mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    Hamels, Myers, Blanton, cheap low level pitcher that is signed after all other teams have got there guy, like a jenkins felix type, happ. And why in the world would any team want Zito how in the world can you bring up him, its like someone wanting eaton.

11. T Marty Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Just want to comment on how upset i am with the Phils, we’ve been getting the 17 game plan for years, and that always locked us in for Opening Day tickets, now that’s not the case, as we have to enter into a lottery. My thoughts are that ESPN already procured a few thousand tickets, therefore sticking it to the loyal.

12. Greg V. Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

    Hamels/Lowe/Moyer/Blanton/Happ

    That’s right folks. I loved what Myers did this second half of the season. Unfortunately, I think his second half made him trade bait. We need a LF and I’m not convinced we can land a good one in the open market. Especially if we sign Lowe and Moyer.

    Hamels is obvious for number 1. Lowe is a quality number 2 or 3. I know some are wary and CB isn’t exactly the pitchers park that Dodger’s Stadium is. But I highly doubt Lowe is going to go Adam Eaton on us. I still like Moyer at number 3 but I definately see the case for starting him in the 4 spot as well. Blanton turned it on at the right time this season, when he came to the Phillies. He eats those innings and that’s a plus for a number 4. Yes, I want Happ in the number 5 slot. I think it’s very likely Kendrick and Carrasco will make starts for the major leauge club next season, but Happ has been there, he’s worked for it, and I believe he has the confidence. Having said that, I’m willing to see what Kendrick and Carrasco got for us in spring training.

13. Griffin Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Happ

    We’ll re-sign Moyer after pretending to go after Lowe. I hope we don’t go after jon Garland, he stinks. I’d rather have Braden Looper than Garland.

14. NJ Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    3/45 isn’t going to get it done for Lowe unless the market collapses on him. I think Burrell is a feasible target considering teams view him as a short term budget guy with the market really hitting the 2nd tier guys, we surely will be able to match an offer but I wonder if he feels to betrayed.

    Where do we deal Myers? I don’t see anyone willing to meet a Freddy Garcia level deal which is what we’d want considering his issues and contract situation. I don’t see any teams desperate enough right now to pony up that kind of a deal for him in this economy.

15. MadSon Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Hamels/Myers/Lowe/Blanton/Moyer

    We sign Lowe for 15 per and resign Moyer for 7 per, go with a platoon of Dobbs/Stairs/Jenkins in left. If the LF platoon isn’t working we still have Kendrick/Happ/Carrasco they can move into the rotation (with Kendrick having a slight edge over Happ/Carrasco) if they decide to try and move Myers for a LF upgrade. I still think that if the can’t lock Madson up to a long term deal this offseason that they should shop him for a LFer.

    A starting rotation of Hamels/Myers/Lowe/Blanton/Moyer with Kendrick/Happ/Carrasco as insurance against injuries is pretty strong.

16. Evrybuddy Hits woohoo Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    Hamels / Myers / Blanton / Moyers / Happ

    It was good enough to win the World Series in ‘08 and should be good enough to give us a good shot again in ‘09.

17. Amanda Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Hamels/Myers/Lowe/Blanton/Moyer

18. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    Not so enthused about garland…seems like a number 4 starter on a bad national league team, but the phillies are a good national league team, so:

    hamels/lowe/myers/blanton/happ

    if they want to move myers (to DET for armando gallaraga & matt joyce):

    hamels/lowe/blanton/happ/gallaraga

    or if myers stays and they cant sign lowe:

    hamels/myers//blanton/happ/penny

19. Mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Myers (not that he’s our #1, but he is my opening-day starter. He’s been it the last two years. And we have two division titles to show for it. He’s good luck as far as I care.)
    Hamels
    Lowe
    Blanton
    Happ

    Lowe for 3/$48. If he doesn’t go for it, how about Odalis Perez? We could get him for cheap, and he was really solid last year. And, obviously, the fifth spot will go to a shootout between Carrasco, Happ and Kendrick.

20. psujoe Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

    Geoff, I assume if the Phillies made that trade with the tigers would the Phillies try to move Jenkins? I don’t see a need for two left handed LFs that cant hit lefties. or would you keep Jenkins as insurance for Werth against righties?

21. Derek Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    Geoff, why would the tigers trade armando gallaraga and matt joyce for brett myers? I’m not trying to be a d**k when i ask that, i’m just wondering what your reasoning is

22. NJ Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    Love that trade Geoff, I’ll top it and say we let Moyer leave and don’t sign Lowe and trade Jenkins to Tampa for Scott Shields, Evan Longoria and Willy Aybar and Jason Donald to the Dodgers for Bronxton and Kemp. Lastly I’ll also send Eric Bruntlett and Pat Overholt to the Yankees for A-Rod and swap the Phanatic for Buggs Bunny, Tweety Bird and Bill Murray… I suggest we also put all umpires on the payroll for home games and solve the global economic crisis with one big hug.

23. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    no reason at all..just a random thought…there had been talk of moving myers to clear payroll IF lowe is signed, i i came up with that on the spot…yes, theyd have to move jenkins…if someone wants that contract that is…i do not expect that trade to happen..like ever…just throwing out a few possible scenarios as to their rotation makeup

24. Derek Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    well alright then

25. NJ Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Geoff the Tigers GM would get dismissed and investigated if he made that deal.

26. Phillies Phan SC Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    I want to address the Eaton for Zito talk. I know it is fictitious, but I’ll bite. I am for the trade. Why? HOW could it be worse? One for one, see if the change of scenery helps either of them… I mean, does it even matter? One team may be lucky – hopefully it is us. I would like to see Eaton start a game in 2009 to see where he is – a game that may not matter, of course…

    Ok a few other things in response to what I have read. My starting rotation: Hamels/Myers or Lowe/Lowe or Moyer/Blanton/Kendrick or Happ (we shall have to see). I have to leave some flexibility because I would set it differently depending on whom we keep or acquire. If we keep Moyer and Myers and get Lowe, then it would be: Hamels/Myers/Lowe/Moyer/Blanton, with Happ or Kendrick as my DL starters.

    I still fail to see why we need starters though. I would rather sink my money into the talent we have. Lock up Werth, Vic, Howard (yes), Madsen (I know about Boras), RUIZ, etc. for a while and pay THEM. I know Ruiz had a slow bat year, but who cares, he can catch! We do not need big names right now; we need to retain these guys for 5 years. Burrell will get other offers and unless he wants to give us his discount then I cannot see him here.

    Therefore, in 2009, platoon Jenkins and Stairs in LF (Bruntlett later), Vic in CF and Werth in RF. Platoon Dobbs and Feliz at 3B, Rollins at SS, Bruntlett at 2B for the first two months and then Utley (duh) Howard at 1B. These 25 got us to the World Series.

    I agree with Mike – this may be Myers last season here, start him opening day. If for nothing else just a respect to him. Hamels is our ace though and we all know that. I still think w should keep Myers if he has a good year though. I am not for shopping him.

27. mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    Just looked at the free agents pitchers out there. My guess is the phillies wait and go after byrd or garland two pitchers who will sign low figure deals. for two or three years tops. They have no chance for lowe or burnett or sheets. I still believe left field will be a trade . or jason michaels.

28. Griffin Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Eaton is owed $8.5 million (plus a $500,000 buyout)

    Zito is owed $94.5 million (plus a $7 million dollar buyout)

    Let us never discuss Barry Zito ever again.

29. mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

    Griffin you have said the truth. Why in the world would someone want that contract for that pitcher. Why would anyone bring him up unless he is related to them. Maybe its Zito cousin who said that, and live in the area and thinks he might get free tickets. That is my guess

30. Griffin Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    well, in Zito’s contract, he gets a free suite for all road games, so maybe someone just wanted some free tickets!

31. PhillyFriar Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Happ

    I have a feeling that with the Yankees, Mets, and possibly even the Red Sox involved, we’ll end up being outbid for Lowe. And I’d rather overpay slightly for Moyer than to give any kind of long-term deal to Garland, who has been outpitching his peripherals for a few years now.

32. mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Garland and Byrd will not be high contract and you will be pitted against the likes of pittsburg or kc and they are not places pitcher want to go to, this is the phillies way to wait and sign easier players who command less.

33. mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    But in this case I agree with the phillies. to give the money throwed out there for lowe and burnett is crazy. If C.C. wants to ,he could command closer to 30 million a year. If the numbers for the other pitchers is correct.I as a fan I don’t like this trend. Baseball must go to a salary cap. and as I have said before if you go over pay 2 to 1 in tax. make it hard for teams to get crazy and drive up the prices.This will insure good competition for the league .

34. Mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    I don’t think baseball needs a salary cap.

    I mean, in the same time span that NBA’s had their cap, baseball has had twice as many different teams win.

35. psujoe Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Signing Lowe is the key to a whole bunch of moves the Phillies could make. It would give us a solid 5 man rotation with some chips to play. Myers would be a pretty good chip at the deadline if the Phils think Carasco could be ready by July. With all the relievers out there how about Madson as a starter(I’d hate to do it, just thinking out loud).

36. william Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    lets just say the bay area miracle happens and CC gets home sick and goes home to san fran trade madson/jenkins for cain and have Hamels/myers/cain/blaton/happ let burrell and moyer go and spend the money on left field and locking up some players

37. SirAlden Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pm

    Hamels / Peavey / Myers / Blanton / Happ

    Carrassco + goes to San Diego.

38. griffin Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    It would take a lot more than an arbitration eligible Ryan Madson (one year before becoming a free agent) and washed up Geoff Jenkins to get Cain.
    They would ask for Howard for Cain.

39. william Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    O.K. then doi it we all know it’s gonna happen sooner or later get them to throw in lewis for kendrick on go after texiera

40. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    it will take so much more than carrasco + to get peavy….

    it would take like: carrasco, madson, carson, and werth or victorino

    seriuosly, forget about it….plus watch out for san diegos pitchers because of petco park…im not sure peavy is really all-world, his road numbers arent the greatest…this season…he was 5-6 on the road with an era over 4….thats really not special…im not so sure hes really even better than cole. actually, hes not better than cole. ill pass on jake peavy..too costly and potentially, key word, overrated.

    if the giants sign sabathia you might be able to pry matt cain or jonathan sanchez from them. but it will still be very expensive to get cain..i threw the myers tigers thing otu there just to instigate argument..,..anyways, ill stick with wanting to see them get lowe.

    to the guy who said they dont need starters…really? i mean, theres almost no way they go through the season again with their top starters healthy ALL YEAR like they did last season. thats so rare…tahts why you need to trade for or sign at least one additional guy to add depth…depth and avoiding injury are the keys to a great starting rotation

41. Dan S Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Carrasco

42. Jason Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

    Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Happ, Carrasco

    And that is what I WANT to see.

    I am tired of waiting. We got the World Series. Let’s see what Carrasco’s got next year.

    I want to see the money spent in the bullpen actually. I am not a Clay Conrey believer. Chard Durbin makes me nervous, and I do not want a Rudy Seanez type. Give me a legit long arm.

    Sign me a Beimel and an Odalis Perez/Brad Penny risk reward and start them long in the pen, and moved into the rotation of Happ or Carrasco falters.

    With the left over cash, give me Mark Loretta or Tadahito Iguchi.

    And make a surprise run at Adam Dunn.

    That’s what I want.

    I would be happy with Raul Ibanez too.

    I’d also like to see extensions for Cole, Madson, Werth, and Shane.

    Not Ryan though, not considering he’d prolly wants a 8 year, 160 million dollar deal.

    Thanks but no thanks.

    So to re-answer the question:

    Cole, Myers, Blanton, Happ, Carrasco.

    and if it works out like most people thinks it will.

    It will be Cole, Carrasco, Myers, Blanton, Happ in reality.

    I want to see Carrasco– and I think he can be a Johnny Cueto. At least. And we’d take that name in a second.

43. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    Carrasco is better than Johnny Cueto…he got figured out and came back to earth..I think Carrasco has better stuff than that

44. Malcolm Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Hamels-Myers-Blanton-Happ-Carrasco

    I’d like to see the Phillies save their money rather than put it into a contract for a top-tier FA SP like Derek Lowe or A.J. Burnett. If we had more salary room, I would love to see Lowe in Citizen’s Bank Park. But, I’d rather secure Rocco Baldelli, Nick Punto, Juan Cruz and Chad Cordero. Kendrick can compete with Carrasco for the 5th spot. In my heart, I would like Moyer to come back, but there is a definite time to think about the future.

45. CXL72 Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Amaro should wear a bracelet WWPD. What would Pat Gillick do?? Amaro is new to the job and will make mistakes. No need to be outmaneuvered by Scott Boras and get stuck with Lowe for 4 years. Derek Lowe’s road nuners are just okay. I agree with the comment on Peavy, a SD pitcher stats are like a Coors field hitter. Im sure Moyer wants a raise (probably in the $9M range) and more than 1 year. 2 years $18mil for Moyer is better that 4 years $60mil for Lowe. I do now want Eaton in a Phils jersey under any scenario. 50+ starts and an ERA over 5.50 for us. Ive seen enough.

46. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    The more I read about Lowe the more I doubt hell come here. Boras is simply too good to allowe Ruben Amaro to rush a 3-4 year team-friendly contract on Lowe. Boras is the master of waiting and bringing new teams into the mix and driving up the price. Boras is bluffing when he asked for 5 years 90mm for Lowe, but knowing boras i could see him get 4 years 75-80mm. that means forget about it…too much of a committment for a 34 year old who has never broken down, which means he does for an injury-plagued season or two. if he could be solid and make every start then yeah, but there is some sort of lingering doubt i have about lowe…dunno why…the longer this goes on the less i want them to get lowe..especially as the price goes up.

    id be wary of garland too, ill bet he gets overpaid as well. he seems tailor made for the national league though.

47. mike mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    Why would anyone who likes to see competition not want a system which levels the playing field. Unless there is a cap teams like KC Pittsburg, and others will only be able to compete every so many years. that is if they draft well.

48. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    If we are able to sign Lowe that gives us two pitchers who have started WS clinching games in the past 4 years. Lowe knows how to win in the post season. Honestly, I don’t see him signing with the Yanks unless they sign CC. Point being the Yankees are too far away from winning the division and Lowe is 35.

    Now, we sign Lowe and we can then flip Myers to the Tigers. Remember that the Tigers need a closer and Myers would relish in that role. Who do we get back is key. I like the Galaragga/Joyce scenario because I would feel better plugging Galaragga in at the #4 spot with Blanton moving up to 3.

    Or, flip Myers for Ordonez straight up. We take on more salay but Ordonez is signed through next year with 2010 being a mutual option. The Tigers would jump on it because it saves them about 10M in salary. Yes, we take on more, but we are poised to win now, not later. So, we plug in Lowe at #2 and Ordonez between Chase and Howard.

    The Phils and ownership CAN do it, it is just a matter IF they will do it. But GET it done!

49. tom Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    I like a Hamels/ Lowe/Myers/Blanton/Happ rotation because it would be most likely consistant.I liked moyer but without our offense he is at best 13-14 or around there. I think lowe is a better pickup then keeping moyer. I dont think trading myers is a good idea, we need a soild 3rd guy and he can be that.

50. mike mike Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    the yankees are too far from winning the division. Put C.C. and Burnett and add one outfielder then how far are they. They have the money to add a lot of salary. they will replace abbreu with bradley or ibanez type plus two good starters.

51. Art D. Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 10:54 pm

    Nobody should want Zito…unless they want to relieve the Giants of a albatross hanging around their neck.

    Zito will disappoint…or, make a large hole in the rotation. Not only blocking Carrasco and Drabek etc.l from the rotation now and in the immediate future.

    Living in the bay area, I’ve closely watched Zito and the fans/mgmt dismissive of him and his lousy record…who be very happy to throw him on any available trash pile.

    Give Carrasco a REAL shot in ‘09 out of spring training. It’s time…so long as he doesn’t stink up the joint in ST.

52. Steve Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 11:20 pm

    Even if the Giants were to pay half his salary, if you offered me Zito at 50 million and a dead parrot at 49 million, I’d take the dead parrot and save a million bucks. They’re both worthless.

53. Geoff Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Actually a cap would reset the salary structure and get it under control. Just make the cap more like the NHL, not hte nfl or nba. the nba is a terrible league because of the way their salaries are arranged, and in the nfl contracts mean nothing.

    in the nhl theyre guaranteed AND theres a salary cap, BECUASE OF THAT, the nhl is the MOST competitively balanced league, period. baseball is great but there are some disgraceful teams out there. they need to follow the lead of the nhl and they will take their game to new heights….

54. Phillies Phan SC Says:
    December 6th, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    Griffin,

    If your numbers are accurate, I was unaware of that and you are right. That would be foolish of us.

    Geoff,

    That was me who said to look elsewhere besides starters. I did not say we don’t need starters, just that we have other needs. I would have otherwise agreed with you, but right now we have Happ, Kendrick, Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Durbin (he was a starter), Eaton AND the minor league guys. If Moyer comes back, we have him to add. I just think we could pay other taken. Granted some of those have issues, but we have options and I just do not think starters are the way to go THIS off-season. I think we need to get a right-handed bench guy AND lock down some of the other guys who perform – Victorino being first (I forget when his contract expires off the top of my head, but I know it is not as long as Utley and Rollins). Howard next, then Werth.

    I may be wrong or crazy, but that is how I see it. I am not bull-headed though, I am open for different things – and besides, it is all up to Amaro anyway…

55. Memphis Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 2:46 am

    Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer, Kendrick

    Happ and Carrasco are ready for Moyer and/or Kendrick to blow up.

    Lowe is a dream I’m not quite buying. Would be nice to get in on Sheets once he declines arbitration, but not counting on getting him either. Would be thrilled with either, but both could be Yankees, once CC finds a way to say no to $140M. Hope neither is a Met.

    I’d roll the dice with Juan Rivera in left, giving Dobbs and Jenkins 1-2 starts a week. Let Donald or Bruntlett start the year at 2B. I’d take a shot at Juan Cruz for the bullpen.

    We may sniff around the likes of Odalis Perez and Braden Looper, veteran guys you could start/relieve. We’ll win 85 or so in a tougher NL East and be in it going into the last two weeks… would love to deal for Holliday mid-season and make Holliday, Utley, and Hamels the pillars of this team for the next 5 years.

    I think we should cherish 2008.

56. dmarley Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 6:29 am

    Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Happ

57. Jeff Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 7:41 am

    Hamels Halladay Blanton Moyer Happ

    The Blue Jays are in financial turmoil and have already said they can’t better their team through free agency. I just feel they are ready to start another building period. Halladay asked them last July to move him if they weren’t going for it. I don’t feel they can compete in the AL East this year. Carrasco, Kendrick, and probably 2 or 3 more prospects for Halladay. Myers would have to go for money reasons. Maybe for an outfielder. Maybe to the Jays to keep them competitive this year. Remember, he’s a free agent in 2010. The Phils could then reassess and maybe resign him. Jenkins, Feliz and Eaton are off the books in 2010 and maybe the Phils have the money to bring him back.

    And that brings up a sour subject. Unfortunately, Eaton will be hard to get rid of. He could be in the rotation instead of Moyer. At least until the trade deadline, when we can start speculating all over again. But Happ has earned the fifth spot and I feel will be a productive 4-5 pitcher for a while.

58. fred Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 8:34 am

    Hamels/Lowe/Myers/Moyer/Blanton

    Sounds to me like Amaro really is going after starting pitchers, and this would be a great rotation. Obviously, left field would suffer but maybe Happ and another prospect could be flipped somewhere for a platoon partner for Jenkins/Stairs/Dobbs in LF ?

59. Matt Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 8:42 am

    Hamels/Myers/Blanton/Moyer/Haap

60. Matt Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 8:46 am

    Also, I’m a little disappointed in Moyer busting everyones balls over this contract issue. I don’t think he fits in on a lot of teams in this league, and really benefits from having a potent offense behind him. He came up a little small in some big games down the stretch this year. If he thinks he’s getting more than 7M this year, he’s crazy. I only think he’s worth about 5M.

61. Bloagie Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Hamels/Myers/Penny/Blanton/Happ

    I still says they get a left fielder, which means 1 SP signing. Penny had a bad season last year, but the Phils could get him on the cheap and he was a potential cy-young the year before. That sounds like the Phils type of player.

    If the phils sign a righty, I would have to say Happ, just to get another Lefty in there. But, if the phils sign a lefty (Moyer/Lowe), we could see kendrick given another chance at the end of the rotation.

    By only going after 1 SP, this makes a Moyer signing even more unlikely. By signing Moyer, that would give you basically the rotation we had the second half of last season. To improve, you sign lowe or trade for Garland. I’m not sure about Garland, as he was a cancer in Seattle’s rotation.

62. The Dipsy Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Matt…can’t have 3 lefties in a rotation. Again, my plan:

    1) Sign Lowe.
    2) Trade Myers for a nice RH bat (15/50/.285) to play left field a good prospect and a prospect;
    3) Sign Moyer…to a one year deal

    Hamels/Lowe/Blanton/Moyer/Kendrick

63. SirAlden Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Halladay-Peavey………are…both…higher…chances…then…Lowe

    Toronto…wants…Donald…too.

64. SirAlden Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 9:57 am

    jeff..is..correct.

65. NJ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am

    Lets put out a rough estimate for Halladay… Donald, Carrasco, Marson, Victorino, Taylor, Drabek, the maximum cash figure, the family dog and your aunt Betty plus her pension and voting rights and an agreement to play oh canada during the 7th inning stretch at all Phillies games.

66. NJ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 11:56 am

    ^Toronto aren’t in financial turmoil, their just taking their foot off the gas aftera catalogue of failed investments that has seen Riccardi almost loose his job.

    Are you guys going to be angry if Lowe signs elsewhere? If so please track the man down and hand him your wallet too…

67. OZ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    Hamels / Myers / Lowe / Blanton / Happ

    sad to see Moyer go. really am. but its time to aim a bit higher, a la, Lowe.

    Myers is the trade bait if a mid-season boost is needed. Carrasco perhaps will be ready by then.

    nothing wrong with Blanton as a 4 and Happ as a 5 IMHO.

68. NJ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    Myers is only mid-season trade bait if the Phillies are out of contention and shedding excess payroll and the return will likely not match his type A status unless he’s lights out to that point.

69. mike mike Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    Halladay goes on the market. The braves, brewers, redsox, Texas all have outstanding prospect to trade, we have no chance mentioning the players in our system won’t get it done. Not one of our prospect is a top projected player, it doesn’t mean they won’t be all stars but right now . They don’t project that way. Victorino, carrasco, marson, wont do it.

70. mike mike Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    One point that may clear it up to some who don’t follow the minors. The braves gave up Flowers , gilmore and others for javier Valzuez from the white sox. Flowers is a power hitting catcher, he would be our top prospect but the braves are loaded, and can trade top prospects cause they draft well.

71. Ryk Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    NJ, you fool! Under no circumstances should we trade the Phanatic! He’s the heart and sould of this organization. Besides, he’s look horrible in a Dodgers uniform (since those you wanted to trade him for are all in LA).

72. NJ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Wow sarcasm can really be missed here…

73. clktwr14 Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

    Hamels/ Peavy/ Myers/ Blanton/ Moyer

    The Phils deal Jason Donald and Jason Jarmillio to the Padres for Peavy, resign Moyer to a two year deal worth six mil per ( hometown discount) and options for 2011, and incentives/ and after that he becomes the pitching coach in Allentown or with the big club, and then resign Burrell for three years at 12 mil per yr with incentives, and atributions eglible players are resign

74. GWFightinsFan Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    Why would the Padres deal Peavy for Donald (a prospect who the Phillies like more than other teams do, i’m sure) and Jaramillo, a one time prospect who is now a suspect? I mean i’m all for getting Peavy, but it’ll take more than what you suggest, which means the Phillies won’t be going down that road.

75. The Dipsy Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    Yes, lets sign Burrell for 3y/36m. Thats a great idea. Put the bong down.

76. mike mike Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    To get peavy it must be Carrasco, marson, victorino{because he still cheap}.and not sure that would do it.

77. Geoff Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    Jason Donald and Jaramillo for peavy is the biggest joke trade ever…hes overrated in my eyes but he will come at a high price regardless. jason jaramillo isnt even the second best catching prospect they have, why would san diego even want him?

    theyd ask for lou marson, carlos carrasco, jason donald, and shane victorino or jayson werth, most likely

    thats just simply not worth it.

78. Geoff Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Tim: heres a preemptive gameday beer…Samuel Smith’s Organically Produced Lager (UK). Thats the actual title, its like 7-10 dollars a bottle, but its very very clean tasting and smooth.

79. NJ Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    I’m in the UK, Samuel Smith’s is awesome but rare. It’s being forgotten with this Peavy talk that whatever deal would have to include him not vetoing it which is the beginning and end of why we haven’t heard the idea even being kicked around in the baseball press.

80. Tyler Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    look… zito is out of the ?… no way it’ll happen… i like the idea of lowe but don’t see it realistacally coming true… IF lowe is signed… lowe, hamels, myers, happ/moyer, blanton… yes hamels is our ace but this gives a R,L,R,L,R rotation and should prove deadly… if no lowe… hamels, myers, moyer, blanton, happ

81. Mike B. Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    (L) Cole Hamels
    (R) Brett Myers
    (R) Joe Blanton
    (L) Randy Wolf – sign for 3 y/$17 M.
    (R) Brad Penny – sign for 1 y/$5 M, have him compete with Carassco and Kendrick.

    I know Wolf’s been injured, but he pitched 190 innings last year, started 30 games, he’s a decade younger than Moyer and he knows how to pitch in Philly. Keep Happ and Kendrick as part of the contingency plan in case either Wolf or Penny break down. Because maybe I’m delirious, but I’d welcome back the Wolf Pack.

    Take a flyer on Penny, because if he sucks, we’ve got Kendrick, Happ, and Carassco in the wings, and if not, well, we offered him arbitration after 2009, which is a win-win (we keep a decent pitcher or get draft picks). I wish Moyer could be back, but he probably won’t be.

82. clktwr14 Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Yeah Dipsy, tell me one of any left fielders out in the open market that as 30 HRs and 100 RBIs besides the phony-ass cry baby dread lock actor, who rather beat-up 60 year old travel secetarys then actually play the game.

83. clicheguevara Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Hamels/Lowe/Myers/Blanton/Kendrick

    Lowe is the definition of a CBP pitcher – great sinker, doesn’t give up many long balls, keeps the ball on the ground for our very solid defensive infield. He increases the value of players like Feliz and Rollins. Hamels, Myers, and Blanton are no brainers. Kendrick has performed solidly for us for two years, even if his success has been somewhat of a mystery at times. He seems to have learned a lot from Moyer and may just know how to pitch our park. I’d at least give him another shot before falling back on Happ or Carrasco. Ideally, I would like to see Carrasco come out and be our #2 in August or September, and it looks like he has the stuff to fulfill this expectation.

    As much as I love Moyer, we are suddenly very deep with options at the SP spot. No way I pay him more than he made last year. If he is willing to come back at the same price, or preferably lower, than I would LOVE to have him in clubhouse. From what I hear, Lowe isn’t the greatest personality to have around.

84. clktwr14 Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Geoff, the reason the Padres would take a deal like that is because they are trying to cut payroll,both Donald and Jaramillo are both cheap and Major League ready, besides the Phillies have a few good prospects at short and catcher, both Donald and Jaramillo will be moved this year just wait and see.

85. mike mike Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    Geoff don’t answer clktwr14 he is only kidding. No one in there right mind would even mention jaramillo in a trade for a top starter. maybe he is 14 and really doesn’t understand baseball.

86. Geoff Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    thats insane reasoning..you dont give away jake peavy like that…

    anyways, khalil greenes trade has allowed the padres to consider keeping peavy anyway.

    to quote brett myers, “youre just a f*cking retard, you dont know sh*t about f*cking baseball.”

87. Phillies Phan SC Says:
    December 7th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    I am going out on a limb, why don’t we sign Paul Byrd for a season for long relief? I think he still has some left and he would not break the bank. Even though he has been a starter, I think he is an excellent long relief guy for if Eaton starts. That’s mean.

    I am not against Randy Wolf

    NO PENNY, I repeat NO BRAD PENNY. NO, NO, NO, bad idea, almost worse than Barry Zito that I agreed with earlier in the thread.

    I want Moyer back, but I am indifferent to Burrell, although I think he should be a Phillie.

88. Mike B. Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am

    I’m not talking about Brad Penny long-term. $5 M might be too much, but If it was up to me, I’d put Happ in the fifth spot, but everyone here says that you can’t have 3 lefties in a rotation. Which I guess I can see, but I don’t know. So can someone explain to me why?

    And never mind Brad Penny anyway. I just checked ESPN.com, and I saw the name Braden Looper. Yeah, he was 12-14, but with a 4.16 ERA, and I read somewhere that he’s apparently a ground ball pitcher. And by the way, I know he used to be a reliever, but his 4.16 ERA came in his second year of starting; in his first year he posted a 4.94 ERA. Okay, I know he’s not a big name, but he’s a fifth starter. Basically your job as a fifth starter is to not be Adam Eaton. I don’t know how I missed Looper the first time – probably because I still thought he was a reliever.

    So here we go:

    (L) Cole Hamels
    (R) Brett Myers
    (R) Joe Blanton
    (L) Randy Wolf – sign for 3 y/$17 M.
    (R) Braden Looper – sign for 2 y/$14 M.

    In two years Carassco will be ready. Woolf probably won’t happen, or at least for the length I’ve given here, because Happ is pretty close to ready. But signing Woolf at least gives Happ a little more chance at seasoning, or at least seeing whether he’s legitimate.

89. Geoff Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 9:25 am

    Two things, carrasco will be ready this year after june/july, and at the latest next year. second, ja happ is 25/6, hes ready now to take the 5th starters job. carrasco is the first man up in case someone tanks or gets hurt.

90. Geoff Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 9:26 am

    I agree about Penny..if youre a world championship team, you dont take risks on people like brad penny. let the pirates or the blu jays or someone do that. garland is liek a 3rd or 4th option to go after. first is lowe, second is to try and trade for someone as good as lowe, third is moyer, 4th is garland.

91. Geoff Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am

    and 5th is oliver perez, but itll never happen because we would never give the mets the satisfaction of using our first round pick against us.

92. Chuck P Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 11:40 am

    Crazy scenarios…

    Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Glen Perkins…

    a 2 for 2 trade that would involve Jason Donald (the Twins really like Donald and have a bunch of young pitchers), JA Happ OR Kyle Kendrick and Delmon Young (to play LF… not my first option but might be worth the risk)

    Hamels/Oswalt/Moyer/Blanton/Happ

    The Astros aren’t sellers… blah, blah, blah… they have nothing on the farm and Oswalt wants to play for a non-NY contender (that would be us). Throw a few “Ed Wade” prospects their way and maybe they reconsider.

93. MP Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Hamlels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Kendrick

    Don’t think we’ll get Lowe. As nice as it would be, I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I think we do get Moyer back. Kendrick should get another chance. If he doesn’t work out, move Happ in.

94. Chuck P Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    BY THE WAY… I heard that CC Sabathia might be back in Milwaukee. I heard that the deal MIL offered (5 years $100 mil with an opt out after 3 years) was substantially less than NY’s offer (6 years $140 mil) HOWEVER he felt bad taking $140 when he knows people that don’t have jobs… further, he’s not thrilled about being in NY and he really likes MIL. This is interesting; it does a couple of things. It brings the market down (Lowe becomes a cheaper commodity) and it could really swing the pendulum towards the small/mid market teams. If it pans out, it puts pressure on players to show some loyalty… MIL is saying, “Look, we can’t guarantee you the same deal that NY can but we can talk again after 3 years when we have one or two WS rings.” In the end, if CC turns down $40 million, he becomes my favorite player not wearing red pinstripes and MIL becomes a force. What likely ends up happening if this pans out… the Red Sox overpay for Lowe (we don’t get him), the Yankees make the fatal mistake of overpaying for Burnett and we end up with a guy like Wolf, Garland or Sheets.

95. Mike N Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    Why not Ben Sheets? It’s definitely a gamble, but he might be available for a reasonable two-year deal. High upside should he do well. When the inevitable injuries come along, we’ve got the Happ/Carrasco/Kendrick trio ready to fill in for as long as needed. Heck, maybe we could do Sheets AND Moyer AND a cheap righty platoon guy in LF.

96. clktwr14 Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    People forget about Derek Lowe, he made 10 million last year, Moyer is the cheaper, smarter and more proven option, in CB Park.

    Lowe 14-11 last year in a pitcher’s park

97. Builder Says:
    December 13th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    Вы умные мысли толкаете!:)

98. Printer Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 5:58 am

    Спасибо. Прочитал с интересом. Блог в избранное занес=)

99. BigSten Says:
    December 16th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Прикольная стотейка !

100. Mebel Says:
     December 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

     Мало! Пиши почаще, ато уж очень редко тебя слышно.

101. advenedeect Says:
     January 21st, 2009 at 6:43 pm

     Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
     I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
     God will appreciate it.

102. artejespseula Says:
     February 20th, 2009 at 8:12 am

     Let me start off by saying that I’m a cat lover. I love cats.Indoor cats. Cats who are well cared for and loved.
     Our next door neighbors, who are good people and we have no complaint about, are animal lovers too. They also have three cats. Outdoor
     cats. Oh, and three dogs. Outdoor dogs. (Their back yard is maybe about 4/10’s of an acre?) Well, you can imagine that the outdoor cats
     don’t feel like spending time with the outdoor dogs… why should they when they can so easily hop the fence and spend time in OUR yard?
     Ordinarily, it wouldn’t bother me at all to have a cat roaming through our yard. I LIKE cats. But these guys are wearing out their
     welcome.
     Our poor cats stand at the windows unable to chase those cats off of their territory. We used to let our cats out every now and t
     hen to chew the monkey grass or sniff around (they’re declawed… we have to stay with them to make sure they don’t escape). We
     can’t anymore… the neighbor’s cats scent sends one of our males into a frenzy whereby he attacks our other cats.
     We can’t leave our garage door up anymore (they pee in our garage). I can’t enjoy the birdfeeder anymore (they stalk the birds).
     And just now, I went outside and discovered our yard smells like one of those crazy cat lady houses.

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