Let's Make a Deal

It's the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline this week. As the deals come across the wire, I'll be analyzing them.

Phillies acquire Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco from Indians for prospects Carlos

Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Knapp and Jason Donald.

From the Phillies POV:

Lee is the reigning Cy Young winner from the American League. He costs about $8

million less than Halladay would for next season. They keep Happ, Drabek and Donald. I can't think of one negative. Donald would most likely play third base when Feliz's contract ended. Now they must re-sign Feliz or look for another third baseman but that's not a huge problem. Marson has all the making of a stud catcher but he's not ready to play everyday in the big leagues and Carlos Ruiz is more than serviceable. Francisco is nothing special but he is a little more seasoned than Mayberry.

This deal overloads the Phillies with left-handed starters. Hamels, Lee, Moyer and Happ. Blanton is pitching better than anyone on the team now and Pedro Martinez is working his way through a rehab stint and will be back soon. Rodrigo Lopez is as good as gone, which is a shame because he pitched well, but he will undoubtedly be scooped up by another team and could earn himself a nice paycheck this offseason. With 34 games over the final 34 days of the season, including two September double-headers, the Phils will need extra arms. Amaro knew the Phils would wrap up the NL East, but with this moved he may have wrapped up another pennant and perhaps more.

From the Indians POV:

No point spending $9 million on Lee when you have no chance at the playoffs. Save some money and get some young guys in return. Francisco is addition by subtraction as his long swing was not helping anyone and his roster spot was blocking Brantley or LaPorta's call-up.

Marson would allow the Indians to trade Victor Martinez now, which could net a big pitching prospect as well. This trade signals not only a white flag for this season (which was obvious) but for next year as well.

Shapiro may have faltered in this one. Carrasco has great stuff but it hasn't translated in games. There's a reason Cleveland turned down a deal with the Phillies last year centered around Carrasco for CC Sabathia. There's also a reason the Phillies called up Bastardo, not Carrasco, to replace the injured Brett Myers and then called up Lopez, not Carrasco to replace the injured Bastardo. The kid hasn't developed. At only 22, there's still hope, but the Phils must be thrilled to get rid of him and keep Drabek in their system.

The City of Doctorly Love

Despite being in first place and ten games above .500, the Philadelphia Phillies aren't sitting back and doing nothing. Pedro Martinez will be taking a physical tomorrow and if all goes well signing a contract shortly there after.

Kyle Drabek, coming off a solid outing in the MLB Futures Game yesterday has all but made himself untouchable. The Phils still have the pieces to go out and make a play for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Halladay has said he would welcome a trade to the Senior Circuit especially if it gave him a shot at a World Series ring. As a player with 10 years Major League service and 5 with the same team, Doc can veto any trade agreed upon. With this kind of bargaining power, I would take advantage of it and demand some things from Philadelphia.

We've all seen how awesome the Blue Jays look when they wear their 1993 World Series uniforms. The powder blue blue jay is one of the best logos ever constructed. So if I'm Doc Halladay, I would tell Phillies GM Ruben Amaro that I would agree to come to Philly only if the Phils bring back the maroon unis on home games when I'm pitching. It's a simple request and one that the city of Philadelphia has been clamoring for all season. 

Halladay would be the right-handed Steve Carlton. Imagine a rotation with righties Roy Halladay, Pedro Martinez and Joe Blanton and lefties Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and J.A. Happ. Happ would likely get kicked to the bullpen as would Brett Myers if/when he returns from hip surgery in September. It wouldn't surprise me if the Phils made a run at former Blue Jays closer BJ Ryan as well. It never hurts to have an extra lefty in the 'pen. 

Do it Doc. It can't hurt to ask. It would make the perfect transition to the NL. The Phillies can't waste this opportunity. A pitcher of Halladay's caliber don't come around often. This is why you build the farm system. The Phils will get a good look at him tomorrow evening when Halladay toes the slab in the All-Star game. And with five Phillies taking hacks against him and Charlie watching from the dugout, I expect the recruitment process to be heavy.

Threes a Crowd

Raul Ibanez will have some friendly faces in the outfield with him Tuesday in St. Louis. Ibanez earned a starting spot on the All-Star team by putting up stellar numbers over the first half of the season. With the fans given the opportunity to send one final player, fellow Phillie Shane Victorino was given the nod. One day later, a replacement for injured Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran was appointed. Jayson Werth will now be packing his bags for St. Louis too.

Many will argue that J-Dub only got it because his skipper, Charlie Manuel made the selection. The numbers tend to disagree. Werth smashed his 20th homer of the year last night, his fourth in as many games. His range and arm strength undoubtedly helped his cause.

Membership has its privileges and nowadays it pays to roam the outfield in Philadelphia. Now if only they could get their starting pitching straightened out. Matt Stairs better stay close to his phone, because if Ryan Braun pulls a hammy this weekend...

Bulls 1 Spaniards 0

A man was killed at the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain this year.

In my short 22 years on this planet, I've accomplished many of the things I've wanted to. But one thing yet to be crossed off my bucket list is running with the bulls. Call me crazy, but this is one of the coolest things I think a human being could do.

Most people would object to jogging with 20,000 pounds of wild bulls. It may not be the smartest way to depart this life, but it's got to be one hell of a story when you get to Heaven. I've got to assume that there's special sections at the bar in the clouds for those who died in amusing ways. And being gorged by a bull will probably earn you free drinks for eternity. 

BRING ON THE BULLS!

Oh Charlie

The rosters for the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis were announced yesterday afternoon. These rosters did not include any of the top ten active career home run leaders. Perennial all-stars like Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and Ken Griffey Jr were all conspicuously absent. Many feel this is a statement from the fans condemning the use of performance enhancing drugs. A lot has changed since last season. Both A-Rod and Manny have admitted to PED use, while Griffey's numbers have dropped dramatically with a limited role and advancing age in Seattle.

Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel was able to pick eight players from his roster of 33. He took his own first baseman, Ryan Howard, but mainly made the right moves. Ramirez, despite his 50-game suspension, was sitting in the top 5 in votes for outfielders. When push came to shove, Manuel failed to add Manny's name to the roster.

But did Charlie have a plan?

Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran was elected by the fans, but due to a knee injury, will be unable to participate. In this scenario, Manuel will get to pick his replacement. He could go with his own center fielder, Shane Victorino. The Flyin' Hawaiian is on a list of five players who could potentially get the nod based on the fans' final vote.

And then there's Manny.

Manuel has said in the past that Manny is like a son to him. Going back to their days in Cleveland, when Manuel was the Tribe's hitting coach and Ramirez was setting the world on fire en route to the 8 year $160 million contract he signed with Boston. While eyebrows would absolutely be raised, Manuel could easily justify picking Manny.

Thanks to the wonderful Allan H. 'Bud' Selig, the All-Star game determines home field advantage in the World Series. With the Phillies in first place in their division, why wouldn't Manuel want a lethal bat like Manny on his bench? Last year's game went 15 innings before a winner was decided. Manny doesn't have to play all 9 innings to make an impact. One swing and he could send the NL home with its first victory in a decade. Charlie has an obligation to his employer, the Philadelphia Phillies, to do everything he can to secure home field advantage for them should they repeat as NL Champs.

And there's no better bat in Major League Baseball that isn't already heading to St. Louis than Manny. The argument that he shouldn't be available to play, given his suspension for essentially cheating seams valid. Manuel, however, is in the unique position to stake a serious claim to Selig's decision to 'make the game count'. For a regular, meaningless exhibition, maybe Manuel leaves Ramirez at home. But could anyone blame Charlie for trying to put together the best possible group of players?

It's called the All-"STAR" game. Not All-"STARS WHO DIDN'T GET SUSPENDED" game. Manny's a star. For Manny, the Phillies and the NL's sake, I hope Manny gets the call. And Charlie, you've got a cheese steak and a beer on me if you pick him.