What do you think of this trade?

Trading for elite fireball closer Billy Wagner is a HUGE step forward for the Fightin' Phils.

They gave up a couple of good prospects, and the struggling Duckworth but they have a number of good right handers still in the farm system.

Wagner will help them to contend in the next two years no doubt, as long as he stays healthy.

He has a fastball that approaches 100 MPH, and is very accurate. He also has developed a good slider, and some off-speed stuff.

Now they need to shore up the starting rotation.

Will Millwood be back? Who knows...but they need 1-2 more solid starters or at least middle tier starters.

There had been some rumors that Curt Schilling may be considering coming back to Philadelphia, but as I understand it the asking price may be too high for the Phillies in light of recent trades and acquisitions.

There is some speculation in the media that the Phils may go after Brad Penny or Carl Pavano of the Marlins, especially if they are unable to re-sign Millwood.

The starting rotation right now looks something like this:

Millwood??, Wolf, Padilla, Myers and ???- possibly Amaury Telemaco or even Bud Smith.

Millwood (if he stays), Wolf, Padilla, and Myers are solid starters. They just need to work on solidifying the 4 and 5 spots in the pitching rotation.

In the pen, to set up for Wagner, we have Cormier, Silva, recent acquisition Valerio de Los Santos, and possibly Plesac, Wendell and Terry Adams, who filed for free agency, along with Millwood. Mike Williams is out of the picture thank goodness- what were they thinking when they signed him? He was okay with Pittsburgh, but didn't show us anything.

The batting line up looks promising if they can get better run production out of the middle and bottom of the order.

Here is the line up I would project:

1- Byrd (after a break out yr, this kid is on the way up)
2- Polanco (if he stays healthy)
3- Abreu (just think of what could happen if he, Thome and Burrell all slug what they are capable of- can you say World Series?)
4- Thome (Mr. RBI- 'nuff said)
5- Lieberthal (if he stays healthy and gets a day off every now and then)
6- Burrell (I think he'll have a much better season this yr)
7- Bell (again- if his his back stays healthy)
8- Rollins (needs to work on his swing & also be more selective)
9- pitcher/pinch hitters (another area that needs some improvement)

Bottom line- If the Phillies sign 1-2 more solid or middle tier starters, and everyone produces like they are expected to, I believe the Phils could win the NL east this year, and at the very least should win the wild card.

After that- who knows...

Just think of how many fewer blown saves we should have with a lights out closer like Wagner.

I went to several games this year and at two of those games, the Phillies led or were tied going into the ninth, and ended up losing due to a Mesa meltdown.

Hasta La vista Jose, make way for Billy the fireman!

Peace,

J

HA!! Bud Smith!! Another blown arm courtesy of Tony LaRussa!!

All kidding aside, I had forgotten he was still around. Back in the day the St. Louis press believed he and Ankiel were the second coming of Maddux and Glavine.

Good assesment peacemover, and I think we can all agree this signifies that the Philz are serious! Thome was just the beginning.

Middle relief is key. Look at the Yankees. Any of those bo-sox boys free agents???

That and Pratt. Re-sign Pratt.

-G

You're right about Bud Smith, G,

He has yet to prove that he has major league stuff- or that he has the durability to stay healthy for that matter.

I just saw his name as one of several mentioned in an article in Tuesday's Inquirer:

Here is a link to the complete article:

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/spo...ll/7178482.htm

Re-signing Pratt is definitely a great idea- he is a reliable catcher and also a solid clutch hitter (remember the game that he hit that extra inning homer??). I am concerned about his knee problems a bit, but he is tough, so I am sure he'll be ready for his starts.

I think the Phils would also benefit greatly from picking up another utility infielder who can field well, AND drive in some RBIs in clutch situations. I don't know much about Stinnett, but hopefully he'll pan out.

Punto is a solid fielder, but can't swing a bat to save his life (yet- maybe he'll improve this year); and Utley is a decent fielder and hitter, but definitely not starting material.

Also, if they shore up those 4 and 5 spots in the pitching rotation they should be close to unstoppable if the lineup hits like they are capable of doing...

Go Phils!

Peace,

John

Aside from signing or trading for a true number 1 pitcher, what other areas do you think should be a priority?

I think picking up a solid utility infielder or two who can field AND hit well is a definite need.

Right now they have Punto, Perez, and Utley. All three are okay, but that is all- nothing special. They need a few guys who can come off the bench to pinch hit, or field, and provide solid play and good offensive production.

With all the injuries that Bell and Polanco are nursing they need someone who is good enough to start in the majors or at the very least could platoon at an infield position or two.

That's just my two cents...what do others think??

Peace,

J

They don't need too much more. It would be nice to see BUrrell have a good year, I don't like hanging our hat SOLELY on Thome.

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Good point, Wil- Burrell definitely needs to step up to the plate (and actually hit the ball) more often this coming season, or the Phils are definitely going to struggle with run production.

I can't begin to count the number of times last year that the Phillies had a man on second or third base with less than 2 outs, and did not score.

Just think if Burrell could drive a long fly ball or line drive into the outfield instead of striking out even just 25% more of the time- that may have been enough to get the Phillies the Wild Card- but that's ancient history. I think he will come around this year.

The bottom of the order (the 6-8 hitters) really need to step up and produce. That is where they have fallen way short offensively.

Peace,

John

ESPN - Phillies Aquire Milton From Twins

More good news from the third-hardest working team in the off-season. As long as Milton is completely recovered from his injury, this is a very nice addition to the rotation.

Any bets on the likelihood his fan club in the upper decks dress up as the character from Office Space?

brandishing red swingline staplers.