Phillies Nation

If we add a number 2 pitcher to the starting rotation, the sky is the limit for this team.

I think it is time for the rest of the league to start to give the Phillies some credit for the off-season moves of Durbin and Lidge. Easily the two most important and have had the most impact moves of the winter. The two strike outs in the 9th, was a great example of Lidge setting up the hitters and then blowing them away.

Completely agree with Mike T. and Geoff’s train of thought. With the lineup mashing and the bullpen looking great, the team doesn’t have any real needs except the starting rotation, and there could be some decent starters to hit the market if the Blue Jays, Brewers, and Indians fall out of contention. I think they might even be able to get something done for a quality #2 starter without giving up Victorino. We’ll see as we get closer to the trade deadline…

I think the “that they’ve used the same 12 pitchers all season” is not all that reassuring. Said another way, it could be said that PG has done nothing to improve the staff since this spring. I’m not sold on Seanez, Mad Dog, Condrey and starter Myers.

I completely agree with the playoff rotation and the bullpen. What if the Pirates dont ask too much for John Grabow or damaso marte? i like kuo from the dodgers if they completely fall off the wagon, who can also spot start. maybe they can be used as lefties if the pirates dont want too much. grabow would be easier to get than marte. i think youll see the yankees or someone try to go after marte and overpay in a trade.

If you remember, they took a lot of heat for committing the years to romero that they gave him but i definitely think it helped solidify confidence in romeros mind.

i think they definitely need to add some kind of bat to the lineup from the minors or a cheap guy from somewhere else whos better than the 5th outfielder now. someone youd pickup for cash or player to be named later or a bad prospect whos an upgrade over So.

You guys are missing a big part of what Utley says makes this team click…. he can only drive in runs if their are runners on base, and in scoring position. The fact that the Phillies have two great baserunners, and basestealers in their 1-2 spot is VERY important to how this team manufactures runs. Yea they hit the long-ball, but its a whole lot nicer to not need that all the time.

Victorino plays a very good centerfield, and has really started to turn it on offensively in the past few weeks… unless the pitcher being brought in is already under contract…. no, you know what… They shouldn’t trade Victorino.. he’s too important to this team!

The Phils can get a #2 starter without giving up Victorino. In fact I don’t think they would give him up. People want pitching and it will take the Phils trading young arms to get a #2. Plus maybe Cardenas. Might as well trade him with Utley blocking his path to the Bigs (although we all envision Cardenas coming up, moving Utley to 1B when Howard departs).

They need to replace Condrey with a LP and other than that, I wouldnt mess with the team.

how can you say this starting rotation is capable of getting it done unless brett myers improves and finds consistency AND cole hamels returns to his usual ace status? who are they going to beat in the playoffs without solid starting pitching? playoff pitching usually shuts down good offenses or slows them down at least and you need to slam the door on the other team to win games. i dont trust afam eaton to do that in the playoffs. kendrick or moyer can be the 4, but you need another guy in there. taht should be obvious.

Geoff,
I would love to see the Phillies try to get Grabow, but Grabow is pitching very well right now (better than Marte is right now) and so although the Pirates will probably make him available, the price might be just as high as Marte.

I think that Phillies should try to trade get Jimmy Gobble from the Royals. Gobble is a lefty in the royals pen and a true Left handed specialist. He is dominant against lefties and bad against righties. This makes his overall stats look just average but the Phillies would use him almost exclusively against left handed batters while he has faced both lefties and righties about the same with the Royals this year, probably because they are desperate for the innings. The AL Central is weak, but after the all-star break the Royals may through the towel in and make some of their players available. I think that the Phillies could get Gobble cheaper than somebody like Grabow or Jamey Wright of the Orioles. Somebody like Brad Harman, Zack Segovia, or Joe Bisenius (or a combination of two) should do. I am also pretty sure the Phillies would have him under control for at least the 2009 season. Another plus is that the Phillies have had recent success with relievers coming from the AL (Romero, Chad Durbin). Gobble would be the perfect second lefty out of the bullpen and would be better than taking a gamble on RJ Swindle, Steve Kline, Randolph, or guys who need more time to develop like Outman and Castro.

i have my eye on AJ Burnett. he is in a contract year , the blue jays are way outta the race, and he has been dominant in his recent starts (including against the phillies). i hope they had alot of people scouting him that night in CBP because he’s the guy i want to solidify the rotation at the deadline.

Burnett would be nice, but from what I understand he can opt out after the ’08 season if he wants to, but doesn’t have to.

Other options to think about for the rotation would be Jon Garland (If the Angels make him available) and Derek Lowe who are both free agents after this season. Of those two I think that Lowe would be the better fit.

Geoff~
I think your memory is a little fuzzy. Allow me to refresh your memory. Last season, Rollins and Victorino at the top of the line-up had a vital impact on the Phillies’ resurgence in the 2nd half of the season (before Victorino went on the DL). Again this season, both Rollins and Victorino (after both coming off the DL) reunited to spark the offense as table setters and using their aggressive speed (as DON M posted earlier). This in addition to their valuable defensive skills.

You seem to think Victorino is replaceable. You suggested Werth. But Werth can’t hit righties (17 for 76; 20 K’s; .224 BA). He has yet to prove he can play everyday like Victorino (a switchhitter). Plus we know Werth can’t seem to avoid injuries (see his track record).

The Phillies’ offense is going on all cylinders and Rollins & Victorino are very much a part of it. As Mike T & PhillyFriar suggested, it’s probably best to be patience and see what is available prior to July 31st trade deadline. There may be “fire sales” by teams who given up the chase.