Whether you thought we could keep Lee or not this year is going to be very hard for the Phils to stay ‘on-top’ because you only go down and RAJ has to prepare to extend a window of opportunity no matter what we think wanting to win now at all costs. When it comes down to it, we traded an impending free agent in Cliff Lee for a decent package of 3 prospects all capable of making the majors, compared to other ‘stars’ nearing free agency it’s not a bad deal. There can be all the bitching and moaning about selling low but his value was only going to go down as the market slimmed towards the spring. RAJ got three guys who the front office expects to be major league capable players rather than waiting on a deal for one ‘stud’ prospect as you put it and a bag full of trash to go with it. The Halladay and Santana saga’s have shown us how hard it is to make a deal for a guy in Lee’s situation so it really isn’t a bad package at all.

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On subject it’s easy to want bullpen additions to be those fancy names with high K rates, spot saves and low ERA’s to all go in the back of the bullpen but it’s unnecessary and dangerous in the bullpen, hell we got Scott Eyre for nothing because Chicago made that mistake a couple of years back and overloaded their pen who in some cases performance suffered riding the bench without defined roles.

Rodney is a perfect addition for the Phils pen right now if he comes in at moderate price. Lidge in the stretch or with men on base full is worrying but he is the closer and you’d expect will be healthy, Madson is a fantastic set-up man and what the Phils need is to slot in another guy if not another who’s already with the organisation who can pitch between those middle to late innings and not fall into cold streaks, Rodney fits the bill. Another ‘Durbin-type’ would be great not a negative, effective multiple innings middle relievers are the most underrated players in baseball and allow the back-end guys to pitch in their comfort zones, we should be so lucky to be able to add another guy like that.

I don’t know if the Phils are into him but (at a friendly salary) Contreras is a really interesting name as swingman/mutli-purpose reliever.

The same thing goes for the major league roster and the prospects here, you can want and covet all the stars and bluechippers you want but when you have a core of stars in place you want guys who can just play ball and do what they do well.

And Valverde… Are you serious? Whats he gonna do… Sign autographs? Would be a terrible move and in every way fits the phrase cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Lyon was the perfect fit but Ed Wade gave him like a five year deal and RAJ lost the guy he wanted. There just aren’t a lot of good options out there…RAJ has to find a way to convince Chan Ho that he would rather be in the pen with us than starting for like the Orioles or Pirates.

Phils – please stay away from Rodney, let him go to LA.

To answer earlier…I like the McDougal idea as an upgrade over Condrey to be used in 7th inning. They would still need to sign someone better though.

Vazquez will not be that good this season, hes good every other season and hes TERRIBLE in big games. Pass, glad he will be there to get rocked in game 2 or 3 by the Phillies next WS.

Marquis: The nationals need that kind of guy actually, thats huge for them. They need someone to mentor their young staff, to show Strasburg how to be a pro, etc. This signings actuallty is good for what they are looking to do…and it makes a lot of sense. Marquis has no place on a team like ours, but he will do a lot of good for a young pitching staff with no major league experience.

I wanted Morrow too, and I was upset that he wasnt in the deal. Maybe there is a reason, lets see how his health holds up. Perhaps they feel that ramirez and Aumont have more upside.

Aumont has a lot more potential I think. As a reliever, he projects as a top flight closer. As a starter, he projects as a number 2 or a minor ace. Its all up to how he holds up and what the Phillies do with him.

12 mil over 2 years is ridiculous for Rodney. Move on.

Rodney MAY be worth a shot at the right price, but i’m not really that sold on him either.

Pedro is asking about $7 million from the Mets, so he would cost the Phils more. People complain about Moyer being overpaid as fifth starter, but that’s what Pedro Martinez would be.

The Phils need that one bullpen piece (someone who could close just in case, but wouldn’t mind a lesser role) way, way before they need to be thinking about a starter. They also need to stop playing stupid games with Scott Eyre. A minor league contract is no offer; it’s a slap in the face.

Just as FYI – that’s Doc’s farewell letter