The Clothesline
There’s quite a bit gossiping going on with less than two weeks until the trade deadline. Trade rumors are abound and it is still uncertain if the Phillies are buyers or sellers. Ed Wade has pretty much reached his credit limit at Citizen’s Bank so it’s more likely he’ll be trimming the fat…right? Well, that would be that rational option, but we must remember Ed Wade is essentially a lame duck GM – some have talked about his plans to blow up the team. That cannot happen.
There are still two and half months of baseball to be played and the Phils at least have a fighting shot this year. Sure the Braves are going to take the division again, but the Nats are beginning to stumble and the Fightins have a legitimate shot at the Wild Card. Unlike past teams, I think they have another run in them, like that stretch in May. These games against the NL West might be a chance but might be too early.
Back to the trade deadline. Some Phillie names have come to the surface in the consistent buyers market of the AL East. It’s rumored the Yankees may settle for Endy Chavez or land Vicente Padilla to steady their roller coaster rotation. The Red Sox are certainly interested in Billy Wagner with Foulke on the DL. Even Thome has been mentioned as trade bait, especially after last night. On the buying end, the Phils are definitely looking for a 5th starter and have been scouting Kip Wells. But again, these are just rumors, the more important question is what to do with who’s staying.
Let’s talk about wasting talent. Utley is finally blossoming but what to do with the Ryans? I would surely like to see Madson get another chance at earning a starting spot, he’s much too good for the bullpen. A decision on Ryan Howard’s future – whether viz-a-viz Jim Thome or not – must be made soon. Because he is a stud and in very un-Bobby Abreu-like fashion last night he went 1-5 with a walk off home run. Watching from his box behind home plate, with a big question mark on his forehead undoubtedly sat Ed Wade. There’s a decent shot he’ll leave his successor with a mess of a Wild Card caliber team. Coasting along the Ed Wade routine will not help this team this year or next. I would love to see Monty do like Wade did to Bowa and fire him before the season’s over.
