Vaquez Isn’t Coming to Philly

The Inquirer claims that although Javier Vaquez wishes to be traded to an east coast team, there are 6 teams he definitely won’t play before – and the Phillies aren’t one of them.  I haven’t been able to get my hands on a list of the 6, but simple subtraction means that there are only 4 teams he would move to.  A Sporting News article and message board has him rumored in favor of Tampa Bay, close to his home of Puerto Rico.  Where does that leave the Phillies?  Well, with fewer options for new starting pitching.  So, they better get the checkbook out for A.J.

Also don’t hold your breath on Thome moving to the Twins.  Well at least don’t start holding it until spring training.  The Minnieapolis Star Tribune reports that .  Many clubs have expressed this opinion, so realize there are a lot of factors shifting the Thome trading timeline.  For instance, the White Sox will most likely wait to see where Paul Konerko signs.  But the main factor for everyone – at least the Grapefruit League teams – will be to wait and see how Thome’s back looks in spring training.  However for the Phils, this means giving him plenty of playing time to show off the goods.  Hopefully ROY Ryan Howard will understand his reduced role during March; any later though, he (and all of us) should start worrying.