Extreme Makeover: Phillies Edition
We have canceled all of our commitments until after 4 PM today. The two best days of the year are the two weeks after the World Series (Free Agency) and the last day of July, the non-waiver trade deadline. Pat Gillick stated yesterday during the post conference after the games on Sunday that one, possibly two more moves are going to happen today. We’ve done all the work for you. We’ve tracked down the sources and scenarios which may occur over the very hot day of July 31st.
In the order which the player is mostly likely to be outta here, Rob Cowie rates which Phillie(s) will be gone by the time NBC News at 4 goes Live on air.
Jon Lieber: Interest from Texas Rangers
Jon Lieber is scheduled to start today against the Marlins. Will he make it to 1:05?
The only concern the Rangers have in terms of a trade is if they want to inherit 7 million dollars of salary on the remainder of his contract. The Rangers have been active in in recent days in trading for Carlos Lee and catcher Miguel Ojeada from the Rockies.
The Rangers have been unwilling to discuss exchanging any of their top four prospects: pitchers John Danks, Thomas Diamond or Edinson Volquez and shortstop Joaquin Arias for the level of starting pitching help that is still available. Yet, they have been offering Hank Blalock. I doubt that John Lieber alone would cash Blalock as a return on Lieber.
As the state of the Phillies is more dreary then filled with sunshine I can not see the need for a veteran pitcher with a high price tag playing on a team with little hopes of a playoff berth. But, its all on the belief that you think the Phils are out of it or not.
Tom Gordon: Interest from Chicago White Sox
The White Sox want relievers. They released Cliff Politte after collapsing as a set up man to Bobby Jenks. Jenks himself has been shaky and heralded future starter Brandon McCarthy has been inconsistent in relief situations. The Chi Sox are willing to part with Freddy Garcia John Garland or Javier Vazquez for Tom Gordon. Moving one of the starters would allow McCarthy to assume command of a spot in the rotation and not become the AL version of Ryan Madson.
Trading Gordon would free the Phillies from having to pay Gordon the remainder of his contract, 2 years and $12.5 million with a club option of $4.5 million for 2009.
Pat Burrell: Interest from St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles
A previous trade attempt by the O’s to acquire Burrell for Rodrigo Lopez was nixed but the O’s are hot to make a move by 4PM. They have been active in trade talk across the league. Most notably the work to trade Miguel Tejada for Roy Oswalt, Adam Everett and Morgan Ensburg was cancelled by the Astros because of the possibility of the O’s trading Oswalt to Texas.
The Cardinals have been in discussion with the Fightins over Pat. With a bullpen ranked 7th in the NL for ERA the Cardinals are also eyeing Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz.
What complicates the rumors with either team is Pat’s publicly-known opinions that he will only waive his no-trade clause to become a Yankee or Red Sox. With Bobby A being aquired yesterday afternoon by the Yankees another trade with them is unlikely. Also, Burrell’s contract situation and inability of having consistent offense and defensive play make Burrell a very, very tough chip to move. If GM Pat Gillick can move Burrell and his contract you may see fireworks over the Art Museum at rush hour.
If he does leave, I wonder what will happen with all of those Pat Burrell giveaway hats?
David Dellucci: Interest from most teams who want an OF
Dellucci has made it known since coming in the Rob Tejeda trade that he wants to be a starter. He leads the NL in pinch hits with 14 and when inserted in the starting line up he stands out in the box score. With Abreu now in New York does this solidify David’s spot on the team?
It depends on how you see the Phillies.
Michael Bourn was brought up (or down and over if you look geographically) from Scranton to replace Bobby Abreu’s spot on the roster. The Phils are high on this prospect after posting .274/4/26/30 in AA and hitting .333 and stealing 9 bases in 19 games at AAA. Could the Phillies trade Dellucci for more prospects and go with a new youth movement for the remainder of 2006?
If you are in the faction which believes the Phillies season isn’t over until they are mathematically eliminated from all contention then Dellucci is a must in your lineup. He can bat either in the top or bottom of the lineup. He is a productive offensive player and a tough out at the plate. He rounds his offensive play with above average fielding and can play all fields. If this team somehow makes a push for the Wildcard they would need some type of veteran presence on the field. Dellucci was apart of the 2001 World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
