Placido Polanco was traded this afternoon to Detroit for right-handed reliever Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez. It’s no surprise Polanco was moving this year, but the timing is most interesting. Ed Wade, with an exception to the rule, did not wait for August before acquiring a legitimate and much needed bullpen arm. He knows his job depends on it, even pulled together a news conference to break the news.
Ugie (is that how you spell it?) is 1-3 with nine saves and a 2.63 ERA in 25 games this season with Detroit. He should make for a nice setup man and back up for Billy Wagner (you know, Tim Worrell’s old job). Ryan Madson will be free for middle relief or some spot starts. Martinez is like Polanco only not quite as good a hitter which basically makes him another Tomas Perez.
The loss of Polanco, though giving more pt to Chase, will decrease the Phils versatility and probably OBP. Polanco was great for giving everyone a rest once in a while since he could play everywhere. In these summer months that would helped a lot. So in the end, we’ll all miss Polanco. He was the kinda guy you wanted on your team; and he wanted to be on ours. His parting words: “I just wanted to play. I wanted to stay here my whole life.”
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