Do Phils have stuff to acquire pitching?

By Jim Salisbury

Inquirer Staff Writer

The Phillies are well into their annual midseason quest to land a starting pitcher.

C.C. Sabathia, Greg Maddux, Roy Oswalt and Erik Bedard are some of the names being tossed around.

Any of them could help.

Teams, however, just don't push a button and make a deal. No-trade clauses must be waived. Salaries must be fit into payroll structures. The hope of winning now must be weighed against the risk of mortgaging potential stars.

First and foremost, though, a team seeking a commodity must have the wherewithal to acquire it.

There lies the rub for the Phillies. Their farm system is thin in the kind of high-upside, almost-major-league-ready talent that other clubs desire when in a selling mode.

So, the Phils may have to include a big-league player in a package for a pitcher. The outfield is the one area where the Phils have depth. It's also where they have a young, inexpensive, productive player that other teams have coveted for a couple of years: Shane Victorino.

"I know I could be a chip," the 27-year-old outfielder said. "My name has come up ever since I had that good year in triple A [in 2005], and I understand this year it might be different because the farm system is not the deepest.

"In some ways, it's a compliment when you hear other teams might want you. But rumors are rumors, and I can't worry about it. I really don't want to leave this team. I love the chemistry and the guys."

Victorino could be attractive because he is under control for three more seasons. He will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter.

Outfielder Jayson Werth, who can't be a free agent until after 2009, could also be a trade chip.

"Obviously, when you look at the team, the only depth is in the outfield," he said. "If that's what they're looking to do to make the team better, I understand. This game is a business.

"I just want to play. Wherever I'm given an opportunity, I'll be giving 100 percent."

Werth acknowledged the team's need for another pitcher.

"The pitching is doing great, but if you want to get to the next level and win a World Series, that's usually what teams do," he said. "It wouldn't be surprising. Last year, we got Lohse."

Righthander Kyle Lohse, who arrived from Cincinnati in a July 30 deal, proved to be one of the best midseason acquisitions by any team in 2007. He made 11 starts for the Phils, and the team won nine.

The Phils could look to make another midlevel pitching acquisition, such as Lohse. Why? There are two reasons: (1) They have had good success going that route with Lohse and Jamie Moyer in 2006, and (2) They might not have enough advanced prospects in their system to get a top pitcher such as Sabathia, last year's Cy Young Award winner in the American League.

That doesn't mean the Phils don't covet Sabathia. He could be the piece that helps them get to the World Series. However, he also could be the piece that helps get the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston, the New York Yankees, the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee to the Series. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all have deeper farm systems than the Phillies, and the Cubs, who haven't won a World Series in 100 years, might be willing to empty the cupboard for Sabathia, especially with ace Carlos Zambrano suffering a recent shoulder strain.

Any team that pursues Sabathia must be cognizant that he will be a two-month rental. He is due to be a free agent at the end of the season and will seek a multiyear deal in the neighborhood of $120 million. Only a contract extension in that range would keep him off the market.

The Phillie most teams want is double A pitcher Carlos Carrasco. The Phils would surely have to surrender him, and possibly Victorino, in a deal for Sabathia.

Would they do it? Only team officials know.

"We have to balance going for it now versus the future," assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said. "We have to keep in mind that this is not a club that is all-or-nothing this year. We have to be careful about absolutely wiping out the best young players in the system to do it now. That is not to say we don't want to win now and won't move good players if we feel the deal is right. It's just something we're looking at carefully."

Phils officials said Carrasco, a 21-year-old righthander, was close to being ready to contribute in the majors. Catcher Lou Marson, also at double A, is drawing attention from other clubs. Dealing him would be a tough call given the state of catching in the system. He projects as a No. 1 catcher and could be in Philadelphia in a year or so.

Outfielder Greg Golson, currently sidelined by a wrist injury, and second baseman Adrian Cardenas might be the Phils' top minor-league trade chips, at least among advanced prospects. Cardenas swings a good bat but is blocked by Chase Utley, and a move to the outfield could be in his future.

The Phils might be more open to moving prospects if they got back a pitcher they could control beyond this season. Bedard, the Seattle lefty, who won't be a free agent until after 2009, fits that description, as does Oakland's Rich Harden. Houston's Roy Oswalt, who is signed through 2011 but at a cost of $47 million, could be worth watching. The Astros had a high-ranking scout in Philadelphia on Sunday.

While a rental player might not be totally to the Phils' liking, they could take a run at Maddux, who will be owed about $3.3 million at the July 31 trade deadline. Maddux would not carry an exorbitant price tag. However, he has a no-trade clause, and it remains to be seen if he'd waive it to come to the East Coast. Maybe playing privileges at Pine Valley would help.

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according to ESPN Insider:

Victorino could help Phils land starter

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Shane Victorino could be a key chip for the Phillies in their effort to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.

Victorino would be an attractive piece to teams looking to sell at the deadline because he is under control for three more seasons and will be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter.

Jayson Werth, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Greg Golson and Adrian Cardenas are some of the other players in the organization who could be used in a package for a starter. However, the decision to gut the farm system in an attempt to win the World Series this season is not an easy one, and only team officials know for sure what direction the club is leaning.

AND

Fuentes continues to draw interest

Brian Fuentes | Rockies | Interested: Phillies? Athletics? Mets? Red Sox? Yankees?

According to the Denver Post, several major league sources have confirmed that the Phillies and A's have now joined the Mets, Red Sox and Yankees as teams interested in the left-handed closer.

PHILADELPHIA -- Kris Benson earned his first decision of 2008, though it happened nearly 1,100 miles from Citizens Bank Park.

Pitching for Class A Clearwater in a rehab stint, the right-hander worked two innings in the Threshers' 12-6 loss to Dunedin, the Class A affiliate of the Blue Jays.

Benson faced 13 batters, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out three and surrendered three homers. While it wasn't pretty, it was progress.

"He made progress, and that's the important thing," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said. "He's a little bit better than his last time out [in an extended spring training outing]. "His arm was OK. He has to have better control. If he's going to pitch with the fastball that he had last night, he needs to have better control. But he's improving."

Gillick noted that Benson's velocity ticked higher than his usual 86-89, and peaked at 90-91 mph.

There is still no way to predict when Benson might appear with the Phillies, especially after enduring three setbacks after signing a Minor League deal in February. Benson will start again on Tuesday and make at least two more starts.

Should Benson be summoned, he would have to replace one of the pitchers in the rotation, possibly Brett Myers, who could then return to the bullpen. Such talk may be premature, as Benson must first show that he's healthy.

"We're going to stay with [Benson] and see where it goes," Gillick said. "I wouldn't [say we're] counting on him. We're hoping. That's a better word to use."

Should the team decide to make a move for pitching help, Gillick said he didn't see that assistance coming from the Minor Leagues, at least in the short-term. A trade is possible, but not until the sellers identify themselves.

"Seattle is one club that is out of it right now," Gillick said. "The other clubs who might have some interesting personnel are still in the race. Some of the sellers don't know they're sellers."

Phillies looking to boslter rotation

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, The Philadelphia Phillies have started to have dialogue with some teams about acquiring another starting pitcher. C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo and Jarrod Washburn are a few of the names that the Phillies have inquired about. They will also likely be making contact with the Mariners regarding Erik Bedard now that he has officially been put on the trading block.

The problem for the Phillies is that their minor league system isn't exactly the deepest in the league, and to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starter they would most likely have to give up two of their best pitching prospects in Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo. The question is whether or not the Phillies want to just go for it this year and deplete their farm system, or try to make a run with what they have.

For One, Why did Jayson Werth BUNT with the bases loaded and Gregg struggling?

AND 2 WHY THE HELL WAS TOM GORDON OUT THERE AND NOT BRAD LIDGE IN THAT 9th INNING??????

stupid moves!

the phillies are being too damn cocky...

this should be fun for most of us. and let me redeem myself from my last post lol, since alot of people werent big fans of what i had to say lol. anyway, in this post, in honor of fathers day, post the roster of the phillies of the year your father was born. and if your a daddy, post the roster of the year you were born too... i wonder what kind of names we can bring back from the past lol...

ok since my dad was born in 1949 this would of been the phillies roster then:

# Pitchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

39 Charlie Bicknell 5-11 170 Right Right 1928-07-27

20 Hank Borowy 6-00 175 Right Right 1916-05-12

30 Blix Donnelly 5-10 178 Right Right 1914-01-21

27 Ken Heintzelman 5-11½ 185 Left Right 1915-10-14

35 Jim Konstanty 6-01½ 202 Right Right 1917-03-02

34 Russ Meyer 6-01 185 Right Both 1923-10-25

41 Bob Miller 6-03 190 Right Right 1926-06-16

36 Robin Roberts 6-00 190 Right Both 1926-09-30

19 Schoolboy Rowe 6-04½ 210 Right Right 1910-01-11

28 Curt Simmons 6-00 187 Left Left 1929-05-19

37 Jocko Thompson 6-00 185 Left Left 1917-01-17

22 Ken Trinkle 6-01½ 175 Right Right 1919-12-15

# Catchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

29 Stan Lopata 6-02 210 Right Right 1925-09-12

21 Andy Seminick 5-11 187 Right Right 1920-09-12

25 Ken Silvestri 6-01 200 Right Both 1916-05-03

26 Hal Wagner 6-00 165 Right Left 1915-07-02

# Infielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

7 Buddy Blattner 6-00½ 180 Right Right 1920-02-08

9 Putsy Caballero 5-11 175 Right Right 1927-11-05

3 Bill Glynn 6-00 190 Left Left 1925-07-30

9 Mike Goliat 6-00 180 Right Right 1921-11-05

33, 17 Granny Hamner 5-10 163 Right Right 1927-04-26

6 Willie Jones 6-01 192 Right Right 1925-08-16

5 Eddie Miller 5-09 180 Right Right 1916-11-26

8 Dick Sisler 6-02 205 Right Left 1920-11-02

4 Eddie Waitkus 6-01 175 Left Left 1919-09-04

# Outfielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

1 Richie Ashburn 5-10 170 Right Left 1927-03-19

16 Johnny Blatnik 6-00 195 Right Right 1921-03-10

14 Del Ennis 6-00 195 Right Right 1925-06-08

17 Stan Hollmig 6-02½ 190 Right Right 1926-01-02

15 Jackie Mayo 6-01 190 Right Left 1925-07-26

12 Bill Nicholson 6-00 205 Right Left 1914-12-11

33 Ed Sanicki 5-09 175 Right Right 1923-07-07

# Other Positions Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

3 Bert Haas 5-11 180 Right Right 1914-02-08

and im a father, so when i was born in 1981 the phillies looked like this:

# Pitchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

40 Warren Brusstar 6-03 200 Right Right 1952-02-02

50 Marty Bystrom 6-05 200 Right Right 1958-07-26

32 Steve Carlton 6-04 210 Left Left 1944-12-22

38 Larry Christenson 6-04 215 Right Right 1953-11-10

43 Mark Davis 6-04 205 Left Left 1960-10-19

35 Nino Espinosa 6-01 192 Right Right 1953-08-15

49 Dan Larson 6-00 180 Right Right 1954-07-04

28 Sparky Lyle 6-01 192 Left Left 1944-07-22

45 Tug McGraw 6-00 185 Left Right 1944-08-30

48 Dickie Noles 6-02 190 Right Right 1956-11-19

30 Mike Proly 6-00 185 Right Right 1950-12-15

35 Jerry Reed 6-01 190 Right Right 1955-10-08

42 Ron Reed 6-06 215 Right Right 1942-11-02

44 Dick Ruthven 6-03 190 Right Right 1951-03-27

# Catchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

8 Bob Boone 6-02 202 Right Right 1947-11-19

17 Don McCormack 6-03 205 Right Right 1955-09-18

6 Keith Moreland 6-00 200 Right Right 1954-05-02

11 Ozzie Virgil 6-01 205 Right Right 1956-12-07

# Infielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

16 Luis Aguayo 5-09 185 Right Right 1959-03-13

15 Ramon Aviles 5-09 155 Right Right 1952-01-22

10 Larry Bowa 5-10 155 Right Both 1945-12-06

24 Len Matuszek 6-02 195 Right Left 1954-09-27

14 Pete Rose 5-11 200 Right Both 1941-04-14

37 Ryne Sandberg 6-02 180 Right Right 1959-09-18

20 Mike Schmidt 6-02 203 Right Right 1949-09-27

9 Manny Trillo 6-01 164 Right Right 1950-12-25

25 Del Unser 6-01 180 Left Left 1944-12-09

18 John Vukovich 6-01 190 Right Right 1947-07-31

# Outfielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth

26 Dick Davis 6-03 195 Right Right 1953-09-25

22 Bob Dernier 6-00 165 Right Right 1957-01-05

23 Greg Gross 5-11 175 Left Left 1952-08-01

31 Garry Maddox 6-03 184 Right Right 1949-09-01

34 Gary Matthews 6-03 190 Right Right 1950-07-05

21 Bake McBride 6-02 190 Right Left 1949-02-03

27 Lonnie Smith 5-09 170 Right Right 1955-12-22

29 George Vukovich 6-00 198 Right Left 1956-06-24

Ok this isnt a rumor ive heard, this is just straight from my thought bank. There is some quality pitchers that can be traded for, that we could use in the rotation, to set us off. Now, ive watched Jimmy Rollins his entire career as a phillie, and i never been sold on him. Last year was a hell of a season, and lets face it, he wont have another or close to it. What im thinking is, trade him to the AL while his stock is high. Hes struggling this year, the phillies won, and are winning without him. He might be our lead off guy, but Shane Victorino could be also. Yeah hes a great shortstop, but Eric Bruntlett has show some flash there. Sometimes you have to give to get, and i think the phillies bats are able to lose Rollins. But i think our rotation would be dynamite with the names ive heard being thrown around. Now C.C. Sabathia we have no chance. But A.J. Burnett, who is at the last year of his deal, or Aaron Cook who is being dangled, who is having a great season in Colorado, Zach Grienke in KC, or we could get back on of our old arms, theres 2 i heard is being used as trade bait there in Texas, Kevin Milwood, and Vincente Padilla. Could be a chance too Randy Wolf becomes available. I could see Pat Gillick making a move like this, hes retiring at the end of the year, and i think the way the team is going, he might just make that one big move to push the phils over that hump, and get to the world series.

The way the game started, Kyle Kendrick looked as if he was going to give up a bunch of runs. Wild for the first 3 innings, and then settled down with a 1-2-3 4th inning, and an effective 5th inning. Enter Chipper Jones, who is one of the hottest players in baseball right now, and exit ball, over the centerfield wall, tying the game at 2 a piece. Out comes uncle Charlie, to ground the young 24 year old rightie. As bad as Kendricks outing looked, you got to give it up for the kid, he gave up 5 walks and struck out 3, but up until the Jones home run, he had surrendered 1 hit. Jo-Jo Reyes had a good start, going 7.1 IP, with 8 Ks and only 2 walks. It looked like it was going to be a pitching duel of two 24 year olds, but that broke up when Carlos Ruiz went yard for the 2nd time this year, and in the following inning Pat Burrell' monster blast to left center. Reyes pitched a scorless 7th, led off the 8th with a Jimmy Rollins flying out. After Shane Victorino walking, Chase Utley came through with a triple to right, with the "flyin hawaiian" showing Charlie Manual hustle, by scoring from 1st. Ryan howard drove Utley in with a single, which was nice to see Howard get a big clutch hit off of a lefty this year! Jimmy Rollins added insurance with a 2 run drive to right. JC Romero, Tommy Gordon and Brad Lidge pitched scoreless innings, with Gordon and Lidge shutting down the Braves offense with 6 straight strike outs. This win puts the phillies 12 games over .500 and 4.5 games ahead of the Marlins, who lost to the Reds.

Player Name:Cutter Dykstra

Position:Shortstop/Second baseman

School:Westlake HS (Calif.)

School Type:High school

Academic Class:Senior

Birthdate:6/29/89

Height:5'11"

Weight:180 lbs.

Bats:Right

Throws:Right

Report Date(s):02/10/08

Game(s):Urban Youth Academy Showcase

Hitting Ability:Dykstra did what he often does in this showcase: He absolutely lit it up in BP. It doesn't always translate into games, but he knows how to handle the bat, how to bunt, etc.

Power:He shows flashes of power. He hit the first pitch he swung at in BP out of the park.

Running Speed:Dykstra is an above-average to plus runner.

Base Running:He has a good idea of what to do on the basepaths.

Arm Strength:Dykstra's arm is a tick below average and he has a little bit of an awkward throwing motion.

Fielding:Pure athleticism allows him to occasionally make the spectacular play, but he struggles with the routine plays at times.

Range:He's able to cover ground with pure speed, but he's not a smooth, savvy shortstop.

Physical Description:A slightly bigger version of his father, former big leaguer Lenny, Dykstra is an athletic middle-infielder/center-fielder type.

Medical Update:Healthy.

Strengths:Knowledge of the game; Major League bloodlines; athleticism; ability to hit and with pop.

Weaknesses:Though he plays shortstop regularly, he does not profile as a guy who can play there at the next level.

Summary:The son of former big-leaguer Lenny, this Dykstra has similar bloodlines with athletic ability, plus speed and some pop in his bat. He won't play shortstop as a pro, but profiles better as an offensive-minded second baseman or center-field candidate.

Player Name:Anthony Hewitt

Position:Shortstop

School:Salisbury School (Conn.)

School Type:High School

Academic Class:Senior

Birthdate:04/27/89

Height:6'1"

Weight:195 lbs.

Bats:Right

Throws:Right

Report Date(s):04/26/08

Game(s):Gunnery

Hitting Ability:Hewitt's swing has become much more efficient this spring, though he's still a little bit rigid in his approach.

Power:He has some big-time strength and projects to have good power in the future.

Running Speed:A power runner, he's got above-average speed.

Base running:He uses his speed well on the basepaths.

Arm Strength:He's got a strong arm, strong enough to play at short.

Fielding:Unlike his arm, the rest of his defensive game doesn't profile as a middle infielder. Most feel a move to center field makes sense.

Range:Due to his athleticsm, he'll make some plays, but he's not a natural shortstop.

Physical Description:Hewitt has a terrific athletic body and some big-time strength.

Medical Update:Healthy.

Strengths:Tools galore and perhaps as much upside as anyone in the Draft class.

Weaknesses:He's a little raw, and hasn't faced stiff competition in the Northeast.

Summary:As the spring wore on, few players had more helium than Hewitt, a toolsy high school shortstop. He can run and should hit for power down the road. A terrific athlete with a good arm, most feel a move to the outfield is likely so he can just go out and develop his considerable offensive tools. As a Northeast kid, he's a little raw, but has shown good improvement this spring. His name had been climbing up charts everywhere and the only thing that could hold him back is signability due to a commitment to Vanderbilt.

im tired of hearing about the WRs we should of got, or the WR's were never going to get, lets play a little game and answer this question. Who do you think was the best Eagles WR Tandom ever. what i mean is, the best combo of #1 and #2 Wrs.

my pick id say Fred Barnett and Calvin Williams.

who do you think???

best game of the playoffs so far... this is amazing!

The Eagles have agreed to terms with safety Quintin Demps on a four-year deal. Demps is the first of the Eagles' 10 draft picks to agree to terms on a deal.

alt

S Quintin Demps

A fourth-round choice of the Eagles, Demps was one of the top playmaking defensive backs in college football during his career at Texas El-Paso. His 17 career interceptions were the most among all players in the 2008 draft class and rank second in both Conference USA and school history. Demps became the first player in school and conference history to have two 100-yard interception returns in both a season and a career. He also holds the school record with 404 interception return yards, becoming only the seventh player in NCAA history to top the 400-yard mark in that category. In 2007, Demps earned third-team All-America and All-Conference USA honors as he set school and league records by posting 220 return yards on five interceptions, including two touchdowns.

A native of San Antonio, Tx., Demps idolized Deion Sanders as a child and actually had a chance to meet him at the NFL Combine prior to running his 40-yard dash.

a fellow barker influenced this though, so i put the link to that thread here also.

there is a "Rumor" about the eagles interested in jason taylor.

i dont think it will happen, and i love taylor, i have a taylor jersey. but why? we just handed money to chris clemons and darren howard the last 2 years at DE, and also, trent cole NEEDS to be locked up!

i rather go for a linebacker if anything. Say Brian Urlacher!

who would you rather have the eagles trade for,

Urlacher or Taylor?

the phillies offense is just killing this year so far! 3 out of the last 5 games they have scored double digits, but i expected this out of my team from the beginning. with the line up we have, we shouldnt be losing 1 run games! especial low scoring 1 run games.

as of now, compared to all teams in the majors, were 1st in home runs, 2nd in runs, 6th in hits, 6th in doubles, 2nd in rbis, 1st slugging, 6th in OB%. and we are 1st in stolen base percentage. which is insane, because if you know the phils like i do, we never been a team to steal alot, and they are 13th i believe with 38 stolen bases, but phils only got caught 6 times!

also, the other big contributions, is our pitching. we have one of the top 3 bull pens (1st time i ever said this in my 27 years of exsistance) and our team ERA is 3.97 which is alot better than it usually is. and if eaton starts pitching better, and if myers pitched like he did today, that should go down a lil.

this is a special team this year! this might be one of the best teams philly has ever seen!

Sources say that during the 2008 Draft weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles made a run at aquiring star wide reciever Roy Williams, of the Detroit Lions. Saturday morning Andy Reid called Matt Millen personally and offered a Bologna Sandwich and a 2 4th Round Draft Picks. Millen shot it down, and asked for a cheese steak and a 2nd round draft pick. Andy Reid disgruntled by such an offer, hung up the phone and went down to Pat's Cheesesteaks and savored the greasy treat with his 2 new buddy, Trevor Laws and Desean Jackson. Laws and Jackson actually got to make a few cheesesteaks themselves. Asked why he turned down the offer for a player who could change the face of the team, and finally shut up everyone about getting a #1 WR, Andy Reid scoffed and said "No one, i mean no one is worth me giving up my cheesesteaks!"

ok people breathe

its a joke

haha!

have a sence of humor...