Supposedly Howard Eskin, whom we all love, had opened up a discussion about the Phils acquiring Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays. Would you guys pull the trigger on the proposed deal?

No, I don't have a link for this. But on sports final last night, Howard Eskin, a reliable source, said the sixers are close to signing or already have signed Kareem Rush. Rush was .389 from beyond the arch last season. No doubt he is the shooter the sixers need. Thoughts and opinions appreciated.

First off, I would like to say I love speculating about possible trades in all 4 major sports. That being said, I thought I'd throw some ideas out there. I know I'm going to get ripped for this, but I'll post it anyway.

The Blue Jays have been rumored to whisper about a trade involving Roy Halladay. The Blue jays are in dire need of offense. Phillies send Jimmy Rollins, Drew Carpenter, Joe Savery, and Brad Harman for Roy Halladay. Failing this trade, maybe throw in a few chips like Marson or Jaramillo or Golson or Brett Myers or maybe even Joe Blanton or J.A. Happ. Call up Jason Donald if this works, put him in for a few games and see how he fairs. But deff. start Bruntlett too as I don't think Donald has the fielding ability of Bruntlett. Also, if the Jays still don't bite, throw in Jason Donald and ask for David Eckstein. Avoid trading Carrasco at all costs. I've actually seen him pitch up at reading and let me tell you, I saw some nasty curveballs that were just sickening. I don't know if he'll be an ace but deff. a No. 2 at least.

Halladay doesn't seem intent on signing a contract extension with the Jays as he has expressed that he wants to win a World Series, something the Blue Jays aren't doing soon. The Blue Jays should trade him this year instead of next as he would become a rent a player next year and his value would drop. The Jays would be getting a reigning MVP with exceptional fielding skills at shorstop in Jimmy Rollins. He's probably the second best SS in the majors......when he's not late to the game. The Jays would also get 2 pitching prospects and a second baseman prospect. They could even get 3 pitching prospects and another infield prospect and a quality starter/closer. In 2 years when all these prospects are called up, most of their offensive woes should be solved. The potential

Rotation could be this:

1. Halladay

2. Hamels

3. Moyer

4. Kendrick

5. Blanton/Myers

Line up:

1. Victorino

2. Eckstein

3. Utley

4. Howard

5. Burrell

6. Werth

7. Feliz

8. Ruiz

9. P

Depending on Myers' next outing, I think the Phils need to trade him as a closer. We all know Brett wants to be a closer and his calling is in the pen, but we have Lidge and we're not going to pay $12 mill for a set up man. He could possibly go to Detroit as a closer. In return, the Phils could acquire Pudge Rodriguez. Brandon Inge is gonna be the starter next year, and it's Pudge's last year in Detroit. Detroit is only 6.5 out of first place behind the White Sox. Without the blown save, they're only 4.5 back. Maybe it's possible. Pudge would be an instant upgrade over Ruiz or Coste. The Phils could also call up J.A. Happ as he's had some solid innings or even J.D. Durbin. Side note- why don't the Phillies use Happ more? He has a breaking ball to go along with a change up and a fastball. Kendrick only has a breaking ball and a fastball as he still needs to develop that change up. But I digress. Pudge's .290 average would bolster the team's average from the pathetic .257 it is now. Also, if Pudge lands here and signs an extension, that opens up the option trade Marson and Jaramillo as chips.

And who else is with me on trying to move Jimmy Rollins? He's let the "MVP" thing go to his head. Suddenly team rules need not apply to him anymore. And I hate how he only swings for power at every chance he gets. "First pitch swinging" Jimmy is what I call him. Last year he almost always hit for contact. Clearly his best year is behind him, but with above average years ahead of him, I say move him. He needs that kind of slap to the face, not just some old "oh, you can have the day off today and still get paid and do what you want." He deff. needs some sort of shake up. So does the team.

Bottom line, what I would do if I were Pat Gillick. Trade Brett Myers, Cris Coste, and Drew Carpenter for Pudge and a low level Prospect. Then trade Brad Harmon, Marson, Kyle Drabek, Joe Savery, and Rollins for Halladay. Rotation:

1. Halladay

2. Hamels

3. Moyer

4. Kendrick

5. Blanton



Lineup:

1. Shane Victorino

2. Pudge

3. Utley

4. Howard

5. Burrell

6. Werth

7. Feliz

8. Bruntlett/Donald

9. P

If you can't tell, we're basically swapping out a shorstop for a starting pitcher and an arse load of prospects. I know its a pipe dream to get Halladay, but I really thing the Blue Jays need to trade him now instead of next year as they can get more. The Pudge trade I think is really possible to happen. Let me know what you think.

I assure you, this is better. Third times the charm. Screw Adam Morrison. We don't need CHA to complete the trade. Sign and trade for Ben Gordon if he's signed to about $7 or $8 mil per year.

CHICAGO- Trade Ben Gordon and 2009 2nd Round Pick to Philadelphia

Philadelphia- Trade Willie Green and Reggie Evans and 2009 1st Round Pick and 2010 1st round Pick to Chicago

Why each team would do it? Chicago's bench consists of Joakim Noah, Sefalosha, and Cedric Simmons. Willie Green would prove to be better backup to Hughes Than Sefalosha as he has more weapons to score with and has decent passing skills. Chicago has almost no spark coming off the bench in the front court. Reggie Evans would be that high energy guy. Philadelphia obviously solves their "shooter" questions. Line up

PG- Andre Miller

SG- Ben Gordon

SF- Andre Iguodala

PF- Elton Brand

C-Sammy Boy

Bench:

Lou Will

Young

Speights

Smith

Maybe the temptation of Gaining two 1st round picks will be to much for Chicago to pass on.

Elton Brand will be officially introduced as a sixer in a news conference at 5 p.m. EST on ESPN. CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is assuming that we do in fact sign Elton Brand and trade Carney and booth to Minnesota.

Option 1-

Trade Andre Miller. I know he's been a good veteran leader for us, but he has a steep contract at $10 mil. Also, he's in the last year of his contract and has expressed that he doesn't intend on re-signing and he wants to go back to Denver. Possible trade partners.

Denver- For Anthony carter and a First round.

Cleveland- Millier would be an upgrade over Delante west. Not sure what we would get in return, a couple of reserves and a draft pick mayber. Possibly, maybe Ben Wallace, since he hasn't lived up to contract.

Timberwolves- They seem to like making other teams better lately. Possibly Foye for miller and a first

Portland- If they try to make the playoffs with the young team they have, they need a better pg and a veteran presence, Miller fills both needs.

This would leave the team with about $24 mil in cap. Denver is the most plausible suitor

Option 1a-

Brand coming to Philly could prompt Baron Davis to come here as well. The lineup could look like this, If both brand an baron are willing to accept about $12 mil each per year

Pg- Baron Davis

Sg- Willie Green

Sf- Andre Iguoudala

Pf- Elton Brand

C-Samuel dalembert

Bench:

Louis Williams

Mareese Speights

Reggie Evans

Jason Smith

Thaddeus Young

Not a bad line up. If you ask me, its one of the better starting lineups in the east and one of the better benches.

Option1b-

Baron Davis coming here probably wont happen. This is where Louis Williams comes in and starts. This kid has really developed and I think with some game experience her could be a quality starter. Then some how some way, pull either Conley or Lowry away from Memphis with a trade to serve as backup. Also, They could be used as a shooting guard. Possibly sign a veteran back up guard like Earl Boykins or Devin Brown or Shaun Livingston. Lineup

Pg- Louis Williams

Sg-Andre Iguoudala

Sf-Thaddeus Yound

Pf- Elton Brand

C- Samuel Dalembert

Bench:

Conley or Lowry(Doubtful)

Willie Green

Jason Smith

Marreese Speights

Reggie Evans

Maybe Devin Brown or Bonzi wells or someone like that, a shooter.

Option 1c-

Use the leftover cap money to sign Corey Magette. Definitely a scorer. Not a bad Shooter either. That's a plus. Also sign a backup guard if possible. Lineup

Pg- Louis Williams

Sg- Corey Magette

Sf-Andre Iguoudala

Pf- Elton Brand

C- Samuel Dalembert

Bench:

Mareese Speights

Jason Smith

Thaddeus Young

Willie Green

Kevin Ollie

Option 2-

Trade or cut or restructure Samuel Dalembert. $10 mil for a player like him is way too much. I would just cut him because there are few teams willing to pay him that much. He might restructure if he realizes he might get cut down to about $5 mil a year, but not likely.

Option2a-

Cut Dalembert. I don't think anyone wants his contract. This again gives $24 mil in cap space. Throw anyone in at center, I don't care, really. Shavlik would probably work best. Then use the remaining money after the Brand signing to sign Corey magette. Lineup

Pg- Andre Miller

Sg-Corey Magette

Sf- Andre Iguodala

Pf- Elton Brand

C-shavlik Randolph-or anybody that qualifies as center

Bench:

Louis Williams

Willie Green

Thaddeus Young

Jason Smith

Mareese Speights

Starting Lineup is one of the best overall in the east if you ask me, along with the bench.

Option 2b-

Instead of signing Magette in 2a, sign Posey and shift Iguodala to Sg and Posey to Sf. Everything else is the same

Option 2c-

Restructure Dalembert- To $5 Mil a year. This gives about $20 Mil a year. Sign Magette or Posey or monta Ellis, Lineups and bench same as 2a and 2b, with Ellis as the Sg.

I know it sounds Crazy, but I really think these are all possible. IMO, anyone of these lineups would put us in the Conference Finals. I would Choose 1a over the rest, and failing that, 1b or 2c. Now I'm getting tired of typing, so leave some comments

I see pretty much two options for the Eagles this offseason, go for it all or don't go at all. I believe the FO has no plans of trading McNabb or any other piece of the nucleus, so I assume they HAVE to go for it all.

DEFENSE- I believe that the defense needs more than the offense. That said, I think they should fix the line first and go after McCray from Jacksonville. He's under 26 and had a 10 sack season two years ago. Or draft Calais Campbell in the first round. This kid is a freak of nature. He stands 6'8" 280. Having that opposite of Cole will make for a dominant tandem. Also look for Odom and Travis Laboy of Tennessee as possible options. Then they should try and sign Rod Coleman as a backup if he's not asking too much or go after Darwin Walker as he already knows the system and can be a steady backup alongside Lajaun Ramsey, who isn't great, but is a solid backup for depth.

In the secondary, there's not much this offseason in terms of FA other than Asante Samuel, who is asking way too much for what he's worth, and Gibril Wilson. Asante's success came from the defensive system itself, not from him. The proof is in the game we had against the Pats where he go torched on the inside almost every play. If the Eagles do sign him, i think we should move Sheldon to Safety on normal packages and switch him to the nickel back on nickel packages and let Mikell play safety on nickel packages, as Sheldon is a better coverage corner. Deangelo Hall may be available via trade, but the giants are going hard after him and he has character issues. I would sign Allen Rossum for depth and KR/PR. Gibril Wilson would be a good upgrade at safety, but he's probably not going to go anywhere. Try to trade up during the second round to get Rogers-Cromartie as he is the big corner we need to contain Plaxico.

Leave the linebackers alone, but draft a physical LB in the draft to give some competition to Gaither and Bradley.

OFFENSE- Sign Bernard Berrian or Donte Stallworth, whomever is cheaper, though preferrably i'd rather Berrian b/c he plays taller than Stallworth and much less injury prone. Sad to say, but Larry Phitzgerald nor Chad Johnson nor Randy Moss are coming to Philadelphia. Roy Williams has a very slight chance via trade because he is in the last year of his contract and probably doesnt like losing year after year. Besides, they have the next great reciever in line after Williams in Calvin Johnson. Jerry Porter is a huge risk because he has character issues and we know how Andy feels about those types. Sign Jevon Walker if he's not asking too much because he's coming off microfracture surgery. In case you didn't know, that surgery is intended for old geezers that don't have to jump 33 inches in the air or run a 4.4 40. If he's not up to par, cut him in training camp. DRAFT JAMES HARDY!!!! Unless he admits to killing someone and being addicted to crack, draft him. He does have character issues, but with proper grooming, he can be polished. Hardy is 6'7" 220, a huge redzone threat. He could be just what the doctor ordered for the Eagles. The Eagles were great between the 20 yard lines, but not much production after that. Hardy will help a lot.

DO NOT sign Alan Faneca. He will cost too much money for his age. We already have 2 aging tackles, we don't need another. And our backups aren't that bad.

I believe this is LJ's year to shine. Its a make or break year for him, and with a healthy Number 5, he can do a lot. LJ seems to do better when DMac is throwing at him anyway. Other than that, Celek is the future.

Draft OL, TE, a big RB, S, DL for depth.

Trade or cut Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard, Ryan Moats, Reno Mahe, Jerome McDougle, Ian Scott, Greg Lewis, and Thomas Tapeh. Kearse and Howard for obvious reasons. Moats is a small speedy back, which isn't what we need at that position. Reno if we sign Rossum. Scott and McDougle for obvious reasons. G-Lew is good for about 4 good catches every year. Cut him because we have Avant and Baskett who are better.

Thanks for reading. If the Eagles can manage to have a good offseason, then we'll them in Tampa. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!