The Untouchables

 

It’s often said that a teams most prized players are “untouchable” or that there is nothing you could get in return that would make it worth or while to trade them. As it becomes more and more likely that the Phillies run as a contender is over. Let’s take a look at the Phillies options on who can fetch some players who can help the club down the line.

Who’s untouchable? Well frankly, nobody. To say the Wriz don’t believe any player is untouchable is a slight exaggeration but only slight. If you can trade a player and get back more than you’re giving up they aren’t untouchable. In fact, there are only a few players in all major sports I’d consider untouchable. Lebron James is. Crosby or Malkin maybe, buy their propensity to get hurt makes it just a maybe.

Back to our boys. Right now, the closest we have to an untouchable player would be Cliff Lee, Dom Brown and Cole Hamels. Hamels is 2-11 and has a 4.58 ERA and makes a boat load of cash. He can go, but you want to buy low and sell high. I’m sure some GM’s can overlook his performance thus far as an enigma but enough to get what he’s worth I doubt it. Cliff Lee is having a very good year. He too makes a shit load, but a team in need of pitching help could give you some nice prospects. Dom Brown on the other hand makes peanuts and isn’t even eligible for arbitration until 2015, but opposed to Cole is he at his highest value now?

If the Wriz was in control, he’d be fielding calls for anyone in a Phillies uniform. The Phanatic, the ball girls EVERYONE! Fuck, I’d even trade pistachio girl if I thought it get me a player with some heart. Lord knows this team needs some. But just because I’m discussing it doesn’t mean I’m giving away the team either.  The way I look at it, Hamels, Lee and Brown can be dealt but only if I KNOW I’m getting the best of it. And that means Major League ready top prospects.

If you can find some to take JRoll, do it. I’d say the same for Howard but realistically you’d have to eat so much of that salary you’d end up looking like Jared before Subway happened. Even Paps will get you a nice return. A 14 million dollar closer is a luxury this team doesn’t need right now. Everyone else? I’m taking whatever I can get. Both Youngs, Chooch, KK and sad to say even Chase have to go to acquire the building blocks of the next incarnation of a contending team. I love Chase but unless he gives a major hometown discount and signs before the trade deadline, he’s gotta go. Reports say the Dodgers would sign him for 3 years 45 million. There is NO FUCKING WAY I’d be on board with that deal.

Back to Southern California?

 

Remember when everyone was all like “In Reuben we trust?” We’ll the Wriz didn’t and still don’t. I’m saying my prayers every night that he can prove me wrong otherwise this dreadful season is just the tip.

See ya at the ballpark!

Jay Wrizight

jaywrizight@yahoo.com

 

PS Just the tip of the Iceberg, you sick fuck!

Makin Their Way

Hoodwink’d by cj hood

Makin Their Way (Original original version)

I f’ed up the other day by calling my Dukes blog “Bo, Luke & Cooter.” I should have called it “Makin Their Way.” That’s the kind of ish that bothers me. I’m listening to the Nick & Artie show online while I type this so there’s bound to be a lot of errors in this piece. BTW check out the Nick & Artie show online. It’s like Hoodwink’d: Some sports, but a lot of LOLz!

Anywho…the 2^nd half monsters are back!!! #amiright. We signed Cole for too much, but I approve cuz he is proven and homegrown. Wriz weighed in on this issue yesterday in Wriz Wednesday By The Way of Thursday. But like I replied to his blog (I’m sure you all read it) RAJ created this monster, so he had no choice but to pay Hamels handsomely.

CASH MONEY COLE!

We are now 7-4 with our first 3 game sweep under our belts. However, I can’t help to compare this year’s Phils to last year’s Eagles where they dominate in the 2^nd half, but still come up short. So I’ll be biting my nails all the way up to September. Irregardless

(not a real word), the Brews series was nothing short of exciting. What’s even more exciting is the trade deadline is approaching and all of sudden we have a shot at sneaking in to the playoffs as a wild card. So what should we do? I have a few ideas that I’ll reiterate but are little altered now that we are winning.

In a perfect world, we’d go out and buy David Wright, but since we can’t how about Chase Headley? Let’s dump Lee and use that cash for a bat. How about Polanco and boy-wonder Kratz for a #5 pitcher so we could keep Kendrick in the pen? Like I’ve said before, the ‘pitching wins games’ theory is a bust. It’s time to make moves and back up the Brinks truck for a young bat. Mayberry has been coming thru as of late, but I’d still like to see what D*Brown could do. While we’re talking about trades, I would not dump Victorino and Pence especially unless it’s a definite upgrade!

Moreover, when we’re running on all pistons Cholly is basically on cruise-control. However, when we’re not and he actually needs to manage he seems to fall short. Leaving Bastardo in to pitch Braun is like Kornhole going to Chic-fil-A in a sundress. So, this only solidifies the fact that we need to UPGRADE before the end of the month!

I’m not expecting any major moves by the deadline and I think we still have an uphill battle ahead of us. But, I don’t think we’re dead in the water. Am I saying we have a chance? Yes, Lloyd Christmas…the Phillies still have a chance of making the playoffs. Big series this weekend against the Braves…let’s get ‘bunted!

You buyin or sellin?

It’s pretty pathetic when the highlight of your season so far is watching Chad Qualls fall on his ass trying to make a pickoff throw to first. Sad but true. A lot of people have been saying “don’t panic” “it’ll be ok” “Utley and Howard are coming back.” Fuck it, I’m panicking. I know the Phillies were 7 back with 17 to play and still won the division in 2007. But realize this: They had to pass ONE team. Right now they’re 9.5 back and they have to pass the whole fucking division.

But there’s two Wild Cards this year, right? Still 5.5 back and have to pass SEVEN teams. Amaro said they aren’t going to rush to do something either way, which is somewhat understandable. But at some point a decision has to be made. Are the Phillies going to be buyers or sellers? The Phillies haven’t been sellers since they unloaded Bobby Hustle in 2006. In each season since, they have added to their roster before the trade deadline. Some major deals like for Pence and Lee and some minor deals like Blanton and Lohse. If we are to believe RAJ and the Phillies aren’t going over the Luxury Tax, the Phillies can’t make much of a blockbuster move. They can only take on roughly 4 million in salary. So how much can you bolster this team that needs fielding, bullpen and offensive help?

With the additional WC spot, teams probably will wait longer to make moves, holding hope they can make a playoff run. This means help for the Phillies is further away except for injured players returning to the club. And ultimately, in my opinion, the Phillies will be sellers rather than buyers. They have loads of tradable pieces with expiring contracts: Polly, Blanton, Victorino, even Pence who will be arbitration eligible for the final time, and of course, the mother load, Cole Hamels.

I have said time and time again that if Cole wasn’t signed before the team headed north from Clearwater, he was gone. Can the team take a chance that they don’t trade him and get the king’s ransom he will garner and not make the playoffs and he walks? It would be disastrous. Cole has said time and time again he wants to win. This team seems like its trying to force him out of town.

Best case scenario is Amaro sits down with Cole makes his best and final offer, not after the season, not next month, NOW! If Cole rejects it, he’s gotta go. But Amaro should still be up front with Cole and tell him even if they trade him; they still like to see him in a Phillies uniform next year.

I gotta go cry.

Jay Wrizight

jaywrizight@yahoo.com

 Click here

For Shits and Giggles 

I'll Trade You for It

 

Top 9 Trades/Signings in Philly Sports History

Rube did it again! For the 3rd straight year he made a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline. Thank God he kept Ed Wade on his Christmas card list. Ed Wade is the gift that keeps on giving. He is the definition of 'Addition by subtraction'. He has done more for the Phillies as the GM of the Astros then he ever did as the Phils GM. Thanks for Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence, Ed! And what did Rube have to give up to acquire these huge pieces you ask? Michael Bourn and some prospects. Pretty sweet deals. It got me thinking about the best deals the Philadelphia sports teams have made over the years. I'm going to break it down how The Wriz likes it, Prime 9 style.

 

9 - John LeClair, Eric Desjardains & Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi & a 3rd round pick. LeClair & Desjardains were huge for the 'Lindros Era' Flyers. They were big parts of the Flyers Cup run in 1998. A 50 goal scorer and a rock solid puck carrying defenseman for a good player is a nice deal.

 

 

8 - Brad Lidge & Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary & George...Sorry, Mike Costanzo. The Phillies are still looking for their first World Series victory since 1980 if not for Brad Lidge. A perfect season. He was automatic that year. Ed Wade's first gift to his former team.

 

7 - Terrell Owens, Free Agent Signing, cost the Eagles, Brandon Whiting and a 5th round conditional pick. We all know T.O. turned into the worlds biggest A hole in his second year with the Eagles. I still can see that tool working out in front of his house with reporters snapping questions and photos. His first year was nice, he was a good teammate, worked his butt off to come back for the Super Bowl. He would have been the MVP of that Super Bowl if Donovan didn't throw up all over the field.

 

6- Cliff Lee & Ben Fransisco for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson & Jason Knapp. Rube's first blockbuster at the trade deadline. This city fell in love with Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee fell in love with the city so much that he flipped the bird to New York to come back here. What's not to like about this deal?

 

5 - Bernie Parent for Doug Favell & a 1st Round pick. Only God saved more then Bernie! He carried the Broad Street Bullies to back to back Stanley Cup victories. Both Cup clinching games were shutouts. Can't get more clutch then that.

 

4 - Julius 'The Doctor' Erving purchased for 3 million dollars. The Nets were cash strapped and had to unload Dr J. The Sixers bought the best player they ever had for what Andre Iguodala makes in a month.

 

3 - Roy Halladay for Travis D'Arnaud, Kyle Drabek, & Michael Taylor. The Phillies got this generations best pitcher for prospects. You make that deal every time.

 

2 - Pete Rose, Free Agent. Signed for $3.2 million for 4 years. Pete put the Phillies over the top. He was the piece they needed to get over the hump and win their first World Series in franchise history. $800,000 a year was big money back then, now Kyle Kendrick makes twice that.

 

 

1 - Moses Malone, Free Agent signing, Sixers had to give Houston, Caldwell Jones & a 1st Round pick as compensation. Moses lead the Sixers to the promised land. He made a very good team that kept coming up short, great. The Sixers rolled through the 1982-83 season and playoffs. They lost 1 playoff game on their way to the title.

 

 

These lists are always good for discussion. Did I miss any great deals? Let me know.

 

Keep It Classy Philly!

 

DB29