Proposed Padres swap reveals Phillies' motives

According to sources for FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies offered Reading righty Vance Worley and Class-A righty Heitor Correa to the Padres for Scott Hairston before the Pads dealt him to Oakland. [Link]

Worley, 21, is 6-5 with a 3.75 ERA and 65/32 K/BB ratio in 17 starts for the R-Phils. After a great start, he’s come back to earth lately. Correa, 19, is 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA and 56/26 K/BB ratio in 12 starts (13 games) with Lakewood. Hairston, a right-handed hitter who started at all three outfield positions with San Diego, is hitting .296/.351/.539 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs. It's likely he would have been used as the Phillies’ fourth outfielder and spot starter.

Beerleaguer: The last few nights have really driven home the need for a better bench, and Hairston would have been a very nice fit indeed. The cost would have been high with Worley, and Correa is well regarded as well. It goes to show Ruben Amaro Jr.’s desire to win now, and their ability draw from a tall stack of trade chips. Comparatively speaking, they’re loaded with young pitching. Although the trade didn't occur, this is a nice gauge to see where they're at.

Comments

[DPatrone]

We know they've needed a RH bat all year. Obviously they don't think so. Why waste time talking about a trade that didn't happen?

[mm]

I'm starting to think that included Dom Brown on the untouchable list is a little bit of misdirection by Rube. I think he figures if he says "Browns off limits" then that's what any team will ask. He plays coy, gives him up, and keeps Taylor.

The other may be legitimate untouchable, but i think brown is just a smokescreen to hide Taylor.

I kind of like the scenario where taylor is up at the end of werths 2nd year, and if the phils win a 2nd wseries, then no way werth doesn't walk and get big(for him) money as a FA and taylor slides right into the opening day lineup in 2011.

[ftl John]

DPatrone:

I'm not sure I would call the story Weitzel published a "waste of time." I gathered quite a bit from it, namely the fact that they do, in fact, want to win right now. By offering to give up a decent prospect (Worley) and an up-and-comer in Correa for a strong bench option, it shows how far we're willing to go.

I think, most of all, this shows just how far we are willing to go for Halladay. If we were willing to give up Worley, who a few on BL considered to be one of our more high-ceiling pitching prospects for a 31-year old bench player/spot starter, the comments on here that guys like Drabek, Taylor, Brown, Happ...even a few of them as a package...being untouchable for Doc, have to be re-thought.

[loctastic]

The A's landed Hairston for minor-league right-handers Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano and a player to be named. The player to be named is the key to the deal, sources say.

So we didn't get the deal done because we wouldn't offer another unnamed player? Huh?

[Bay Slugga]

How does a player to be names work? Yea we will give you a player later, how about Bruntlett right before we release him.

[mark]

so who's the next target for a righty bench bat? do they go for a blockbuster with toronto and try for wells or rios along with halladay?

[MG]

Still think Amaro gets another RH-bat but that it won't be until after the trading deadline.

Might not be a huge upgrade but it has to better than watching the likes of Bako and Bruntlett PH late in crucial situations.

[ftl John]

Furthermore, (sorry for the double post), one has to wonder why the A's even made the deal. They're 12 back in the division and 14.5 out of the wild card. Perhaps they'll hold on to Hairston for a bit and flip him later in the year to a contender for better prospects? No other reason to give up two prospects to get a 31-year old career .255 spot-starter.

[J.R. King]

Another 7 shutout innings from Andrew Carpenter last night ... as I said in the last thread, he's gotta be wondering what it takes for him to get another shot at the big club.

I would have rather he have been promoted ahead of Lopez. If he was Happ-esque in his two starts, maybe the Phils could move him and heep Happ. In case I haven't been clear, I REALLY don't want to lose J.A.

[BobbyD]

I don't see how you can have any untouchables when you're going after a Halladay. I can see telling Toronto they can't have Drabek AND Happ or Brown AND Taylor. For what it's worth I'd rather give up Drabek than Happ. Happ is in the rotation NOW and pitching well.

[MG]

Bench has been been really crappy this year. They are now PH .182 as a team and although they lead the league in NL in PH HRs two of them have come from Howard and JRoll.

[CJ]

Ibanez coming back from injury will do a lot to improve the bench, providing Bako gets sent down.

Stairs
Dobbs
Mayberry
Bruntlett
Coste

Here's the thing... Bruntlett is the only backup SS. He can play lots of positions and is adequate defensively at most. I can't stand the guy and I cringe every time he comes to the plate, but if we deal for a guy like Hairston, he's replacing Mayberry on the bench, not Bruntlett.

[Petey Pablo]

mark - I can't imagine Amaro is willing to pay Rios $10m (prorated to $5m) to be a 4th outfielder/pinch hitter

[CJ]

Dealing a PTBNL is tricky. Generally speaking, a team is either given a handful of players from which they can choose and they take extra time to scout before selecting. OR, the player they want can't be dealt for some reason (injured? recently drafted? etc.).

[MG]

Bench was really good in '07 and '08 because they had players like Werth and Vic on the bench.

This year's bench reminds me of the '06 which started out weak with marginal players like A. Gonzalez/Fasano/Nunez and gave plenty of PH ABs to the likes of Sandoval/Roberson/Simon down the stretch.

This year's bench isn't quite as bad as that one but it's close.

[MG]

One last thing - the '06 bench has one quality PH option all year really (Dellucci). This team is pretty much the same (Stairs).

[dick allen-15]

I am really pissed..Hairston would have been a great fit from the right side. Not really sure who Rube is targeting but this bench needs immediate revamping..hopefully this is all done before we resume play next Thursday

[Bay Slugga]

I think it is important to note that many sources are saying it would take an overwhelming deal to land Halladay. While Carrasco, Happ, Donald, and Taylor may be a fair offer, it is by no means overwhelming. I think Drabek, Happ, Donald, and Taylor is a deal that could get this done. Is that worth it?

[Mike]

When is the last time the Phils have had three of the top 25 prospects according to Baseball America? Just wondering.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=5456

[clearman]

The A's got hairston so they have some depth when they ultimately trade Holliday

[MG]

clearman - Yeah. Hairston is under contract through '11 so if was just a depth move by Beane.

[Bay Slugga]

I wonder who Holliday will go to? That should be interesting.

[timr]

I actually don't mind them keeping Bruntlett on the roster for the very reason CJ stated: he's the only back up shortstop and can really back up most defensive positions.

The problem is thats not how Charlie's been using him. Really you can only have one no-hit defensive specialist on a bench, and with Bako they've got at least two, which puts the Gnome in pinch hit situations far too often.

Coste stinks as a pinch hitter, so I assume that the Bako situation is an extended tryout for the catcher spot and that, in the not-so-distant future, either Coste or Bako will be sent down in favor of a better pinch hitter.

Or else this all makes no sense whatsoever.

[MyersAtTheBat]

how about Oscar Salazar of the O's to replace Bruntlett? surprised nobody's mentioned it, but they're looking to deal either him or Pie because they're both out of options and one has to go when Izturis comes off the DL... Worley for Salazar?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/orioles-explore-deals-for-pie-salazar.html

[bay_area_phan]

CJ's right. Hairston has never played SS, so he would have replaced Mayberry, not Bruntlett. But rarely does a week pass by when I don't see a name on the DFA list who would be an upgrade over Bruntlett. The Mariners just signed Alex Cintron to a minor league deal. He ain't great, but he hit .286 last year and has a career average of .275 -- including .300 against left-handers. Where was Rube? Cintron would have been a vast improvement on Bruntlett.

[clout]

timr: Let me get this straight. Coste stinks as a pinch hitter so we use...Bruntlett????

[EastFallowfield]

Maybe it's time to expand the rosters. Now that so many spots are taken up by pitchers you're left with employing people whose best trait is their ability to seem to be able to defend multiple positions.

Old enough to remember when teams would have several backup OFers AND backup IFers and 2 catchers.

[timr]

clout: no thats not what I meant. Bruntlett should never be used as a pinch hitter, but thats okay IMO because of the fact that he's their only backup SS and can play lots of positions.

My point was that one guy like that on a team is okay, but they've got Bako too who should never pinch hit and Coste who hits okay when he starts but is a pretty bad pinch hitter as well.

[kilbillrain]

Assuming the Phils DON'T make the move for Roy I think its safe to say that IF he does go to a legit contender we can kiss another ring this year goodbye.

We have to hope that he stays put.

If Phils pull out and he goes to Cards, LA, BoSox, Yanks, Angles, or Rangers, we in deep doo doo!

[bay_area_phan]

I think people are dreaming when they specualte that Ibanez will take Bako's roster spot. Bako has settled in as Cholly's backup catcher -- maybe even something more, since he has actually made more starts than Ruiz lately. Unless Amaro completely overrides Cholly's will, there is no way in the world that Bako is going to be demoted (especially since he'd have to clear waivers and God forbid we end up losing the great Paul Bako).

The smart money says that Ibanez replaces Mayberry, although I'd say there's a slim chance that it will be Coste.

[kilbillrain]

*Angels

[CJ]

killbillrain: I seem to remember similar proclamations about Sabathia going to the Brewers. Oh... and Rich Harden to the Cubs, too. Oh... and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers.

[timr]

I think Mayberry hasn't done enough, in Charlie's eyes, to show that he belongs up here instead of veterans like Gnome, Bako, and Coste, so he'll be sent down.

However, this organization has only ever begrudgingly given Coste a chance to play, so maybe he'll get the ax instead.

[gobaystars]

expanding the roster isn't the answer. expand the innings pitched by starters. happ made it into his second big league season before he threw his first complete game at any level of pro ball. its amazing. if 7 plus innings was expected then you could carry a full bench.

[joe]

Does Coste even have options left? or would they have to outright him?

[MG]

bap - Yeah. I see Bako sticking around a while and doing squat offensively (.200 or so). But he will provide "veteran presence" so that really counts for something.

[bay_area_phan]

killbrain: That's a bit of overstatement. The team which wins it all is not always the team with the best pitching; it's the team with the hottest pitching. Last year, our Hamels/Myers/Blanton trio was certainly not the equal of Zambrano/Dempster/Lilly or Lowe/Billingsley/Kuroda or Lester/Dice-K/Beckett. But Hamels out-pitched everyone during the playoffs, & Blanton pitched like a bona fide ace.

Obviously, you'd rather go into the playoffs with a couple of ace pitchers. But there's no guarantee that your aces will pitch like aces in a short series.

[clout]

timr: It sounds like we agree. Bruntlett should never be used to PH. Bako should never be used to PH. Coste should never be used to PH. The Hairston offer suggests Amaro probably agrees with us.

[clout]

Myers: Trading Worley for 31-year-old minor league journeyman Salazar, whose 4th best position is SS, would be act so evil and stupid as to be in violation of the Geneva conventions.

[clout]

joe: Coste, as a 6-year pro, has the right of refusal to report to the minors and can become a free agent.

[DPatrone]

ftl John~

DPatrone:

I'm not sure I would call the story Weitzel published a "waste of time."

I didn't call JW's posting of the story a waste of time. What I menat was talking about a deal that didn't happen a waste of time. Sorry for the confusion.

All this current trade talk is nothing more than conjecture. We'll never really know what will happen until it does.

A RH bat? We didn't get anyone we targeted. Even in the off-season. I know Amaro wants to win now and I would love to see another playoff and possible WS appearance.

But let's talk about what happens when it does. i.e. If another team get Halladay and the Phils don't, let's talk about what was given up. As I said, I think the Phils will make a strong offer but not one to get Halladay here.

Rosenthal pointing out who the Phils offered for Hairston is moot since the offer didn't get it done. If the Phils really wanted him, they've gotten him.

[bay_area_phan]

For all the talk about Cholly's status as a hitting guru, he sure seems to have a love for players like Bako & Bruntlett & Abraham Nunez, who provide absolutely no offense at all, but can play 8 different defensive positions or provide "veteran" leadership. I sometimes think that if Cholly were a GM, he would assemble a starting lineup which included 8 Eric Bruntletts. It is simply amazing how he bends over backwards to find ways to get Bruntlett into almost every game.

[Mike]

I fail to see how Bruntlett could provide any veteran "leadership". Sure he's got several years of service time but if you were on the team, would you take advice from a guy who has done virtually nothing all year?

[4daysrest.com]

Bruntlett only pinch hits when Matt Stairs is too high to play. Check it out at the site.

[MyersAtTheBat]

clout: i was merely going off the rumored Hairston deal. who would you trade for Salazar, if you indeed would want to replace Bruntlett with him?

i think i'd offer them not much more than organizational filler. in all likelihood, i think Pie is the more valuable of the two and thus less likely to be DFA'ed. i think Salazar will shake loose on his own. thoughts?

[Petey Pablo]

Bruntlett should never, ever pinch hit. It is mindboggling to me that he was sent up to PH in the ninth last night. Even the immortal Terry Tiffee and Mike Cervenak would be better options.

Given that Bako cannot even get a bunt down, I have no idea why he is on the team.

Our bench stinks, and the way Charlie employs it is inexplicable half the time.

[Petey Pablo]

Interestingly, no one from the Angels organization is on BA's list of top 50 prospects. Someone commented on BL that they were skeptical that the Angels could put together a better package for Halladay than the Phils, because while the Angels' farm system is always talked about as a good one no actual names are ever mentioned. That comment appears to have been right on the money

[Bubba]

Pablo- I think our only bench player left last night was Ruiz -who has been not hitting lately and was our backup catcher in a game that could go extra innings.. The night before when Bruntlett PH for Dobbs was really hard to fathom. I don't care which hand the pitcher uses I would rather have Dobbs with a bat than Eric.

[clout]

Myers: As bad as Bruntlett is, I think you'd have to get someone in return who can at least play an average defensive SS. Salazar would not be it. Someone mentioned Cintron earlier and he would've been just fine.

[R.Billingsly]

FWIW, Halladay's line today:

7.0IP, 3ER, 9H, 0BB, 8K.

His ERA is now 2.85.

[TNA]

Halladay also threw 119 pitches. Toronto usually runs him into the ground and I wouldn't be surprised if it is exacerbated over the next couple of weeks even though he just got off the DL.

[Andy]

O Bako! Bako can't bunt; Bako!
O Bako! Bako because Suko!

Hairston woulda helped.
(Though it would mean Mayberry returns to LV and we still have the incredible bunt-stylings of Bako - who demonstrated that no matter how many times you throw him a pitch he still can bunt it 20 feet in the air.)
(What talent!)

That trade might have been the best use of Worley; but losing Correa probly woulda hurt.

A real utility infielder would help, too, Ruben. If you're listening. Cintron? Sure. Anything is better than the splinter-pickin' hunk-o-plaster that manages weak pop-ups when not whiffing in the late innings.

[colton]

Imagine Roy Halladay throwing in games 1, 4 & 7 of a playoff series.

Makes me giddy.

[TK]

And Cole Hamels throwing in 2 and 6.

Wow-sers

[bay_area_phan]

In the middle of the 9th
In the middle of the 9th, Cholly calls your name.
Oh, Bako. Oh, Bako.
I wish you would be gone.

In the middle of the year
In the middle of the year, he joins the team.
Oh, Bako. Oh, Bako.
I wish you would be gone.

In the middle of his bunt
In the middle of his bunt, he pops it up
Oh, Bako. Oh, Bako.
I wish you would be gone.

(Inspired by Andy and other noteworthy artists)

[Mike]

I didn't see this mentioned, but it's worth noting that Halladay has gone at least 7 innings in all but two of his starts (and I believe he left one early against FLA due to the groin injury). Seeing that the bullpen was taxed pretty heavily earlier in the year, he would go a long way in conserving them for a deep playoff run. With Halladay, Hamels, and occasionally Blanton going 7+ over the course of the rest of the season, along with the strong offense, you wouldn't need to burn guys like Romero, Madson, and Lidge as much (not to mention the middle-relief corps of Durbin, Eyre, Park, and Condrey).

[Bedrosian's Beard]

3 Phils in the top 25 in BA's midseason. Taking it a bit further, Knapp joins them in the top 50.

[David]

I didn't see this mentioned, but the NY Post is reporting (supposedly) that whoever trades for Halladay is going to wind up taking on Wells' contract as well (no pun intended). Again, FWIW. This is the New York Post, which may not mean a ton, as they would be key in driving up the price in hoping that the Phillies bow out of the race. I keep seeing alot about Halladay's age (32), but a guy like Wakefield, who's injury history is a bit larger, is now in the All-Star game at 42. I gotta think Doc can last that long with the way he pitches, right?

[timr]

ha ha, andy and bap!

[ozark]

Don't have to PH for Halladay in the bushleague.

[GBrettfan]

Take a look at Dave Murphy's High Cheese blog. Good examination of the whole Halladay thing, for and against, market, GM speak, etc. Here's a sample:

"And as much as a Roy Halladay might help their chances this year and next year, look at the rotation they are envisioning for 2011:

Cole Hamels, $9.5 million
TBA
J.A. Happ, $2 million
Tom Seaver (AKA Drabek) , $400,000
TBA
That would give them three starters for a hair under $12 million. Which could set them up to spend big money on at least one top-of-the-rotation starter (in 2011)."

[colton]

Regarding Drabek & Halladay, Keith Law had this to say today in an ESPN chat:

***

"Drabek isn't even good enough to be "untouchable" (great stuff, already blew out his elbow, fair delivery at best, makeup questions dating back to HS), but more to the point, you're talking about acquiring one of the top 5 starters in baseball - maybe the top starter in baseball - for a year and a half. You don't designate a AA pitcher as "untouchable" if you're serious about acquiring Doc."

[ozark]

Go for broke!

[CJ]

Here's a Spanish language news report saying, I believe, that Pedro signed a $4M deal with the Phillies. Anyone know Spanish?

"El dominicano Pedro Martínez acaba de llegar a un acuerdo con los Filis de Filadelfia por $4 millones de dólares para lo que resta de la campaña."

[goody]

Sorry I'm late on here, but I had to catch up on about 1300 posts before giving my thoughts.
I'm surprised no one mentioned Burrell's walk-off homer tues. nite. I, for one, am happy for him.
For those willing to give up Happ + prospects, how many more games do you think Halladay will win than Happ over the next year and a half? The price of those wins would be the loss of all future use of Happ & the other top prospects at controlled cost, + 19M dollars.
clout: The Astro's had the real Killer B's, we have the Rallykiller B's.

[CJ]

Amaro says, "No comment." via Todd Zolecki (regarding Pedro)

[CJ]

goody: I'm less concerned with how many regular season games Halladay would win over Happ, and more concerned with how many postseason games Halladay would win over Happ.

Also, Halladay has a proven track record of going deep into games. A track record Happ doesn't yet have. Could Happ go deeper? Perhaps. But we know Halladay does and he could help keep our bullpen from becoming overtaxed.

[tg082]

Google translate says:

Dominican Pedro Martínez has just reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies for $ 4 million dollars for the remainder of the campaign

[tg082]

DNL is reporting that the Phillies are "close" to a deal.

I don't like this.

[tg082]

Close to a deal with Pedro, I mean.

[Mike]

CJ: If I'm not mistaken, there have been similar reports on other players over the past year (maybe few years) from foreign sources that have been proven to be inaccurate or premature. That said, if it is true, I find it hard to believe the Phillies would drop 4MM on Pedro unless it was heavily incentive-laden. My Spanish is mediocre at best but from what I gathered the article (besides saying he signed) didn't say anything that hasn't been reported before i.e. throwing between 88-91, pitching well generally, etc.

[Jack]

Mike: the 4 mill contract is prorated, so it will amount to probably betwen 1.5 and 2 mill by the time he gets up the big leagues.

[DPatrone]

CJ~

I did the translation through Google.

Translation: Spanish » English
El dominicano Pedro Martínez acaba de llegar a un acuerdo con los Filis de Filadelfia por $4 millones de dólares para lo que resta de la campaña."
Dominican Pedro Martínez has just reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies for $ 4 million dollars for the remainder of the campaign. "

[Mike]

Thanks Jack, is that guaranteed? I'm still not sure he's worth even that much at this point.

[Bedrosian's Beard]

Sounds like we just read 2 days worth of Halladay posts for nothing.

[tg082]

This is bull. Pedro was washed up before he left Boston!

[tg082]

Shane won, BTW.

[MyersAtTheBat]

my Spanish is not that good... but yes, that says he has just reached an agreement with the Phillies for $4 million dollars for the rest of the campaign/season. the rest of the article says that, from a credible source, he signed the deal today and isn't expected to pitch until after the all-star break. it also has a quote from a scout named Robinson Garcia that implies the Phils watched him pitch again today and thought he looked consistent from his last outing. Garcia says he was throwing 88-91 and had good movement on all his pitches.

i guess we'll see if this breaks in the US any time soon. if it's true, this makes me kind of excited. i'm not expecting much from him. but he's a good clubhouse guy and should be plenty fired up to beat the Mets. plus he only costs $$$$$$, which we seem to have a lot of these days... how sweet it is to write that.

[CJ]

Shane Victorino wins final vote! Woo hoo!

[Brian G]

I can't for the life of me figure out why we'd give Pedro that much money. He hasn't been good or healthy for 3 years. We paid about a $3 million "big name" tax if that's true.

[TNA]

not only did Shane win, but it's possible Charlie could choose Werth and Rollins to replace Hanley and Beltran. Would he dare?

[Mike Scuilli]

looks like shane is going to the all st ar game, pretty sweet

[sneed]

For 1.5 million dollar shot in the dark, Pedro is one of the few people I would say are "worth" it.

If he happens to have a little left in the tank, we may be just as good as last year without mortgaging our future.

[J.R. King]

Pedro Martinez? Bad idea. Bad idea. Bad idea. Honestly, I'd rather bring up Andrew Carpenter. He may not have the upside, but he'll likely be more consitent.

[Jack]

Pedro huh? Very interesting.

[CJ]

If the contract is prorated, which I would assume it is, he'll likely get no more than $2M.

This move doesn't bother me... and I don't believe for a second that it impacts Halladay talks at all.

[tg082]

Maybe Amaro just thought he could get any pitcher who was great in Canada and no one would know the difference?

[Sylar]

Rollins has been the worst SS in baseball up to this point, and it'd be an atrocity if he was on the AS team....

Oh, and if the Pedro reports are true, that's terrible for you guys, considering how awful he was last year.

[Clay Dalrymple]

perhaps signing pedro is sign that Happ is part of a Halliday deal

[tg082]

"Rollins has been the worst SS in baseball up to this point"

Not quite, champ. You don't watch much baseball, do you?

[G-Town Dave]

Congrats to Shane!!! :-D

I was at the game last night & his walk off hit convinced me to "Vote Bran Torino" about 75 more times this afternoon -- I'm glad it helped!

Also, I want nothing whatsoever to do w/ Pedro. The only good thing that could possibly come of it is that the Phils only lose money, & not prospects, when he sucks.

[timr]

Happy for Shane, very disturbed by Pedro rumor. Might be more exciting (which is to say, might be a tiny bit exciting) if it didn't pretty much close off the possibility of Halladay. I have very little confidence that Pedro has anything left in the tank, unless he's been on the PEDs.

[Jack]

I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna second bringing up Carpenter over signing Pedro.

It's worth a shot. And I like that Amaro wants to try and win without mortgaging the future. Despite what people might think, getting Roy Halladay does not guarantee a title. But giving away a bunch of top prospects like Drabek, Taylor, and others, does ensure you're going to have to either spend a lot to fill in holes in the future or you're going to struggle.

I think if this team gets to the playoffs, it can win again, constructed as is.

[The Truth Injection]

I get upset with Bruntlett being our option off the bench too but some of you live in a fantasy land where every person on the team hits like .260 or better.

Bruntlett's job off the bench is to give you versatility. He does that by being able to play 3 infield positions and 2 outfield positions to varying degrees of success. The way Amaro has constructed the bench though Charlie ends up having to use him as a pinhc hitter in certain situations. When Bruntlett is pinch running and playing an inning or two of defense that is the proper role for him.

He probably makes too much money for that job but his contract also came in before the market collapsed on itself. Part of it can be attributed to that.

Bruntlett as he is would be fine. The way he is being used though is not as fine, because he is used improperly thanks to the moves Charlie has at his disposal.

Also when Ibanez comes back I would rather see Coste get sent away than Mayberry or Bako. I like Coste and he is a great story but I'll take a bette defensive catcher in the spot of back-up.

[Sylar]

tg082:

Rollins is hitting .224/.276/.349

Please name me a SS that's even close to that

[timr]

Wait, CJ, you don't think this removes them from the Halladay sweepstakes? I do. Its so much like the Blanton trade last year, when we were clamoring for Sabathia and ended up with Blanton. Except the gap between Halladay and Pedro (of today) is bigger. I think this is pretty much it for starting pitching, if its true.

[Mike]

If true, perhaps the Pedro signing is prelude to Happ being a centerpiece in a Halladay deal.

Halladay
Hamels
Blanton
Moyer
Pedro

I'd run with that. Pure speculation of course.

[G-Town Dave]

Jack: What if, as some have suggested, the Pedro deal also signals that the Phils will part w/ Happ &/or Drabek as part of a deal for Halladay? Still a good move?

[TNA]

If Pedro is indeed signed, why don't we all reserve judgment until he's pitched a few games?

As for other FA's out there, the Phils should pick up Backe and BJ Ryan. Ryan reminds of the Romero pick up; Boston thought JC was done and going by stats, he definitely looked cooked. But he turned it around big time in Philly.

[BobbyD]

If the Phils did in fact sign Pedro, I think that makes it MORE likely that they get Hallady. Pedro would be Happ's replacement after he's traded to Toronto.

Halladay
Hamels
Blanton
Martinez
Moyer