Things are going pretty well for the Philadelphia Phillies, I'd say. They're in first place in the NL East, with the Mets and Braves both in turmoil and the Marlins unlikely to hang with them. They score a ton of runs, lead the NL in bullpen ERA, and have stayed remarkably injury-free. In fact, they've used only five starters and they are, on June 10, yet to make a roster move involving the pitching staff.
So what's topic A in town related to the Phillies, aside from Ryan Howard's contract? It's the idea that the Phils need to add another pitcher, with names like C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets being thrown around in outlandish trade scenarios all day long on the airwaves. So when I read the latest sportswriter-created trade rumor, I knew it would be all over Philly talk radio, and I was right.
With the Seattle Mariners out of it, fire sale rumors are flying, and Tacoma News Tribune beat reporter John McGrath stoked them earlier this week, suggesting the Mariners begin dismantling the team- by dealing ace Erik Bedard to the Phillies:
The package for Bedard could include Adrian Cardenas, 20, a left-handed-hitting infielder regarded as the Phillies’ top prospect. And Brad Harman, 22, called up to Philadelphia from Double-A this spring as a replacement for the injured Rollins. And Jason Donald, a former University of Arizona standout.Now, keep in mind- there's no indication this trade, or any one like it, has ever been discussed by either team. It's just one sportswriter's idea. Not to mention, the Mariners just traded for Bedard four months ago and signed him to a new deal, so it seems highly unlikely that they'd immediately flip him, especially not for a package clearly inferior to the one they already gave up to Baltimore for the pitcher.Not sold? Then demand Michael Taylor, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound Stanford product fast enough to qualify as a base-stealing threat. Or 6-5, 200-pound Dominic Brown, a former high school wide receiver who turned down a scholarship from the Miami Hurricanes last year.
Sure, the Phillies' Pat Gillick used to be Seattle's GM, and has exhibited a fondness for ex-Mariners in the past. But I wouldn't get my hopes up about this trade or anything like it taking place. Because I'm probably about as likely to pitch for the Phils this year as Erik Bedard is.
Posted by Stephen Silver at June 10, 2008 08:57 PM