Who are the six guys you think are better than Hamels? He is a starting pitvher who is going to be 20 games over break even in a three year period at then end of the year? He as 15-5 in '07, 14-10 last year.
Plus he was a rock in the post-season. How many ohter starters do you KNOW are going to give you big starts in the biggest spots?
The Phillies do need another starter- but I would be more greedy than a quality number 2 guy. If they can get another ace, why not. Like you writem it is aobut NOW- so pay up and act like it is about now.
This is my concern as well. No real #2 in the playoffs or WS. After Hamels no one scares you. It may work in the regular season , as you say, but who's to say the Mets or Braves dont go out and get themselves a #2 ? Then you're really in a pennant race.
Problem I see is who do you give up for that #2? Half the Phils starters you wont trade at all and the other half you really would hate to part with. But could you really trade , say Werth + prospects for the number #2 guy you really need? I'd do something along the lines of what you're saying with Zach Duke...Go to a small market team with a losing record and try to pry away their #2 for prospects.
Who to trade for that number 2 is always the problem. One of the reasons I'm against getting a true #1 is that, like you say, you'd probably have to give existing talent on the MLB roster already in place.
But the next level starter can sometimes be acquired for very little- if you're willing to take a bad contract back. Roy Oswalt has a 4.50 ERA and a 15M contract- they might be willing to let him go for very little to save 9M over the rest of the season.
Yeah you rite....You can get a guy with a big contract and a FA year coming up for prospects. Basically rent-a-pitcher. Seems like the Phils have enough talent in the minors to do that. I'm thinking of addressing a longer term need by getting a #2 now who can be around for awhile. I don't think that's the way to go. The core of the team is strong and it's best to keep it intact, esp. since we're leading the division anyway and have won it all already.
Commenting by HaloScan
