PHILLIES TRADE THOME FOR ROWAND COMPLETED

[ngineer]

It was announce today that both Rowand and Thome have passed their physicals sealing the deal announced on Wednesday. PHillies will now have a stud outfield: Burrell, Rowand, Abreu. Hopefully Wagner stays, and the can shore up catcher. But I was glad to see the new GM Gullick is aggressive in trying to better the club. From what I've read, Rowand should fit in well in Philly--a "110%" effort guy the Phillies fans love.

[Marcus Garvey]

I'm more concerned about long-term comptetitveness. They need to shore up the farm system. Granted, it's not "in shambles" like the late 80's, but it's not as solid as it was just 7 years ago. Too many prospects have been traded and 1st round draft picks lost due to free agent signings.

All the same, I'm happy they were able to move Thome. I really like the guy. He had a couple of great years with the Phils, but Howard is their future at 1B.

[UNHWildCats]

i honestly dun know what the chi sox were thinking.

[Ivytalk]

Good trade for the Phils. Guarantee ya that Wade would've blown it somehow. Now, is there any way we can re-sign Wagner, now that we've freed up $23 million?

[ngineer]

Good trade for the Phils. Guarantee ya that Wade would've blown it somehow. Now, is there any way we can re-sign Wagner, now that we've freed up $23 million?

Phillies made a 'revised' offer to Wagner yesterday. Details were not revealed on the news, however. May learn more tonight.

[LacesOut]

Wagner.........gone! Mets the team to beat now in the NL East?? Possibly.

Regarding Thome, I figured the Phills would have to beg some team in the AL to take him. Guess not. I know Ryan Howard is happy.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

No way the Phillies should have signed Wagner to a four year deal as the Mets did. They were right not to offer the extra year that he wanted. The guy is 34 years old, and is a 5'9", one-dimentional power pitcher. No way his arm holds up. Now we'll see what the Phils can do with the freed-up cash.

[Ivytalk]

Just don't sign Kyle Farnsworth! :nono:

[LacesOut]

Just don't sign Kyle Farnsworth! :nono:


Or Tom Gordon.

[ngineer]

Agreed there Suncoast. Not worth the risk. I read that the Phils are talking to Trevor Hoffman's agent. Pretty decent pitcher, but I think he was hurt a year or so ago. Amazing that the 'better' relievers seem to be in the mid to late 30's. Now that Urbina is also, 'gone', they will be hard pressed to do something. Fultz was looking good at the end of last year, but I don't know if he's ready to be the 'closer'...

[LacesOut]

How about Ryan Madsen? Or do they leave him as a middle reliever? I think he should stay in that role.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I don't think the Phils currently have anyone on the roster who could effectively fill the closer roll. It also sounds like the free agent market has slim pickings in that department. A trade of some sort may be imminent.

[LacesOut]

How about they trade their left fielder for a closer???

[blur2005]

Wagner.........gone! Mets the team to beat now in the NL East?? Possibly.
Not until the Braves say so...

But with Mazzone gone, and Furcal a free agent, and other things not looking good, I think my Braves division championship run MAY be over.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Only three months 'till Spring Training! I'm already looking forward to it.

[Marcus Garvey]

Not until the Braves say so...

But with Mazzone gone, and Furcal a free agent, and other things not looking good, I think my Braves division championship run MAY be over.

As much as I hope that you're right, I've been hearing this line for years now. Still, the Braves keep hanging around like cockroaches. I doubt a nuclear holocaust will keep them from winning their division. :)

[Ivytalk]

Not until the Braves say so...

But with Mazzone gone, and Furcal a free agent, and other things not looking good, I think my Braves division championship run MAY be over.

Mazzone is gone? When did that happen? Was he canned? :confused:

[Ivytalk]

Only three months 'till Spring Training! I'm already looking forward to it.

What Grapefruit League park is closest to your house?

[ngineer]

Mazzone is gone? When did that happen? Was he canned? :confused:

Left to go to Baltimore. He's good friends with the manager (I think) and wanted to work with him before his career was over.

[ngineer]

Gullick stated on Phillies.com that they're looking outside of the organization. I agree Madsen is not a closer--at least not now. Fultz seemed to have very good stuff, but being a closer is more mental than 'stuff' and I don't know if he has that makeup.
Also, Phils did sign Nunez of St.Louis to a two year contract today. great utility player to platoon with Bell at third, who's injury prone.

[Ivytalk]

Saw a report in the local paper this morning that Gillick has his eye on ... Tom Gordon. SAY IT AIN'T SO!!! :bang:

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Saw a report in the local paper this morning that Gillick has his eye on ... Tom Gordon. SAY IT AIN'T SO!!! :bang:


As a closer?! Isn't Gordon more of a middle relief / set-up guy?

[Ivytalk]

As a closer?! Isn't Gordon more of a middle relief / set-up guy?

Reportedly, it's for the closer position. Now that Wagner's gone, the only other free agent closers left are Gordon, Trevor Hoffman, and Kyle Farnsworth. Am I missing anybody?

[SunCoastBlueHen]

The Phillies signed free agent reliever Julio Santana today. Pitched last year for Milwaukee. Lifetime 5.26 ERA :nonono2:

[LacesOut]

Reportedly, it's for the closer position. Now that Wagner's gone, the only other free agent closers left are Gordon, Trevor Hoffman, and Kyle Farnsworth. Am I missing anybody?

I think Todd Jones is out there. They ain't getting Hoffman, IMO.

[bodoyle]

SHINGO TAKATSU and the FRISBEE ball!