Mora Interested In Phillies

The match makes so much sense that it was only a matter of time before the rumors started up.  As I mentioned a week ago, Melvin Mora's the best available third baseman and the Phillies desperately need one of those.

Now that contract extension talks have broken off between Mora's agent and the Orioles, the New Jersey Courier-Post reports:

"Mora is believed to be interested in playing with fellow Venezuelan Bobby Abreu. If Mora hopes to be traded this season to Philadelphia, two things might stand in his way. The Phillies currently have three players that can play third base and Abreu would certainly be involved in the trade."

I still don't know why Mora just didn't take the money.  But as to the quote above, I think two things stand in Mora's way, and they're neither of the two listed.

First, the idea that the Phillies have three players that can play third base is technically true, but far from a roadblock.  We are talking about David Bell (worst regular in baseball last year), Alex Gonzalez (the 33 year-old with his fifth team in three years), and Abraham Nunez (has topped a .700 OPS once in his career).  Not exactly Wright, A-Rod, and Miggy here.   

Second, the idea that the Phils could only acquire Mora if they sent Abreu the other way. Huh?  Wouldn't the Orioles prefer someone young and affordable?  One of Cole Hamels or Gavin Floyd would seem sufficient for an impending free agent.

The first real issue here is money.  According to my Phillies source, the team is stretched at their $92MM payroll and even Mora's $4MM for '06 would be pushing it.  They just added a mil for David Dellucci too.  Maybe spending five mil spread among Ryan Franklin, Gonzalez, and Nunez wasn't such a bright idea?

The other problem with a Mora-to-Philly deal is that third base, no matter how bleak, may not be the team's most pressing need.  Pat Gillick may want to focus on finding a decent backup for Tom Gordon, as the team really doesn't have one.  If Flash and his questionable elbow go down for any length of time, who will the Phillies turn to?  Madson?  Need him starting.  Rhodes?  Bombed in the role. 

I suppose if you want to get really crazy, you could cook up a scenario in which the Phils send Abreu and cash to Baltimore (thus freeing up payroll) and receive Mora and a decent reliever in return.  I'd say LaTroy Hawkins, but something tells me he wouldn't thrive in Philly if forced to close games.  And would Mora still embrace a trade if he didn't get to play alongside Abreu?   

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Comments

[TheRealErik]

Hey, if the Phillies need a closer, perhaps if they trade Abreu and get Mora, the Mets can get Chase Utley for Wagner and make Heilman a closer.

One stupid move deserves another. ;)

[Sunny Reiser]

Boy, there really is a 6-degrees of seperation that always leads back to, or somehow involves the Metropolitans Baseball Franchise! lol

and folks think Yankees fans are myopic...

[xxxJamesxxx]

1. The Phillies WILL NOT trade Cole Hamels. You can book that, and write it in stone.

2. We didnt add a million dollars for Dellucci. He makes 900k, and the Rangers sent 450k in cash in the deal. Tejeda made the minimum, so we added about 125k in total.

[edabbs44]

Hey Monger, there's got to be some rumors out there about Cincy getting some relief help. Anything?

[beanman]

Not really a Phillies fan, but here's my trade thought.

Come, say, late May, early June, if the Phillies are still looking for pitching, and the Angels are looking for a bat, I say ...

Angels get Bobby Abreu and a PTBN (not a top prospect, though)
Phillies get Dallas McPherson, Juan Rivera, Jeff Weaver, and Hector Carrasco

Why? Everyone's been speculating that Burrell or Abreu will get moved to clear money and address their pitching issues. The Phillies have too much offense and have, as of now, on paper, pitching issues and a questionable pen. The Angels clearly need another bat. Bobby Abreu would be that bat, and it would allow Garrett Anderson to go be DH. Arte Moreno would certainly shell out the money.

As for the Phillies, they would get a top notch third base youngster who is probably an upgrade over David Bell. Erick Aybar is likely the future SS for the Angels, meaning Brandon Wood was likely to move, so Brandon could be their third baseman of the future. Phillies would get a RH OF to pair with David Dellucci. Jeff Weaver would get them an innings eater that might be a good fit for the park considering he's a groundball pitcher. Same with Carrasco, who would help the pen. The Angels can find a pitcher to replace Weaver (maybe even his brother), and Carrasco isn't a big loss from one of the best pens in the business. Rivera would obviously be replaced by Abreu. As such, not really a big loss for the Angels, and it would fill the Phillies needs, and Weaver's money would come off after next year, giving Gillick payroll flexibility.