Salisbury On Phillies' Trade Chips

Well Sheets won't be available. Even if the Astros are pretenders, I'd be very surprised if Oswalt goes anywhere unless the Astros know something about his health that the rest of the league doesn't. I also think Oakland will hang around to the point that Harden will only be available for a huge offer

Washburn is garbage, Arroyo is a home-run prone fly ball pitcher, and Maddux

Burnett is the fit in my mind. I'd think hard about a Burnett-Victorino deal, maybe expanding out to include Downs and some second tier Phils prospects

Maybe I'm a homer, but I don't think the Reds would get Arroyo for Vic straight up. At least I hope they could get more for him. What's Arroyo's contract situation?

Phillies have also apparently had some interest in Freel as a bench guy/late inning Burrell caddy like Michael Bourn was last year, so maybe he could come over in an Arroyo deal. So Taguchi has been pretty awful in that role. Freel is really an ideal utility/backup guy for any contender, hard nosed, versatile, good outfield D, can pinch run and steal a base. Problem is he's not a great platoon candidate with Jenkins as he doesn't hit lefties all that well

Maybe Vic, Outman, and an A-ball guy for Freel and Arroyo?

Don't think Oswalt would go anywhere north of the Mason Dixon line homies. He is a strong southerner and would probably do something like Atl or something but thats about it. Just my opinion. He has a home in Al.

You Reds fans are really dumb. I wouldn't trade you Victorino for Arroyo and Freel.

Jays don't need Victorino who isn't that good and has little value if not playing CF. They have a full OF.

But I'd love Cardenas or Carrasco for Burnett.

I'd do Burnett and Downs for Cardenas, Jaramillo and a low prospect. Cardenas is still two years out IMO and his position is still a bit up in the air. Very promising bat though

I don't think Arroyo is anything special at all.

It's just the state of the current market, with the scarcity of any quality pitching, where you'd probably have to start with Victorino, a cheap, controllable player with plus defense and arm in right or center, 40+ SB potential and improving OPB, to even be in the conversation to acquire Bronson. With the amount of potentially interested teams, they'd probably have to end up giving more.

That's why the Reds would be really dumb NOT to deal him right now.

ae,

If you are aiming that at me, I didn't say it was a good thing. I was saying it was explainable and preventable/correctable.

Arroyo having a "dead arm" because the Manager DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO USE HIM is MUCH different than say, Bedard, having poor performances and limiting his own Pitch count because of injuries or fear of injuries.

People are willing to give up a boatload of talent for Bedard, who has YET to Pitch 200 Innings in a Major League season but do NOT want to give up very much for Arroyo, a guy who HAS Pitched over 200 Innings in each of the last three seasons.

So, yeah, go ahead and take your chances on Bedard and HOPE he can last for 3/4's of a season (and give up a LOT to get him) instead of giving up comparatively little for Arroyo, a guy who, if used PROPERLY, can last an entire season and put up good numbers to boot.

If Burnett is going my best guess is it is for a almost mlb ready pitcher or a solid SS prospect.

by the way - Victorino for Arroyo - no way. I'd ask Arlen Spector to investigate.

Perhaps So Taguchi for Bronson Arroyo? ok, ok maybe a Brad HArman or Jason Donald. Thats an ugly contract Bronson has now...

This being Gillick's last season, I'm afraid he will unload the little bit left in the Phillies farm system. Carrasco and Lou Marson should be untouchables. Hell, I'd even say bring Carrasco up after the break. Neither is worth a rental or pitcher with a huge contract. If Vic goes, that would spell a lot of faith in Golson's progress.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; if the Phils are hesitant to get in on the CC sweepstakes and ARE looking at more of a mid-level guy who won't absolutely break the bank, I really think the Orioles are a great fit. The idea: Jeremy Guthrie and, say, Jamie Walker for Adrian Cardenas, Kyle Drabek, Heitor Correa and, like, Chance Chapman.

Interesting little experiment...compare Guthrie's numbers last year and this year with those of almost any pitcher on the market save for CC. Hell, compare them with Bedard, since he was an Oriole himself before this year. I'm talking Blanton, Burnett, Arroyo, etc.

You back? OK, as you noticed, Guthrie was as good or better in almost EVERY pitching category that matters. And it's not like it's a fluke or something. Dude was a first round pick and when you watch him on the mound, it's clear why...he can deal. Furthermore, while he was lost in the Cleveland org. and got a late start on his MLB career, his numbers over the last two years account for his whole MLB career while given extensive starts.

Now remember that the late start means that Guthrie, who is still relatively young, is under team control, on the cheap, for several more years. He's not even available for ARBITRATION for another two years or something. Basically, Philly gets a pitcher comparable with any of the other Number 2 types out there (NOT CC, a clear #1), without any real red flags, who they can keep for next to nothing for several more years (I don't believe he's a free agent until 2013 as it stands now)...AND the solid lefty reliever they've been looking for and the O's get their replacement for Roberts (in a year or two), a high upside/big risk arm coming off TJ surgery known for being immature and kind of a tool, and a couple low minors prospects.

Now that I think about it, we're getting the short end here, so I might need to rethink the return and ask for a better pitching prospect than Drabek or even swap Cabrera in for Guthrie (think DCab and George Sherrill- can set up Lidge or take over closer duty if/when he blows up or leaves town after season- for Cardenas, Drabek, Correa), but you get the idea. The O's have to be sellers and continue the rebuild begun last winter and they have the young, veteran starting pitching in Guthrie or Cabrera and the relievers in either Walker or Sherrill, to match well with the Phils. Would love to hear what others think; particularly Philly fans (just don't be d-bags about it).