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Odds And Ends: Eyre, Michael Taylor, Borkowski

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 3, 2009 at 9:52am CST]

Tonight all eyes will be on Randy Johnson as he goes for his 300th win. Here are some links to keep you going until then...

Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies are in no hurry to deal prospect Michael Taylor, who's slugging over .600 at Double A. Taylor understands that, as a corner outfielder, there's not much room for him in Philly. Could Taylor be a trade chip as the Phillies look to add pitching?
Andy Martino of the Inquirer reports that Scott Eyre says he's "more than 90 percent" sure he'll retire after this year. Eyre, 37, has pitched for five teams in 13 seasons.
Roy Halladay threw 133 pitches last night and ESPN.com's Rob Neyer hopes for Halladay's sake that it isn't the beginning of a trend though he doesn't criticize Cito Gaston's decision to let Doc pitch.
Baseball America has more minor league transactions. Dave Borkowski was released by the Astros after he was designated for assignment.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Inquirer revisits the Josh Hamilton for Edinson Volquez deal and asks Reds fans whether they like the deal for their team.

Comments

Taylor, Michael Taylor.

Posted by: Delicious Sandwiches | June 03, 2009 at 09:54 AM

isn't it Michael Taylor?

Posted by: Chris | June 03, 2009 at 09:56 AM

In his last start the Good Doctor exited with the Blue Jays enjoying a six run seventh inning lead. The roof fell in on the pen. As a result, a losing streak continued that eventually reached nine games.

I think Cito owed it to his team, as well as his peerless ace, to let Doc finish. In this game the lead was only two, and a 6-0 lead had shrunk to 6-4. You only let the starter finish such a game if he is a monster like Doc.

Posted by: pmc765 | June 03, 2009 at 10:03 AM

I would prefer the Phillies trade Jayson Werth over Taylor or Dominic Brown. If they trade Werth at the deadline I think Mayberry and Taylor could get the job done in right.

Posted by: Chris | June 03, 2009 at 10:03 AM

Thanks guys, I was tripped up by the Falcons' RB. Appreciate it.

Posted by: Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 03, 2009 at 10:04 AM

huh?

When you have a prospect of Taylor's caliber, you make room for him.

I don't see Taylor up until mid 2010. Werth is a FA after the 2010 season. If Taylor's '09 performance warrants he start the 2010 season on the MLB roster, trade Werth.

Posted by: melonis rex | June 03, 2009 at 10:07 AM

Actually the real question about Hamilton has to be imagine the Cubs if they hadn't given Hamilton away from a few bucks, or the Devil Rays last year if they had protected him.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | June 03, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Werth isn't going anywhere this year. He is the 5 hitter on a first place team. I understand the logic as to why you would prefer to keep Taylor over a guy with only 1.5 years of controllability, but realistically Werth is locked in this year.

Now in the offseason if Taylor continues his tear into AAA this season.....maybe. But it still seems like a long shot to me

I think Taylor would go this season if the trade involves top tier controllable pitching.

Posted by: wayne gomes | June 03, 2009 at 10:26 AM

i agree with Chris. Trade Werth (when he improves) with a Donald or Marson type player IF you need starting pitching. See how Bastardo continues against better offensive teams like the Dodgers and red Sox. I'd also be worried about Taylor's diabetes. That's an issue no one talks about. I'm no doctor but I wonder how that will affect him as he moves along. He is a good prospect and hit another HR last night which was slightly overshadowed IMO by the 2 HR night of Dom Brown against the St Lucie Mets. I can't wait as i've said before to have the speedy Berry, Brown and Taylor in the same Reading lineup. Oh and Drabek pitches tonight so I'll be watching that closely too!

Posted by: philsWSchamps | June 03, 2009 at 10:31 AM

The problem with trading Werth for starting pitching is that any team willing to part with one of their aces (Houston-Oswalt; Seattle-Bedard; San Diego-Peavy; Cleveland-Lee) would be rebuilding for the future and likely would not be looking for 1-1/2 years of a 30-year old corner outfielder who is owed $7MM next season.

Posted by: Delicious Sandwiches | June 03, 2009 at 11:16 AM

"beginning of a trend"

Doc has been overpitched the last 3 years in toronto. John Gibbons had him throw 5 or 6 consecutive complete games at one point, if his arm doesnt fall off this year I would be shocked.

Posted by: Redbirdfan | June 03, 2009 at 11:21 AM

delicioussandwiches,

yes but IMO a year and a half of Werth and six years of a Marson and Donald should be equivalent to two months of Bedard when everyone knows he's not going back to Seattle and he's going to be a free agent and go to the highest bidder.

Do i wish Marson (I know they don't need a catcher) and Donald were playing better, yes so it would make it easier but if i have to throw in a lower player like a Worley I would but not more.

If they ask for more, let the Phils kids (bastardo, carrasco etc) handle it.

Posted by: philsWSchamps | June 03, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Would it be absurd to suggest sending Penny to the Phillies and Taylor to the Red Sox? Or are the Phillies only looking at #1/#2 type guys? And would it be too much to give up for a pitcher like Penny.

Posted by: Eltiante34 | June 03, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Eltiante,

haha. Penny? Maybe if you said Lester then we'd have a deal. Penny, NO. I would barely give you Marson for Penny and only because Ruiz is not being supplanted anytime soon but I guess Sox fans can dream can't they.

So in answer to your question, YES it would be absurd. The Phils have enough 5+ ERA pitchers. We don't need another one.

Posted by: philsWSchamps | June 03, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Man, Phillies fans are turning on Werth fast. I remember during the winter when people said he was more of a .750 OPS guy against RHP, and a monster against lefties. All the Phillies fans freaked out and said there would be no regression and he would be great. Do the Mets a favor, and trade Werth, please.

Posted by: nrmax88 | June 03, 2009 at 02:02 PM

nrmax,

come on now. no one's souring on Werth. But we also realize you need to pay something to get something.

A comparable for you would be like asking to trade for F Mart a year ago or trade for Ryan church. You'd probably rather trade church no? The known quantity as opposed to the potential of a F-Mart?

Posted by: philsWSchamps | June 03, 2009 at 03:12 PM

"Man, Phillies fans are turning on Werth fast. "

Werth has been just fine, above league average O and D for 2 mil salary this year. I think a lot of Phils fans are just getting into "irrationally high on our prospects" mode....it's been a few years since we had some as good as Taylor, Brown etc

No way Werth is going anywhere this season

Posted by: wayne gomes | June 03, 2009 at 04:35 PM

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Odds And Ends: Eyre, Michael Taylor, Borkowski

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