The Phillies concluded the first half of the season by dropping an afternoon game against the Braves by the score of 4-3. The setback marked Philadelphia's 50th loss of the season as the team currently sits in last place in the National League East with a record of 37-50. The 2011 Phillies did not lose their 50th game until September 12 as the squad went on to win 102 games in route to the division title. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines from Citizens Bank Park with the All-Star break nearly upon us…
- Cole Hamels spoke with CSNPhilly.com's Leslie Gudel about his current status with the Phillies and his future beyond this season as the trade deadline quickly approaches. Hamels said while he would be happy to sign a long-term deal with the Phillies, he's curious to explore free agency and potentially end up with a team on the West Coast like the Dodgers.
- Look for Hamels to land with the Rangers if the Phillies end up dealing the left-hander, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Olney spoke with baseball officials on Sunday who deemed Texas as the prohibitive favorites in the Hamels arms race.
- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't concerned about his job security given his self-proclaimed belief that he is a winner, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "How concerned am I? I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself," said Manuel. "And I am a fighter. And not only that, I think I’m a winner."
HaHa. Olney tried to connect the Rangers to every big free agent in the off season only to be wrong everytime.
He also said that he would still sign with the Phillies after he got traded. My question is, does that lower his trade value knowing that he could potentially just end up back in Philly.
Doubt it, if the Phils trade him, there’s no way he comes back in the winter, regardless of what he says. If the Phillies trade him, its because they can’t sign him.
Or because they have a stripped farm system and need to fill 3B, CF, or the back end of the rotation with guys making $500,000.
It lowers his trade value knowing he’s unlikely to sign an extension and wants to test free agency. I doubt it matters to teams whether or not there’s a possibility he ends up back where he started.
yes
notice..Martin Perez has been up for a few starts…simply to showcase his goods. – i could see the Phillies asking for Perez/Olt/Neil Ramirez/Roughned Odor…2 of the 4 would be in the conversation.
not for 2 month rental.
I think they would settle for just Olt. In the end, I think that is what may happen…
Perez was up because of all of the injuries the Rangers have had.
you dont get him for the hand full of starts in the regular season you get him for what he has done in the playoffs
There is NO way Texas is going to give up any top picks for hamels when they will receive zero picks when he walks. They did not build up the depth of the team by being stupid.
I wonder if they just go ahead and trade him if he said he’s giving them first chance at signing him in the off season (meaning they’re his first choice). He’s probably looking at it as if he can get a legit 3B, CF, or Starter prospect back as return, it’s only going to solidify the team for the long haul.
In the mean time, he takes a shot at World Series ring #2 with whomever acquires him.
I personally would prefer they just sign him at the deadline though and not have to worry about whether he’s coming back or not. The above scenario was just me wondering aloud. IMO, he’s just as important going forward as any prospect they could acquire. Ace 28 year old left handers don’t grow on trees.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. RAJ had a closed door meeting with Cole last week and I guarantee that they discussed him coming back here as a possibility even if they trade him
Are we laying bets on how much Hamels’ agent paid the interviewer to specifically mention the Dodgers?
Hamels has mentioned he’d like to pitch near home “Dodgers”.
The Phillies have been successful IN SPITE of Manuel, not because of him. Hopefully, this season will be enough to get Charlie canned and Sandberg brought up as the replacement.
Charlie hasn’t really done himself any favors. Not having his star players has really exposed his lack of strategic planning as a manager… some of the things he does makes absolutely no sense.
Given recent events, it looks like the current pitching will stand, but the Rangers need more pop in the lineup. A powerful bat–even a rental one wouldn’t be amiss. There’s a vacancy at first base. Tonight, the lineup is struggling to defeat the Twins, who’ve only scored 3 runs.
I would really like Hunter Pence. I don’t care much for Cole Hamels: Edit: to add him to our rotation, over a position player and great bat like Pence.
I guess world series/NLCS MVP and top 5 lefties in the game you dont like huh???? funny if you ask me
its funnier that he prefers pences circus in the outfield
I meant I don’t care much for adding him to our rotation. If I had to take one of them in a trade right now, it’d be Pence because our bats are struggling.
Watch him play for a year. He’s a good complementary piece who we paid a star/difference maker price.
I’ve been watching him since he came up with the Astros. If I were the GM I would intend on him replacing Cruz coming up.
Honestly, speaking as a baseball fan rather than a Mets fan, Charlie is only a winner because of the boatload of talent the GM provided him. Look at his past– he’s had stars like Manny, Thome, Howard, Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Victorino and even Thome again. In all honesty, last years Phillies UNDERPERFORMED despite winning 102 games. I honestly believed they could’ve won many more ballgames under the watch of other managers and could’ve easily made it back into the NLCS.
Again, talking as a baseball fan; not a Mets fan.
I agree.
controlling superstars with massive egos is not as easy as you make it out to be
Manuel concluded his remarks by saying, “I’m a driver. I’m a winner. Things are gonna change. I can feel it.”
Great interview by Leslie Gudel. Enjoy your last few weeks in Philadelphia Cole. And good luck with the Dodgers over the next 7 or so years.
Any rotation is good enough to win the giant crapshoot that is the playoffs.
I agree.
Sincerley,
Dayton Moore
If you have the offense, which Texas clearly does.
Cole Hamels doesn’t guarantee the Rangers anything, but adding a guy with a 3.09 career post season ERA isn’t going to hurt your chances, and you also keep him from a potential opponent.
None of the injuries are serious enough to think they won’t fully recover. They just don’t need to trade prospects for a starter. They need another bat.
If they want Garcia, Ramirez and Brigham then I am all for it. Profar, Olt and Perez shouldn’t go anywhere for a rent-a-pitcher though.
indeed. but they dont NEED him. its not worth selling the future. and thats not even with mentioning how the playoffs are a crapshoot anyways. basically, the sellers usually have less leverage in these deals
Holland isn’t exactly tearing up the competition, Yu is definetely not the ace that was advertised. To think that Feliz will be solid after pitching only as a relieer past few years, and that lewis can keep up his career year…. He will be 33 in Aug, and really hasn’t been that good in his career.
1. Holland has been sick and lost 15Ibs recently, which explains his weakness and lack of velocity right now.
2. Yu has been really good, and it’s his 1st season in MLB. Do you think you could give him a little bit?
3. Feliz was good before going on the DL. He’ll be back in the ‘pen anyway.
4. Lewis’ career numbers aren’t what need to be focused on. How about you look at what he’s done since coming back to MLB in 2010? Definitely look that up, and get back to us. Thanks.
The Rangers fan in me wants to keep top prospects but still get Hamels…Can’t have both. Then Mariners fan in me doesn’t care about future Rangers prospects because lets face it… Texas is GOOD already and will be for awhile. I love my home team Seattle 1st. This way i get to see the Rangers possibly win a championship and make it .001% easier for my M’s in the future since Rangers possibly give up a future star. I say go get Hamels Texas!
I’d like King Felix in a Texas uni.
Cole said today the only “home” team he’d consider is the Dodgers. Bill Shaikin tweeted it. and why go to the rebuilding Pads when you can go to a team with mega dollars, more than the pads, and with a superstar like kemp and another stud pitcher in kershaw. new dodger ownership is 100% committed to winning
king’s court!
If it isn’t a Seattle uniform, next best thing would be Texas! So i agree! Texas would have to throw some nice prospects though, because i’m really liking the Jays farm.
You’ll get Olt for a rental, not much more past that…
Martin Perez, Ryan Spilborghs, Julio Borbon, Yangervis Solarte, and Michael Bianucci for King Felix and Ichiro…
counter-offer??
It’s 3.09, which would be a lot lower if he didn’t lose his fastball/composure in 2009.
They also have holes at like every position on the field outside of RF, CF, #1, #2, and SS.
The Phillies may not even get Olt, so to say that they should get Olt and Perez or Oly and Leonys AND another is ridiculous.
Ichiro is having a down year, and is in a walk year… Removing him from the deal, I take back Solarte and Bianucci and offer a low-a prospect.
If JD even thinks about giving up Olt or Perez for a 2-month rental I’m going to be livid.
I would be willing to do even better than that in a trade for Felix. It would hurt slightly, but for what you’d be getting. It would depend on years left and contract $.
Rangers wouldn’t want to take on Ichiro’s salary anyway. I’m assuming that he re-signs for pretty good “thank you for your service” money.
I didn’t care for my time at UTA lol. I’ve just always loved Pence as a player, and I want him in Texas to replace Cruz.
That’s what makes July exciting. You never know. Nothing is certain.
Holland has been struggling all year, he may be sick but its just that, will he suddenly turn it around?
Yu has been good, but judging from the hype and the price they paid I will admit that he hasn’t exactly been a bargain, that said I would have loved for the yankees to have had him.
Lewis has been ok, but he is nothing more than a middle of the rotation starter.
As a whole I don’t think their rotation is horrible, but I was responding to the guy that said they have one of the best rotations, and they have tons of depth.
you over-value Olt. He’s 24 and at AA…AA pitching is a lot different than Major League pitching ala Chris Davis