Headlines

  • Phillies To Sign J.T. Realmuto
  • Indians, Cesar Hernandez Agree To New Deal
  • Nationals Sign Brad Hand
  • Mets Have Made Offer To Trevor Bauer
  • Astros Re-Sign Michael Brantley
  • Latest On Universal DH, Expanded Playoffs
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Amaro On Papelbon, Harang, Hamels, Utley

By Jeff Todd | July 14, 2015 at 2:02pm CDT

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. discussed his team’s trade deadline situation in an appearance on the WIP Morning Show (relayed by CSNPhilly.com’s Corey Seidman). Broadly, Amaro said that he has had “great dialogue with a lot of clubs on several fronts” and expressed confidence in “get[ting] some things done.”

The first and most obvious topic of conversation was closer Jonathan Papelbon, who yesterday aired his view that Philadelphia needs to make a decision on dealing him. Amaro praised the veteran reliever as a competitor and excellent pitcher, but said that “he doesn’t know anything about the front office.”

Regarding Papelbon’s market, Amaro indicated that he sees plenty of opportunity to strike a trade. “There’s live discussions going on right now regarding Pap,” said Amaro. “I do believe that there’s enough of a market that we can probably get something done. But again, I don’t necessarily believe in ’probably.’ … There’s a lot of clubs that are interested in a lot of our players and we have to sort through it and make the right deals.”

In the course of addressing Papelbon’s comments, which touched upon the decisionmaking process of the front office’s highest levels, Amaro said that there was internal clarity about how deadline decisions would be handled. Namely, current president Pat Gillick holds final authority, with incoming replacement Andy MacPhail serving more of an advisory function at present.

“I’m the GM and Pat is my boss,” Amaro explained. “As in all these deals, particularly ones that are as complicated and have so much money involved, these are all discussions that we’ve had. … It’s something that’s discussed, not just with me, but also with my boss. And that’s the same structure that we have right now. Right now, Andy is part of the decision-making process, but only in so much that he’s an observer and someone who’s going to give us his opinion. Really, Pat is the one who ultimately will make the ultimate decisions.”

Even as he gave indications that Papelbon could indeed be on the move, as is widely expected, Amaro downplayed the possibility of receiving value for starter Aaron Harang. “As far as Aaron Harang is concerned,” said Amaro, “he had a foot problem and he’s dealing with an injury so you can’t really trade a guy that’s got an injury. Frankly, there was no real market for him prior to him getting injured.”

Of course, Philly’s biggest trade chip remains lefty Cole Hamels. Amaro said he was not concerned with the fact that the staff ace had suffered a rough outing in his most recent start, saying that “people know what he is.”

The embattled Phillies GM also touched upon his recent comments indicating that long-time second baseman Chase Utley has lost his starting role. Amaro said he did not regret “being straight and honest” on the topic, and added that he expects the veteran to “get opportunities to play” once he returns to health. As to whether there was any possibility of Utley calling it quits, Amaro made his own view clear: “No, he’s absolutely, unequivocally not going to [retire]. He’s got plenty in the tank left.”

Share 8 Retweet 19 Send via email0

Aaron Harang Chase Utley Cole Hamels Jonathan Papelbon Newsstand Philadelphia Phillies Ruben Amaro Jr.

Poll: Which Teams Should Be Deadline Sellers?
Main
MLBTR Chat Transcript
25 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. bogaerts

    6 years ago

    Why are they letting Amaro run the trade deadline if he is just going to be fired the day after the season ends?

    Like
    Reply
    • Rally Weimaraner

      6 years ago

      I think Amaro is more of secretary than a GM right now. He makes the phone calls and passes information from other GM’s to MacPhail and Gillick. I doubt he has any decision making power left.

      Like
      Reply
      • tom from st pete florida

        6 years ago

        there is no doubt, that he is not making any type of decisions , concerning the Phillies roster now, or in the future.

        Like
        Reply
    • scannscann

      6 years ago

      No Ruben is going to extend himself a brand new 3yr deal….

      Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        6 years ago

        With 3 vesting options.

        Like
        Reply
    • Vandals Took The Handles

      6 years ago

      Probably because they can’t wait till the off-season to trade what they want to trade – the value only goes down. Bringing on MacPhail and other people to make the decisions is not as easy as one might think – Amaro is correct in stating that the money is huge, and the (contracts) are complicated.

      Like
      Reply
  2. Rally Weimaraner

    6 years ago

    Papelbon’s public comments are lowering his trade value.

    Like
    Reply
    • BrixtonBrixton

      6 years ago

      Not exactly. Per report, they were very close to trading him for a decent return last month, but a person “higher than Amaro” pulled the plug on it. This is far from the first time Papelbon has spoke out against the Phillies. Hes done in since the 2012 trade deadline when they Phillies sold off 3 notable parts of their team.

      Like
      Reply
      • flyerzfan12flyerzfan12

        6 years ago

        Exactly. Teams know by now what they’re getting with Papelbon. A few more comments saying he thinks he should be traded and wants to be on a contender isn’t going to change things.

        Like
        Reply
    • Red_Line_9

      6 years ago

      Doubt it. Considering the rep he has, these latest comments are mild. I won’t go into detail here because it might exceed comment protocol… But let’s just say he’s apparently displayed some socially epic moments in the past.

      Like
      Reply
    • William

      6 years ago

      Not really, everybody already knows the Guy a Schmuck !

      Like
      Reply
  3. scannscann

    6 years ago

    Ruben doesn’t know anything about the front office either…so that makes him and Papelbon even….

    Like
    Reply
    • BrixtonBrixton

      6 years ago

      Amaro actually hasn’t been a terrible GM the last 3 years. His inaction has been his biggest fault over that time, but in the trades he has made, hes done a fair job. He got a decent return for Marlon Byrd, John McDonald, Erik Kratz, Roberto Hernandez and a great return on Jimmy Rollins.

      Like
      Reply
      • flyerzfan12flyerzfan12

        6 years ago

        Doing nothing is something. He’s failed at the large deals, but has done pretty well in the small deals as you listed. In addition to those, he also got Gabriel Lino for Jim Thome who’s turned into a decent catcher who’s already in AAA at age 22. Not saying Lino will ever be a major leaguer, but even getting a prospect like him for Thome at his age was good work.

        With all of that said, bye bye Rube.

        Like
        Reply
  4. shiftymennoknight

    6 years ago

    Amaro should have been unemployed long ago but I do wish he was in my fantasy league.

    Like
    Reply
  5. tom from st pete florida

    6 years ago

    Trust me, when someone calls the Phillies offering a trade, Amaro is not the guy they are talking to.

    He is a GM in title only now, and in a few months, put the words EX in front of the GM part.

    He will NEVER EVER, be the GM of another major league team , in his lifetime.

    Like
    Reply
    • William

      6 years ago

      He may not have a Job in Baseball, Which means Fix will hire him to do baseball games with Buck Jr.

      Like
      Reply
  6. thestevilempirethestevilempire

    6 years ago

    As to whether there was any possibility of Utley calling it quits, Amaro made his own view clear: “No, he’s absolutely, unequivocally not going to [retire]. He’s got plenty in the tank left.”—I doubt Ruben Amaro is going to say he’s done, that kills any value he has, which is very little at this stage in Utley’s career.

    Like
    Reply
  7. edcl51

    6 years ago

    Some gm’s are worse then women shopping for shoes. If I’m GM I simply tell a calling team, player X,Y and Z will be moved shortly. Give me your best offer possible and it’s a yes or no for our discussions. NOT THAT HARD

    Like
    Reply
    • Red_Line_9

      6 years ago

      But you’d, want your own staff to determine who the other teams best players are. I wholeheartedly agree in asking though…. Another team might make someone available that you’d have considered off limits.

      But in general I don’t believe it’s the chess match that it’s often made out to be…its more about finding matches that work all the way around.

      Like
      Reply
    • Vandals Took The Handles

      6 years ago

      Yes it is….

      Like
      Reply
  8. Red_Line_9

    6 years ago

    Amaro seems almost relieved now that he’s an ornament in the front office.

    Like
    Reply
  9. El Duderino

    6 years ago

    There’s no trade value in Harang? Look, I’m not saying that Harang would fetch much in return, but come on. You can’t tell me Roberto Fausto Hernandez had teams chomping at the bit last year, and then this year publicly say that Harang has no value.

    Like
    Reply
    • Vandals Took The Handles

      6 years ago

      Harang is 37 years-old and has been with 6 teams in 4 years (one released him in spring training). He has little value. Most teams would prefer to use their 4th and 5th starter innings to young pitchers they have, giving them experience. If Harang goes to a contender that gets to the post-season, there is a very slim chance he would start a post-season game. He is simply the sort of veteran arm that at this point in the season is put on waivers.

      Like
      Reply
      • El Duderino

        6 years ago

        Bouncing from teams doesn’t have any real factor in current value. There have been plenty of journeymen who get traded.

        I totally agree that he’s worth next to nothing. However, I don’t see why RAJ would say that publicly since there’s nothing to gain from that. If he had done the same thing last year with Hernandez, who else had little value, then I’m sure the Dodgers would have been able to leverage a better trade.

        Like
        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Phillies To Sign J.T. Realmuto

    Indians, Cesar Hernandez Agree To New Deal

    Nationals Sign Brad Hand

    Mets Have Made Offer To Trevor Bauer

    Astros Re-Sign Michael Brantley

    Latest On Universal DH, Expanded Playoffs

    Yankees Trade Adam Ottavino To Red Sox

    Yankees Acquire Jameson Taillon

    Astros Sign Jason Castro

    Red Sox To Sign Garrett Richards

    Recent

    Latest On The Issue Of A Delayed Spring Training

    Twins GM Thad Levine Discusses Offseason

    Brewers Among Teams Showing Interest In Justin Turner

    Tigers To Sign Derek Holland

    Phillies Sign Ivan Nova To Minors Contract

    Braves Sign Ehire Adrianza To Minors Contract

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Phillies To Sign J.T. Realmuto

    Twins, Brewers Have Talked With Marcus Semien

    Indians, Cesar Hernandez Agree To New Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Bauer Rumors
    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • J.T. Realmuto Rumors
    • Marcell Ozuna Rumors
    • Masahiro Tanaka Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version