Ryan Madson’s meaty pitch selection brings more fear to the Phillies than irate constituents, still appalled with the team’s decision to start disgraced pitcher Brett Myers in Saturday’s national broadcast.
The Phillies announced more starting rotation skippage in their game notes this morning, scheduling rookie Scott Mathieson for Wednesday’s game and pitcher Myers for Thursday, thus skipping Mad Dog's spot in the rotation.
Madson (7-4, 6.40 ERA) has been an appallingly bad starter, so bad that the Phillies would rather shame themselves by allowing Myers to pitch more than ever rather than hand the ball to Madson, or even the bat boy.
According to the pregame notes, the Phillies have scheduled their pitching only through Myers’ start Thursday, thus leaving the door open for Friday, which could still be Madson or Cory Lidle, depending on how fresh he is after today’s start.
The Phillies could conceivably go with a four-man rotation of Myers, Lidle, Hamels and Mathieson until Jon Lieber returns from the DL, which is looking more like it will happen in the Toronto or San Diego series.
Trade Flash?
It’s a concept sure to pick up steam the further they fall out of the race. In today’s market, no team wants to be saddled with a veteran closer for more than one year, but demand for dependible stoppers forces teams to pay a devil’s ransom. Gordon will be 41 at the end of his three-year, $18 million deal with the Phils, who could find themselves in rebuilding state as early as next season. In that case, an expensive, old closer is the last thing the Phillies need. Don’t rule out an offbeat approach to the closer situation if Gordon is dealt, such as Mathieson as closer. More teams are getting hip to this type of thinking.
Wait ... this is the Phillies we're talking about. Forget it.
Tigers interested in Abreu?
According to the Detroit News, the Tigers have big interest in our right-fielder, and are willing to fork over the cash money to take on his salary. The Tigers have a bevy of young, promising arms blocked from spots in the majors, and might also be willing to part with veterans Craig Monroe or Omar Infante. The story indicates Pat Gillick would insist on getting Marcus Thames instead, along with young pitching. Gillick said he is not prepared to deal Abreu right now.
Detroit figures to be an ideal trade partner. The Phillies need to leverage this one to the limit. The Tigers are going for it this season and appear ready to pull out all the stops.
In other Abreu trade-related news, the Yankees may be close to trading for Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Lee, according to the Boston Herald. The Yankees have already turned down Kansas City’s offer of Reggie Sanders for pitching prospect Philip Hughes, but a deal for Lee could be right up New York’s alley.
I'm hoping that Gillick's comments on not trading Abreu are strictly posturing.
Posted by: enrico | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 11:42 AM
It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago, some idiot wrote that the Phillies would win the world series.
Posted by: pawnking | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Not just one idiot, PK.
Posted by: Oisin | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Yeah, Gillick better be holding out for a better package from either Detroit or Houston. You can't let an Abreu deal slip out of your hands, especially if a team is willing to take on the remainder of his contract. At the same time, Gillick is right that he needs to get some more pitching and a right handed bat for the line-up. Thames and some young pitching would be a great deal. Maybe we will actually have something to look forward to come the trading deadline. Let the restructuring of the team begin!
Posted by: Jon | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Thames would be a great addition to the Phils as he is hitting now..and I should know, his hot streak is helping my fantasy team..BUT, he is who he is, and if Dimitri Young did not have all his problems, Thames might well be at Toledo right now. In other words, Is the Thames we see now for real?
Posted by: martin | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:45 PM
Either way with Thames' puny salary and the young arms also in the potential deal, this would be great. Plus $15 million extra for next year. That's an ace right there.
Posted by: Will | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:49 PM
I want Brandon Wood from the Angels.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Vegas put the odds at this trade happening as 5-2 against.
Posted by: That Dude | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:55 PM
This is just the first of what will be many, many swirling rumors concerning Abreu in the upcoming weeks. Gillick almost certainly is posturing. If teams want him and they're willing to give up serious prospects, you have to do it. The market for him will be stronger now than it will be in the off-season. Do it, do it, do it.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Good bye Bobby and good luck. I'm willing to say good bye to almost every player on the current roster for the right price. Keep Utley, Howard, Hamels...other than that...F' 'em!
Posted by: Book | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 03:42 PM
You guys should read Conlins article today.
"I would have been just as shocked had the Phillies actually done the right thing and sent him home to begin anger management and the reconstruction of his marriage.
Had anybody from the president, general manager and manager on down said or done anything remotely sensible, that would have been the real shock."
So true.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 03:54 PM
Maybe they're doing his wife good by NOT sending him home.
Seriously, though, you knew the Phillies' brass, with its tin (sorry) ear for PR, would f### up this situation.
Posted by: John Salmon | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 06:06 PM
During his career as a Tiger, Thames has 32 homers and 77 RBI in 437 AB. He entered this season a .232 hitter, though. Obviously, the guy has stud power. If he can hit for any kind of an average, he makes the Tigers lineup very dangerous. Also, he seems to thrive on pressure situations.
Posted by: Sparky | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 06:12 PM
Maybe we can get Polanco from Detroit!
I just looked up that Thames fellow and his career numbers aren't very good, and he's 28 already. I mean, if you're dealing an outfielder I guess you have to get someone to take his spot. But really I'd rather get some pitchers for Abreu and an outfield *prospect* or two, even if they're just decent ones. We have Victorino and Delucci for now if Abreu is gone.
Posted by: seth. | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 01:12 AM
We won't get Polanco from them. An outfielder yes, because they would be replacing Abreu with the guy they are moving. Why would Detroit create a different hole in their line-up when they are making a playoff push? It doesn't matter anyway, Jim Leyland came out in the papers and said they aren't going after Abreu now. Probably just a posturing thing, but who knows what will or won't happen come the end of the trade deadline.
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 08:27 AM
I have not been a big Chollie basher this year, but it is time. Krukker made a great comment on ESPN last night about how much different a hitter J-Roll is with runners on base. He bears down and takes what he is given, as a leadoff hitter he swings at everyting. Chollie has not made any adjustments based on performance of players. Abreu should be leading off, Rollins hitting down in the order and Bell should be benched. When a manager continues to trot out the same old lineup everyday regardless of whether the player perform you have to put that on the manager. It is time, Chollie must go, and many deals must be made.
Posted by: Bonedaddy | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 10:02 AM
Take a look at our recently signed 5th round draft pick out of San Diego State, Quintin Berry. He's started out 0 fer 27 with 10 Ks. I bet he can't wait to talk shop with Tim Moss. It ain't Cholly, it's the drafting, folks.
Posted by: Walter | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 12:10 PM