Beerleaguers observe that by moving Jim Thome for prospects, they gain a pair of intriguing young players, and some breathing room under the luxury tax threshold.
Orioles get their bat: "Good trade for Dan Duquette and the O's. They desperately needed an upgrade at designated hitter and Thome put on a nice display there a few weeks ago. The AL East is open, too, with the injury problems the Yanks have in their rotation. They still need to pick up a veteran corner outfielder and another veteran starter to legitimately make a stronger run. As for the Phils, don't underestimate the $600k or so they save with this trade. I have no doubt they will look to move other secondary pieces at the deadline to save a few bucks and make sure they stay below the luxury tax threshold." - MG
Phils get quality kids, cut payroll: "The prospects the Phils got aren't garbage. Gabriel Lino is a FA signing (by ex-Phillie Calvin Maduro!) out of the DR who had a pretty nice offensive year in the GCL in 2011. He's just 19, young for the Sally League, and struggling a bit with the bat at Delmarva this season (.218/.282/.340). The Phils don't have any catching prospects outside of Seb Valle (sorry Tuffy) so this is a nice addition. Lino's very toolsy and scouts think he'll develop some power as he gets older. His strike zone judgment plummeted with the move up to A ball, but he's shown a good eye in the past. Defensively, he's got a good arm but is very raw.
"As long as Sebastian Valle continues to show hideous plate judgment (and we are in year four of that) it's possible Lino could pass him by. Kyle Simon is a polished, pitch-to-contact guy out of the U of Arizona (2011 4th round). He is a Kyle Kendrick type: fastball around 90 mph, relies on sinker, which is very effective when he places it correctly. He projects as a middle reliever/spot starter. He's holding his own at age 21 in high A ball and needs to move to Double A either later this season or next.
"Lino has more upside and at a valuable position, but Simon is the safer bet, for now, to actually make the big leagues." - clout
Beerleaguer: I don't necessarily view this as a sign of more selling, since Thome wasn't going to fetch anything other than prospects, but if they were 10 up instead of 10 back, the deal doesn't go down the exact same way. This was really the Phils' one opportunity to secure value for Thome from a contending team in need of a DH, and the Orioles aren't going to weaken their club by trading big league talent. The Phils couldn't even work Thome into one final at bat in today's miserable loss, which, for all intents and purposes, sums up why the the Phils did the right thing by getting him off this sinking ship. It also creates a soft landing for Ryan Howard in a few weeks. If the Phils fall farther out of contention, Howard, who doesn't look ready for the field, might actually hold the same role as Thome anyway.
Prospect rankings: Baseball America ranked Lino as Baltimore's 21st best prospect before the season. Simon ranked 18th.
"Man, we need more RHP who can't locate their unimpressive fastball, & have a tendency to let their laughable secondary pitch(es) hang."
-The Phillies
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:14 PM
You're right, I don't know why the Phils didn't hold out waiting for the Angels to offer Trout for Thome. How could they be so stupid?!?!?!
Posted by: Chris in VT | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:21 PM
I'm happy we got two warm bodies and I'm happy Jimmy Thome has a starting opportunity.
Win-win in my opinion.
Next up, trade Colbert for Mike Olt.
Posted by: NEPP | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:23 PM
Oct. 28, 2012. Game 7 of the World Series. Phillies vs. Orioles.
Phillies leading 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Oriole's have 2 guys on base, 2 outs.
Coming to the plate for the Orioles - Jim Thome.......
Posted by: Glenn Wilson | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:23 PM
NEPP- I hope the Phils get more than just Olt for Cole...if the Rangers have decided to start fishing for Aces.
Posted by: Chris in VT | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:28 PM
I would say Olt and then 2 other lesser pieces...
Posted by: NEPP | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:29 PM
And as soon as I got that offer from them, I'd call up Cashman and see if he'd match/exceed it.
The Yankees must be desperate for a SP right now.
Posted by: NEPP | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:30 PM
What do the Yanks have outside of Banuelos? I honestly don't know...and it seems like they are lacking in position prospects.
Posted by: Chris in VT | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Chris in VT: Do not mistake my overwhelming lack of excitement over Simon as disapproval of the trade. There was no point in keeping Thome, & dumping his salary was return enough so far as I'm concerned. I merely pointed out that the Phillies appear to have a hard on for a certain type of pitcher, & that type of pitcher is liable to fail as his predecessors have failed.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:43 PM
I think their system is pretty thin.
Olt would be far above any of their prospects.
Texas would be the team to deal with.
Posted by: NEPP | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Well, Glenn, now I can bet on the NL to win the AS game.
Posted by: Bert Wedemeyer | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Cut payroll? I'm shure the million thome was due really broke the bank
Posted by: Dirk | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Now get rid of this Utley guy and I'll be back out on the field for you Phillies fans!
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!
Posted by: Michael Martinez | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11:10 PM
Yo, new thread
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 06:26 AM