OK, so every now and then I get a pretty asinine e-mail. This one came from a crazed fan who moved out of the Philly area a few years ago but reads Phillie Phanatics to keep up to date. For the sake of protecting his identity from all you Utley lovers, we’ll call him John Doe. Here’s the (slightly edited) exchange that took place between us in the wee-hours of Monday morning:
From: Doe, John. To: Roddy, Shay. Subject: Trade possibilityHey Shay,
I’m looking at possible trade options to sure-up the Phillies’ rotation. I can’t help but wonder if the Phillies could possibly land my favorite pitcher, Edinson Volquez. The trade would look like this: Chase Utley and Antonio Bastardo for Brandon Philllps and Volquez.
Please let me know what you think!
John Doe Seattle, Washington ___________________________ From: Roddy, Shay. To: Doe, John. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityJohn,
I appreciate the e-mail, but this is a REALLY bad trade. First of all, Edinson is on the DL right now. Secondly, you’re giving up your best offensive player (arguably) and a top pitching prospect. And finally, Cincinatti is not looking to trade either of those two, or take on the tremendous salary and commitment that comes with Mr. Utley.
I don’t see this trade working at all, unless you can convince me otherwise.
Shay
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From: Doe, John. To: Roddy, Shay. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityShay,
Philips I think is a really interesting piece in this trade. He’s 27, a 30-30 guy and a possible future 40-40 guy. He already has 42 RBI this year. He could fit into this lineup nicely, he’s another cleanup hitter in the lineup. That would give the Phillies three cleanup hitters in one lineup. However, the Phillies seem pretty set on four hitters, so Phillips can use his versatility and bat 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
I think he would make what is already a great lineup even better.
Cheers,
John
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From: Roddy, Shay. To: Doe, John. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityJohn,
I’m really not liking this trade. First of all, it’s not going to happen. The Phillies aren’t going to trade Utley, and the Reds aren’t trading Volquez or Phillips. But, just for argument’s sake, IF it were to happen, you’d be bringing another 100 strikeouts into this lineup. If you bat Phillips and Howard back-to-back (which seems to be the most logical order) you’d be throwing out even more rallies to strikeouts. These strikeouts and power would be an addition to a lineup that already struggles playing small ball.
Shay
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From: Doe, John. To: Roddy, Shay. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityShay…
This is a really excellent trade. First of all, you are letting one great player go in exchange for TWO GREAT PLAYERS. Philips will provide a spark in this lineup that is otherwise not present. He’ll become part of the BEST LINEUP IN PHILLIES HISTORY: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Phillips 2B, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Mayberry RF, Feliz 3B, Ruiz C. Admit that lineup has no holes!
And Edinson has nasty stuff and is a lock to win 15 a year. He’d help fill the void left during Myers’ stint on the disabled list and join what would become one of the scariest rotations in baseball–Cole Hamels, Volquez, Carlos Carrasco, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ.
Please, I know moving Utley seems ambitious, but consider the potential these two new Phillies would bring.
John
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From: Roddy, Shay. To: Doe, John. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityJohn,
Your points aren’t far off, and you’ve made me look at this a little closer, but the trade is still unrealistic. I think the best explanation for why it’s not workable is that the trade is only good on paper. It might work in your fantasy league, but is not an option in reality.
In that rotation of yours, where are you putting Jamie Moyer? You seriously value Carrasco, who’s shown he’s not even close to big-league ready, as more important than Moyer? That alone devalues the rest of your argument. It’s a bad, unrealistic trade.
Shay
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From: Doe, John. To: Roddy, Shay.
Subject: RE: Trade possibility
Moyer, are you serious?? DROP HIMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! DEMOTE HIM TO TRIPLE-A OR LONG RELIEF!!!!!!!!! He is old and finished. Make him a assistant pitching coach, I don’t care, just get his old ass out of the rotation.
John
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From: Roddy, Shay. To: Doe, John. Subject: RE: Trade possibilityJohn, I pretty much just lost any respect I had for you. You’re not thinking buddy. Pretty much everything you have said makes no sense. If you really believe you can do that with Moyer, then you’re out of your mind.
Thanks for reading, bud.
Shay
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You can email Shay Roddy at sroddy@philliephanatics.org and read his blog here.