Phillies’ Rebuilding Fuels Trade Fears

During 2015, the Philadelphia Phillies executed phase one of restructuring by moving veterans for MiLB talent. The goal, Double D, was to add those prospects to the farm system along with Rule 5 pickups. Basically, a numbers game. And even though the Phillies had a vague idea outcome-wise, those players needed success for a job with the parent club. In other words, a combination of natural ability, hard work, opportunity, motivation and mental toughness would lead to filled positions on the red pinstripes.

While the difference for the second phase was having reliable players for as many roles as possible, the execs hoped for a few gems. Well, they got dependable youngsters like Jerad Eickhoff. But the organization also uncovered some surprises who by reaching the majors this summer have something to play for: catcher Jorge Alfaro and Williams. So, the plan, Double D, is to use free agency and trades for the remaining holes in the lineup, starting staff and the bullpen.

Swapping the pearls among the regulars and the rotation is a listen-only proposition. Klentak is not open to initiating those moves: The dealing for youngsters is not an open-ended situation despite the standings. Presently, the GM is concentrating on shoring up weaknesses by acquiring vets on one-year contracts for 2018. In other words, Nola is the ace going forward, Rhys Hoskins could be the slugger, and Herrera is the hitting star so far, even though he is Jimmy Rollins on steroids: J-Roll didn’t go and neither will El Torito.

"IN OTHER WORDS:       “What we have are good gray ballplayers, playing a good gray game and reading the good gray Wall Street Journal. They have been brainwashed, dry-cleaned and dehydrated!… Wake up the echoes at the Hall of Fame and you will find that baseball’s immortals were a rowdy and raucous group of men who would climb down off their plaques and go rampaging through Cooperstown, taking spoils… Deplore it if you will, but Grover Cleveland Alexander drunk was a better pitcher than Grover Cleveland Alexander sober.” – Bill Veeck"

Next: A Wild Card for 2018's Phillies Rotation

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:   “(Greg) Maddux is a master. He carved us up. He didn’t give us anything good to hit.” – “Trader Jack” McKeon"

To sum up, the most important part of rebuilding is having some diamonds among the other valuable stones. However, you don’t trade a gem for a handful of maybes or one superstar who isn’t enough where he is. And while Hoskins and Herrera project to be the offensive engine, Mackanin once compared Nola to Greg Maddux – potential-wise.  So, Double D, why would you part with a young Maddux? You wouldn’t!