Phillies: Trading with a division rival
By Tal Venada
If the Phillies find a particular team to do business with, what will the cost and the risk be for general manager Matt Klentak to consider, and will it be an opportunity worth taking?
Rolling the dice:
While the Philadelphia Phillies seek rotation arms, a hated foe is willing to move one or two for a second baseman or a reliever. However, these talented hurlers have injury-plagued histories, and one’s character is questionable.
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Acquiring a dependable starter for Cesar Hernandez is a long shot for the front office this winter. But the New York Mets need a second sacker and have three possible candidates the red pinstripes might have a mild interest.
On the other end of the bargaining table, the Metropolitans have right-handers Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler plus southpaw Steven Matz. But all three are no strangers to the disabled list, while Harvey has a reputation for partying.
If Klentak envisions one returning to form, can he chance to lose Hernandez? And would the Phillies be better off if Tommy Joseph goes to New York instead?
Moving pieces within a division isn’t a GM’s popular decision because it can come back to haunt him. Additionally, is there any club you like your gang of Phillies beating more than the Mets?
General manager Sandy Alderson of the Metropolitans prefers only making trades he can win. In fact, he victoriously picked up Noah Syndergaard from the Toronto Blue Jays and Wheeler from the San Francisco Giants.
Both were excellent deals for Alderson before Wheeler’s arm problems. But keep in mind, other organizations are desperate for pitching, and Alderson’s strategy may indeed work to his benefit again.
Including Alderson, no executive has a perfect track record, and New York has other needs. So, even a platoon player might be of interest to our northern neighbors.
One question: Do you hate their team, their fans or both?
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