Phillies: Trading with a division rival

Risky business:

On another baseball site, comments about moving Harvey went from he’ll be a stud for another club to he doesn’t want to be a Met. Of course, the talk revolved around a swap of the right-hander for second baseman Jurickson Profar from the Texas Rangers. A has-been for a never-was.

Although both were highly touted prospects, they have injury-riddled histories. However, those fans posted with their hearts or with their heads. Some blamed cheap ownership, while another begged Alderson not to be stupid.

"BEARS REPEATING: (Phillies vs. Mets on April 2 in NYC) “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” – Mark Twain"

After some locals switched from viewing Hernandez as a reserve to receiving a decent starter for him, they pointed to his running game–or lack thereof–as this winter’s reason to deal him. In other words, the second sacker who wasn’t going to be a regular will forever be a liability on the bases.

Like anyone on the skill-required job, ability plus experience equals better results, and the Phillies won’t trade the top second baseman on the market to take a flier on a hard-throwing possibility. In fact, even Joseph for one of these flamethrowers is too much to give up.

Last August, National League opponents saw first sacker Dominic Smith, but the left-handed hitter struggled during his 183 plate appearances.

He batted .198 in 49 games with nine homers and 26 RBIs. That stated, Alderson recently had a harsh conversation with Smith.

While Joseph could platoon with Smith in New York, they do have Wilmer Flores as a fallback. Yes, a multi-player deal is possible but not probable.

What is the one thing we don’t want in any trade with the Mets? Making them better!