Call to the pen
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Phillies: Old nemesis returns

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 25: The Citizens bank park sign and liberty bell are seen during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 4-2. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 25: The Citizens bank park sign and liberty bell are seen during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 4-2. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images) /
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Nola is set to make his first start of the second half after a successful first outing in the 2018 All-Star Game. Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images.
Nola is set to make his first start of the second half after a successful first outing in the 2018 All-Star Game. Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images. /

After the fact:        

Generally speaking, most people have their hands full with their own life, and their career absorbs their attention. It’s like nearsightedness. In other words, their vision and hearing have a limited range regarding clues.

To illustrate, one response by a member of Baltimore’s front office was about the Manny Machado trade happening the next day. The staff employee replied it’s been like that for two weeks, and his comment answered a lot of questions.

Think about it! How did the Dodgers have five minor leaguers in place so quickly the following morning after the Phillies had the advantage the previous night? Well, scouting the Los Angeles’ MiLB affiliates was complete before the red pinstripes’ offer.

Not convinced? Don’t forget the handshake deal: The Orioles never revealed the organization. And the medicals were complete almost immediately. Translation: most franchises take a day for one or two physicals, but the detail-oriented O’s take the longest time.

The conclusion here is a two-week window to receive a better proposal from another playoff hopeful. And when it didn’t work, the Dodgers became the front-runner literally overnight. But keep in mind, contenders are under more pressure to buy than surprise teams.

Baltimore wanted outfielder Adam Haseley or lefty JoJo Romero with right-hander Adonis Medina for a swap or to push Los Angeles for more. Ergo, overpaying wasn’t inevitable for the Phils to only go deeper in October by moving top-ranked prospects (mlb.com): Sixto Sanchez, 1; Medina, 2; Haseley, 3; and/or Romero, 6.

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