Unlike the Red Sox and Rockies, who may try to avoid making a trade to replace their injured infielders, the Phillies are "trying like hell" to find an infield bat, writes ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Stark breaks down the Phillies' options and shares some Cliff Lee rumors in a new blog entry:
- Enough teams are interested in Ty Wigginton that the Orioles can be patient in their attempts to get maximum value for him. The Phillies, on the other hand, need an infielder now, so they'll either have to meet Baltimore's asking price or look elsewhere.
- A scout tells Stark that some people in the Phils' organization like Jose Lopez "a lot."
- The Phillies have never been overly interested in Garrett Atkins, and that hasn't changed now that he has become available.
- Kelly Johnson, Jhonny Peralta, Jose Bautista, and Miguel Tejada are also possibilities to varying degrees for Philadelphia.
- The Phils don't want to move Domonic Brown, Jarred Cosart, Anthony Gose, or Trevor May for an infielder, but would discuss anyone except Brown for a top starting pitcher.
- The Reds "are more interested than they're letting on" in Lee, while the Yankees also continue to monitor the Mariners' left-hander.
- The Rangers and Dodgers would love to acquire Lee, but would have to give up a slew of prospects to avoid taking on his salary.
- According to Stark, there have even been rumblings that the Rays could be a match for the M's ace if they were willing to move B.J. Upton.
I’d take B.J. and a prospect
Is Stark ever gonna just admit that he’s a glorified Phillies beat reporter?Phils Phils Phils Phils Phils Phils Phils all the time with this guy.
its ESPN… their entire staff is a bunch of jokers. Why do you think Gammons left?
Because he was too much of a Red Sox homer, even by their lofty standards lmao
Which is saying something, considering how bias’ed they are to Boston and L.A.
To LA? What?
Seriously – is there some mancrush on the Angels or Dodgers. If so, I’ve missed that. Now if you are talking New York, Boston then we are on the same page.
ESPN has a huge man crush on the overrated Mike Sciosa.
Lakers, dude. They LOVE the Lakers.
New York is 3rd on their love list, but it’s a distant 3rd.
Lakers, dude. They LOVE the Lakers.
New York is 3rd on their love list, but it’s a distant 3rd.
I just refer to ESPN as NESN… They are basically the same thing, Pats will win the Super Bowl, Celts will win the Finals, and The Red Sox will win the World Series… There I just saved you a year of watching ESPN, I mean NESN lol…
At least ESPN doesn’t have Don Orsillo. That guy is a bumbling over-tanned moron.
gammons just wanted to go to the best there is and ESPN is now 2nd to the MLB Network.
@ Nutbunnies – I am a Phillies fan, and I totally agree with you about Stark. Sometimes I can’t believe how much he writes about them.
I’m praying that the Phillies get Wiggington instead of Lopez. Wiggington in not that good. Lopez, on the other hand, would have a field day in the bandbox that is Citizens Bank Park.
Wigginton: .258/.342/.465
Lopez: .242/.271/.332
If Wigginton “is not that good”, Lopez is complete trash.
Wigginton has crashed down to earth hard these past few weeks (he hit .209 in June). HOWEVER, I agree with you.
Jose Lopez? Doesn’t he have the worst wOBA among qualified players? I’m almost sure he does.
Well if the phillies dumb enough to take Jose I am all for it.
So True. Jose has struggled this year but so has every Mariner. But that guy is a pull-PULL hitter and has 25 HR power IN SAFECO.
Every one of us up here in Seattle know that this is probably Jose’s last year as a Mariner. We also know if he goes to a hitters park he will probably hit 30+ HRs and bat .280-.300. Its going to suck …but what can you do.
Well, Kelly Johnson would look great at Citizens Bank ballpark, heck in that place he could hit 35 homers lol… It’s tailored for left handed pull hitters such as him, but I can’t see them trading for him. They will probably go for somebody more under the radar…
yeah but the last thing the Phillies need is another left handed bat.
Totally, which is why I don’t understand trading Werth… Assuming Dominic Brown takes his spot that would just be another lefty. I think Werth makes that lineup, as I’m sure you already know lol…
didnt see that Upton bit. I would do that in a heartbeat if I were the Rays. Upton is missing an certain intangible… the desire to be great.
Milton Bradley should be a good influence.
If the M’s take B.J. Upton in any Cliff Lee deal….well let’s just say the word ‘foolish’ comes to mind.
You tell me is Wilson Ramos ready to play in the majors and contribute or The players involved in mets offers….I am waiting….Your answer would be no. At least you know what you got with B.J. Upton.
Yeah, an underachiever with no drive.
A 5-tool fourth outfielder?
Right, because the M’s need to take on, at this point, a LAZY, glorified 4th outfielder, instead of a catcher that can hit. If you think the M’s need a player that is immediately ML ready, instead of a year from that like Ramos…well I’ll take 8 ounces of what you’re smoking. the M’s are still a year or so away from being ready, unless they get lucky and all their young talent comes up next year and produces.
And unless Mejia becomes involved in whatever the Mets are offering, the Twins offering Ramos is still the better deal.
Right, because the M’s need to take on, at this point, a LAZY, glorified 4th outfielder, instead of a catcher that can hit. If you think the M’s need a player that is immediately ML ready, instead of a year from that like Ramos…well I’ll take 8 ounces of what you’re smoking. the M’s are still a year or so away from being ready, unless they get lucky and all their young talent comes up next year and produces.
And unless Mejia becomes involved in whatever the Mets are offering, the Twins offering Ramos is still the better deal.
Lopez would probably hit a lot better in Philly. He won’t get on base too often but he’ll hit a few homers just over the left field fence. He’s been above average at third, and is still considered average to below average at second. Considering the M’s would take just about anything for him, I don’t see why this wouldn’t happen unless those people in the Phils’ organization are not too high on the totem pole. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he “breaks out” a bit in the NL, especially at Citizens. Unless NL pitchers realize that if you pitch it outside, and never throw a strike he’s as good as worthless.
I can’t imagine the M’s taking BJ Upton either. Michael Saunders looks to be nearly as valuable, not to mention cheaper. If they take an OF for Lee it’ll be a top prospect like Aaron Hicks. Right now Saunders looks to be the future LF in Seattle.
IMO, with Upton’s laziness he should be someone’s future DH.
Like Jermaine Dye, I wish he would just go away.
Saunders and BJ Upton are comparable in value?
Upton is a 40SB with + Defense in CF. He was bad last year and this year hasn’t been spectacular. But he is 2 years removed from back to back 4 win seasons and the guy is 26 still and playing for peanuts.
Saunders doesn’t have nearly the upside of Upton or any success at the ML level. He’s young and he very well may develop into a good talent but honestly the two guys aren’t even close.
That’s the thing, though, dude. Two years removed. That’s a VERY long time in baseball. He strikes out far too much (K% stands at 27%), and you can only tolerate a player who hits so poorly for so long. Juan Pierre is a demon on the basepaths, but the general consensus is that he’s a fourth outfielder.
His tools are still incredible. No one with an OF spot to fill would ever turn him down. A few teams without an OF spot to fill wouldn’t even turn him down.
His tools are still incredible. No one with an OF spot to fill would ever turn him down. A few teams without an OF spot to fill wouldn’t even turn him down.
Sure – there is a chance that Saunders will turn out to be as good as Upton. The odds, however, are not in your favor. The fact is that Upton has produced better in the minors, majors, and has way more upside. A bad Upton is still better than anything we have seen out of Saunders. A good Upton is one of the best of players in baseball.
That’s the thing, though, dude. Two years removed. That’s a VERY long time in baseball. He strikes out far too much (K% stands at 27%), and you can only tolerate a player who hits so poorly for so long. Juan Pierre is a demon on the basepaths, but the general consensus is that he’s a fourth outfielder.
I think out of all the teams in on Lee, the reds could really make a push for him if they wanted. It hurts that it’s a short rental, but the reds have a number of young pitchers, and hitters that they could deal for Lee.
pretty cool to see someone i went to school with (jarred cosart) being talked about as a pretty good prospect being talked about on here
No way I want Justin Upton. He’s hitting what .220 this year. He’ll never be a star from here on out. In half a season Upton’s hit 7 homers while Michael Saunders has hit 7 homers in 35 games. Saunders is already better in what is his FIRST full season of baseball. Younger, cheaper, more upside, and currently is better. No need for Justin Upton.
You can’t have Justin anyway, so don’t worry.
For once, I hope you’re right that this guy is “untouchable”.
Justin is hitting .266 with 14 Home Runs and 39 RBIs, 11 steals (but 5 CS), and is still playing good defense. Considering how unlucky he must be (.354 BABIP but only .266 to show for it?), he’ll be fine come season’s end.
I don’t mean to sound cross, but do some more homework next time before throwing numbers out there. Justin is above and beyond better than Michael Saunders.
However, I’m PRETTY sure you meant B.J. If so, completely ignore my comment.
That’s all true re: his production but mostly irrelevant. The DBacks have Upton under a brilliant contract. That’s why he’s off-limits.
That’s all true re: his production but mostly irrelevant. The DBacks have Upton under a brilliant contract. That’s why he’s off-limits.
Justin is hitting .266 with 14 Home Runs and 39 RBIs, 11 steals (but 5 CS), and is still playing good defense. Considering how unlucky he must be (.354 BABIP but only .266 to show for it?), he’ll be fine come season’s end.
I don’t mean to sound cross, but do some more homework next time before throwing numbers out there. Justin is above and beyond better than Michael Saunders.
However, I’m PRETTY sure you meant B.J. If so, completely ignore my comment.
For once, I hope you’re right that this guy is “untouchable”.
You’re right. I meant B.J. The only homework I did was click on his name link to see his numbers and accidentally typed in “Justin”. My feelings are a little hurt, but its ok :).
You’re right. I meant B.J. The only homework I did was click on his name link to see his numbers and accidentally typed in “Justin”. My feelings are a little hurt, but its ok :).
The O’s will be making a huge mistake in not moving Wigginton now. If he continues to regress to career norms his value will be nothing more than a utility player.