in my best elaine: things just. got. interesting... (astros)

Wow!! Drayton would really impress me with this. He would be taking on a lot of salary. Hope it goes through.

 

Giving up on Backe?

Already? He would benefit the most from another year with Roger.

DD

 

Ric - is that from the ESPN article from yesterday or did you see that on TV? If I recall, like you mentioned, there were quite a few other suitors mentioned and the Phillies are said to be demanding frontline starting pitching. I don't think Backe and Qualls would be enough.

 

Abreu would fit in nicely here. Sure hate to see Backe go, though. That guy is fun to watch.

 

I don't think they are giving up on Backe. It just takes talent to get talent.

 

meh I dunno

ya lose one of your best relievers and a half-decent starting pitcher.

anotherwards, let's do it!

 

i think ya definitely do it if it involves getting a *gasp*..... BAT

 

Backe and Qualls for Abreu? Hmmm...I don't think that's gonna get it done. They are gonna want more than a 3rd starter and a setup/potential closer guy for a toolsy stud like Abreu. But looking at it from the salary dumping perspective and assuming that we eat the whole of Bobby's contract, then I guess it makes sense for the Phils.

I love the deal, though. At this point, keeping Qualls is a luxury. We already have Wheeler and Lidge, so setup and closer are still taken care of. Backe would hurt. One would have to assume that by making this deal, we are a. bringing Roger back, and b. we have our sights set on a deal for a quality number 3/4 guy.

 

I'd love to have the Backe that shows up in the post-season for every regular season start... but that is not something I envisioned before last year, and it most likely won't happen again next year.

Consider him the Robert Horry of MLB pitchers, if you must... but if all it takes is Backe and Qualls, you do that deal in a second.

I also had heard rumors that if Clemens decided not to re-sign, the Astros will trade either Lidge or Qualls to Oakland for Zito. Zito will be a FA after next year, and any deal will probably be contingent on him signing an extension... but just another tidbit to keep your interest.

 

With Clemens coming back, Backe is a FOURTH starter on this team... makes it an even bigger steal of a deal.

Also, while we'd probably pick up another starter thru FA, I wouldn't expect much. Remember... Backe missed a lot of the regular season, and wasn't all that effective when he did pitch. I'm not advocating Wandy or Zeke automatically, but I'm also thinking that Brandon's presence wouldn't be missed all that much (until playoff time, that is).

 

Wow. I think I might even rather have Zito than Clemens, considering that gives you a big 3 for the long term (if both Andy and Zito resign). If you could somehow deal Qualls for Zito, and Lane and Backe for Abreu, that's your favorite in the NL right there.

 

We also have Jason Hirsh who could be on our roster next year either to start the season or half way through it.

 

Hirsch could be the real deal... he's 6'9, and he's improving exponentially in each year that he pitches.

Then again, he could be like Zeke... a guy who throws hard, and seemingly has great stuff... but for whatever reason, he will get shelled every single time he leaves a pitch just a hair above where he's supposed to put it. I also think Zeke's delivery allows left-handers to get a real good look at the pitch.

 

Oh hell no! Trade two very good pitchers for an over-the-hill Abreu? NO THANKS!

If we're gonna trade those two pitchers for an outfielder, I would only be open to someone better like Andruw Jones, Griffey, or someone comparable.

 

I think the Phils are going to get better offers for Abreu than Backe and Qualls. I also don't think they want to trade their best player to the team that beat them for the wildcard by 1 game the previous year.

 

While he's not worth his contract, 31 is certainly not "over the hill". This team's realistic window of opportunity to win a championship probably is only one more year, given the current pitching staff of a in-his-prime Oswalt, end-of-prime Pettite, and then Clemens (who can't be defined). One more solid hitter, to complement Berkman, Ensberg, Lane and Biggio... may just be all this team needs.

Secondly, you're not trading a young Oswalt in Backe (who isn't that young), and you're not trading another version of Lidge in Qualls. You're trading spare parts that were actually EXPENDABLE last year (neither of the two were real difference-makers in us getting to the playoffs). A GM would laugh his ass off if you held up a deal because you didn't want to give up your 4th starter, and your 7th inning set-up man.

The biggest thing in this trade, obviously, is that Drayton would have to be willing to pay Abreu $30 million over the next two years. That's going to be the key negotiating snag... and if the Phillies can get something somewhat decent in return

 

Those points should be argued by Phillies fans, not us. According to Stark, we've been in talks with the Phillies about this deal... and as I just said, its not just the players we're trading, its the fact that we'd have to pick up his entire contract.

Just like Orlando should have gotten better offers for McGrady... the Phillies should get better offers for Abreu. Doesn't mean much, to us, however... we're not trying to get Abreu as much as they're trying to get rid of him (and thus, they're not going to be holding out for "best" offers... more like they're holding out for "sure thing" offers.)

 

When I read this the first time, I thought it was a joke. Unfortunately, I don't think it is.

I'm sorry, but how much of a stupid homer do you have to be to think Qualls and Backe equal an mvp candidate? And when did 31 become over the hill? Oh no he hit .017 below his career avg last season and .006 below his career obp! The wheels are falling off, stay away!

Tired of the stupid crap...

 

Wow, that would be a great trade. I'd hate to see Backe go, more for his cheerleading chemistry in the dugout, than for his pitching.