GaryMrMets
06-30-2004, 02:59 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9035191.htm
Posted on Tue, Jun. 29, 2004
Phillies Notes | Major trade remains a possibility, Wade says
By Jim Salisbury
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies general manager Ed Wade has spoken with 19 teams over the last week, but no trade appears imminent.
Wade will watch how the Phillies' needs evolve before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline in deciding whether a move has to be made.
The team could end up needing a starting pitcher, a reliever, or a centerfielder, depending on how the next few weeks go.
"If the right thing comes along and the trade is value for value, we'd consider it," Wade said. "But right now, we're not seeing value for value. Other clubs are looking at our situation with having a new park and they think we'll overpay. We're not going to overpay to the extent these clubs want us to."
Translation: The Phils aren't going to deal top pitching prospects Cole Hamels and Gavin Floyd.
Asking prices generally go down as July progresses.
The Phillies went $11 million over budget to retain Kevin Millwood this season. There are financial limits to what they can do, but Wade emphasized that there is some flexibility.
The Phils are closely monitoring the center-field position, which will be handled by Jason Michaels and Doug Glanville, and Ricky Ledee when he comes off the disabled list. Marlon Byrd was hitting .214 (6 for 28) with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre entering last night. He needs more time.
"We have to pay attention to what [centerfielders] might be out there [on the trade market] if we get to the point where we feel like we need to do something there," Wade said.
Centerfielders who could be available include Arizona's Steve Finley, Montreal's Brad Wilkerson, and the New York Yankees' Kenny Lofton.
Not yet. Wade discussed the progress of Floyd with assistant Mike Arbuckle yesterday. Floyd is pitching for double-A Reading.
"Mike says this guy has a great upside and he's going to be a tremendous big-league pitcher," Wade said. "But right now, he's at the level he needs to be."
In other words, don't expect a promotion anytime soon.
All-star update. Despite leading the majors in home runs (26 entering last night), Jim Thome was still fourth among National League first basemen in the balloting results announced yesterday. Thome had received 667,214 votes. St. Louis' Albert Pujols was first at the position with 1,533,898 votes, followed by Houston's Jeff Bagwell (1,226,637) and Cincinnati's Sean Casey (711,488).
In-stadium voting has ended. Fans can still vote online through tomorrow night at MLB.com. Asked whether he was mystified that the Phillies were averaging more than 40,000 fans per game and he was so far back in the voting, Thome said, "I can't control that."
All's well. Manager Larry Bowa and catcher Mike Lieberthal met before last night's game to air any differences they had after Lieberthal's benching Sunday.
"It's a non-issue," Lieberthal said. "It's a long season and Larry wants to keep me fresh."
Lieberthal was back in the lineup last night.
Honors, etc. Before the game, Thome was presented with an oil painting by Hall of Fame artist Dick Perez commemorating the slugger's 400th home run two weeks ago.
Jeff Idelson, vice president of communications for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was on hand to collect two pieces of memorabilia that will be displayed at the Hall. Idelson took the bat that Bobby Abreu used to hit the first home run at Citizens Bank Park, and the jersey that Thome wore when he hit his 400th homer.
Posted on Tue, Jun. 29, 2004
Phillies Notes | Major trade remains a possibility, Wade says
By Jim Salisbury
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies general manager Ed Wade has spoken with 19 teams over the last week, but no trade appears imminent.
Wade will watch how the Phillies' needs evolve before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline in deciding whether a move has to be made.
The team could end up needing a starting pitcher, a reliever, or a centerfielder, depending on how the next few weeks go.
"If the right thing comes along and the trade is value for value, we'd consider it," Wade said. "But right now, we're not seeing value for value. Other clubs are looking at our situation with having a new park and they think we'll overpay. We're not going to overpay to the extent these clubs want us to."
Translation: The Phils aren't going to deal top pitching prospects Cole Hamels and Gavin Floyd.
Asking prices generally go down as July progresses.
The Phillies went $11 million over budget to retain Kevin Millwood this season. There are financial limits to what they can do, but Wade emphasized that there is some flexibility.
The Phils are closely monitoring the center-field position, which will be handled by Jason Michaels and Doug Glanville, and Ricky Ledee when he comes off the disabled list. Marlon Byrd was hitting .214 (6 for 28) with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre entering last night. He needs more time.
"We have to pay attention to what [centerfielders] might be out there [on the trade market] if we get to the point where we feel like we need to do something there," Wade said.
Centerfielders who could be available include Arizona's Steve Finley, Montreal's Brad Wilkerson, and the New York Yankees' Kenny Lofton.
Not yet. Wade discussed the progress of Floyd with assistant Mike Arbuckle yesterday. Floyd is pitching for double-A Reading.
"Mike says this guy has a great upside and he's going to be a tremendous big-league pitcher," Wade said. "But right now, he's at the level he needs to be."
In other words, don't expect a promotion anytime soon.
All-star update. Despite leading the majors in home runs (26 entering last night), Jim Thome was still fourth among National League first basemen in the balloting results announced yesterday. Thome had received 667,214 votes. St. Louis' Albert Pujols was first at the position with 1,533,898 votes, followed by Houston's Jeff Bagwell (1,226,637) and Cincinnati's Sean Casey (711,488).
In-stadium voting has ended. Fans can still vote online through tomorrow night at MLB.com. Asked whether he was mystified that the Phillies were averaging more than 40,000 fans per game and he was so far back in the voting, Thome said, "I can't control that."
All's well. Manager Larry Bowa and catcher Mike Lieberthal met before last night's game to air any differences they had after Lieberthal's benching Sunday.
"It's a non-issue," Lieberthal said. "It's a long season and Larry wants to keep me fresh."
Lieberthal was back in the lineup last night.
Honors, etc. Before the game, Thome was presented with an oil painting by Hall of Fame artist Dick Perez commemorating the slugger's 400th home run two weeks ago.
Jeff Idelson, vice president of communications for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was on hand to collect two pieces of memorabilia that will be displayed at the Hall. Idelson took the bat that Bobby Abreu used to hit the first home run at Citizens Bank Park, and the jersey that Thome wore when he hit his 400th homer.