GaryMrMets
07-28-2004, 10:38 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/9259814.htm
Posted on Wed, Jul. 28, 2004
Players split on value of trade
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
MIAMI - The trade deadline looms Saturday. The Phillies have been involved in discussions that have been fruitless thus far; manager Larry Bowa, after speaking with general manager Ed Wade yesterday, characterized the Phillies as not being close with any other teams.
Bowa was asked if his clubhouse could use a spark from the acquisition of a player. He replied, "The leaders in the clubhouse - you have to ask them."
OK.
"I think it could give the team a lift," said Kevin Millwood - something of a voice in the wilderness.
"No," said closer Billy Wagner. "What we need is just for people in the organization to be more positive. The players are positive."
Hmm. Lieby? Would a new guy in the clubhouse help?
"It could. It might not. It happens both ways all the time with other teams," said Mike Lieberthal.
He then addressed the perceived need for a centerfielder, starter and reliever, considering that starter Vicente Padilla and relievers Amaury Telemaco and, as of yesterday, Ryan Madson occupy disabled-list slots.
"Overall, we have good chemistry,'' Lieberthal said. "And who's to say if we get [Diamondbacks centerfielder] Steve Finley he's going to be better than [platooning] Jason Michaels and Ricky Ledee? The thing any team needs is pitching. Padilla - you can't count on him [being healthy]. Guys are going on the DL from the bullpen."
So, if no deal is made, will the clubhouse morale suffer?
"No," Lieberthal said. "Morale amongst everyone but the players might suffer. But not among the players."
Third baseman David Bell was fired up at the suggestion that the clubhouse needed anything.
"As a matter of fact, I think, as players, that has nothing to do with us. I like our team. I believe it's the best team I've ever played on," said Bell, a member of the National League champion Giants in 2002 and the 2001 Mariners that won 116 games. "I think we're going to play better."
'Mad Dog' impounded
As expected, reliever Ryan Madson landed on the disabled list with a sprained right pinkie suffered Sunday while shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice. Further examination made Monday night's likelihood a reality yesterday afternoon.
To Josh Hancock's relief, the news of Madson's probable vacation reached Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the team bus departed for Durham, N.C., where the Red Barons began an eight-game Southern swing. Hancock replaced Madson on the roster, Hancock's third stint with the big club this season.
"I didn't have to make that 11 ½-hour bus ride," said Hancock, 8-7 with a 4.01 earned run average in 18 Triple A starts.
Phillers
Closer Billy Wagner threw on flat ground for the second straight day, again testing the strained left shoulder suffered a week ago and shot with cortisone Friday. He exited confident that a day of rest today followed by a session off the mound tomorrow could make him available for the weekend series in Chicago...Reliever Amaury Telemaco, on the disabled list since June 9 with shoulder tendinitis, could return as soon as Sunday. Starter Vicente Padilla, on the DL since May 30 with triceps tendinitis and a bone bruise, will return Aug. 12 at the earliest. Both will pitch rehab starts tomorrow, Telemaco at Triple A, Padilla at Class A.
Posted on Wed, Jul. 28, 2004
Players split on value of trade
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
MIAMI - The trade deadline looms Saturday. The Phillies have been involved in discussions that have been fruitless thus far; manager Larry Bowa, after speaking with general manager Ed Wade yesterday, characterized the Phillies as not being close with any other teams.
Bowa was asked if his clubhouse could use a spark from the acquisition of a player. He replied, "The leaders in the clubhouse - you have to ask them."
OK.
"I think it could give the team a lift," said Kevin Millwood - something of a voice in the wilderness.
"No," said closer Billy Wagner. "What we need is just for people in the organization to be more positive. The players are positive."
Hmm. Lieby? Would a new guy in the clubhouse help?
"It could. It might not. It happens both ways all the time with other teams," said Mike Lieberthal.
He then addressed the perceived need for a centerfielder, starter and reliever, considering that starter Vicente Padilla and relievers Amaury Telemaco and, as of yesterday, Ryan Madson occupy disabled-list slots.
"Overall, we have good chemistry,'' Lieberthal said. "And who's to say if we get [Diamondbacks centerfielder] Steve Finley he's going to be better than [platooning] Jason Michaels and Ricky Ledee? The thing any team needs is pitching. Padilla - you can't count on him [being healthy]. Guys are going on the DL from the bullpen."
So, if no deal is made, will the clubhouse morale suffer?
"No," Lieberthal said. "Morale amongst everyone but the players might suffer. But not among the players."
Third baseman David Bell was fired up at the suggestion that the clubhouse needed anything.
"As a matter of fact, I think, as players, that has nothing to do with us. I like our team. I believe it's the best team I've ever played on," said Bell, a member of the National League champion Giants in 2002 and the 2001 Mariners that won 116 games. "I think we're going to play better."
'Mad Dog' impounded
As expected, reliever Ryan Madson landed on the disabled list with a sprained right pinkie suffered Sunday while shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice. Further examination made Monday night's likelihood a reality yesterday afternoon.
To Josh Hancock's relief, the news of Madson's probable vacation reached Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the team bus departed for Durham, N.C., where the Red Barons began an eight-game Southern swing. Hancock replaced Madson on the roster, Hancock's third stint with the big club this season.
"I didn't have to make that 11 ½-hour bus ride," said Hancock, 8-7 with a 4.01 earned run average in 18 Triple A starts.
Phillers
Closer Billy Wagner threw on flat ground for the second straight day, again testing the strained left shoulder suffered a week ago and shot with cortisone Friday. He exited confident that a day of rest today followed by a session off the mound tomorrow could make him available for the weekend series in Chicago...Reliever Amaury Telemaco, on the disabled list since June 9 with shoulder tendinitis, could return as soon as Sunday. Starter Vicente Padilla, on the DL since May 30 with triceps tendinitis and a bone bruise, will return Aug. 12 at the earliest. Both will pitch rehab starts tomorrow, Telemaco at Triple A, Padilla at Class A.