GaryMrMets
08-01-2004, 07:42 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9276980.htm
Posted on Fri, Jul. 30, 2004
Phillies Notes | Trade for Lofton may be in the works
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI - A little more than 24 hours remain before tomorrow's 4 p.m. trade deadline, and the Phillies still hope to make a deal. Maybe more than one.
Several baseball sources confirmed yesterday that the Phillies are involved in a possible three-team deal. The Phillies would send second baseman Placido Polanco to Oakland, the Athletics would send lefthander Ricardo Rincon to the New York Yankees, and the Yankees would send centerfielder Kenny Lofton to the Phillies.
Entering yesterday's games, Lofton was hitting .296 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 44 games and Rincon was 0-0 with a 4.33 ERA, striking out 26 and allowing 30 hits in 27 innings.
The Phillies still consider pitching - both in the rotation and in the bullpen - their top priority, and remain interested in Rincon and Cincinnati's Paul Wilson, although the Reds are asking for big-league-ready pitching.
The Phillies can't afford that.
The Phillies just placed rookie righthander Ryan Madson, who is 7-2 with a 1.19 ERA as a reliever (he also made one start), on the disabled list. They also could lose closer Billy Wagner, who hasn't pitched since July 21 because of a strained left shoulder.
Phillies fans with thoughts about Houston Astros centerfielder Carlos Beltran roaming the outfield at Citizens Bank Park should focus their desires elsewhere. Beltran is not on the market. Hasn't been. The Astros still have NL wild-card hopes, and rumors that the Phillies have offered Gavin Floyd in a Beltran deal are untrue.
The Phillies won't trade prized prospects Floyd and Cole Hamels.
The Phillies have been close to a few deals this week, but nothing has come to fruition. In talks beyond the possible Polanco deal, it appears they might need a few teams to act before things can fall into place so the Phils can make a move.
Armed and not ready. Team physician Michael Ciccotti examined Wagner's shoulder in Philadelphia yesterday. Those results were not immediately available, although righthander Amaury Telemaco said yesterday that he expected to be activated today.
Telemaco has been on the disabled list since June 13 with a right rotator-cuff strain. He pitched through considerable pain before he went on the disabled list, but said he feels much better. He added, however, that he still feels some minor pain when he throws.
Crumblin' down. No, the sky isn't falling. It's just chunks of concrete at Wrigley Field, where the Phillies happen to open a three-game series this afternoon. At least that's what the schedule says.
Chicago mayor Richard Daley has threatened to shut down Wrigley after falling debris from the upper deck struck fans at the friendly confines. The mayor wants protective netting put up. If the mayor isn't satisfied that the ballpark is safe, there appears to be no contingency plan. U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox play, appears to be unavailable.
"I'm not a construction engineer, so I'll leave that to the right people," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "But, yeah, we plan on playing. I haven't heard anything different."
Washout. Vicente Padilla's scheduled rehab start in Clearwater was rained out yesterday and rescheduled for tomorrow.
Rotation, rotation, rotation. Cubs righthander Greg Maddux (10-7, 3.91) tries for his 300th career victory Sunday at Wrigley. He will face lefthander Randy Wolf (4-6, 3.82).
Phillies lefthander Eric Milton (11-2, 4.40) faces righthander Mark Prior (2-2, 3.92) today, and Phillies righthander Kevin Millwood (8-6, 4.91) is on the mound against righthander Matt Clement (8-9, 3.05) tomorrow afternoon.
Posted on Fri, Jul. 30, 2004
Phillies Notes | Trade for Lofton may be in the works
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI - A little more than 24 hours remain before tomorrow's 4 p.m. trade deadline, and the Phillies still hope to make a deal. Maybe more than one.
Several baseball sources confirmed yesterday that the Phillies are involved in a possible three-team deal. The Phillies would send second baseman Placido Polanco to Oakland, the Athletics would send lefthander Ricardo Rincon to the New York Yankees, and the Yankees would send centerfielder Kenny Lofton to the Phillies.
Entering yesterday's games, Lofton was hitting .296 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 44 games and Rincon was 0-0 with a 4.33 ERA, striking out 26 and allowing 30 hits in 27 innings.
The Phillies still consider pitching - both in the rotation and in the bullpen - their top priority, and remain interested in Rincon and Cincinnati's Paul Wilson, although the Reds are asking for big-league-ready pitching.
The Phillies can't afford that.
The Phillies just placed rookie righthander Ryan Madson, who is 7-2 with a 1.19 ERA as a reliever (he also made one start), on the disabled list. They also could lose closer Billy Wagner, who hasn't pitched since July 21 because of a strained left shoulder.
Phillies fans with thoughts about Houston Astros centerfielder Carlos Beltran roaming the outfield at Citizens Bank Park should focus their desires elsewhere. Beltran is not on the market. Hasn't been. The Astros still have NL wild-card hopes, and rumors that the Phillies have offered Gavin Floyd in a Beltran deal are untrue.
The Phillies won't trade prized prospects Floyd and Cole Hamels.
The Phillies have been close to a few deals this week, but nothing has come to fruition. In talks beyond the possible Polanco deal, it appears they might need a few teams to act before things can fall into place so the Phils can make a move.
Armed and not ready. Team physician Michael Ciccotti examined Wagner's shoulder in Philadelphia yesterday. Those results were not immediately available, although righthander Amaury Telemaco said yesterday that he expected to be activated today.
Telemaco has been on the disabled list since June 13 with a right rotator-cuff strain. He pitched through considerable pain before he went on the disabled list, but said he feels much better. He added, however, that he still feels some minor pain when he throws.
Crumblin' down. No, the sky isn't falling. It's just chunks of concrete at Wrigley Field, where the Phillies happen to open a three-game series this afternoon. At least that's what the schedule says.
Chicago mayor Richard Daley has threatened to shut down Wrigley after falling debris from the upper deck struck fans at the friendly confines. The mayor wants protective netting put up. If the mayor isn't satisfied that the ballpark is safe, there appears to be no contingency plan. U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox play, appears to be unavailable.
"I'm not a construction engineer, so I'll leave that to the right people," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "But, yeah, we plan on playing. I haven't heard anything different."
Washout. Vicente Padilla's scheduled rehab start in Clearwater was rained out yesterday and rescheduled for tomorrow.
Rotation, rotation, rotation. Cubs righthander Greg Maddux (10-7, 3.91) tries for his 300th career victory Sunday at Wrigley. He will face lefthander Randy Wolf (4-6, 3.82).
Phillies lefthander Eric Milton (11-2, 4.40) faces righthander Mark Prior (2-2, 3.92) today, and Phillies righthander Kevin Millwood (8-6, 4.91) is on the mound against righthander Matt Clement (8-9, 3.05) tomorrow afternoon.