A "gift" for klydon:

(Something I read on another message board)

The Phils are the only team with ties to Three-Generation Major League Families! Consider the following...

(1) Jayson Werth is the stepson of former pitcher Dennis Werth; the grandson of Dick "Ducky" Schofield; and the nephew of Dick Schofield, Jr.

(2) Former Philly third baseman David Bell is the son of Buddy Bell, and the grandson of David "Gus" Bell, a terrific slugger for the Bucs and Reds.

(3) Former Philly catcher Bob Boone, whose dad, Ray, was a fine player with the Tigers & Indians, is the father of Bret and Aaron Boone, who made their mark in more recent years.

isnt anybody else sick of all the too many trades happening in the NBA... it is just too much ..

i miss the the Michael Jordan era,,,

A "gift" for klydon:

(Something I read on another message board)

The Phils are the only team with ties to Three-Generation Major League Families! Consider the following...

(1) Jayson Werth is the stepson of former pitcher Dennis Werth; the grandson of Dick "Ducky" Schofield; and the nephew of Dick Schofield, Jr.

(2) Former Philly third baseman David Bell is the son of Buddy Bell, and the grandson of David "Gus" Bell, a terrific slugger for the Bucs and Reds.

(3) Former Philly catcher Bob Boone, whose dad, Ray, was a fine player with the Tigers & Indians, is the father of Bret and Aaron Boone, who made their mark in more recent years.

Mark Shapiro, the idiot GM of the Cleveland Indians, now has the dubious distinction of trading three Cy Young Award Winners during his tenure (in a span of 7 years no less). It certainly has not happened in recent memory, but I would have to say that this "feat" is a first in MLB history. I don't know what's worse - Shapiro making this deal or the owner signing off on it.

What I don't get, BAM, is how they went from 1 game of the World Series not even two years ago to such a joke of an organization. That 2007 team was so good that Cliff Lee was in the minors because he had a horrible year.

I'm very happy with the trade for Lee although the Phillies have 4 lefty starters right now.

While I was hoping for Halladay, the price was steep. I thought the Phils did well to get Lee and Francisco without giving up one of their top prospects.

What I don't get, BAM, is how they went from 1 game of the World Series not even two years ago to such a joke of an organization. That 2007 team was so good that Cliff Lee was in the minors because he had a horrible year.

I went through this with the Giants in 2002. They went from 3 outs away from a championship, to a complete joke. However, they have finally started to build up the farm system and have made two trades in the last 48 hours that aren't destroying the minor league prospects but helping the team this year and at least next, so for the first time in over five years I'm excited!

Goombah, that brings me to a question I wanted to ask you a couple of days ago. What are your thoughts on Ryan Garko, since you've been watching him the past few years? Giants fans have been realistic and know he's not going to come in and make the franchise a World Series contender, but he's an immediate upgrade at first base (as is Freddy Sanchez at second) for the club. I would like to know your thoughts and feelings for the guy.

And, for what it's worth, I'm sorry you have to go through a fire sale with your favorite team. At least you still have Victor Martinez and Sizemore, for the time being anyway.

Blibble-

I was not sorry to see Garko leave. He is a mediocre player at best. Seems to be a good guy in the clubhouse, but not a clutch performer or All-Star level talent. He's a better fielder than hitter. He could easily see some success facing the NL pitchers for the first time, but he does have holes in his swing. Garko does have some nice power, though he doesn't hit to all fields effectively.

Listening the sports talk radio driving home from yesterday, the Lee deal was not well-received in Cleveland (no big surprise). The general sentiment is that a) it was a cash dump since Cleveland owed Lee $8 million next year, b) the Indians received inferior players. Note how Toronto nixed the Halladay deal because they wanted higher Philly prospects than were traded to Cleveland, c) the "key" to this deal was an 18 year old pitcher who has already been shut down for the season due to a shoulder injury. While I'm no doctor, shoulder problems with your throwing arm at such a young age is a huge red flag. Another player in the deal was a catcher, so I expect Victor Martinez to be gone, if not by tomorrow, during the offseason.

Here's my final thoughts on this lopsided deal. When the Indians traded Cy Young Award Winner Bartolo Colon, they got good value in return: Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips. I know what some of you will say - the same thing could happen here. This is why it will NOT: 1) The Colon deal was with the Montreal Expos. They were being overseen by MLB and were being dismantled to form the Washington Nationals franchise. 2) Prospects in deals like this can develop into bona fide stars. But all of these players given up by Philly are 2-3 years away from the big leagues.

Another player in the deal was a catcher, so I expect Victor Martinez to be gone, if not by tomorrow, during the offseason.

Here's my final thoughts on this lopsided deal. When the Indians traded Cy Young Award Winner Bartolo Colon, they got good value in return: Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips. I know what some of you will say - the same thing could happen here. This is why it will NOT: 1) The Colon deal was with the Montreal Expos. They were being overseen by MLB and were being dismantled to form the Washington Nationals franchise. 2) Prospects in deals like this can develop into bona fide stars. But all of these players given up by Philly are 2-3 years away from the big leagues.

goombah if cleveland's farm system is any good they could be good in a couple years...or they could trade the farm like the pirates.

Sure, it is possible. Or more teams could become like the Pirates and not compete for 20 years. Until there is a salary cap in MLB, the low and mid-market teams will never compete against the same frigging teams that have the money year after year: NY, Boston, LA, etc. If MLB borrowed the non-guaranteed salaries used by the NFL, combined with the salary structure based upon league service that the NBA utilizes, it would be perfect. When 60% of MLB is out of contention the day Spring Training begins, that says something is really screwed up with the sport.

What MLB (maybe Bud Selig in particular) fails to realize is that the NFL is king each year because teams can go from 3-13 to the playoffs. It does not take 4-5 years minimum to rebuild in football if a roster is properly managed. A level monetary playing field would create new interest in MLB, not these half-baked ideas like inter-league play or winning the All-Star Game to secure WS home-field advantage.

a salary cap would be great i mean really i want to see kansas city, texas, or minnesota in the world series...just different teams. besides selig who wont approve this the owners of the big teams (yankees mostly) wont approve of this.

a salary cap would be great i mean really i want to see kansas city, texas, or minnesota in the world series...just different teams. besides selig who wont approve this the owners of the big teams (yankees mostly) wont approve of this.