As I write this post it is true that the Fightin’s have won eight in a row, it is true that they are clubbing the Cubbies 9 to 0 in the fourth inning of the first game of a seven game homestand, it is true that they lead the N.L. Eastern Division by 6.5 games with an additional four games in hand over the second place Atlanta Braves, it is true that they just completed a sweep against the Florida Marlins that could, I say could, turn the young Fish on a downward spiral, it is true that J.A. Happ is undefeated with a perfect 7-0 record and is in position to become the N.L. Rookie of the Year, it is true that the regular starting eight fields 5 All Stars, it is true that Jimmy Rollins has started to hit like J-Roll and not just your regular Jimmy, it is true that big Ryan Howard hasn’t even went on a hot spell yet that usually comes in late July and August, it is true that Cole Hamels has shown signs of pitching again like the 2008 playoff and series MVP rather than being mired in the mediocrity he displayed during the first half of the season.
Yes indeed Phillie Phans all those things are true which we know reflects the success of the season thus far and hope, I say hope, leads to future success this season……. but ………… I personally do not think it is enough, we need a bit more.
Rumblings are that the Fightin’s are the frontrunners to trade for one Roy “Doc” Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays. Those same rumors state that the price is steep which might include a package of one J.A. Happ and additional selections from a mix of Kyle Drabek, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Michael Taylor, Lou Marson, Jason Knapp, etc. I say so be it, go get him Mr. Amaro for the following reasons.
1. Pitching wins in the playoffs, period. It would appear that the San Francisco Giants could be a first round opponent in the abbreviated five game series, they throw at you LInceum, Cain and Johnson. Would you not be more comfortable matching that with Halladay, Hamels and Moyer/Blanton/Martinez or the rookie Happ in one of the top 2 spots? Pretty easy answer in my opinion.
2. We are fans of the Phillies, we have won 2……count ‘em 2 world series in our entire over 100 year history! We are fans of the losingest franchise in professional sports, we have a nucleaus of a team right now that is in the prime or close to it of their collective careers……… long story short our future is now ! Times past have proven that when the Phillies plan for the future we don’t get it right! Lets win now folks while we have a realistic chance, I would much rather bank another series title in 2009 than worry about planning for “potential” titles in the future!
3. The quality of Mr. Halladay when compared to young Mr. Happ and others is not even close at this point, he is proven, he goes long into games, he wins. Yes, Mr. Happ has won consistently this season and I do believe will continue to win big league games but he is not of the same ilk as Mr. Halladay.
4. Mr. Halladay is a bulldog in approach, comparable to the approach that Chase Utley has shown us. He wants to win, he is very attentive to detail of preparing for his opposition, he is upper echelon talent…..perhaps the best in the game, he delivers. If you can get him and put him on a team with folks akin to this approach I think that you cannott help but win!
Go get him Mr. Amaro, don’t get complacent in the thinking, remember it is only July and there will be a lull somewhere in the season. The key is to have a team that can survive the marathon of the summer season and be enabled to win the mini battles of playoff series in the fall…….. Mr. Halladay positions this very good team to do that. It is a no brainer.
Chatter
Pedro Martinez threw a good bullpen session in Miami when the team was there for the Marlins series, he will make his first rehab start for Clearwater and then either move up to Reading or Lehigh to pitch another game, if all goes well he would be in a position to pitch against the Giants at month end. Rodrigo Lopez will have a couple of starts during that period, he has pitched very well tonight against the Cubs so he could make it interesting as to where Pedro fits in. Time will tell.

