Oswalt to PHI: Waiting For Oswalt's Approval

[Warner2BruceTD]

I don't see the Lee trade as a diaster at all.

 

[Chrispy]

Source: Oswalt officially OKs trade to Philly

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5420095

 

[mobbdeep1122]

The Phils trading Cliff Lee was a down right disaster. You have a guy like Lee under you control for $8 mil and you give him away for practically nothing? It was a terrible move. Especially when you give Blanton a 3 year/$24 mil deal during the same offseason.

I know hindsight is 20/20, and I understand why Amaro made the move, but the bottom line is: The move for Oswalt is pretty much admitting trading Lee was a mistake.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

The Phils trading Cliff Lee was a down right disaster. You have a guy like Lee under you control for $8 mil and you give him away for practically nothing? It was a terrible move. Especially when you give Blanton a 3 year/$24 mil deal during the same offseason.

I know hindsight is 20/20, and I understand why Amaro made the move, but the bottom line is: The move for Oswalt is pretty much admitting trading Lee was a mistake.

You got Roy Halladay for Lee. Not quite "practically nothing". Halladay is better. Plus, you may end up gettikng Lee back anyway.

Aquiring Oswalt isn't admitting moving Lee was a mistake, its a great deal that greatly improves the Phillies WS hopes.

 

[mobbdeep1122]

You got Roy Halladay for Lee. Not quite "practically nothing". Halladay is better. Plus, you may end up gettikng Lee back anyway.

Aquiring Oswalt isn't admitting moving Lee was a mistake, its a great deal that greatly improves the Phillies WS hopes.

The Phillies could have had both. They didn't trade Lee to be able to acquire Halladay. The money wasn't an issue, it was about prospects, which I understand. That's why they traded Lee.

If they would have held on to Lee and let him walk after this season, they would have received 2 first round picks (they'll also receive 2 first round picks if Werth walks), that would have been more than enough to replenish the farm system. At worst it would have been better than the slop we got in return.

I don't think the Phils have any chance to get Lee back after this season. I read his preference is the Yankees or Phillies, but the Phillies won't give Lee the years or the money he's looking for (which is another reason why they dealt him in the first place). But, Halladay, Lee and Hamels for one season together would have been amazing, plus knowing you'll be getting 4 first round picks after 2010 (assuming Lee and Werth would have left, which is almost a guarantee with Dom Brown waiting in the wings).

If the Phils held on to Lee, Oswalt never comes to Philly.

But I do agree the Oswalt deal was a great move. He's not Cliff Lee, but he's still a good pitcher and will help us make a run in the 2nd half.

 

[NAHSTE]

Oswalt's ERA vs. Atlanta the last 3 years? 18.00.

Welcome to the NL East.

 

[Blade]

^ Ehhhh...........you guys are this year's Mets. You are not makin to the post season anyway. The Giants will take the Wildcard. Phils, Pads and Cards take the divisions.

 

[Hasselbeck]

You got Roy Halladay for Lee. Not quite "practically nothing". Halladay is better. Plus, you may end up gettikng Lee back anyway.

Aquiring Oswalt isn't admitting moving Lee was a mistake, its a great deal that greatly improves the Phillies WS hopes.

I would argue at this point that Lee (especially in a contract year) is better than Halladay.

And the Phillies could have easily had both of them. That would have been the best 1-2 pitching duo in the majors since Unit-Schilling on the D'Backs.

I think Philly easily wins the pennant with those two, and quite possibly the World Series.

Oswalt is no slouch either, but Cliff Lee is much better than him. Hell I'm not sure the Phillies are a better team than Atlanta even with Oswalt.

I understand why they did it, but seriously.. the logic behind this move shows trading Lee was an epic fail on their part.

 

[FedEx227]

I would argue at this point that Lee (especially in a contract year) is better than Halladay.

Its tough to say. Lee has been more dominant (striking out more, far less on base) but Halladay has given up fewer runs thus far.

Lee: 2.40 ERA, .892 WHIP, 16.29 K/BB, 175 ERA+
Halladay: 2.21 ERA, 1.023 WHIP, 7.45 K/BB, 188 ERA+

 

[NAHSTE]

^ Ehhhh...........you guys are this year's Mets. You are not makin to the post season anyway. The Giants will take the Wildcard. Phils, Pads and Cards take the divisions.

What's not to like about the Braves? Best record in the NL East...Best bench in the NL East...Best staff in the NL East...Best manager...Best closer...Best farm system...Don't ever compare us to the fucking Mets.

:smug:

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

What's not to like about the Braves? Best record in the NL East...Best bench in the NL East...Best staff in the NL East...Best manager...Best closer...Best farm system...Don't ever compare us to the fucking Mets.

:smug:

I can't figure out the Braves or how the fuck they are winning with that roster.

 

[NAHSTE]

I can't figure out the Braves or how the fuck they are winning with that roster.

It's this really novel approach called "Pitching and Defense", mixed with an offensive strategy of "Getting on base" and "timely hitting".

 

[Blade]

It's this really novel approach called "Pitching and Defense", mixed with an offensive strategy of "Getting on base" and "timely hitting".

Not a recipe for a year round success, just ask the Twins.

 

[FedEx227]

The Twins of the past just never had enough power to win consistently in the playoffs.

 

[SethMode]

What's not to like about the Braves? Best record in the NL East...Best bench in the NL East...Best staff in the NL East...Best manager...Best closer...Best farm system...Don't ever compare us to the fucking Mets.

:smug:

Hah! When he pulls off a must save situation in a big game, then come talking. And the Braves and Phils starting staffs are now closer than you think.

Also, the deficit is only 2.5 now. opcorn:

 

[NAHSTE]

The Twins of the past just never had enough power to win consistently in the playoffs.

I'm of the opinion that you use power to make the playoffs, and pitching to win in the playoffs. But the Twins could have definitely used some more pop in their lineup this decade.

 

[FedEx227]

Of course pitching is the top priority, but a majority of offense come playoff time is generated by power and home runs.

If you think about it too, pitching becomes a lot easier when you can just take your top 3 guys and slide them in there. Those top guys also become top guys because they don't give up a ton of hits or walk a ton of guys, thus aren't as susceptible to large rallies. Most of the top guys give up their runs via the home run as they tend to challenge the strike zone far more than your typical 4th or 5th starter would.

 

[NAHSTE]

Hah! When he pulls off a must save situation in a big game, then come talking. And the Braves and Phils starting staffs are now closer than you think.

Also, the deficit is only 2.5 now. opcorn:

I don't see how the staffs are equal, even with Oswalt factored in. Maybe the first three is equal, but top-to-bottom Atlanta's pitching is better. Halladay is obviously the top pitcher on either team, and Oswalt-Hamels is a solid 2-3, but with how horrendous the Phillies back-end rotation is, I gotta give the advantage to Atlanta.

Blanton, Moyer and Kendrick each have a plus 4.5 ERA and have given up a combined 57 HR.

Hudson is in top form this season (ERA of 2.40, WHIP of 1.12), and Hanson is pitching as well or better than Hamels (slightly higher WHIP but more K/9 IP). Lowe has been pretty spotty but he is nothing more than a 4th starter at this point in his career anyway.

Jurrjens is straightening himself out and Kris Medlen has established himself as a quality #5 guy (6-2, 3.57, 1.19 in 12 starts).

And let's not get even start comparing bullpens.

As for the 2.5 games, congrats. It was bound to happen. Wags has blown 2 in the last week, and the Braves have dropped a few they should've won. Meanwhile, the Phils are on an 8 game winning streak. I'd expect them to be closing the gap at this point, it only took them 2 months.

All I know is, this shaping up to be a hell of of a stretch run.

 

[SethMode]

I don't see how the staffs are equal, even with Oswalt factored in. Maybe the first three is equal, but top-to-bottom Atlanta's pitching is better. Halladay is obviously the top pitcher on either team, and Oswalt-Hamels is a solid 2-3, but with how horrendous the Phillies back-end rotation is, I gotta give the advantage to Atlanta.

Blanton, Moyer and Kendrick each have a plus 4.5 ERA and have given up a combined 57 HR.

Hudson is in top form this season (ERA of 2.40, WHIP of 1.12), and Hanson is pitching as well or better than Hamels (slightly higher WHIP but more K/9 IP). Lowe has been pretty spotty but he is nothing more than a 4th starter at this point in his career anyway.

Jurrjens is straightening himself out and Kris Medlen has established himself as a quality #5 guy (6-2, 3.57, 1.19 in 12 starts).

And let's not get even start comparing bullpens.

As for the 2.5 games, congrats. It was bound to happen. Wags has blown 2 in the last week, and the Braves have dropped a few they should've won. Meanwhile, the Phils are on an 8 game winning streak. I'd expect them to be closing the gap at this point, it only took them 2 months.

All I know is, this shaping up to be a hell of of a stretch run.

Well for one, I never said they were equal, I said that their rotations were closer than you think.

Two, the Phils have lost a TON of games they "should've" won (if such a concept even exists), so I don't think that that's relevant.

As far as the rest, I just don't really get your level of confidence considering the Braves have been playing out of their minds at home, the Phils have been dismal for the most part, and yet the Braves are only 2.5 games up with a tough series against the Reds on the road coming up. For all of those things you listed off being the "best" in the NL, all they really have to show for it is a 2.5 game lead over a team that most people have enjoyed using as a punching bag for the last 2 to 3 months. The Braves are going to basically have to avoid ANY kind of slump for the rest of the season to get away with winning the East.

Just my perspective. It's obviously wide open with this many games left, I just don't see the cause for such confidence.

 

[SethMode]

And what makes you think you guys do?!?! Because thats the point you are making with that comment.

I think he's a White Sox fan, Blade? I'm not sure what you think he's alluding to with that post?