GMAN wrote:I can't see the Phillies paying 2 pitchers in their 30's 15-20 million a year each. It would also require a deal of 4 years or longer and they just don't do it. Sign me up, but I do not see it happening.

The only year it would really be a problem is 2011. Once they let Howard and Lidge walk, more than $30 million space clears up. They would just need to have escalating contracts with Lee and Halladay that move most of the money to 2012 and beyond. They could afford it.

The one owner sold his business for $3 billion right before the recession. They can afford anything.

Here's hoping Werth gets an NHL-like deal....18 years, $225.423 million.

GMAN wrote:I can't see the Phillies paying 2 pitchers in their 30's 15-20 million a year each. It would also require a deal of 4 years or longer and they just don't do it. Sign me up, but I do not see it happening.

Lee's AAV floor is 16.5 (Burnett). Halladay's AAV is probably well north of 20 mil (Johan/CC). We are going to give 9 figures total to two different pitchers now for their mid-30s seasons, even if they are great great pitchers?

Was there some Phils TV network that came about when I wasn't paying attention?

You underestimate the Audacity of Smug

The Hamels thing seems ridiculous. Unless the Phillies have reason to believe Hamels's season wasn't just bad babip, but something else.

Another probalem for the Phillies this past postseason was that their number one right hander was Cupcake Joe and Pedro (who proabably won;t be here next season). Swapping Cole for Halladay brings in the righthanded stud they need. Also I would think the trade would be straight up Cole for Halladay, seeing that Halladay's value is probably down from last year's trade deadline and the difference in salary and age.

Just the fact that Hamels' name has come up 'in whispers' may indicate that the Phillies may have doubts about his ability to develop further and/or his mental makeup. And members of the front office do love Halladay, right? He's been a proven ace over many years.

I would do it and sign Lee and Halladay to extensions if possible when the time comes. I wouldn't even care if they had Feliz play 3B for 3 million a year for the next 3 years if they did this. Oh and they would still have Drabek.

Those pitchers may be in their 30's, but they're both top of anyone's rotation starters, with good track records re injuries. All the Phillies need to to do is get to the playoffs with those two. You have them a minimum of 4 games per 7 game series, and the way they are, possibly 6 of 7. This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Phillies. They've become a "destination" team, with some payroll flexibility, a good farm system, and a real GM (as hard as it is to believe).

joe table wrote:

GMAN wrote:I can't see the Phillies paying 2 pitchers in their 30's 15-20 million a year each. It would also require a deal of 4 years or longer and they just don't do it. Sign me up, but I do not see it happening.

Lee's AAV floor is 16.5 (Burnett). Halladay's AAV is probably well north of 20 mil (Johan/CC). We are going to give 9 figures total to two different pitchers now for their mid-30s seasons, even if they are great great pitchers?

Was there some Phils TV network that came about when I wasn't paying attention?

Pay for excellence. Fill around the core.

2012 Pulled Out of Ass

Halladay - 20
Lee - 18
Hamels - 12 (last year of arb)
Drabek - 1
whoever - min.

Ruiz - 3
1B (not Howard) - 12
Utley - 15
Rollins/other SS - 8
Beltre - 10
Taylor/Brown - 1
Werth - 11
Gose/Vic/other OF - 6

$110 million.. $50 million to spend for bullpen, bench, etc.

WE WIN!!!!

$160 million payroll in 2012? That really would be the end of the world

Trent Steele wrote:

joe table wrote:

GMAN wrote:I can't see the Phillies paying 2 pitchers in their 30's 15-20 million a year each. It would also require a deal of 4 years or longer and they just don't do it. Sign me up, but I do not see it happening.

Lee's AAV floor is 16.5 (Burnett). Halladay's AAV is probably well north of 20 mil (Johan/CC). We are going to give 9 figures total to two different pitchers now for their mid-30s seasons, even if they are great great pitchers?

Was there some Phils TV network that came about when I wasn't paying attention?

Pay for excellence. Fill around the core.

2012 Pulled Out of Ass

Halladay - 20
Lee - 18
Hamels - 12 (last year of arb)
Drabek - 1
whoever - min.

Ruiz - 3
1B (not Howard) - 12
Utley - 15
Rollins/other SS - 8
Beltre - 10
Taylor/Brown - 1
Werth - 11
Gose/Vic/other OF - 6

$110 million.. $50 million to spend for bullpen, bench, etc.

WE WIN!!!!

I would be fine with a bizarro world in which we locked up both Lee and Roy, just less so trading a 25 year old controllable #1/2 starter for one year of a top ace. You gain maybe 25 runs switching out Cole for Roy in 2010 (for an extra 9 million in salary) at the cost of what, 90 projected runs over replacement for Hamels 2011-12. And then you have to come up with 23+ AAV over 4-5 years to retain the addition

I can get behind Taylor/Happ for Halladay

Woody wrote:$160 million payroll in 2012? That really would be the end of the world

Really? It's like another $15 million.

I wouldn't trade Hamels for Halladay straight up due to salary implications and the like, especially with our current almost brokeness, unless Halladay really wanted to come here and was willing to sign a very reasonable extension. Also trading Hamels for him takes a whole lot of the shine off of it because Joe Blanton is still your number three either way.

jerseyhoya wrote:I wouldn't trade Hamels for Halladay straight up due to salary implications and the like, especially with our current almost brokeness, unless Halladay really wanted to come here and was willing to sign a very reasonable extension. Also trading Hamels for him takes a whole lot of the shine off of it because Joe Blanton is still your number three either way.

i dont think I would either, but I cant deny that i would be really really freaking excited if it happened.

While we're dreaming at the potential 2012 budget, we might as well just trade for Vernon Wells too and add him in.

TenuredVulture wrote:The Hamels thing seems ridiculous. Unless the Phillies have reason to believe Hamels's season wasn't just bad babip, but something else.

It would be exciting, but I prefer the rumored Victorino/Happ/filler for Wright deal to this one.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:It would be exciting, but I prefer the rumored Victorino/Happ/filler for Wright deal to this one.

Mets prefer Kendrick. Deal is close. We might have to give up a 3rd rounder in 2011, though.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:It would be exciting, but I prefer the rumored Victorino/Happ/filler for Wright deal to this one.

I don't think you even need the filler or Happ for that matter.

I'm mentally preparing myself to hate Victorino's ass

Grotewold wrote:I'm mentally preparing myself to hate Victorino's ass

It probably wouldn't be hard considering he's a dumb pineapple chucker