I'm expecting the worse.
- stveshdy

That he signs and the Phills don't want to spend any more money for the holes they'll need to fill next year at third, left and center field, and in the bullpen?

No one is going to give up elite prospects for Hamels without assurance that he intends to sign long term. Texas minor leagues is loaded with prospects.
- PLindbergh31

The Phillies will get a decent return for Hamels. Dodgers and Angels seem to be the two teams willing to give up a lot for him. I guess they figure they have a good chance to resign him since he is from L.A.

The Phillies will get a decent return for Hamels. Dodgers and Angels seem to be the two teams willing to give up a lot for him. I guess they figure they have a good chance to resign him since he is from L.A.
- stveshdy

LA makes sense. We'll see what happens worst case scenario is they keep him and he signs elsewhere as a free agent. That would be a disaster.

That he signs and the Phills don't want to spend any more money for the holes they'll need to fill next year at third, left and center field, and in the bullpen?
- 77rams

I think the Phillies are in the process of getting their own television network and that would allow them to spend whatever they want. Money wont be a problem for the Phillies down the road.

Problem is the Phillies dont have any guys who can hit for average and make contact. They have too many overpaid hitters on the roster.

LA makes sense. We'll see what happens worst case scenario is they keep him and he signs elsewhere as a free agent. That would be a disaster.
- PLindbergh31

Thats not going to happen. The Phillies will either sign Hamels or trade him during the deadline. Theres no chance they let him walk for nothing.

No one is going to give up elite prospects for Hamels without assurance that he intends to sign long term. Texas minor leagues is loaded with prospects.
- PLindbergh31

I think Texas would give up 2 or 3 of their A prospects for Hamels. Especially for a team with a shaky rotation that could win it all if it got a pitcher of Hamels caliber.

Thats not going to happen. The Phillies will either sign Hamels or trade him during the deadline. Theres no chance they let him walk for nothing.
- stveshdy

You would hope so.

You would hope so.
- PLindbergh31

The Phillies arent that stupid like Nashville.

That he signs and the Phills don't want to spend any more money for the holes they'll need to fill next year at third, left and center field, and in the bullpen?
- 77rams

The idea that the Phillies will be strapped for cash is an illusion. They have plenty of money to spend. Obviously they won't get star players in LF, CF and 3B but they can get good ones.

The idea that the Phillies will be strapped for cash is an illusion. They have plenty of money to spend. Obviously they won't get star players in LF, CF and 3B but they can get good ones.
- NickTheKid87

The Phillies should unload whatever they can at the deadline.

No one is going to give up elite prospects for Hamels without assurance that he intends to sign long term. Texas minor leagues is loaded with prospects.
- PLindbergh31

Forget about the Sabathia deal?

The Phillies arent that stupid like Nashville.
- stveshdy

I have never seen a team to be forecast before the season to be so good, be this bad.

I have never seen a team to be forecast before the season to be so good, be this bad.
- PLindbergh31

The Phillies weren't going to get much from Utley and Howard. You look at what they added to what they had already and a lot was riding on their starting pitching and Papelbon.

I have never seen a team to be forecast before the season to be so good, be this bad.
- PLindbergh31

oh, come on.

The idea that the Phillies will be strapped for cash is an illusion. They have plenty of money to spend. Obviously they won't get star players in LF, CF and 3B but they can get good ones.
- NickTheKid87

The Phills ownership group is not willing to go over the luxury tax threshold.

Forget about the Sabathia deal?
- OrangeBlack27

I wonder what Matt LaPorta is doing in Cleveland these days. Perhaps appearances as Drew Carey.

I have never seen a team to be forecast before the season to be so good, be this bad.
- PLindbergh31

who had them forecasted to be so good? Had to see this coming with Howard and Utley not being healthy.

oh, come on.
- OrangeBlack27

I think the Vegas number was 95 wins.... They have been in last place basically all year. Pretty rare.

I wonder what Matt LaPorta is doing in Cleveland these days. Perhaps appearances as Drew Carey.
- PLindbergh31

what's your point? heading into 2008, he was a top-25 prospect according to baseball america and his stock had probably only risen up to the time of the trade as he hit .288/.402/.576 for brewers AA team.

I think Texas would give up 2 or 3 of their A prospects for Hamels. Especially for a team with a shaky rotation that could win it all if it got a pitcher of Hamels caliber.
- NickTheKid87

For a rental with no draft pick compensation? No way.

I think the Vegas number was 95 wins.... They have been in last place basically all year. Pretty rare.
- PLindbergh31

That number seems high considering that their #3 and #4 hitters would be out until the All-Star break.

who had them forecasted to be so good? Had to see this coming with Howard and Utley not being healthy.
- JoeRussomanno

I admit, I overvalued them. I had them fighting for the third spot in the division.

what's your point? heading into 2008, he was a top-25 prospect according to baseball america and his stock had probably only risen up to the time of the trade as he hit .288/.402/.576 for brewers AA team.
- OrangeBlack27

And now he can't crack the 25 man roster for a team that trots out the likes of Jack Hannahan, Casey Kotchman, and Shelly Duncan everyday.

It's what makes, Cleveland, well... Cleveland. Mistake by the Lake.

For a rental with no draft pick compensation? No way.
- bradleyc4

Thats the problem now. No compensation with a draft choice. Makes giving up the farm difficult for teams.

And now he can't crack the 25 man roster for a team that trots out the likes of Jack Hannahan, Casey Kotchman, and Shelly Duncan everyday.

It's what makes, Cleveland, well... Cleveland. Mistake by the Lake.
- PLindbergh31

k. this still has nothing to do with your original point. unless your contention is that milwaukee knew exactly what they were doing and that La Porta would be a bust.