In
most cities across the country, the MLB trade deadline is an event that can be
compared to Ground Hog Day in terms of National Holidays. It’s something that
crosses some people’s minds but for most people is just another day. In
Philadelphia, the fans are 10 year old children and the MLB trade deadline is
Christmas morning. For the last couple years, the big man himself, Ruben Amaro
has given his children brand new toys that the kids haven’t even really asked
for. These “toys” have cost the Phillies a great deal of money and talent but
they have continually made less and less of an impact as the last few years
have played out. So now this deadline was different, no fancy presents were found
under the tree for Philly fans this year.
A
few weeks ago, it seemed like the team might be buyers. A strong surge at the
end of the first half had most people optimistic that this aging team had potential.
The All-Star game happened, and the second half began. A team that supposedly “thrives”
in the second half of the season got off to an abysmal start following the
All-Star break. The team is now 2-9 since the break and has looked worse than….Well
there is not really anything as bad as these last two weeks that you can
compare this Phillies team to. In those 9 losses the team has lost by an average
of 5 runs per game with a run differential of 24-45. Their defensive play has
resembled that of Smalls on his first day at the Sandlot and the team has
produced little to no run support for their lackluster pitching performances. Needless
to say, the idea of the Phillies being buyers quickly diminished and the
thought of being sellers became much more real in Philly. Guys like: Chase Utley, Michael
Young, Jimmy Rollins, Jonathan Papelbon, and Cliff Lee were all rumored to be
on their way out of Philadelphia. Fans’ excitement shifted from the idea of
receiving proven talent that would contribute to the 2013 club to wondering
what young prospects would be sent in a package to help the team in future
years. 
The rumor
with the most substance seemed to have been the Cliff Lee to the Red Sox deal.
The Red Sox have a boat load of young talent that is just on the brim of the
major leagues that would fit nicely in a deal for a top of the rotation star.
Social Media blew up when Jackie Bradley Jr. was pulled from a game early for Pawtucket
suggesting that a deal may have been made. As it turned out, Ruben Amaro sat
on his hands and decided to stay quiet at the deadline this year. It would be interesting
to know what exactly went through Ruben Amaro’s mind in the last week or so.
Did he try to deal Lee or any other players? Was his asking price too high?
Should he have compromised and made a deal that was not quite what he was
looking for? Whatever the case may be, the Red Sox decided that Jake Peavy was
a better route for them to take and the Phillies roster looks exactly as it did
a week ago.
This was an
interesting move by Amaro since his team is now stuck in a funny place. They
have a roster filled with players who were once stars as the organization now
tries to milk whatever talent they have left. The minor league system has been
depleted in trades to get those players who now find themselves nearing the end
of their careers. It is obvious that what the Phillies have tried to pull off
the last two years is not working, yet their GM continues to insist that they
are going to compete in the near future. It will be interesting to see how Amaro handles
the rest of the season as well as the coming off-season as the current team
seems to desperately require drastic changes.