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The Philadelphia Phillies, in the thick of the hotly contested NL East race, made a major move to bolster their bullpen on Wednesday when they acquired veteran right-hander Ugueth Urbina in a three-player trade with the Detroit Tigers.
The Phillies also received infielder Ramon Martinez in the deal, with veteran Placido Polanco going to Detroit.
In my opinion, this is a good trade for the Phillies to make and the timing could not be better because Urbina is a proven closer, and should fill the role of set-up man quite nicely. Coincidentally, earlier today, I wrote:
...I am really beginning to get concerned about the Phillies bullpen. Billy Wagner and Ryan Madson appear in nearly every game. Something in the bullpen has to change or these two will be burn out like fairways at a local muni in late-July.
Bill Conlin, appearing on Comcast's Daily News Live (bearded, wearing a ballcap and a Hawaiian shirt, he looked like an aged and spherically distorted Magnum P.I.) correctly pointed out that on occasions when Billy Wagner is not available, Urbina can close out the games, and in occasions when Wags is available he can become a primary set-up man. In other words, very similar to the role of Tim Worrell, except, Urbina is much better than Tim Worrell ever was.
For those that say Polanco was too valuable to trade away, I would counter, which would you rather have, a very good super-utility position player, or, an additional proven reliever for the bullpen?
Going forward, I believe the Phillies would be well-served to use Wagner in the closer spot (obviously), Urbina as a set-up man versus righthanded batters in the eighth inning (unless Wagner is not available, then Urbina would move to closer), Aaron Fultz against lefthanded batters in the eighth inning, Ryan Madson to face righthanded batters in the seventh inning and Rheal Cormier versus lefties in the seventh, and Geoff Geary, Amaury Telemaco, et al for the sixth inning.
Good trade Ed, good trade. High-five.
