[11/29/2005 Update: It's come to my attention that many people land on this post searching for "Phillies trade rumors". If that is indeed what brought you hear, you may find more information by clicking here]
Jayson Stark reports:
The Phillies have been talking to Tampa Bay about [Denys] Baez since spring training, but they didn't seem like much of a match after their trade for Ugueth Urbina. Now, however, the Phillies are believed to have targeted Baez as a guy who could set up for Billy Wagner this year and then take over as closer, for half the money, next year. Baez's arrival also could give them more freedom to deal either Urbina or Wagner for an impact starter. But these two teams have had trouble closing deals in the past, so attempts by Tampa Bay to get either Ryan Howard or pitching phenom Cole Hamels would end the discussion. One possibility, though, could be Ryan Madson -- who has a 2.53 career ERA in relief but could fit as a starter with the Devil Rays.
I'm not sure how I feel about Madson being traded...If Hamels and Floyd continue to get sidetracked in the minors, Madson may be the Phillies only young/cheap/good candidate for the rotation. But I do like that there is a little bit of creative thinking on the part of the front office rather than the usual "we'll give you two B-grade prospects for your C-grade reliever". Stark also reports on the Phloggers favorite trade bait, Billy Wagner:
There still is very little likelihood of Wagner leaving Philadelphia. But the Phillies have been so aggressive lately -- and thrown out so many names in so many scenarios -- it no longer seems impossible. It's now clear they at least dangled Wagner's name in possible three-team deals that could have brought back Burnett. And a baseball man who has spoken with the Marlins says the Phillies even tried to get Florida interested in a Wagner-for-Juan Pierre package. The Marlins, of course, have no plans to trade Pierre anywhere -- let alone inside the division. But if Wagner's name won't die, it's an indication of how driven the Phillies have been to do something bigger and more creative than they've been known for this time of year.
