Phils' assistant GM Mike Arbuckle speaks with beat writer Scott Lauber about trade strategy:
"It's very difficult because you certainly don't want to let a window of opportunity pass you by," Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said. "But, by the same token, you say, "How much do we mortgage our future?' I think, realistically, next year this is still going to be a good club. It's not like we're going to say it's all or nothing. It's a tough call."
He's right, it is a tough call. Normally, being cautious about mortgaging the future is a prudent decision. However, the more I think about it, the more I wonder how wide open the proverbial "window of opportunity" that Arbuckle alludes to really is for this Phillies team.
There are absolutely no guarantees that Pat Burrell and Brad Lidge will be in Philadelphia next year and I don't think it is rash to say that while they are still very, very good players to have on your roster, the best days of Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are likely in the rear view mirror and not around the bend. Some might even say the same about Chase Utley.
Typically, discretion is the better part of valor, but when it comes to the 2008 Phillies, it might be better to be a little aggressive in July when working the phones.
