PHILLIES WIN UGLY. TAKE SERIES FROM DREADFUL METS.
It wasn’t pretty. But they won. That’s all that matters. Or is it?
The Phillies will make the playoffs. But who wins the division? Atlanta is younger and has a better bullpen. And now I read that both the Phillies and the Braves are looking at the same players for a trade deadline deal.
This will not be an easy trade deadline for Ruben Amaro. Polanco has a bad back. Ibanez, Brown, Mayberry and Francisco have a combined batting average of about .240, with 29 homers and 119 RBIs. Sounds good for one guy, but not four guys.
So they need help in the outfield. They need help in the bullpen. And they may need help at third base.
After spending nearly $170 million, can the Phillies afford the help they need for the playoffs? Maybe this ain’t the year. Or maybe, this is the beginning of the end.
Right now, it not about getting to the playoffs. It’s about getting players other teams want too. Specifically, the Atlanta Braves.
Do your magic Ruben.
