Wedge

at least someone got it!

You're right, it doesn't. However, the circumstances seem to suggest that Benson is one of those cases where it will happen (at least in the eyes of some GMs). They see a guy who has really great stuff who is finally starting to put it together these past few months sort of like Schmidt did all those years ago. Hell, he even came from the same system as Schmidt. I see a lot of good in Benson, and I think he'll be great for whatever contender picks him up. Also, I agree about Floyd, he just doesn't do it for me. No thanks.

Well, it'd be nice if we could beat the bad teams at least... but at this point, that isn't gaurunteed.

Yup! Jason Schmidt is right. I think a number of GMs feel he could turn into another Schmidt.

Let's play "name that pitcher" Season TM G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO W L SV HLD BLSV ERA 1995 Atl 9 2 0 0 25.0 27 17 16 2 18 19 2 2 0 0 1 5.76 1996 Atl 13 11 0 0 58.2 69 48 44 8 32 48 3 4 0 0 -- 6.75 1996 Pit 6 6 1 0 37.2 39 19 17 2 21 26 2 2 0 0 -- 4.06 1996 -- 19 17 1 0 96.1 108 67 61 10 53 74 5 6 0 0 -- 5.70 1997 Pit 32 32 2 0 187.2 193 106 96 16 76 136 10 9 0 0 -- 4.60 1998 Pit 33 33 0 0 214.1 228 106 97 24 71 158 11 14 0 0 -- 4.07 1999 Pit 33 33 2 0 212.2 219 110 99 24 85 148 13 11 0 0 -- 4.19 2000 Pit 11 11 0 0 63.1 71 43 38 6 41 51 2 5 0 0 -- 5.40 2001 Pit 14 14 1 0 84.0 81 46 43 11 28 77 6 6 0 0 -- 4.61 Looks terrible, right? Now let's see how this mystery man has done since being traded from Pit, 2001 MYSTERY 11 11 0 0 66.1 57 29 25 2 33 65 7 1 0 0 -- 3.39 2001 -- 25 25 1 0 150.1 138 75 68 13 61 142 13 7 0 0 -- 4.07 2002 MYSTERY 29 29 2 2 185.1 148 78 71 15 73 196 13 8 0 0 -- 3.45 2003 MYSTERY 29 29 5 3 207.2 152 56 54 14 46 208 17 5 0 0 -- 2.34 2004 MYSTERY 20 20 2 2 143.2 95 47 44 12 52 154 13 3 0 0 -- 2.76 Total -- 240 231 15 7 1486.1 1379 705 644 136 576 1286 99 70 0 0 1 3.90 When you name that pitcher, you get your answer why teams want Benson. They think he can be the next _________

oh yeah. that one shows up from time to time, too!

I disagree with that comparison. He's got a lot better potential than Ritchie, at least. It's also important to remember that he was a pretty highly-rated prospect who had to have major arm surgery. If you look at when the typical 18 month recover window ended, and the string of nice starts he has put together (since early June, I want to say), it makes me wonder if he is starting to come into his own. Is he a true Ace pitcher? Not right now. Is he better than Garland? I definitely think so. What was everybody's opinion of Josh Beckett before last season? Aside from his second half run last year, he's had a pretty up-and-down injury-laced career, just like Benson. Great, dominating stuff, but the it never showed up in the numbers. Benson's been pitching great for about two months straight now, and he definitely could put a contender over the top and perhaps carry a pseudo-contender deep into the play-offs like Beckett did.

Schoeneweis's contract is up, I believe after this season.

That all may be true, but I feel at the least that Sweeney can be a more valuable chip to us later, if we give him time.

I don't like this deal. I think we can get something better than Cliff Floyd for Sweeney.

I feel the same way.

he's got a cheap buy out, though. 500k, I think.

optimism?

so anyways, what moves would you guys make?

I'm here for the gang ba-- group hug.

the shot of Wanny is freakin' hilarious...

I think that we do need some changes. We've had the same core for a few years now and it hasn't worked. I think the obvious goners are: Jackson Loaiza Schoeneweis Sandy Alomar Jr. I think the possible goners are: Valentin Maggs (depending on health and contract) Wunsch? Gload? I think Diaz and Alvarez get called up. I think kw looks for a SS that can lead-off. He also looks for a good defensive corner outfielder that has a high OBP and for a catcher.

anyone starting to think we ripped off the Marlins by getting Alvarez for Koch?

Do you get the impression that Ozzie is fed up with Esteban? I do for some reason. When he talks about if these guys can't win that they won't be back next year, I feel like he's indicting Loaiza.

Seriously. Felix Diaz can't do any worse than ELo...

Other than "Billy Koch Sucks" I'd bet that the Phillies rainout has the most Topics posted out of anything this season. I'd go so far as to say that there are more Phillies rainout threads than Jeckle recommendations to fire Ozzie

and we're s***ty again

A hit and run without the hit always looks horrible. I'm madder at Carlos for not getting Willie home.

Alright guys, let's make something happen.

exactly, defense should never slump. An occasional error is fine... but this has been ridiculously horrible lately.