Ryan Howard Article

[DBAHO]

It's an opinion piece nonetheless, but I thought it was definitely still worth posting. If you could trade Jose Contreras for Ryan Howard, would you do it? Hell yeah, in a second I would;

 

Ever since they ducked under that mid-1990’s rebuilding cover, the Phillies have held out the unspoken promise that, soon, their farm system would develop superstars. They produced one: Scott Rolen. The rest? Nothing that would have the curators at Cooperstown scrambling for wall space. Randy Wolf was an All-Star ..once. Brett Myers had All-Star consideration. It is a big event now when Pat Burrell hits his 30th home run. Chase Utley may be on his way to a Rolen-like career, but it is still early. Jimmy Rollins? A star, not a superstar.

 

Then, there is Ryan Howard.

 

With his all-fields clout and his big-play ability, the rookie first baseman well may be the first dependable left-handed power hitter developed by the Phillies since Chuck Klein. Then again, he could tumble into a sophomore slump and be just another good-to-excellent pro. That, then, is the caution flag the Phillies must run under during their next offseason. Do they dare trade Howard, a growing fan favorite, for the No. 1, Cy Young-candidate pitcher they have lacked since the departure of Curt Schilling?

 

The answer is tucked in their own past performances, and decoded, it reads like this: As long as Jim Thome returns healthy (and only when they are convinced of that), the Phillies have no choice but to exchange Howard for a dependable starting pitcher to fit atop Myers, Jon Lieber, Cory Lidle and Wolf next season.

 

There are two ways to maximize homegrown talent -- on the field, and in wise trade. Since his worth is never likely to be higher (he already is closer to 30 than he is to 20 years old), Ryan Howard’s best value to the Phillies is where it has been for two years -- as a gift certificate for the pitching superstar the organization has been unable to develop on its own.

 

- While it would be a struggle to interpret the Phillies’ scheduled stretch run as a positive, what with 12 of the final 15 games on the road, there is always this slant: The final nine games will be against Cincinnati, the Mets and Washington -- three teams that literally could be eliminated by the time they meet the Phillies.

 

No matter what happens, then, on the current travel stops in Florida and Atlanta, the Phillies should remain motivated ..as they have, to their credit, throughout this odd season.

 

"I think it’s the fact that we just stay after it," Charlie Manuel said. "We don’t give in. We fight. And we talk about it a lot. I think a lot of it comes from having fun playing the game. You don’t think about losing the game. Everything is about doing things to win and trying to find ways to win."

[sayitaintso]

I would do it, but the Phils wouldn't.

[farmteam]

I brought this guys name up at the end of last season, and I think the response was maybe, but not for what it would take. Oh, and that there was no spot on the roster.

 

And oh, Contreras for Howard? Hmm. Depends how much of the contract they would take. I'd rather deal less for Overbay (or the same amount, since he's proven himself fairly well, whereas Howard could go into a sophomore slump).

[Punch and Judy Garland]

Maybe if Howard hadn't come up and mashed they'd think about it. Best case now is Garland for Howard and I'd probably not do that. Howard is arguably the 05 Rookie of the Year and may have forced Jim thome out of Philly.

[winninguglyin83]

Can't see Philly making that trade for Contreras.

 

doubt they would do it for Garland either, since he is one year from free agency.

 

My prediction is either Dye or Overbay will be at first base for the Sox next season.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

I see what you are saying about Garland but he's a sinker guy in that park. Plus, Philly will have a lot of Billy Wagner dollars to spend and they are a team that will spend anyways. Given the new climate of not letting guys get to free agency, I think Garland would be a very attractive option-depending on whether Ed Wade is still there. That said, I would be reluctant for us to do it even though Howard is the type of guy this team needs.

[Felix]

Overbay (or the same amount, since he's proven himself fairly well, whereas Howard could go into a sophomore slump).

I dont see how Overbay has proven himself. He has played 2 complete seasons (including this one), and his numbers fell off alot compared to last years. Overbay isnt that good a player, and his ~70 RBI's wont get the job done at first base for the Sox. The fact that even in his career year (2004) he didnt break the 90 RBI mark is scary.

Edited September 17, 2005 by Felix

[DBAHO]

I dont see how Overbay has proven himself.  He has played 2 complete seasons (including this one), and his numbers fell off alot compared to last years.  Overbay isnt that good a player, and his ~70 RBI's wont get the job done at first base for the Sox.  The fact that even in his career year (2004) he didnt break the 90 RBI mark is scary.

Which is why I've said Chad Tracy is a better option all along. He's younger, can play more positions, and pretty much has the same stats as Lyle in only is 2nd full season in the majors.

[DBAHO]

Maybe if Howard hadn't come up and mashed they'd think about it. Best case now is Garland for Howard and I'd probably not do that. Howard is arguably the 05 Rookie of the Year and may have forced Jim thome out of Philly.

And I can definitely see Thome being moved as well. I posted about him as a DH option about a month ago, with a fairly lukewarm response. But if his back held up, plus he wouldn't have to field, with Philly paying half of his salary, it's certainly quite an appealing option. I've got a sinking feeling, Terry Ryan is going to make a move there with him though.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

How much will the Phillies eat on the contract? that's the question when it concerns whether or not he come sto the Twins or the Sox or anywhere at all

[DBAHO]

How much will the Phillies eat on the contract? that's the question when it concerns whether or not he come sto the Twins or the Sox or anywhere at all

IIRC, I've heard up to half of the deal, so in essence the team who gets him would only have to pay about $7 or 8M.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

$8 million a year is worth the risk on his back in my opinion. However, you have to feel that if they are going to eat that much then they will demand premium talent in return.

[Felix]

Which is why I've said Chad Tracy is a better option all along. He's younger, can play more positions, and pretty much has the same stats as Lyle in only is 2nd full season in the majors.

I'd rather Konerko.

[3E8]

Contreras for Howard wouldn't even work on XBox.