Can the Phillies Afford Halladay?

13 07 2009

By Mike Gill

Can the Phillies afford Roy Halladay?

Can the Phillies afford Roy Halladay?

So you want the Phillies to trade for Roy “Doc” Halladay?  Well according to Randy Miller from the Bucks County Courier Post the Phillies will not pull the trigger on this deal and the reason might be money. 

Miller thinks that even though the Phillies are selling out the stadium (37 times in 2009) pretty much every night and are in first place and selling plenty of merchandise, they still may not have the go-ahead from the powers that be to make a trade of that magnitude.

The question I have is, how can this be an acceptable answer?  The Phillies are selling out, Brett Myers salary is coming off the books and and yet they still cant afford to bring in Halladay?

Take a listen to what Randy Miller has to say on this topic and some others on the Phillies at the All-Star break.

Click here to listen to Randy Miller on 97.3 ESPN FM talk about Roy Halladay and the Phillies.





76ers: New Trade Rumor!

13 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Earlier this week, I had speculated that the New York Knicks would turn their attention to free agent pg Andre 44599190Miller after missing out on both Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. Today, there are reports that the two clubs may be working on a sign and trade that would involve Knicks starting pg Chris Duhon. Duhon is a 6-1 6th year player out of Duke. He began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. Last season, his first in New York, Duhon averaged 7.2 assists per game and shot .391 from 3-point range. He had a spectacular start to the season but fizzled out as the year progressed. Both teams are currently denying the reports.

Update: Either there’s nothing to this rumor or a lot of people are lying to Phil Jasner and the Philadelphia Daily News. A Knicks source has said the team hasn’t had any contact with Miller or his agent and have not offered Duhon in any trade scenario with the 76ers. Andre Miller’s agent, Andy Miller, says “there is nothing to report.” And Duhon’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, says “It’s not true. I have not had any conversations with Philly in regards to this rumor.”





Vegas Speaks: Eagles Are NFC Favorites

11 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Vegas odds makers have released the betting lines for the upcoming Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles are philadelphia-eagles-logo8.5 to 1 to win it all. That slightly bests the NY Giants, who come in at 9 to 1. Though the Eagles are the NFC favorites, the bookmakers apparently feel that the three strongest teams this year are in the NFC. The New England Patriots, with returning superstar Tom Brady, are the favorites to win it all at 4 to 1. The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers come in at 6 to 1. Last but not least, the San Diego Chargers have been given 8 to 1 odds to win this year’s title.





Zo Talks Pedro, Halladay and More

11 07 2009

By Mike Gill,

Can Pedro help the Phillies?

Can Pedro help the Phillies?

When the news spread like wild-fire about Pedro Martinez heading to Philadelphia, most of those reports were coming from former Philadelphia Inquirer Phillies beat writer, and current mlb.com reporter Todd Zolecki. 

So is Pedro coming to Philly?  When is he coming? How much is he going to get paid? Does this mean the Phillies are ready to trade J.A. Happ to get Roy Halladay?  If the Phillies get Halladay, does that mean the Vernon Wells must be a part of the deal?

We asked all those questions and more in our conversation with Todd Zolecki from mlb.com which you can listen to if you click below.

Play Todd Zolecki Interview





Quick Phils Notes – 7/10/09

10 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

-Chris Coste was waived in order to make room on the active roster for the return of Raul Ibanez. He was instantly claimed by the Houston Astros. Ibanez will not be in tonight’s lineup.
-Todd Zolecki of MLB.com does not believe that a deal between the Phillies and Blue Jays would have to include Vernon Wells.
-Buster Olney is reporting that the Phils are still interested in acquiring two starters. Makes sense if the Pedro Martinez signing is consummated. Acquiring the second starter would almost certainly mean that one of the current starters would be dealt. J.A. Happ is the only one I can envision being moved.





Andre Miller To Knicks?

10 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Apparently plan A for the New York Knicks was Jason Kidd. The team offered him 3 years at $18 million. Kidd andre-millerre-signed with Dallas. Plan B for the New York Knicks, Grant Hill. The team had reportedly offered Hill a one-year, $5 million contract or a three year deal at $10 million. The Phoenix Suns then increased their offer to Hill and, according to Yahoo! Sports, Hill is set to re-sign with the the team. Plan C, perhaps Andre Miller.

Miller would offer a significant upgrade for the Knicks at the pg position. He could, conceivably, be offered the same type of deal that Kidd was. Some have speculated that Miller may accept the mid-level exception from the team but that is unlikely, considering he has a better (though just slightly) offer on the table to return to the 76ers. Miller has also been linked to the Portland Trailblazers, but they are reportedly in trade talks that would bring Chicago Bulls pg Kirk Hinrich to the team.





Breaking News: New Pedro Report Translated

9 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Little did I know, when I woke up this morning, that the majority of my day would consist of translating Dominican newspaper reports from Spanish to English.  A second report has now surfaced from candeladeportiva.com, here is the loose Spanish to English translation…

The news of the signing of Pedro Martinez with the Philadelphia Phillies has been confirmed with the information we received of the pitcher heading towards the city of Philadelphia to undergo physical examinations. Read the rest of this entry »





Breaking News: Pedro Martinez Signs With Phillies According To Dominican Report

9 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

A report from candeladeportiva.com says Pedro Martinez has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for the remainder of the 2009 campaign, here is a loose translation of the report, which is written in Spanish…

Dominican Pedro Martinez has finished reaching an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies for $4 million dollars for the remainder of the (2009) campaign. According to a report from www.CandelaDeportiva.com, a source of whole credit, Pedro closed the pact this afternoon and it will not begin until after the All-Star game break. Several days ago, the Phillies observed Martinez. Read the rest of this entry »





Phillies: The Race For Roy

7 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Yesterday, I mused about the possibility of the Philadelphia Phillies acquiring Roy Halladay. Today, the dream seems a Rangers Jays Baseball 20081704bit closer to reality. Here are the most recent comments from Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, “We have to see what’s out there. I’m not saying we’re going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We’re (leaning) more toward listening than we’ve ever been.” Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports believes these recent comments are a clear indication that the Roy Halladay sweepstakes have begun.  Says Rosenthal, “Once this process starts, it’s almost impossible to stop. Rest assured, the Jays are assembling prospect lists and preparing to assign their scouts to investigate rival farm systems. Halladay is a goner. It’s just a matter of when and where.”

Early rumblings have the Phillies and Brewers being the favorites in the race for Roy.  Both teams have made no secret of their desire for a front line pitcher.  Both have top level prospects.  Most significantly for the Jays, both are in the National League.

UPDATE:  Jon Heyman of SI.com has chimed in on “The Race For Roy,” twitting that if Halladay is really available, he believes the Yankees and Phils would be the frontrunners, followed by the Angels.





Not Desperate Enough For Dalembert

7 07 2009

by Michael DeLuca

The Houston Rockets are a sinking ship. Yao Ming is sidelined for the foreseeable future and perhaps his entire Samuel_Dalembertcareer. Tracy McGrady is unlikely to join the team until January following knee surgery. Ron Artest hopped on a life raft and headed for Los Angeles. One would say desperate times call for desperate measures. The Rockets, however, are apparently not desperate enough to take on disgruntled Philadelphia 76er Samuel Dalembert. Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski contacted the Rockets to measure their interest in acquiring the 6′11 Guru of Goaltend. Not a player was mentioned for exchange, no proposal on the table, yet Houston’s simple response…no Sammy D. for us.