Peavy to the Phils?
By Mike Gill
Rumors are starting to circulate around town that the Phillies could be interested in getting Jake Peavy from the Padres, while the Sixers might be ready to send Elton Brand packing to the Chicago Bulls.
There are a couple of things to determine here, first on the Peavy front.
1. Peavy does not want to pitch in Philadelphia, from what I know, he is not willing to come to Philly.
2. Are the Phillies willing to move young pitchers like Carlos Carrasco, JA Happ, Kyle Drabeck or Joe Savery?
Brand back to the Bulls?
On the Brand front:
1. Is Brand done, or should the Sixers hire a coach who will work around his talents?
2. Is the packaged rumor enough…Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich for Brand?
Personally, I think both deals are not anywhere close to happening. But if I had to choose one or the other I would take Peavy and I would deal Carrasco to get him. I think its imperative for the Phillies to continue to build on their popularity to try and become a team that is remembered forever as potential back-to-back world series champions.
As for Brand, right now I think its more important to find a coach and see if he wants to keep Brand around. I think Sixer fans need to give Brand another chance and try to trade Iguodala and get a real two-guard back in return.
Peavy
1) Everybody keeps making this stink about how Peavy’s interested in comfort and family. It’s BS, he’s looking out for his next contract since this is the last year on his deal. He was wants to stay in the NL because there’s no DH and he wants to stay in S.D. because it’s the best pitchers park. I’ll bet you, come this offseason, he’ll play for the Texas Rangers in their homer heaven if it pays $30 million a year!
2) I’d do the Carrasco and Happ deal. Drabek’s the only one I wouldn’t be willing to part with.
Brand
1) Brand isn’t done but hiring a coach to fit his needs when the rest of the team is built differently doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
2) Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich would be more than enough for Brand. Thomas doesn’t turn 23 until August, there’s still a ton of untapped potential there. His contract expires after this season. The good part of Hinrich is that his contract was front loaded, so the money decreases each year.