by Michael DeLuca
Bill Conlin of the Philadelphia Daily News made a strong argument in his Friday article for Phillies GM Ruben Amaro to declare Reading prospect Michael Taylor off limits in trade talks. Says Conlin, “Just build a moat around Michael Taylor. Put him off-limits. Declare him a future Philly landmark. Buy him a size XXX-long
T-shirt that reads “Untouchable” in front and “Off Limits” in back.”
Taylor is an Eastern League MVP candidate, currently batting .333 with 10 home-runs, 10 stolen bases, and 42 RBI’s. Conlin describes Taylor as “a rare heavyweight five-tooler, a baseball Lennox Lewis.”
PCPTAKE: I like Taylor a lot, but I’d also like a big arm. No, not a Jason Marquis, Brad Penny, or Roy Oswalt (and please don’t argue that Oswalt’s a big arm, he just isn’t anymore). I’m thinking more along the lines of a Dan Haren, Matt Cain, or Aaron Harang. The Phils have some OF depth in the minors, including Dominic Brown and Zach Collier, so if Taylor needed to be a part of a package that could bring us an elite arm, I’d have to pull the trigger.
I’d agree with you on Dan Haren or Matt Cain but not Aaron Harang. I like Harang but not in same category as Haren. Taylor looks great, although the one time I saw him live he pulled an 0-4. I’d be happy to give up Mayberry
Definitely not the same category, but more easily attainable. I like Harang because unlike most of the other pitchers discussed, he’s already shown he can thrive in a notoriously poor pitcher’s park. In addition, the Phillies need a guy who can eat innings and few are better at that than Harang. He has 13 career complete games, 2 this season. You’re getting at least seven out of him each turn, which is vitally important when you’ve got guys like Moyer, Happ, and Bastardo in your rotation (obviously one would be out, If Harang were in).
I agree with that. They desperately need innings