Doogan, I like your thinking because I think going to get a pitcher should be the number one priority for the Phils right now, but tell me I’m crazy that I don’t want Jake Peavy–for several reasons. (For the record, I would love to acquire Roy Oswalt and I would back up the truck for Roy Halladay).
1). He has played his whole career in pitcher-friendly San Diego. He throws a lot of pitches and might struggle outside of that huge park
2). He makes a TON of money and will make even more if he gets traded because he’ll demand his options picked up through 2014, I believe. That goes against everything the Phillies believe in when it comes to pitchers and not giving them more than 3 years.
3). He would cost more than money–he would probably cost a combination of Marson, Carrasco, and Happ, if not all three. Right now, I think that one of the best offseason moves the Phillies have made was NOT trading Happ. He is making the minimum and under team control for 5 years–and, he looks Major League ready, if I’ve ever seen it.
4). And, this is most important and multi-faceted: I am VERY put off by how he is handling this whole thing, and I really struggle believing that this guy is the type of person you want on the mound in October, with the season on the line. Bear with me on this:
- He only wants to play in the National League. He says he loves to hit, but we all know that that is crap. He is a career .181 hitter. It seems obvious that he just doesn’t want to face 9-man lineups. I don’t want my “ace” scared of anything.
- He wants to avoid a “Big Market.” Again, scared of criticism? Do we want another Scott Rolen? I sure don’t.
- He is terrified of a hitter’s park. He even said this about our own Bank: “That new Philadelphia park might be the worst in baseball.” And, he went on to accentuate that statement by ripping one of our own Phillies: “Look at Shane Victorino. I love Vic to death. He’s a great baseball player. He’s got 11 or 12 home runs [already]. He’s not a 20-homer guy.” Now, whether or not you agree with Jake on this or not (I personally don’t), isn’t there something to be said for a guy who doesn’t care about the park and just goes to get guys out? That’s what I want.
- Finally–and trust me, I TOTALLY understand the family thing–don’t you question a guy who has a shot at contending and doesn’t do it to stay with a bad team? I mean what are you playing for, Jake? What kind of professional competitor would veto a trade to a potential World Series team to stay in sunny San Diego and lose 100 games? Jake, you can stay there, for all I care. I hope the weather is nice.
Go ahead, tell me I’m crazy.
All compelling points. You’re not crazy.
I pretty much agree with everything you say, but still not really on the conclusion. There are definitely negatives about Peavy, and he’s probably over-rated, but he’s still a damn good pitcher, and he just turned 28 yesterday. No doubt that Hallady is better, but the Jays haven’t given any indication that he’s available. I’d take Oswalt over Peavy too, but as far as “available starters” go, they look like the clear top 2. Also, Happ wouldn’t be part of any deal, because I think the Phils are pretty much penciling him into the rotation for the rest of the year, even if they trade for another starter. And the Phils have a lot depth as far as minor-league prospects but none of them (Carrasco, Donald, Marson, etc.) are top-flight, sure-thing stars. If Halladay or Oswalt can be had, let’s do it, but if not, Peavy is a nice option. All that being said, given how he’s handled himself the past year, I can’t really blame anyone for not wanting him on their team.