July 29, 1985
Alright. Time to go over the trade targets one more time, with what it would take, most likely:
Long Man / Fifth Starter
- SP - Bert Blyleven (BAL) - Kelly Downs + Jeff Stone/Chris James
- SP - Scott McGregor (CHC) - Woodrow Broussard
- SP - Joe Niekro (HOU) - Mike LaValliere
- SP - Frank Tanana (CLE) - Kelly Downs + Jeff Stone/Chris James
Left-Handed Bench Bat
- C - Terry Kennedy (SD) - Mike Diaz + Jeff Stone/Mike LaValliere
- OF - Thad Bosley (PIT) - Mike LaValliere
- OF - Dave Parker (NYY) - Woodrow Broussard
- OF - Terry Puhl (HOU) - Mike Diaz
- OF - Pete Rose (CIN) - Woodrow Broussard
Of the long man options (though, let’s be honest, I might be OK without one by this point), Niekro makes the most sense, though losing LaValliere for him straight away would be tough. And of the bench bat options, Parker (who is barely getting playing time in New York) is interesting, as is Puhl (.280/.338/.410, 25 XBH, 12 SB). The former is more power than anything, while the latter would provide contact and speed and could spell a slumping Glenn Wilson.
As for Kennedy, I’m not sure if two months of him is worth Diaz and one of Stone or LaValliere. I understand why San Diego wants that kind of haul, but if I’m going to deal multiple prospects, it has to be for a game-changing two-month rental or a long-term piece.
Of course, I run the risk of messing with value heading into 1986. Right now these players are close to major league ready, or are major league ready:
- C - Mike LaValliere
- 2B - Steve Kiefer
- 3B - Rick Schu
- SS - Steve Jeltz
- LF/RF - Jeff Stone
- LF/3B - Chris James
- CF - Randy Salava
And next year, I’m losing just three MLB bench spots. Daulton remains my guy at catcher, while I don’t see a clear future for Schu and at least one of Stone or James in Veterans Stadium. Trading Kennedy for Diaz and, say, Stone, might be a good idea. Or maybe I can get a slightly younger prospect along with Kennedy to make up for losing two prospects?
I call Jesus Gallardo in San Diego and ask him to send me a list of untouchable prospects, but it’s a long list. Sheesh. I don’t think Kennedy is going to happen.
I talk to Houston GM Ron Moeller, and he’s willing to move me Puhl and Niekro for Kelly Downs. That isn’t bad. I keep pitching depth while also getting a lefty hitter. Yes I move on from Downs, but I’d rather have the veteran back there down the stretch, and next season there really isn’t yet room for Downs.
But I don’t know. I think I’d rather just grab a bat, so Diaz for Puhl feels right. Of course, that means Tommy Thompson returns, and someone has to head out. That someone might be Don Carman, just for the month, putting my bullpen back at six. But then I’d let Dick Howser ride the starting rotation. All risk, but I think this is what I’ll do.
Of course, I still have the prospect bottleneck problem heading into 1986, but you know what, I’ll worry about it after October. I have a division to win.
I call Bill Giles. It’s a go.
TRADE
To Houston Astros:
C/1B/LF/RF Mike Diaz
To Philadelphia Phillies:
RF Terry Puhl
Giles loves the move, and the fans are responding well. They know we’re going for it.
- RF Terry Puhl added to MLB Philadelphia
- RP Don Carman demoted to AAA Portland
- C Tommy Thompson promoted to MLB Philadelphia
- RP Rodger Cole demoted to AA Reading
July 30, 1985
Trade news:
Baltimore sends SP Doyle Alexander to the White Sox for 2B Vance Law and prospect John Cangelosi. Chicago is two games back in the AL West.
Cleveland makes two trades. The Indians send prospect Kevin Romine to Boston for CF Karl Pagel, then they ship 2B Tony Bernazard and prospect Milton Harper to Atlanta for LF Brad Komminsk and prospect Mike Nipper. Just to note, Cleveland is 21 games back and has yet to deal Frank Tanana, Rick Sutcliffe, or Mike Caldwell.
Toronto GM Terry Hetzel calls me up and wants Don Carman. He offers a decent prospect in closer Tom Winter. If I was to trade Carman, that wouldn’t be good enough (not that I’m looking to trade him anyway).
Before the next series - three at Pittsburgh - some promotions.
- 1B Pat Adams promoted to AAA Portland
- LF/1B Willie Darkis demoted to AA Reading
- RP Joe Boever promoted to AA Reading
- RP Walter Nesbitt demoted to A Clearwater
- 2B/SS Keith Miller promoted to AA Reading
- 2B Billy Bates promoted to A Clearwater
- 1B Anthony Buglione promoted to A Peninsula
- RF Tom Eccleston promoted to A Spartanburg
- SP Steve Gasser promoted to A Spartanburg
That’ll do it until September callups, of which we’ll have a few.
Game 1985-98: Three Rivers Stadium: Pirates 2, Phillies 1 / 62-36
We’ve stopped hitting. Three hits from Von Hayes, but nobody could get the big one. Mike Schmidt has been cold lately, and is down to .331. And now we’re 2.5 in back of Montreal.
July 31, 1985
Trade deadline day. Houston sends Joe Niekro and prospect Louie Meadows to Oakland for RF Mike Davis. Not sure about this deal between near-last-place teams, but whatever.
More phone calls today: Kansas City would send me RP prospect Mark Walberg for Don Carman, and San Diego would send me LF prospect Joe Lansford for him. No to both. I just don’t feel like giving up Carman now; time to ride with what I have.
As for the game, Steve Carlton is on the hill, while Terry Puhl gets his first start as a Phillie.
Game 1985-99: Three Rivers Stadium: Pirates 3, Phillies 1 / 62-37
Seriously. Five freaking hits in this game. Mike Schmidt continues to struggle. And the Expos win again to make it a 3.5-game gap. We’re losing it now.
Meanwhile in Portland, Curt Young suffers a ruptured tendon and will miss the rest of the season. He can’t seem to get over the hump.
Aug. 1, 1985
Here’s where my guys stand on the National League leaderboards:
Hitters
Batting Average
4. Mike Schmidt - .329
Home Runs
T3. Mike Schmidt - 20
Runs Batted In
1. Mike Schmidt - 86
On-Base Percentage
2. Mike Schmidt - .406
7. Von Hayes - .379
Slugging Percentage
1. Mike Schmidt - .562
5. Von Hayes - .505
WAR
3. Mike Schmidt - 4.4
Hits
1. Von Hayes - 132
Runs
T3. Von Hayes - 68
6. Juan Samuel - 64
7. Mike Schmidt - 63
Doubles
3. Von Hayes - 26
Total Bases
2. Von Hayes - 206
3. Mike Schmidt - 200
Stolen Bases
T2. Juan Samuel - 50
Walks
T5. Darren Daulton - 51
Isolated Power
4. Mike Schmidt - .233
Pitching
Earned Run Average
4. Charles Hudson - 1.79
5. Kevin Gross - 1.87
Wins
T6. John Denny - 11
T6. Kevin Gross - 11
Saves
3. Bill Campbell - 22
T6. Kent Tekulve - 19
Walks / 9 IP
2. Charles Hudson - 1.6
6. Kevin Gross - 1.7
WHIP
3. Kevin Gross - 0.93
5. Charles Hudson - 0.96
Fielding Independent Pitching
6. Charles Hudson - 2.66
Holds
1. Larry Andersen - 9
2. Donnie Moore - 8
As you can see, Mike Schmidt is no longer tops in most offensive categories, as Tim Raines has leaped ahead in more than a few and may just be the MVP favorite now. His teammate Bryn Smith is probably the Cy Young leader at this point. Those Expos, man. Maybe it’s just their year.
Game 1985-100: Three Rivers Stadium - Pirates 6, Phillies 3 / 62-38
Swept in Pittsburgh. Charles Hudson allows three in the seventh (a home run by Russ McGinnis, who had one in his career before this, is the big blow) to give the Pirates the win. Mike Schmidt hits a homer, but oh well. Expos are now up four.
Meanwhile, while traveling to St. Louis, Dave Concepcion’s agent tells me they’d love to talk extension. Read the room, Davey.