Pence to Phillies, Asomugha to Eagles..

[Jason Moyer]

The Phillies don't need a cautionary tale; we've already had Ed Wade as GM for several years.

[phightin]

Originally Posted by MadBum

This is the point I was trying to make. Their farm system already had a dearth of talent, and with these trades the cupboard is bare. There's also problems with how they handle their little young talent; what the hell are they doing with Brown? Do they not realize how bad Ibanez is? You put your best players on the field, handedness is when there's that much separation between two players.

As for the overwhelming favorite in the NL, I don't think you can say that when the reigning champ just took 2 out of 3 in your yard

I should say that I absolutely love Pence, and am sad that he plays for our biggest rival (in terms of NL competition) now. Wish he was spending his days in Houston or in the AL. Also, the Desastros just keeping getting worse on the ML level; it's sad. That should be a cautionary tale for the Phils; you guys are looking great right now, but you have a core that's aging quickly and the Ryan Howard contract is a terrible one. This quote kinda sums up my thoughts, although I disagree with some:

Like I said before the core that the phillies have and what they have accomplished so far plus what they have probably left to accomplish is in a completely different class from the past astros team in the 2000s. Yes, they have a peaking core and there will eventually be a rebuilding period when they will most likely not be that great. But it's gladly worth another 3-4 years with chances at a series. Hell one more world series over the next few years is worth a few of rebuilding hands down. This is real life not OOTP, you only live so long and can't sim 40+ years in a matter of days.

As far as what they are doing and the team, especially the Howard contract, you have to understand how the phillies work and operate. They will always do what's best for them in terms of making a profit and then hopefully winning, if they can do both great. The Howard contract long term may be a problem, but they knew if they let him go the uproar and protest it would draw amongst their fans would hurt attendance and local popularity. They want to keep being at the top of the league in attendance and popularity, world series or not, the management is loving what they have right now in terms of $$$$$. That's what it comes down to plain and simple. Howard will be worth what he's getting for the next 3 or 4 years when they still have a chance, after that they can deal with it when they're "rebuilding". Again, if they win another world series over the next few years well worth it.

[Biggio509]

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

The Phillies don't need a cautionary tale; we've already had Ed Wade as GM for several years.

Don't you still? What is the real difference between Amaro and Wade other than success? Wade is doing exactly the job he was hired to do in Houston. He is not a win now GM but the guy knows how to build the farm and he put Phillie where it is today.

[Biggio509]

Originally Posted by phightin

Like I said before the core that the phillies have and what they have accomplished so far plus what they have probably left to accomplish is in a completely different class from the past astros team in the 2000s. Yes, they have a peaking core and there will eventually be a rebuilding period when they will most likely not be that great. But it's gladly worth another 3-4 years with chances at a series. Hell one more world series over the next few years is worth a few of rebuilding hands down. This is real life not OOTP, you only live so long and can't sim 40+ years in a matter of days.

Perhaps not but Phillie is not the Yankees or Boston. You can't sustain that payroll for long. It is going to be hard to watch when the rebuilding happens and you have nothing in your minors to rebuild with. That is when it gets tough when you need a LF and have no one in the minors but can't get a type A or B free agent because you have to rebuild the farm. I am not sure you have 3 to 4 more chances at a series. You can't sustain 176 million in payroll for long. Phillie has never been a top 3 payroll kind of town and this year you are spending more than Red Sox, IIRC. A fire sale in the next 2 years would not surprise me and it might be the only thing that gets Phillie off the track the Astros were on last decade.

[phightin]

Originally Posted by Biggio509

Perhaps not but Phillie is not the Yankees or Boston. You can't sustain that payroll for long. It is going to be hard to watch when the rebuilding happens and you have nothing in your minors to rebuild with. That is when it gets tough when you need a LF and have no one in the minors but can't get a type A or B free agent because you have to rebuild the farm. I am not sure you have 3 to 4 more chances at a series. You can't sustain 176 million in payroll for long. Phillie has never been a top 3 payroll kind of town and this year you are spending more than Red Sox, IIRC. A fire sale in the next 2 years would not surprise me and it might be the only thing that gets Phillie off the track the Astros were on last decade.

That's exactly what i've been trying to relay to you because you have a misguided perception of the type of franchise they have become. If you're outside the area it may be hard to realize but the phillies are absolutely a top 3 or 4 type of payroll franchise now based on what they now have with their marketability and revenue. Maybe if they start to tank their popularity will drop etc, but I honestly do not see that happening right away. Outside of that with the talent they have I do not see that happening anyway. You make it seem like they are going to go from one of the top 3 or 4 teams in baseball to crap overnight, like there's going to be some sort of catastrophic meltdown. It won't happen, they're too talented, different class than the astros and many other teams. Sure they may decline and start to slide eventually but it will most likely be gradual. I would guarantee there are about 25 franchises in the MLB that would love to be in their position right now.

[Jason Moyer]

The credit for the Phillies strong drafting and player development, both before and after Ed Wade, should and does go to Mike Arbuckle. He's also the man who, in an ideal world, would be the Phils current GM rather than Amaro.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Phillies_WFC_2008

Well it appears they Eagles are taking a step in the right direction...finally.

Finally, I guess they got a little envious of the team across the street and decided to go for it. Unfortunately I have no faith that Andy Reid will be able to get the job done when it counts. Running the football and ball control is essential late in the season and in the playoffs, especially against the great teams. I've seen the Eagles lose too many playoff games to inferior teams because of Reid's refusal to run the ball to have any faith whatsoever in him. But you know, us Philly guys don't know how good we have it, and any team would love to have Andy Reid, and we'll be awful when he's gone, and we'll........hmmmmm this sounds a little familiar....... wasn't there another guy.......#5........big cry baby....... can't remember his name....

[Phillies_WFC_2008]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Finally, I guess they got a little envious of the team across the street and decided to go for it. Unfortunately I have no faith that Andy Reid will be able to get the job done when it counts. Running the football and ball control is essential late in the season and in the playoffs, especially against the great teams. I've seen the Eagles lose too many playoff games to inferior teams because of Reid's refusal to run the ball to have any faith whatsoever in him. But you know, us Philly guys don't know how good we have it, and any team would love to have Andy Reid, and we'll be awful when he's gone, and we'll........hmmmmm this sounds a little familiar....... wasn't there another guy.......#5........big cry baby....... can't remember his name....

Yea, I think the Eagles front office has seen the way everyone has taken to the Phillies and do not want to play second fiddle to them (although I always have been more into baseball than football). But anyway, I hope Andy Reid realizes the potential he has in that backfield with McCoy and now Ronnie Brown. They have-HAVE to utilize the running game more. I know Reid's philosophy has always been that the screen pass is just the same as a running play but since Vick has been the QB they don't seem to do the screens as much anymore. So bottom line is they must run more. I imagine there is going be some interesting formations and "trick" plays coming up this season though, should be interesting.

As for, whats his name?...number 5, I always liked him and thought he was an excellent quarterback, but I just never saw the fire in him that it takes to be a champion. I hope he does well with the Vikings this year. But the grounds crew better have a good carpet steamer for when he pukes on the 5 yard line, which is inevitable.

[Phillies_WFC_2008]

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

The Phillies don't need a cautionary tale; we've already had Ed Wade as GM for several years.

I somehow think he may still be on the Phillies payroll.