Tag Archive for 'Carlos Carrasco'

Roy Halladay and Javier Vazquez Scuttlebutt

Roy Halladay

With word circulating that Toronto ace Roy Halladay is potentially on the table, the Phillies are of course put at the top of the list of potential suitors.

ESPN’s Buster Olney:

Right now, the team most aggressively searching for a frontline starting pitcher is the Philadelphia Phillies, who no doubt would covet Halladay for their particular park for his ability to generate ground balls and missed swings — he has a ground ball/fly ball ratio of 1.30, to go along 98 strikeouts in 116 innings this season. The question about the Phillies — as it is with most teams these days, when the value of young players has never been higher — is whether they would be willing to give up what the Jays would require in trade.

It’d take a shitload of prospects to land this whale, but wouldn’t you take another World Series win in 2009 for potentially lean years three or four seasons down the line? Halladay is an ace’s ace. A guy who can simply carry a squad for months at a time. We can all dream of what Kyle Drabek, Dominic Brown, Michael Taylor, and Carlos Carrasco will look like in a Phils uniform, but the fact is we dreamt the same thing about Pat Combs, Ron Jones, Marlon Byrd, and Brad Brink once too.

Take the World Series this year, and potentially the next season as well (Halladay is signed through 2010), and worry about restocking the farm in the interim.

Javier Vazquez

I raised the question two days ago whether the Braves would entertain trading starter Javier Vazquez to a division rival, if at all. FOX’s Ken Rosenthal may have answered that question today:

There is no hitter on the market who would represent fair value for Vazquez — not A’s left fielder Matt Holliday, who is underperforming as a potential free agent; not Brewers right fielder Corey Hart, whose on-base percentage since the start of the 2008 season is .307. There will, however, be plenty of hitters available at bargain prices this off-season.

As much as I like Vazquez, his post-season track record, in a word, blows. If the Braves decide they’re out of it, and aren’t enamored with extending Vazquez beyond 2010, a package of Lou Marson, Kyle Kendrick, and Carlos Carrasco may do the trick. But after reading how much Javy likes Atlanta and Bobby Cox, any sort of deal for him seems like quite the longshot.

Published
by
Jared
on July 7, 2009
in Phillies and Phillies Prospects
. 0 Comments

Could the Phils acquire Javier Vazquez?

With rumors of the Phils being interested in Chien-Ming Wang (and actually making an offer to the Yankees for him) probably dead in the water after he left today’s game with shoulder issues, what are the chances, if any, that the Braves would deal starter Javier Vazquez to their heated division rival?

The Bravos are getting to the point where they have decide whether they’re buyers, sellers, or stand-patters (is that a word?). Players who a year ago were thought to be cornerstones, like Yunel Escobar and Jeff Franceour, are said to be available, as well as the recently acquired Vazquez. They made a move earlier this season when they acquired outfielder Nate McLouth from the Pirates, but haven’t made tremendous progress since he came on board.

With young starters Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson looking like building blocks for the next decade, the Braves might not be opposed to sending the soon-to-be 33-year old Vazquez north for some decent  prospects, and look to compete in 2010 and beyond.

Vazquez is only 5-7 in 17 starts, but he has a stellar 3.05 ERA, and even more impressive, a 1.07 WHIP. Pair that with his 130/23 K/BB ratio and you have a guy who could help a struggling rotation (taking away this weekend’s sweep of a terrible Mets team) in a big way.

Would you give up Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, and maybe a Zach Collier for Vazquez? He’s signed through 2010 (at the beginning of the season Vazquez was signed through 2010 for a total of $23 million), and the Braves only gave up prospects Tyler Flowers, third baseman Jon Gilmore, pitcher Santos Rodriguez and infielder Brent Lillibrigde when they acquired him from the White Sox this past off-season. None of them are expected to be stars.

As far as post-season performance, the jury is still out on whether Javier can be a big game pitcher. He faltered down the stretch with the White Sox in 2008 and has been rocked in his three post-season appearances (career 10.34 ERA in 15.2 post-season innings). Still, the guy can get folks out, and he may be the most talented pitcher available this summer.

What would you give up for him? If you’re the Braves would you sell him to a division rival? Do you even want him?

All good questions.

Published
by
Jared
on July 5, 2009
in Phillies and Phillies Prospects
. 1 Comment

For once, Phillies’ post-World Series future is bright

The Philadelphia Phillies future is brighter than ever. With one championship already under their belt, Cole Hamels wasn’t kidding when he said he expects to be able to have a parade year after year after year.

With the bulk of the current core of stars all signed through the 2011 season this team is a legitimate threat to make another run at a World Series for years to come.

But that’s not what makes the Phillies future so bright necessarily. Just as they did with the current team of homegrown talent that includes everyday players Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz as well as pitchers Cole Hamels, JA Happ and Ryan Madson, the team looks like they have a second wave of core players emerging in the minor leagues.

With the team being involved in just about every trade rumor involving a top flight pitcher the Phillies minor league system is being analyzed as much as it’s ever been  lately. Out of nowhere, the Phillies have rapidly developed a group of top tier, blue chip prospects that scouts are labeling as potential stars at the major league level.

Outfielder Dominic Brown, 21, is currently the Phillies top prospect, followed by starting pitcher Kyle Drabek, 21, outfielder Michael Taylor, 23, catcher Travis D’Arnaud, 20, and recently promoted starter Antonio Bastardo, 22. All five have been described as having the potential to make an impact at the major league level.

That none of these players were widely known at this time last year to but only the most die-hard Phillies fans says a lot about how far the minor league system has come in such a short time. It wasn’t too long ago when the team had virtually nothing of interest for potential trading partners when it came time to discuss possible mid-season trades. Hence the Jamie Moyer’s, Kyle Lohse’s, and Joe Blanton’s of the world (although they all seemed to work out).

Infielder Jason Donald, 24, catcher Lou Marson, 22, and pitcher Carlos Carrasco, 22, once the Phillies most prized minor league prospects, have all become expendable.

Last season’s emergence of D’Arnaud has given the Phils hope that Marson’s talent could be replaced. Carrasco, who is struggling mightily at Triple-A, has been surpassed by both Bastardo and Drabek.

Donald unfortunately is caught up in a numbers game. He certainly isn’t going to replace Utley or Rollins anytime soon, and with Pedro Feliz playing at such a high level this season, it seems more and more likely the team will pick up his club option for 2010.

The fact that we haven’t even mentioned outfielders John Mayberry Jr., 25, Anthony Gose, 18, Zach Collier, 18, infielder Anthony Hewitt, 20, or pitchers Joe Savery, 23, Tyler Cloyd, 22, Vance Worley, 21, and Jason Knapp, 19, is a testament to how strong the Phillies minor league system has become.

In a perfect world, the Phillies hope they can acquire a top flight pitcher with some sort of combination of Donald, Marson and Carrasco, but in reality, the team may have to part with one or more of the organization’s “new” top five prospects.

The timing of the future Phillies expected arrival in the majors also seems fortuitous.

Taylor is on schedule to be major league ready at the time Jayson Werth’s two year deal expires in 2010. Brown is on schedule when Raul Ibanez’s three year deal ends in 2011. Bastardo is already getting a chance to show what he can do, and Drabek was just promoted to Double-A Reading where he pitched 7 shutout innings in his debut. Their impending arrivals coincide with Brett Myers potentially leaving as a free agent after this season.

No Phils World Series team has been positioned so well to continue their success than this iteration.

The 1980 team was the culmination of years of strong minor league development - Mike Schmidt, Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Lonnie Smith, and Keith Moreland - but the coffers were dry by 1981.

The 1983 team was a over-the-hill gang with little help coming from the farm. The early 80’s drafts were rife with Henry Powell, Johnny Abrego, and John Russell-type talent.

The ‘93 surprise was built on toughness, career years, and, lets face it, steroids. Youngsters like Tyler Green, Mike Williams, Mike Lieberthal, and Kevin Stocker were rising to the majors, but even at the time none were really considered future cornerstones.

While baseball history is replete with stories of bright prospects never panning out, the fact the Phillies are even in the position to be disappointed by bright prospects is a phenomenom we haven’t seen in this town for decades. And it gives Phils fans hope that last year’s magical season won’t our last for another 28 years.

Published
by
Chris
on June 4, 2009
in Phillies and Phillies Prospects
. 0 Comments

Phils unlikely to keep more than 11 pitchers

Just a quick nugget from FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal on the logjam the Phillies have on their bench, and the problem it’s causing with their plans to carry 12 pitchers.

The Phillies are reluctant to keep only 11 pitchers, knowing that manager Charlie Manuel burns through relievers and left-hander Cole Hamels might not be fully extended by Opening Day. Their roster logjam, however, could force them to carry an extra position player.

A trade of Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs appears unlikely. The Phillies do not plan to keep three catchers, but Miguel Cairo could make the club as a utility man along with Eric Bruntlett; those two players plus the backup catcher would be the team’s only right-handed hitters off the bench.

Two younger players, infielder Jason Donald and outfielder John Mayberry, are likely to start the season at Class AAA, where they could play every day.

If Hamels isn’t a go on Opening Day I think a lot of this will come down to how long Charlie can go without needing a fifth starter. If he can get by for a week or two, keeping that extra righty on the bench makes sense. If not, JA Happ is in the rotation and you grab that 12th pitcher. But who is the 12th pitcher you bring north?

I have Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Chan Ho Park, and Joe Blanton starting, with Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, JA Happ, and Clay Condrey in the bullpen.

Do they bring Kendrick north? I hope not. Joe Bisenius? Yikes! Or do you throw Carlos Carrasco in as 5th starter and let Happ relieve?

Also, it sounds like Chris Coste’s tenure in Philly, at least the big league club, may be coming to an end.

Published
by
Jared
on March 23, 2009
in Phillies
. 0 Comments

Baseball Prospectus Top 100 Prospects - How Many are Phils?

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus debuted his 2009 Top 100 Prospect’s list today, and the Phillies’ ever-improving minor league system had three representatives on the list.

Coming in at #43 was Carlos Carrasco, 21, the Phils’ top pitching prospect. Carrasco, who went 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 starts for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League this off-season, is being touted as a candidate for the 5th starter spot in the rotation going into spring training. Chances are he’ll start the season in AAA Lehigh Valley.

Outfielder Michael Taylor, 23, came in at #59 on the list. Taylor exploded on the scene this past season, batting .346 with 19 homers, 88 RBIs and 15 steals between Lakewood and Clearwater. The former Stanford product is Ryan Howard-esque, coming in at 6-6/260. Taylor should start the season at AA Reading in 2009.

And waaay down the list at #92 was 2006 first round pick Kyle Drabek. The starting pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007 and was back on the mound at the tail end of the 2008 season, pitching 32.1 innings and posting a 2.23 ERA between stints in the GCL and NY-Penn League. Drabek has matured since high school (the knock on him before he was drafted) and has the stuff to be a star, but it’s just a matter of being able to stay healthy. Assuming he’s healthy, Drabek will most likely start the season at high-A Clearwater.

I was a little disappointed neither Lou Marson or Jason Donald made the list. But apparently these two don’t have the upside all these other guys do. Kind of suspect if you ask me.

Note: As a James Madison University grad I gotta tout #84 on the list, Kellen Kulbacki, an OF in the Padres system who, last season, finally flashed the power he displayed in college. Go Dukes!

Published
by
Jared
on February 13, 2009
in Phillies Prospects
. 2 Comments

Jerry Jones is Gutless - and other Philly News from around the Intergoogle

Charlie Manuel Knows People
Charlie Manuel has never been accused of being a brilliant tactician, but the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell writes that Manuel is among the best in the game when it comes to knowing people. His easy encouragement brings out the best in his players (see Brett Myers against CC Sabathia). That isn’t to say he’s afraid to get in their faces when they need it too (see Brett Myers in August). It’s this ability to connect with everyone from a lowly rookie like Mike Cervenak to a combustible veteran star like Myers that makes Manuel a “genius”.

Jerry Jones is Gutless
FOXSports’ Adrian Hasenmayer passed this along to me from his colleague Ian Connor, who says Roger Goodell exposed Dallas owner Jerry Jones as the gutless wonder he is.

All these years later, Jerry Jones finally got what was coming to him. Roger Goodell emasculated Jones the way the Dallas Cowboys’ owner once emasculated Tom Landry.

Goodell exposed Jones as a gutless wonder, as a leader afraid to lead. By suspending Pacman Jones for at least four games, the NFL commissioner was only doing what the Dallas owner was terrified of doing.

The right thing.

From everything I’ve heard Jones is actually a very nice guy, but when it comes to putting winning ahead of what’s right there is no doubt Jones would sign a serial necrophiliac if the guy could kick 55-yard field goals.

Padres Lining Up Suitors for Ace Jake Peavy
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the San Diego Padres are actively shopping their ace Jake Peavy. The woeful Friars are looking for young, ready to play pieces like Los Angeles’ Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw.

I think this prohibits the Phillies from even entering the discussion as they have no youngsters in their lineup, or any in the minors on the brink of contributing. And no, I don’t think a package of Greg Golson, Lou Marson, and Carlos Carrasco would cut it.

Peavy is signed through 2012 with an option for 2013. Teams like the Yankees, Braves, Cardinals and Astros should be lining up at the Padres’ door, but Olney says despite Peavy’s obvious talents the market may be lukewarm, just as it was for Minnesota last season when they were shopping Johan Santana.

Published
by
Jared
on October 17, 2008
in Eagles Tidbit and Phillies Tidbit
. 0 Comments

Phillies Future - and Dreadful Past - Gets Callup

With Major League rosters expanding today the Phillies called up 4 players from the minors. Pitchers Adam Eaton and JA Happ, OF Greg Golson, and C Lou Marson.

Eaton, as most know, is a veteran who signed a 3-year $24 million contract 2 years ago and has pretty much stolen every dollar since then. In the minors to sort things out, a la Brett Myers, Eaton has somehow posted worse numbers (0-5, 7.02ERA) in 7 starts than he did in the majors. Eaton is a gutless wonder on par with Andy Ashby, and will go down as the worst signing of the Pat Gillick era.  Regardless, the Phillies promised Eaton a call up when rosters expanded so here he is. Don’t expect him to make too many appearances (the Phils do want to still win), and the ones he does pitch in will most likely be of the “we’re  getting blown out” variety.

Besides Eaton, the Phillies brought up 3 players who may be future long-term residents of the Bank. Happ has had some exposure over the past 2 years. The left has made 3 somewhat average starts, but being a lefty and showing some strikeout potential in the minors is encouraging. Happ probably won’t be making any starts in September but should provide Charlie Manuel an important left-handed option and long-reliever the rest of the way. Happ has a chance to crack the rotation in 2009 with Jamie Moyer’s future still up in there.

Golson, 22, was the Phils’ first pick in the 2004 draft, and like many Phillies high draft picks in recent history, Golson was/is “toolsy” (see Jeff Jackson, Reggie Taylor, Anthony Hewitt). Golson plays excellent defense, and may be called upon to be Pat Burrell’s late-inning defensive replacement/pinch runner instead of Eric Bruntlett or So Taguchi. Golson’s hitting has improved over the years, but he still strikeouts at an alarming rate. He’s never had a season where he’s had more hits than K’s, and this year has fanned 97 times in 309 at bats. Sounds like a Phillie to me! Here’s what ESPN.com’s Keith Law recently said about Golson:

Playing for Reading, Phillies prospect Greg Golson can crush a high fastball, but his recognition of anything else is poor. He’s such a good athlete that, given his limited feel for the game, he looks like he should be playing another sport professionally but showed up at the wrong stadium.

Marson most recently starred for the bronze medal winning U.S. baseball team at the Olympics. Marson was drafted in the 4th-round of the 2004 draft and has steadily risen through the system ever since. Currently batting .314 at Double-A Reading Marson also knows how to work the count, drawing 68 walks and having a .433 OBP. He gives Manuel another option behind the plate, and another tool to use in double-switches. If all goes right, Marson could possibly be on the Opening Day roster in 2009.

I’m not quite sure why these players didn’t get a call up?

IF Jason Donald

Word is the Phillies brass doesn’t see Marson’s fellow Olympian as much of a prospect, but it’s hard to argue against his stats (.307 BA, 14 HRs, .893 OPS) at Reading. Donald can play 2B, SS, and 3B - a valuable piece to play in the waning days of September. How much better is Eric Bruntlett?

P Carlos Carrasco

Carrasco is the consensus top pitching prospect in the Phillies system, and currently pitching at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. I suppose the Phils just want him to get his regular starts in for the remainder of the season. Still might be nice to get him so big league exposure before the end of the year. ESPN.com’s Law discussed Carrasco in a story about potential September callups:

The Phillies wouldn’t part with Carrasco in any deals last month, even though he could have helped them land a better starter than Joe Blanton through the trade market. Carrasco’s best pitch is his fastball, which is 90-94 on his best nights, while his changeup and curveball are both below average. He has a loose arm and gets good life on the ball. One concern is that he missed a start in early July, complaining of arm soreness, and then showed reduced stuff in his inning of work at the Futures Game.

Published
by
Jared
on September 1, 2008
in Phillies
. 0 Comments

Kendrick out of the rotation per-Happs?

I love what Kyle Kendrick has done for the Phillies over the past two seasons, I really do, but enough is enough. Kendrick again laid an egg against a terrible Padres team tonight, burying the Phillies after just 3 2/3 innings. Like most of his disasterous starts Kendrick’s ball was up, and when he tried to nibble at the corners the Friars weren’t having it. All this led to 5 walks, 6 hits, and 6 ER. The question now is, how much longer can Charlie keep throwing this kid out there? The Phils have JA Happ in AAA, angry he’s not in Philly, and taking it out on hitters in Lehigh Valley. They also have veteran Kris Benson making quality starts, and young Carlos Carrasco lighting things up in his first 2 Triple-A starts. How much worse can any of them do?

Bottom-line is if the Phils are going to make a run at this thing in September the pitching has to keep the games in hand to help an offense that appears to have utterly collapsed under the 2007 hype. Young Kendrick just doesn’t look like a guy capable of that anymore.

Published
by
Jared
on August 16, 2008
in Phillies
. 0 Comments

Phils Bench Phalling Apart

Another day, another injury. With Shane Victorino’s stiff backand Greg Dobbs’ strained quad - probably a day-to-day thing - our bench is looking awfully thin.

Yet somehow Aubrey Huff, and his 25 homers, 80 RBI’s and .359 OBP, made it through waivers - probably because he’s owed about $10M through next season. At this stage of the game though he seems like a perfect fit for us. Huff gives us pop at 3B and corner OF depth through the rest of this season,  and gives us an option in the OF next season, especially if we don’t resign Pat Burrell.

Ok, so he’s another left-handed bat in a lineup full of them, but right now beggars can’t be choosers, right? As long as the deal for Huff doesn’t include Carrasco or Marson, is there any reason not to make it?

Published
by
Henry
on August 15, 2008
in Phillies
. 0 Comments