It was rumored that the Indians wanted Shane Victorino, J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, (the Phillies' best pitching prospect), and their best catching prospect, Lou Marson. We’ll never know if the Phillies really had an offer on the table, or if the Indians presented these guys as the ones they wanted.
Rumors swirled for days, but all the smoke ended pretty quickly as the Brewers acquired Sabathia on July 7 for five prospects, including the seventh-overall pick in the 2007 draft, prized prospect Matt LaPorta.
A few days later, the Cubs nearly matched their division rivals in acquiring A’s pitcher Rich Harden. Feeling the heat of not getting their own stud pitching via trade, the Phillies started negotiating with the Blue Jays to acquire A.J. Burnett and with the Mariners to get Eric Bedard.
However, instead of landing one of those second-tier starters, the Phillies made a lesser move on July 18 and acquired Joe Blanton from the A’s. The move was received with little enthusiasm, and, as it turns out, it was the only deadline move the Phillies wound up making.
Analysis
The Phillies take a lot of heat at the trade deadline every year, sometimes rightfully so. However, this year, I really don’t think they could have done much more. Just because Sabathia and Harden were there to be had doesn’t mean the Phillies had enough minor-league talent to acquire them.
I think that was, without a doubt, the case with Sabathia, as his price tag was very high, and there was really no way they could have outbid the Brewers.
As for Harden, he has a long history of injuries, and the Phillies were somewhat reluctant to give up minor-league talent for him. With that said, I don’t think a deal was even being discussed and that alone is a bit alarming.
However the Cubs had the players the A’s wanted, and once again, I don’t think the Phillies had enough to land Harden.
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