Playoff contenders aren't supposed to be looking to trade a league leader in home runs and RBI. Playoff contenders aren't supposed to be shopping players that won the Rookie of the Year award three years ago and the MVP award two years ago.
Playoff contenders aren't supposed to be subject to a barrage of trade rumors about their superstar long after the trade deadline and long before the playoffs have ended.
Yet, for some reason, Ryan Howard's days in Philadelphia are numbered.
In Philadelphia, it isn't uncommon for superstars to get booed and heckled whenever they're in a slump. Fans may even throw objects at them when things get really frustrating. Howard's situation, on the other hand, is a totally different animal.
He is no longer slumping, and he is doing more than his fair share towards helping the Phillies fight for a playoff spot. True, his batting average has plummeted (from .313 in 2006, to .268 in 2007, to below .230 this year), and he's striking out often enough to shatter his own single-season record, but these were never the things that made Ryan Howard a superstar (even with that .268 average and 199 strikeouts, Howard still finished fifth in NL MVP voting).
Howard's value comes in his power; his ability to crank out league-leading home run and RBI totals year after year. By that measure, Howard is as valuable as ever.
So why is dishing out $100 for one of those new Ryan Howard home-alternate jerseys not a very good idea?
First and foremost, the Phillies already have plenty of offensive talent. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Pat Burrell (should he return to the Phillies) are all very capable hitters that can provide plenty of hits, steals, and homers.
They also have a great supporting cast, consisting of guys like Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Greg Dobbs. Losing Howard would certainly reduce the Phillies' offensive production, but by no means would the effect be a major problem.
On the other hand, the Phillies have two areas where they could use some improvement. The first is pitching. The Phillies have gotten lucky this year, with newcomers Brad Lidge and Chad Durbin bolstering a bullpen that struggled in 2007, turning it into a successful one in 2008.
The starting rotation, on the other hand, hasn't been as lucky. It saw success late in 2007, as Kyle Lohse's addition turned the Phillies' rotation from shaky to solid. However, as the bullpen got better, the rotation got worse.
Brett Myers spent much of the season struggling with inconsistency, and Kyle Kendrick has struggled to repeat his stellar rookie season. Newcomer Joe Blanton has had his own difficulties as well, and he hasn't been able to live up to the expectations many had for him on Opening Day.
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3 months ago
Yes. Good points.
Once one accepts that Ryan Howard just won't really hit for average, he could be up there among the best in the league. His HR and RBI average over the past two years is just crazy.
3 months ago
Im not a Yankees fan, but there is no way they would part with Joba, and Nady isnt a prospect. Plus they seem to have their eyes set on Mark Texieria, and they wouldn't need to trade for him.
Also Holliday isnt a free agent this offseason.
But other than those points, good article
from 3 months ago
I think it's a very valid point that the Yankees are much more likely to sign free agents over making trades since they have the money to do so. I think the Howard's more valuable than Texeira, especially if he can return to his MVP form. A major part of whether or not the Phillies will trade him is what package they can get in return; I don't think they'll go into it with an attitude that he needs to be traded, or that he can't be traded.
3 months ago
Mark Teixeira, not Ryan Howard will be the most coveted first baseman on the market this offseason. I was disappointed that the Braves couldn't get more for him than an overhyped, underperforming Kasey Kotchman. We gave up so many top prospects, and ended up getting Kotchman in return for them essentially. I would rather just have Salty back.
But back to the original point. I think it would be a bad decision to get rid of Howard, unless they can include him in a package of lower-level minor leaguers and get a TOP-TIER starter for him, and a few pitching prospects. His power in the middle of the lineup is the most menacing thing in the NL East, perhaps baseball. Giving him up in a desperate move will be something that the Phillies will regret for years to come.
Also, Dobbs is nowhere near MLB severyday-starter material.
3 months ago
Sounds like wishful thinking. The Yankees will never part with Chamberlin, who really hasn't struggled in his new role he's been pretty dominant, and by the way Joba would be your number one starter, he's not a back of the rotation guy. You are more likely to add Ian Kennedy if you want to deal with the Yankees, also I believe that Giambi is off the books this year so they won't need to buy him out, if not they have about 160 Million in payroll that will be freed up, so they pretty much can buy whomever they want witout giving up any prospects.
2 months ago
Brett Myers inconsistent? Psht that is a good joke, he had one horrible stretch and one great one that is still going, I suggest you watch the games on TV not the highlight reel of the New York Mets
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