MLB Trade Rumors: From a Giants Fan—Stay the Course, Philadelphia Phillies

Let me begin by saying that, despite living in Eastern Pennsylvania, I am not a Phillies fan. I am a San Francisco Giants fan. Go ahead, let your ire and rage out, and continue reading if you like.

I love rivalries. Rivalries feed sports, provide wonderful back stories and actually bond fans across various cities and teams with a common goal: to cheer in their side’s victory over the other team.

Last year, we witnessed what could be the birth of a fantastic rivalry. The Giants and the Phillies played an extremely memorable NLCS that ultimately resulted in the Giants advancing to the World Series, denying the Phillies at a three-peat of the pennant. With this season coming into shape, it appears as though the Giants and Phillies may yet again be fated for another October showdown.

Philadelphia has markedly improved over last season. Not only has their dominant pitching somehow improved, but they have found a way to win games through clutch hitting. While the team does not boast a .300 hitter (although Shane Victorino has flirted with the mark for some time), they still rank in the middle of the pack of the National League by most offensive metrics.

That said, I don’t think they should actively seek to improve their offense come the impending trade deadline.

I say this as a baseball fan, and not solely as a Giants fan. Obviously, the acquisition of a big-name bat like Carlos Beltran would be very beneficial to Philadelphia. With some extra heart-of-the-order power, the Phillies could win 110 games instead of 105, providing Beltran (or other big-name free agent) delivers high performance levels.

The issue is not whether or not a big name bat would be beneficial, but rather whether or not the marginal cost would truly be in the franchise’s best interest. With deals in place for Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, the heart of Philadelphia’s pitching will be intact for several years. Throw into the mix the success of Vance Worley and the mostly-capable Kyle Kendrick, and Philadelphia has a surfeit of pitching.

True, Philadelphia’s lineup resembles a geriatric ward at times, but the production is more than enough to provide Philadelphia with good odds to get back to the NLCS and likely the World Series. Would parting with top prospects and youth really be in Philadelphia’s best interest? I doubt it.

This is a team that has a pitching staff that could compete for a long time. With the Philadelphia Phillies being perilously close to the luxury tax and not particularly deep in the farm system, it is very important not to gamble with what few bargaining chips they may have in order to marginally improve their odds of winning.

If the Phillies acquired a big-name bat and relinquished young talent, that alone would not ensure an NLCS (or World Series) victory.

Last season, I predicted that the Phillies would win the NLCS in six games. They had, by most metrics, the “better team.” Sometimes, that’s just the way things go. I enjoy seeing the Phillies play the Giants in October with everything on the line, and I’d be disappointed for Philadelphia to squander its promising nigh-immediate future for a small offensive boost.