The Good Book on Phillies Trades

And on the seventh day, Ruben Amaro rested. Because on the previous six he was busy re-creating The Phillies.

Ruben began his week moving heaven and earth trying to unload The Phillies lone 2015 All Star and clubhouse cancer, Jonathan Papelbon, to the Washington Nationals for double A pitcher Nick Pivetta. I would have taken the racing Teddy Roosevelt for Papelcrap. That The Phillies got an actual baseball player for the games biggest jack wagon is a feather in Ruben’s cap. In addition to receiving a pitching prospect, Ruben tempted Washington to take on $500,000 of this year’s, and all of the next, of Papelbon’s apple of a contract-taking full advantage of the kind of fiscal mismanagement that Washington D.C is famous for. Papelbon had indicated he would not approve any trade unless he was guaranteed by the new team he would be their closer. The Nationals GM Mike Rizzo gleefully obliged. This did not sit well with The Nats’ former closer, and new set-up man, Drew Storen. The door to Citizens Bank Park hadn’t even hit Papelbon in the ass yet and he was already a Nationals clubhouse problem. Good riddance schmuck.

Ruben’s next miracle was the most difficult for him and the fans. Amaro had to sacrifice his pitching staff ace, Cole Hamels, in order to replenish what was once a garden of Eden of young talent. Home grown all stars and league MVPs Jimmy Rollins & Ryan Howard along with Chase Utley (again a NL All Star),. Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz, Bret Meyers, Pat Burrell and yes, Hamels, were world effing champions in 2008. Five of eight position players on a World Series Champion team, and runner-up the following year, is testimony to a bountiful farm system. Alas the “win now” approach of those times and a few “trade for prospect” deals – I’m looking at you Cliff Lee for Phillipe Aumont – has lead to a plague of mediocrity in our minor leagues. Cole Hamels was the one player The Phillies could turn to when they needed a good performance. Yet, lo, Ruben Amaro offered up our preeminent player, and a pretty good reliever, Jake Diekman, to The Texas Rangers for five of their top prospects and a broken big league pitcher. An eight player deal through which the Phillies giveth two established big league pitchers and The Phillies taketh away five minor leaguers and a disabled lister from Texas. It is reported that Amaro coveted Rangers catching prospect Jorge Alfaro since spring training. He has recently had ankle surgery and is out for the season. As far as the trade goes, I hope this is not a sign from above.

Amaro’s final day of dealing sent Ben Revere to the Toronto Blue Jays for two pitching prospects, Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado, both right handed relievers. Cordero’s fastball has been clocked at 103 mph but both players are low minor leaguers with 23 year old Cordero being promoted to double A just this season. Revere is an established major league player, hits for high average, has great speed and led the National League in hits in 2014 but is questionable defensively. As role player in Toronto, however, he could be very effective.

In seven days Ruben Amaro has dealt very good, established major league players. Could the exodus of World Series and NLCS MVP, World Series Champion and three time NL all star, Cole Hamels; six time all star and World Series Champion, Jonathan Papelbon and 2014 league leader in hits, Ben Revere lead The Phillies to the Promised land?

Have faith.