Earlier this morning we learned that the Phillies were open for business and that Marlon Byrd was getting a good deal of interest in the early going. All star players are on the table. The one move that might seem to clear space for younger players and turn the page would be a trade of first baseman Ryan Howard. The Phillies seem ready to move him.
Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Phillies are aggressive so far:
Ryan Howard has had his last at-bat as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
That’s what the Phillies hope, anyway. That’s their goal, according to rival executives.
The Chicago Cubs want to add high-end pitching and contend. The Los Angeles Dodgers are thinking World Series or bust, again. And the Phillies want to trade Howard (and others).
If you imagine general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. doing his offseason work like this guy, you might not be that far off. The mantra on Howard appears to be: He is priced to move.
What would be the right price? Maybe $5 million a season from an American League team.
Earlier this offseason I looked at some possible landing spots for Howard. I suggested the Oakland Athletics, the Detroit Tigers, and the Tampa Bay Rays. Of course, a lot has changed for the Rays, and the other two hinge on whether or not they make other moves. One other potential landing spot has developed: the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals ended their relationship with designated hitter Billy Butler by declining his $12.5 million option for 2015. The Royals will need a bat to replace him in the lineup and in the designated hitter spot. The Royals will have to replace two key positions: starting pitcher for the departing James Shields and designated hitter. Howard for $5 million a season could be a bargain for the Royals, freeing up some money to pay a starting pitcher.
Will the Phillies move Howard? They probably will, but prefer to trade Howard to essentially save him some dignity. If that does not work, expect a Steve Carlton-like announcement in which Ruben Amaro Jr. fights off tears as they hand Howard his release. Much like after 1986, six years after the World Series victory, the Phillies finally moved on from Garry Maddox, Steve Carlton, and others. Be ready for another 1987, 1988, and 1989.
