The Phillies have watched as big names have been moved. The Giants acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim traded for closer Huston Street. Joaquim Soria found his way to Detroit via a trade with the Texas Rangers. And, looking for offense, the New York Yankees sent a couple prospects to San Diego for third baseman Chase Headley. What have the Phillies done so far? Nothing. There may be a good reason.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is reporting that the Phillies simply want too much for their players that they are trying to trade. The Phillies have set their prices very high:
….it doesn’t appear anyone would pay that type of bounty. Around the industry, the Phillies are being perceived as asking too much for their players. The Phillies are saying “make us a fair deal.”
While Cafardo calls the Phillies "potential big players" in the trade market, nothing is being accomplished.
A few notes from Cafardo about the Phillies' trade pursuits:
- Cafardo was corrected by a Phillies official about a previous report on what it would take to get Cole Hamels. They have upped the price to "four or five" top prospects.
- The Giants had some interested in starting pitcher A.J. Burnett before they landed Jake Peavy from the Red Sox
- Cafardo believes second baseman Chase Utley "could be lured" to either Bay Area team, the San Francisco Giants or Oakland Athletics. The Utleys have family there.
- Jimmy Rollins won't go anywhere; Cafardo says the Detroit Tigers are content with what they have, anyway.
I found the return for all of the players traded thus far to be very high. For example, Jake Peavy netted the Red Sox the Giants' number two and number seven prospects. I believe Burnett is a pretty comparable pitcher (if not slightly better at this point in their careers) and the Phillies could have used that return.
Everytime I watch Pawn Stars on the History Channel, there is a common theme: the people who want to sell their items overvalue them. It's part pride: a failure to concede that something you've held onto for so long and spent so much energy on could be worth less than the attention you've given it over the years. Hopefully the Phillies will not be so stubborn.
