The latest from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports had a few Phillies tidbits. One of them was that the Phillies were "kicking around" the idea of trying to trade for Rays starting pitcher David Price.
It's no secret that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is under pressure after firing manager Charlie Manuel and presiding over an 89-loss season. Amaro is encouraging his staff to seek creative, innovative solutions, and the Phillies have gone so far as to kick around a trade for Price, according to major league sources.
The Price for Price? Rosenthal seems to think that it would take prospect Jesse Biddle, Domonic Brown, and more. Is that too much? I think that would be fair. The Phillies could replace an outfielder much easier than getting a pitcher of Price's calibur. There are plenty of left-handed outfield bats available on the open market, so would trading Brown really set the Phillies back that much? They could overcome losing Brown, depending on what other moves they make.
David Price partnered with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels would give the Phillies a dream rotation once again. Yes, they're all left-handed but when they're that good, who cares, really?
Rosenthal also mentions that Jacoby Ellsbury and David Price are probably not targets, given the many needs of the Phillies:
If anything, sources say, Amaro seems to grasp that he cannot simply make a singular splash, not when the team needs to address its catching, pitching and outfield. Thus, he's unlikely to go all-in on a trade for Price or give a massive payout to a free-agent outfielder such as Jacoby Ellsbury or Shin-Soo Choo. A more measured approach finally is appropriate.
Given the Phillies' need for many positions, I would not rule out trading for Price or trading Domonic Brown. The offseason probably realistically needs more than free agent signings. Maybe the Phillies could bring back an outfielder or a catcher in a trade such as that one and solve other positions.
Signing free agents where the Phillies already have a player of calibur that they could turn around and trade for other value would be a good option too, since the Phillies do not have to surrender a first round draft pick.
In short: it's an offseason for creativity. One free agent or one big name splash will not get it done.
