There's no doubt the Cole Hamels deal was a team effort. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, departing president Pat Gillick, and the incoming president Andy MacPhail had a hand in the six-player package that came to town in return for the long-time ace. It will no doubt take a few years to full evaluate that deal, but a smaller, less impactful transaction, could make sizeable difference as early as 2016.
The Phillies most recent acquisition was barely news when he was obtained from the Dodgers. When you are traded for legend you tend to be overlooked. Darnell Sweeney will be the answer to many a Quizzo question in years to come. Who did the Phils get for Chase Utley? Sweeney was playing Oklahoma City when he got the call he was heading to Philly. Not only that, but he meal money was about to increase significantly. Sweeney was added to the major league roster and joined the team in Miami.
I know it's only been a weekend series against the lowly Marlins, but Sweeney opened up more than a few eyes with his 445 foot blast on Saturday night. But, maybe even more impressive was his three walks on Sunday, while manning center field in place of Odubel Herrera.
Coming over in the deal that sent Chase Utley to Los Angeles, the 24-year old was listed as just the No. 13th ranked prospect in the Dodgers system by Baseball America, but remember, their system is loaded with the likes of top 10 prospects shortstop Corey Seager and starting pitcher Julio Urias.
The switch-hitting Sweeney was having a solid season at AAA, hitting .271, with 30 doubles, nine home runs and most notably, 32 stolen bases. This was his third minor-league season with at least 30 doubles. He seems to do everything well. In 2013, while in High A, he had his best overall season, stealing 48 bases, while doing his best JRoll impersonation, having double-digits in doubles, triples, and home runs.
What Sweeney has that has escaped most of the Phils young players is patience. His on-base percentage has been better than .380 three times and his ability to play two up-the-middle positions, makes him a valuable an extra man and possibly starter down the line, depending on the development of Herrera and second baseman Cesar Hernandez.
With the departure of Utley, Hernandez will be given every opportunity to put a rear-naked choke on the second base job, as will Herrera in center field, but watch out for Sweeney. He could end up similar to a Ben Zobrist, playing nearly everyday at several positions.
The Dodgers have been banged up throughout the second-half and some were surprised that Sweeney didn't get the call. His versatility would have helped Don Mattingly's club greatly. Sweeny's name was mentioned as a possible call up, but instead was shipped to Philadelphia along with pitcher John Richy. His skill set and athleticism is a great add to this young Phillies roster and he may not just be a late August acquisition that never was.
As the minor-league season dwindles down to a precious few games, the excitement that the y0ung player brought over in the Cole Hamels deal is still at an all-time highg. Nick Williams is the Fightin Phils best hitter since his arrival, hitting .333, with three home runs in 18 games. Jake Thompson has a 2.08 ERA in four starts, and Jerad Eickoff tossed six-shutout innings vs. the Marlins on Friday night.
