Posted by Frank Klose
Thanks to @cubishboy for this pic
Well, Hunter Pence tonight thought he could be playing his last game for the Houston Astros. As reported by Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi (and retweeted by 70,000,00 people), a deal could be reached "By Friday."
Well, it's midnight, and let's see if a deal happens.
Despite all the twitter debates about whether or not a deal for Pence would be smart, many seem to think that if Brown is not included in a deal then it would make sense. As constructed now, the Phillies do not have a strong right-handed bat.
Here is how the lineup could shape up the rest of 2011:
SS Rollins
3b Polanco
2b Utley
1B Howard
RF Pence
CF Victorino
LF Ibañez
C Ruiz
An added advantage is that in the absence of Polanco Shane Victorino can bat second.
In 2012 the lineup could look like this:
SS Rolins*
3B Polanco
2B Utley
1B Howard
LF Pence
CF Victorino
RF Brown
C Ruiz
Rollins may not be re-signed. Worst-case scenario: Phillies lose Rollins, and do not have any other viable offensive alternative to play stortstop. The lineup still could be a formidible lineup without such a shortstop.
Having Pence also fills the need for an outfielder to replace free-agent Ibañez, and the lineup can better withstand the loss of Rollins should they not be able to find a suitable replacement:
CF Victorino
3B Polanco
2B Utley
1B Howard
LF Pence
RF Brown
C Ruiz
SS Martinez/Galvis/Any defensive SS you can pick up
Ed Wade in Houston MUST make this deal. He must trade Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Michael Bourn and every player that is not tied down. The ownership is changing in Houston and Wade has one chance to take his lousy major-league team and his ranked fourth from last farm system and make it his own.
Outgoing owner Drayton McLane is known to interfere with General Managers and their ability to be creative and build rosters. Ed Wade's hands were always tied from doing the right thing.
Wade should stockpile talent right now. It may intrigue the new ownership and give him a chance to be a General Manager again. The Phillies should capitalize on that.
