Buy low, sell high. It's time to shop...Brandon Phillips

[paulrichjr]

If Brandon keeps playing like he is and improving like he has in the last few months he will be the best 2b in the league. You better give me a whole lot to trade that away. I want at least one of the prospects to have Jay Bruce potential and the other to have Homer Bailey potential. I would listen then. Once upon a time Cleveland had this up and coming 2B that they got from the Expos in a deal that couldn't quiet put it together but he had tremendous potential. It took a change of scenery to turn him around. I don't want a highly rated prospect for Phillips that might or might not mature here. 2 or 3 of them and I like my chances.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by Wheelhouse

Because of GABP Phillips can hit 25-30 HRs and play Gold Glove defense. He would hit 20 in a non-band-box. Griffey and Dunn will hit the same number of home runs wherever they go because when they connect, the ball will leave any park. Those are the guys you can trade--and they have real value to, let's say, San Diego, because you need such power to hit a ball out there. I don't understand why some people want to hang on to Dunn and Griffey so much. You don't need their kind of power at GABP. Torii Hunter would have the same HR numbers at GABP as Griffey or Dunn, plus he plays Gold-Glove defense and would give you added speed. Griffey or Dunn will have about the same HR numbers (maybe a few less) in any other park. What this all means is you can get MUCH MORE relative value for your dollar and more complete players if you sign 20-30 HR guys who play good defense. They will become league-leading power hitters at GABP without sacrificing other aspects of the game.

I thought Phillips had better numbers on the road than he did at home?

[Matt700wlw]

Trade Brandon Phillips?

Are you crazy?

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by paulrichjr

If Brandon keeps playing like he is and improving like he has in the last few months he will be the best 2b in the league.

That Chase Utley fella is pretty good. :

You better give me a whole lot to trade that away. I want at least one of the prospects to have Jay Bruce potential and the other to have Homer Bailey potential. I would listen then. Once upon a time Cleveland had this up and coming 2B that they got from the Expos in a deal that couldn't quiet put it together but he had tremendous potential. It took a change of scenery to turn him around. I don't want a highly rated prospect for Phillips that might or might not mature here. 2 or 3 of them and I like my chances.

Agreed.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Benihana

I thought Phillips had better numbers on the road than he did at home?

He does:

Home - .261/.315/.462
Away - .303/.340/.515

[Blitz Dorsey]

In addition to being one of the best 2B in baseball already at his young age, Phillips comes on the cheap ($407K this year) and he can't be a free agent for a few more years. There is no reason to deal him right now. Just let him continue to grow into one of the best in the game and enjoy the ride.

That must sting for Cleveland. Of course, they don't notice it as much fighting for divisional titles each year. (Kills me to say that; I loath the Indians and all of their fans that jumped on the bandwagon in '95.)

[Johnny Footstool]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

In addition to being one of the best 2B in baseball already at his young age, Phillips comes on the cheap ($407K this year) and he can't be a free agent for a few more years. There is no reason to deal him right now. Just let him continue to grow into one of the best in the game and enjoy the ride.

Enjoy watching Phillips put up great numbers for teams that regularly go 70-92? That's not a ride I want to take.

[Benihana]

Put it this way:

Would the Mets consider trading Jose Reyes? (without a ridiculous return?)
Would the Marlins consider trading Hanley Ramirez? (without a ridiculous return?)
Would the Phillies consider trading Chase Utley? (without a ridiculous return?)

Guess who's next on that list?

Don't trade Brandon Phillips unless you get a ridiculous return. And by that I mean Andrew Miller, Matt Garza, Yovani Gallardo, or Chad Billingsley. Anything else is a loss.

There is no one in the organization that comes close to replacing the hole that Phillips would leave. Chris Valaika is probably the closest, and he's batting .140 in A ball.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by Benihana

Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, and Johnny Cueto don't qualify?

I was strictly talking about pitching. And no, Bailey and Cueto don't count. Sorry. Bullpen-ceiling arms, IMO.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Exactly. The only reason to sell high is so you can reinvest your gains in the next growth opportunity. Unfortuantely, unlike stocks, you can't simply bank the initial investment and trade only on the gains. You have to reinvest it all, which makes it a much riskier proposition, as you risk losing it all in the process.

Unless somebody offers you a package that is virtually guaranteed to be more valuable than Phillips ON THE FIELD, the risk isn't worth it. At some point, you have to actually capitalize on your gains. You'd basically need to trade Phillips for a copy of him, plus a good prospect or two and I don't know who would do that and why.

If somebody offers you a deal from which you think you are likely to realize more value, then go for it. I'm of the mindset that nobody is ever untouchable from a baseball perspective (perhaps marketing). The Cardinals COULD theoretically get enough value to trade away Pujols. However, you have be careful not to be so willing to take that next big risk that you fail to ever decide on a base. You could be up $50,000 at the blackjack table, but until you cash it in, it's just chips. If you keep betting, you run the risk of losing it. At some point, you cash in.

I think getting back one Aaron Harang would be worth double what Phillips is currently worth to this team.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I think getting back one Aaron Harang would be worth double what Phillips is currently worth to this team.

In all of baseball, how many Harang-type deals (for a position player) have been made in the last five years?

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I was strictly talking about pitching. And no, Bailey and Cueto don't count. Sorry. Bullpen-ceiling arms, IMO.

Bullpen-ceiling arms? I think some around here may disagree.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by Benihana

Bullpen-ceiling arms? I think some around here may disagree.

I'm sure they would disagree. But I'm okay with others being wrong.

Bailey had the worst debut relative to his hype that I can recall--and I've been a fan for 30+ years.

[pedro]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I'm sure they would disagree. But I'm okay with others being wrong.

Bailey had the worst debut relative to his hype that I can recall--and I've been a fan for 30+ years.

I think that's b/c we're so close to it. Lots of other highly tauted have struggled early on in their careers. Scott Kazmir comes immediately to mind.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Bailey had the worst debut relative to his hype that I can recall--and I've been a fan for 30+ years.

unfortunately I have to agree. We saw a fastball that was mostly 91-93 that he had trouble spotting, a rolling curveball that had a "hit me" sign and a rarely used changeup. He may have the stuff but he has a long way to go to be a solid major league starter. From what I saw the ETA is more like 2009.