Philadelphia Phillies Wiretap

Phillies Would Send Wagner For Burnett

The Phillies are one of the teams trying to get Danys Baez, and the reason is they believe they can trade closer Billy Wagner for a starting pitcher.

Both the Red Sox and White Sox have indicated to Philadelphia they might be interested in sending A.J. Burnett there in exchange for Wagner if they could get Burnett from the Marlins.

Via Star-Ledger

Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Phillies Youth Keeping Team Afloat in NL East

A funny thing happened to the Philadelphia Phillies after the team followed a 12-1 homestand in early June with a miserable stretch of baseball that sunk them back under .500 and into a last-place tie. Even with may of its veterans slumping (Bobby Abreu, Kenny Lofton) or injured (Jim Thome, Randy Wolfe), the streakiest team in the National League has quietly gotten hot again. Much of the credit goes to second baseman Chase Utley and rookie first baseman Ryan Howard, but starting pitcher Brett Myers, spot starter Robinson Tejeda and setup reliever Ryan Madson have also made notable contributions of late. For the team ? currently 5 games over .500 and 3 games off the pace in National League East ? to stay in contention, the Phillies will need more of their veteran position players to step back to the forefront.

But for right now, the team can revel in the exploits of its young player. Howard and Utley took turns hitting dramatic walk-off home runs in the home stand , while Tejeda and Myers tossed back-to-back gems in the Padres series.

On Saturday, Tejeda yielded just a pair of hits on 6 shutout innings, striking out 5. Although the flame-throwing righthander (who routinely throws fastballs clocked between 93 and 97 MPH) was plagued by his usual control problems?5 walks? he was able to rare back when he needed it and overpower San Diego hitters and even mixed in some effective changeups. Long-term the Phillies see Tejeda as a setup reliever, because he?s basically a one-trick pony. However, if he can gain command of his changeup to compliment his fastball, he may have a bright future.

Myers (8-5), meanwhile, returned to the form that made him one of the National League?s top pitchers from April to mid-June. Apart from one shaky, 33-pitch inning, Myers moved down the Padres efficiently, yielding just one run. And Madson, both on Saturday and Sunday pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Not coincidentally, the Phillies return to form also coincided with a return to Citizens Bank Ballpark. After going 9-4 on a 13-game homestand that began July 8 and wrapped around the All-Star break, finally ending with a 3 game sweep of the NL West leading (but struggling) San Diego Padres. The Philles are now 11 games over .500 at home (33-22), compared with a pedestrian 19-25 game on the road. That trend bears watching, because the Phillies now head out to play 25 of their next 37 games on the road. The team?s next seven games are all away, starting with a three game set in Houston in which they?ll be greeted by Andy Pettite in the opener.

Via Brian Meltzer/RealGM

Philadelphia Phillies

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Lidle Takes Personal Leave Of Absence

Right-hander Cory Lidle left the team for an undetermined amount of time, the Philadelphia Daily News reported.

The team said Lidle's absence was necessary for "personal reasons."

"I think he's dealing with some issues. It's tough when you're distracted," pitching coach Rich Dubee told the paper. "Cory's had this going on for a while now. I think it's more than he's been dealing with other issues."

Lidle didn't talk to the media after Thursday's game, but the paper reports eight-year veteran was noticeably upset. Lidle is expected back for Monday's start in Houston.

Via ESPN

Philadelphia Phillies

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Thome Is On The Market

Phillies general manager Ed Wade would not confirm or deny last night that the club is trying to trade veteran first baseman Jim Thome.

According to a report in USA Today Sports Weekly, two National League teams claim that the Phils are shopping Thome, who is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow.

"I don't comment on trade rumors," Wade said before the Phillies met Florida at Citizens Bank Park.

Trading Thome would be difficult for several reasons. First, he is in the third year of a six-year, $85 million contract and few teams can afford that payout. Second, he has a complete no-trade clause, so he must approve any trade. Third, he turns 35 on Aug. 27. And fourth, he hasn't been completely healthy for a significant stretch of time since he broke a finger in spring training in 2004.

After he took fielding practice last night, Thome said he hadn't heard that he might be dealt. Asked if he would waive his no-trade clause to go elsewhere, Thome said: "I signed to be a Phillie. To be honest, I'd rather not comment because it would be out of context. I really haven't heard anything about this."

If he agreed to a trade, the Phils would likely have to pay a sizable chunk of his contract, which includes a club option in 2009. After this year, Thome is guaranteed at least $46 million for the remainder of the contract. That number could grow to $56 million, with a club option that automatically vests in 2009, based on plate appearances in 2007 and '08.

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Phillies

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Abreu Wins Home Run Derby With A Record 41 Homers

Bobby Abreu won the Home Run Derby with a record-setting performance Monday night, hitting an astounding 24 homers in his first turn at bat before outslugging hometown favorite Ivan Rodriguez in the finals.

"This is something amazing," Abreu said. "I don't know if I can sleep tonight."

He also smashed the mark for total homers with 41, besting Miguel Tejada's 2004 total of 27 by the second round. Abreu hit 11 in the finals, another derby record, to Rodriguez's five in an event that lasted 3 hours, 3 minutes.

"I'm tired," he said. "This is a beautiful night."

Via ESPN

Philadelphia Phillies

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---