Phillies news release:
The Phillies have traded first baseman/designated hitter Jim Thome to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for catcher Gabriel Lino and right-hander Kyle Simon, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.
Here are Amaro's words from a conference call with the five Phillies beat writers in Miami:
Q: How quick did this come together?
Now trade Victorino, Hamels & Polanco for prospects only.
You won’t get a thing for Polanco, so you may as well keep him for defense. Even Victorino isn’t worth very much.
I’m still holding out hope that we keep Hamels. I’d rather try to dish Lee to someone.
My point with Victorino & Polanco is to get whatever you can before their money comes off the books next year. Sure, if you could get someone to take Le;s money, agreed. But my bigger point is to start rebuilding now, ala the Cubs/Epstein model,. sooner rather than later. Tweaking here & there won’t get the Fightin;s back to the WS.
I understand. Until this team decides that it’s giving up they won’t do anything. They may get some calls about Victorino, and I think he’d be the first one to go, but he’s having a down year, so he’s not very attractive.
My guess is they think Pence is part of the future in the OF. He’s been disappointing this season, but they have asked a lot of him. It’s not easy to be one of the guys, and then to be asked to be “The Guy.” Just look at what Jayson Werth last year in DC. When Howard returns it will be easier for Pence.