2 Roys 1 Cup

[Anebriated]

Or world series trophy in this case... With the Phillies picking up Roy Oswalt for a bag of balls and a case of sunflower seeds is there a better 1-2-3 punch in baseball? The only "unproven" postseason pitcher is Roy Halladay.... Hamels has won the world series MVP and is shaping up to be our 3rd starter... Im excited for the remainder of this season.


BTW I think Ed Wade is still on the Phillies payroll or something... This deal should never have happened as we gave up practically nothing for one of the games better pitchers.

[Paradii]

I still say they never should have traded Cliff Lee. I don't see the merits for trading one Ace for another Ace, when they still needed another one.


Well, at least they are winning games again.

[Archigeek]

I agree. Oswalt should have gone to the Twins for sure. Instead, the Twins picked up an above average closer in exchange for the second best prospect in their system and an AA guy. You got a far better deal than the Rangers did for Cliff Lee, as you have Oswalt for at least this year and next for what, 10 mil for the two years after the cash they threw in? And with an option for another year? Crazy. A steal for an ace pitcher is exactly what you got.

And yeah, I think you've got the best 1-2-3 punch in baseball. You have two of the top 10 starters in baseball, and Hamels can't be far out of that group either. You're going to be in an awesome position once you get to the post season format, where you'll never have to go beyond your third starter most likely.

[AestheticLife]

Happ is going to be remarkable as of next year, for the next five or seven years. Oswalt is going into decline the moment he throws his creaky old shoulder out one more time, and will be lucky to make it to the playoffs without injury issues considering his workrate earlier this year.

The Phillies gave up their ace for the next decade to get a solid number 3 that's only even a number 2 because Hamels is a flake. Yeah. What a bargain.

Oswalt is a Hall of Fame pitcher, but he isn't dominant anymore, nor is he about to relive his glory days of 200k's each season. His control is still there and he's keeping the ball in the park (so far); That's the only reason this trade happened. Let's see how he fares against the big bats that contenders bring to the table in November.

5 ERs in your debut game with a new team isn't necessarily the way to win over the fans. This was against the NATIONALS, people. Four Ks and 2BBs against one of the worst teams in the game. Congrats on your huge trade, Philly.

[Gan]

Really sad to see Oswalt leave my Stros. :(

[Latrinsorm]

I think you're going to be very disappointed in Oswalt if you expect him to be an ace and Hamels if you expect him to be of World Series MVP caliber. Not too many starting pitchers with 143 career wins and 0 Cy Young awards are in the Hall of Fame. Oswalt is certainly an improvement over Joe freaking Blanton, don't get me wrong, I'm just not convinced this locks it up for the Phillies.

[AestheticLife]

I'm not even convinced this HELPS the Phillies, and it will definately hurt them in the long run.

There have been stretches where they completely stop looking competitive, and before the trade could've easily missed the playoffs entirely. If Oswalt goes 2-5 down the stretch and continues to look like the 'guy that once was', odds are they still miss the playoffs and pay dearly to do so.

What was the best possible outcome for Houston? They lose Oswalt anyway AFTER missing the playoffs, or get stuck with him overperforming for another half-year while paying his tab. Have fun with your about-to-be All-Star pitcher, and potential All-Star replacement for Carlos Lee, Houston.

I suddenly have hope for Ed Wade after realizing Anthony Gose was tacked onto the deal. Kid is a freaking beast. By the time he can legally consume alcohol, he'll have his first 30/30 season in the big leagues.