The Paulino Trade - What It Means

by WholeCamels on Mar 28, 2009 9:04 AM EDT

Well, that didn't last long... as we dropped last night, the Phillies traded recently-acquiring backup catcher Ronny Paulino to the San Francisco Giants for lefty reliever (Special Agent) Jack Taschner. (Paulino was subsequently dealt to Florida for another pitcher. LOL Ronny). Both players had very poor springs, so both teams might see this as a "change of scenery" deal. For what it's worth, Taschner has shown a glimmer of ability as a LOOGY, so maybe they're hoping Dubee can work some magic like he did with Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey.

More importantly, the trade tips two major roster decisions that the Phillies have made:

1. Chris Coste will definitely be the backup catcher, at least at the start of the season. The Phillies also probably see him as a valuable right-handed bench bat, even if that bat is overrated.

2. The path is clear for Lou Marson. If there's one place the Phillies have depth in the minor leagues, it's the catching position. Paulino was only going to be a barrier to Marson's development. If either Ruiz or Coste succumb to injury, it's Marson's time.

I for one welcome our Lemur-Looking overlord.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

another thought

At the risk of WC suggesting that I’ve Connected more Dots…

That Rube dealt away Paulino just a few months after picking him up maybe suggests that he won’t be wedded to moves that start to look like mistakes. This was probably my favorite thing about Gillick: when he screwed up—and he did, a lot—he never hung on to a guy, or insisted that he keep his promised role, in hopes that the player would turn it around and justify the money or talent expended to pick him up.

Ryan Franklin, Sal Fasano, Rod Barajas, Geoff Jenkins, Adam Eaton… they all disappointed, but none of them managed to sink whole seasons the way that some of Ed Wade’s mistakes did during his GM tenure. Probably some of that is on Manuel too—after 2005, when too much David Bell and Rheal Cormier really did kill the Phils’ playoff hopes, he probably learned from the mistake and more aggressively asserted himself with the post-Wade GMs.

by dajafi on Mar 28, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

So Does this mean Park is the 5th Starter?

Follow my reasoning:

Happ can go down to AAA, Park will start since the bull pen has more than enough winners. No need for Park right now in bullpen and w/ the new pitcher, that just puts more in it. If they were leaning towards Happ, I think they would have traded for a right hand bat. A week will tell but that is my guess. Do you think I am right?

by DeanH on Mar 28, 2009 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

probably the opposite. taschner is a lefty. they were considering happ for the pen because he would be a second lefty, and now is no longer necessary.

happ doesn’t really need any more AAA seasoning. he led AAA in K’s or close to it next year. he’s not an ace, but he’s pretty much at his prime as a serviceable back of the rotation guy, and it would be wasteful not to use that.

by Matt Swartz on Mar 28, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

That, and Park’s well-known difficulties getting lefties out suits him for bullpen/“ROOGY” type work.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Mar 28, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

not so much LOOGY

JT’s splits actually show he does better against righties.

by RodeoJones on Mar 29, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions

They do on the surface...

But going deeper, his career BABIP for RHB over 55 points higher than against Lefties (vRHB .345 / vLHB .288) while the difference in BA is less.. Also RHB’s OPS is consistently higher than LHB.

by phils11 on Mar 29, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I read that Taschner once threw 95 mph and had a sharp breaking slider. He’s had shoulder surgery, TJ surgery and a nerve problem in his left arm. If he can still throw in the 90s and if he has a good slider or something to go with it, he could do what Eyre does you’d think. He has, at times in his career, gotten both lefties and righties out. But he’s also been hit around a lot by both.

Taschner could be another Eyre I guess. It took Scott a long time to establish himself in the big leagues but he proceeded to have some nice years in his 30s. It would be kinda cool if the Phils stumbled into another useful pitcher.

by smitty99 on Mar 29, 2009 6:40 PM EDT reply actions