Trade Cole Hamels Now!
by David S. Cohen on Apr 5, 2011 10:50 PM EDT
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PrintTonight was horrible. Cole Hamels couldn't get out of the third inning against a lineup that featured Brad Emaus and Mike Nickeas, and neither of them is the pitcher. The pitcher was actually Chris Young, who had two hits in the third inning, the first time a Mets pitcher has ever had two hits in an inning. All in all, against a team that's the laughing stock of baseball, Hamels went 2.7 innings and gave up 6 earned runs, 7 hits, and 2 walks.
What's worse is that the fans clearly haven't forgiven Hamels for 2009. Even though he was the World Series MVP in 2008 and even though he was dominant in the second half of last season and even though he'd be a clear number-one pitcher on many teams, the fans still think negatively of him. Whatever it is, his schtick isn't flying here in Philadelphia.
The team has three other real aces, and Kyle Kendrick showed tonight what he's made of. He knows how to get people out. And Hamels is in the last year of a three-year contract.
Hamels has to go. Now. When he still has some trade value. Before he produces another outing like tonight, the team should get on the phone and trade him. We have excellent starting pitching without him and a huge hole in right field, not to mention no one in the system to take either of the middle infield spots that are in peril longterm. Hamels could fetch a decent contact hitter to fill the vacuum left by Jayson Werth or a scrappy utility infielder to fix the soon-to-be-created holes up the middle.
If he stays, we'll just be treated to more gutless performances like tonight. Sure, he may be able to have another stretch of 28 starts of 2.68 ERA and .663 OPS against with a 175:51 strikeout to walk ratio, like he did from May 4 forward last year. But, is it really worth the risk that he continues to disappoint and frustrate? After all, this is guy who gave up 6 runs in one inning to the Mets tonight!
Trade him now. While he still has some value to some team out there. We might be able to get the next Adam Kennedy or Jay Gibbons in return.
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For David Eckstein!
I know he’s a free agent, but trade Hamels for him, just to be sure.
Gigante. Campeón. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Have David Eckstein and Adam Kennedy ever been seen in the same place at the same time?
by David S. Cohen on Apr 5, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
2001-2004 Anaheim Angels
Not only were they on the same team at the same time, they were the starting middle infield for four years, including the 2002 world championship team. And at the time, they really weren’t bad. Not the stars of the team or even close, but they were basically average starters at their positions. (Of course, the media thought Eckstein was the best player on the team…)
But do you really know that they were two separate players and not some time-space glitch playing some trick on our minds?
by David S. Cohen on Apr 5, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, they are gentlemen of Harvard
Man, what a great movie, but pretty much everyone in the whole story was loathsome
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree. That was my issue with it. Even with the great lengths they go to make Zuckerberg out to be some kind of sociopath, he still winds up being the most likable character of the bunch.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
David Eckstein owns the universes most powerful paradox machine. How else could his career last so long?
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
A PERFECT TRADE!
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Keep Hope Alive
We’ll probably have to throw in Blanton and Polanco, though. Young’s such an amazing ballplayer and everything.
Only if we get some prospect-y goodness thrown in the deal…
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Alternately… How about Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, and Polanco for Michael Young?
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Try Moyer out now, even with half an arm he’s sure to be better than Cole.
by philsandthrills on Apr 5, 2011 10:56 PM EDT reply actions
Oh God please take him
He’s hitting .571/.571/1.000 so far this year! You know you want him!
And no I’m not telling you how many PAs and don’t you dare look.
Gigante. Campeón. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Ha, the "laughingstock" of a lineup
is easily better than the Philly lineup. And it’s not even close until Utley gets back. If he gets back.
Easily. Plus, word is Chase is looking into early retirement packages. Boca Raton is way nicer than another trip to the playoffs.
Yeah, your guys sure knocked the cover off the ball. All those homers and everything. Even in that tiny bandbox of a park, they crushed the ball all over the place!
Hey, they made contact and were patient
qualities that you are going to long for from Rollins and Howard if Utley is out until July. I didn’t say the Mets were better overall, but the lineups as constituted right now? The only edge you have is 1b. Ruiz may be slightly better than Thole, but Thole is also going to have a good year and is much younger. We’ll see. With you offense, you guys will have to win a ton of 2-1 and 3-2 games, and when you attempt to do that, it’s a crapshoot, and you’ll need a lights out pen. Good luck.
You said they were easily better.
That’s different than what you’re saying now.
by philsandthrills on Apr 6, 2011 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I understand that this isn’t actually a serious debate, but for the record, the major projection systems generally give the Phillies the offensive edge in 2011 at three positions other than second base: catcher, first base, and center field (slight).
The thing is that this assumes normal bounceback years from Bay and Beltran. I think I probably agree with that for Bay, but Beltran has looked so bad for such an extended period of time now that I wonder if he might be done. ZIPS and co. don’t take into account whether or not your off-year was caused by irreversible injuries – they just treat all off-years the same. If Beltran’s knees are shot, Ben Francisco could very well outperform him at the plate in 2011.
I suppose it’s possible that Utley will go through the same thing, but the difference is that with Utley we’d just be speculating, whereas with Beltran we actually have some hard on-field evidence that he may be through. Also, even an Utley with busted knees would still hit better than Brad Emaus. Not so with Beltran vs. Francisco.
All in all, I actually agree that the Mets’ offense won’t be terrible this year, and that a Phillies’ lineup minus Utley will be comparable to it. Anything more pessimistic than that, though, is a little ridiculous.
It’s about time someone here gave it up and represented for the real phans! Enough propeller beanies and hiding behind numbers with lots of other numbers after the decimal point! Cole is softer than a custard cone in August and he has to go! Just listen to the guy – he sounds soft. How can a guy with a voice like that command like a Veteran Clubhouse Presence™? Yo, thanks for keeping it real, David!
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Apr 5, 2011 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That's it!!!!
Cole Hamels for Pat Burrell!!!!
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
one could only wish
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I honestly want to say that the weather played a huge factor in Cole’s performance tonight. And before you say “Well Chris Young had a good game” , remember, that guys a freak who the Mets stole from Giant Island.
Samesis
Atleast the Braves lost. Keeps us in first.
The Eagles have 3 NFL Championships. How many does your team have Dallas fans? Oh yeah, zero.
We’re tied with the Mets though. The Mets! And it’s all his fault!
by David S. Cohen on Apr 5, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
its time to rebuild folks
trade halladay and howard o seattle for prosepects
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:08 PM EDT reply actions
Sure… I hear they have such wonderful prospects… I’ll take the pitcher with the sex assault charge, Justin Smoak, and one or two toolsy outfielders…
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
smoak and the pitcher with the sex assault is asking too much. ill just take the 1 or 2 toolsy outfielders. lol
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Utley and Hamels for Jack Wilson?
Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose
by TheOrangeCone on Apr 5, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
if only amaro could get this done, wed make them look like fools.
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey you leave Jack Wilson alone. I love watching the guy field. Yeah, yeah…so I have a fielding fetish.
Rex Ryan was curious to know if you saw Jack Wilson’s toe drag double play yesterday?
"Francisco!...that's fun to say!" - Buddy
It looks like he had a tough inning with 2 errors in the 2nd today, when Texas scored their 3 runs. Link.
Celebrating 50 years of slightly more Phils wins than losses: 1962-2011
Yeah I did and it was awesome. I was gonna do a fan shot about it but too much drama yesterday. Too bad he can’t hit worth a lick. When my dad was sick we’d watch Baseball Tonight for the Web Gems just to see him do some whack ass shit. And he’s like the kid you played sandlot baseball with – an old timey baseball face that looks like he’s just meant to play baseball. Baseball fans we so sentimental.
Only if Seattle takes all of the money remaining on their contracts and sends a bag of balls and a box of bats.
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And gum, don't forget the gum.
Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose
by TheOrangeCone on Apr 5, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
redman? skoal?
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Hamels for Leury Bonilla
Dude played all 9 positions in one game, homered and pitched a scoreless inning…such a steal!
Wow…that actually happened.
Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose
by TheOrangeCone on Apr 5, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
No longer the tagline!
Always applicable however.
by philsandthrills on Apr 5, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
In all seriousness, I think the anti-Cole hysteria has died down quite a bit over the past twelve months or so. You still have your residual idiots out there but he isn’t as mistreated as he once was, not even on WIP.
I think tomorrow is the true test of whether or not the Cole-disdain is truly gone or not.
by philsandthrills on Apr 5, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Why do I think the WIP crowd is going to phail miserably?
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
theyre talking more flyers and sixers than phillies. you know caltaldi will rip him.
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
And once he gets started, the callers will follow… Gak!
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This seems like a large-enough sample to be representative of the idiot squad.
http://www.facebook.com/975thefanatic/posts/10150166884004049
Wasn’t too bad on the whole, I think. Hamels is not loved, but he’s nowhere near McNabb or Iguodala land.
after reading the name of the link I didn’t even need to click on it
"Francisco!...that's fun to say!" - Buddy
The point is that even those folks were mostly defending him. A few of them said it was ok to boo, but that it shouldn’t be taken personally. Very few actually said that Hamels sucks or is soft or what not.
But seriously, the Mets pitcher is a freak. He he made Exxon look like the little guy from Kid Rocks entourage.
Samesis
rip
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah a few years after kid rocks debut came out. poor little guy.
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Willie Harris is on fire
Maybe Cole and a prospect for Willie?
by James Kannengieser on Apr 5, 2011 11:10 PM EDT reply actions
rebuild veterans stadium movement
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_136953763043281¬if_t=group_r2j
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well, the performance was a bit disconcerting, but we’ll see what he does next time around. I think it was a combination of bad luck, the cold, and the home plate umpire being blind and/or incompetent.
Actually, what really irked me is Hamels is on one of my fantasy teams…so there went my ERA.
Your ERA for the rest of the year in your fantasy league is doomed!
by David S. Cohen on Apr 5, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t worry, Stanton is 0 for the century so far. Luckily Soria is doing well. How’re Thome and Branyan?
Thome’s trying to figure out when he gets to play, and Branyan lost the 1B job for ARI.
Overall, solid.
by philsandthrills on Apr 5, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I’ll have to slow down a bit in that front.
by philsandthrills on Apr 6, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Let’s just trade Madson, Hamels, and Ibañez now for whatever we can get for them… Why wait for the trade deadline rush!
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This team is not built to claw their way out from under a 3/2 start. Not enough fight in them. Did you see they way Bennie Fresh just couldn’t quite get it done? Reminiscent of vintage McNabb.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Apr 5, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s trade Hamels for a majority share in TastyKakes and try and right that ship. Probably be easier than try to fix Hamels.
I think you’re assuming too much about Hamels’s worth to TastyKakes. Dude can’t throw a ball, how do you expect him to sell Kandy Kakes?
Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose
by TheOrangeCone on Apr 5, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
So you're saying saving Tastykakes is possible??
I like how you think!
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
wait tastycake is going out of business wtff
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Sadly, it may happen- it is looking like their only choices may be buyout or bankruptcy
by dannijd on Apr 5, 2011 11:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
well damnn thats disappointing. i didnt hear about it over here in the bay. thanks for the info. ima tell my dad to save me a box of butterscotch krimpets. :) lol so gooddd
soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment
ive been gettin money since barkley played for us - cassidy
by phillyeaglesfan on Apr 5, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
They got a temporary stay of execution, though.
They’re off the chopping block for the immediate future.
Certainly not golden, though – and won’t be if they keep scrimping on the krimpets! (see what I did, there?)
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 6, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
CALL UP SAN FRAN!
Get Burrell & Roland back!
They’re gritty gamers who can (re)teach the Phils how to WIN!
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 5, 2011 11:56 PM EDT reply actions
Jesus
Rowand*
…Why oh why does Scott Rolen still haunt my dreams and affect my recalling of Aaron, Freud-style?!
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 5, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn, you Scott Rolen!
DAMN YOU!!!!!!
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 6, 2011 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
damn you
"Francisco!...that's fun to say!" - Buddy
by DirtyWaters on Apr 6, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bring back Adam Eaton
Sports fan, but not consumed by it. Write about sports at The Whole Take(thewholetake.tumblr.com). Get at me.
TalkingChop “OMG, TGP is phreak-out panicking! (link)” Sarcasm-Fail Fan Post™ in 10…. 9….. 8…. 7…. 6…..
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 6, 2011 12:11 AM EDT reply actions
Is that the West Gate to Turner Field?
by Phrozen on Apr 6, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is that the East Gate to Turner Field?
by Phrozen on Apr 6, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You forget… They are not allowed to visit here (wonder how many trolls we will get next series….)
by dannijd on Apr 6, 2011 7:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Man, I needed this thread...
A nice palate-cleanser of ridiculousness to put me in a good mood before knockin’ off.
G’night, phellas.
Get ’em tomorrow.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 6, 2011 12:46 AM EDT reply actions
The sad thing is I saw people freaking out on the FB thread when I had to run out to the store during the game. One guy said “Ace? He wouldn’t even be a starter on most teams.”
Are FB threads even dumber than philly.com? I think so.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
Sadly, that’s proof that indeed they are.
by 92-74-99-96 on Apr 6, 2011 6:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Um people were freaking out in the TGP thread as well. Mostly the new crowd though
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
So i don’t know how relevant this is, but someone in my fantasy league dropped Kubel to add…..
Francoeur.
El Camino! El El Camino!
The front is like a car, the back is like a truck!
The front is where you drive, the back is where you
El Camino! El El Camino!
It means you have a much better chance of winning?
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I think this is an overreaction
It’s the first game of the season. It’s not even his WORST first game. He let 9 runs in two innings a few years ago. Judging him on this performance alone is like judging a quarterback in his first half of the season. Pitchers are gold. The more good ones you have, the better your team is and that’s a fact. Cole Hamels is a good pitcher with potential of being great. He is still young. He deserves more games before we scream “trade!”
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
Really?
You, sir, have the patience of a saint.
by David S. Cohen on Apr 6, 2011 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions
There are always a handful who don’t pick up on the sarcasm (been there).
Celebrating 50 years of slightly more wins than losses: 1962-2011
Was this whole post sarcasm? I usually pick up on it unless its too subtle. This would have been the far opposite. Maybe spectrum ends aren’t my thing.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
Yes, and I’m not sure it was subtle either
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
it wasn't subtle at all
I’m saying it was the opposite. It was laid on so thick that it blinded me. Mr. Cohen makes arguments coming from someone who actually would want this. Then he got me again above when I disagreed….
Really?
You, sir, have the patience of a saint.
by David S. Cohen on Apr 6, 2011 4:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I took the bait and got hooked! What a dummy….
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
by David_K on Apr 6, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
TGP – a sneaky sneaky place – gotta keep your wits about you
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why wait....
His ERA is over 20!!!! If we wait he may become totally immovable!
by dannijd on Apr 6, 2011 7:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Damn you all, I need more Cole Hominems to explain his poor performance
Cole is soft
He is from California
He hates cold weather
He gets flustered too easily on the mound
His teammates don’t like him and therefore don’t try enough in the field or at the plate
He called the Mets “Choke Artists” and therefore the Mets try harder against Cole
He has no facial hair
He can’t handle the pressure of Halladay, Lee and Oswalt being there
He doesn’t like being the “4th Starter”
He needs more “out” pitches
by Mace Chutney on Apr 6, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Trade Hamels to the Mets straight up for Chris Young!!
Young is obviously the better pitcher… plus with a bat like that, he can just play RF the four days he’s not pitching. Done.
Remember that there were people in the Phillies fandom who wanted to give the Blue Jays Hamels instead of Drabek. There might have even been some on this blog.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
While there might have been ‘some’ on this blog who wanted to make a trade, you’d be hard pressed to find any who have demonstrated a rational and intelligent understanding of baseball in your generic ‘some’ to try and make it seem worse than it was.
My recollection is that most intelligent people realized keeping Hamels instead of Drabek was the better of the situations.
by SportingFanaticism on Apr 6, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
i heard eric bruntlett is looking for a job..
HAHAHA, the aints forever i guess
by XxActionJacksonxX on Apr 6, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions
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