Much has been written about Eric Milton's attempt at a no-hitter on Sunday. As the drama unfolded, reality began to sink in, and I thought that it was unlikely to happen.
Milton had not completed a game all season, and during a previous interview, he cited long counts and lots of foul balls for the high pitch counts that usually took their toll on him after five or six innings. This time, however, he had tossed only 80 pitches through seven frames, and I became more optimistic after he retired the side in the eighth.
We all know how this one ended, and it's unfortunate that the left-hander didn't even get a win to show for his magnificent outing — his best with the Phillies. Lately, word had spread that Milton likes pitching in Philadelphia and wants a contract extension. This one should be a no-brainer for general manager Ed Wade.
With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, rumors abound about who's coming or going. The Phillies desperately need a front-line starter more than anything else. Secondary needs include an everyday center fielder and another reliever.
Among the possibilities floated thus far were Pittsburgh right-hander Kris Benson for Double-A first baseman Ryan Howard, and Arizona center fielder Steve Finley for Marlon Byrd.
Byrd could develop into a fine player in the future, or he may have been just a flash in the pan in 2003. Right now, though, he's not good enough to play for a team chasing after a pennant, so I'd pull the trigger on this one.
Reports on Howard indicate that he might be the best power-hitting prospect to come through the Phillies' farm system in decades, but he only plays one position, and Jim Thome is locked up at first base for the next few years. I'd like to have Benson on my staff, and if the Pirates balk at Howard, Wade could try to put together another package for the pitcher.
As for Howard, he's at least a year or two away, which would coincide with the tail end of Thome's contract. Howard may have to sit on the bench for a while, but nobody knows how age is going to affect Thome as he approaches the final years of his deal. Furthermore, Howard could provide insurance at first base should Thome suffer a serious injury.
How do you feel about this one?
Of more concern to me is the talk about who's leaving, and two names mentioned are pitcher Kevin Millwood and infielder Placido Polanco.
After a disappointing first half, Millwood has been pitching well lately — Monday's first two innings notwithstanding — and the Phillies can't afford to lose a decent pitcher now. If the right-handed hurler has a good second half and helps the team get into the playoffs, offer him arbitration again and let the chips fall where they may.
Would Millwood take more money to play for a second-tier team, or would he prefer to return to a playoff contender in Philadelphia?
Polanco presents a real problem for Wade. The second baseman's contract is up this year, but top prospect Chase Utley is out of options and is definitely ready to play every day in the Show. The Phillies have too much invested in Utley, so Polanco looks like the odd man out, unless the team could find a way to shuffle players to other positions.
Polanco was hitting only .263 after the weekend series with Chicago, but his career average coming into this season was .294. He is also one of the best all-around players to wear a Phillies uniform in years, and his manager is an ardent supporter.
"Polanco has to be one of the best, if not the best, second basemen in the game," Larry Bowa said when asked about a nifty double play that the infielder turned to get the Phillies out of an eighth-inning jam in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Cubs.
If Polanco is traded, I won't be surprised, but I will be disappointed.
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