Pat Gillick the magician

The Phillies GM Pat Gillick is working hard to improve the Phillies roster. The stove has been heating up at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista Florida. The newest rumor has center fielder Aaron Rowand and Gavin Floyd or another pitching prospect going to the Chicago White Sox for Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez, or Mark Buehrle. It is rumored that the Phillies are targeting Garcia who pitched for the Mariners when Gillick was their GM from 2000-2003. The second move would send Jon Lieber to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielders Kevin Mench and former Phillies farm hand Derrick Turnbow or Jose Capellan. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer the Brewers deal is already done pending the completion of the deal with the White Sox.

The always-guarded Pat Gillick also commented again to the Inquirer that he is more optimistic today than he was Monday that he could acquire a starting pitcher. This deal makes a lot of sense from all the angles. The White Sox have the luxury of excess starting pitching and want Aaron Rowand back badly. Brian Anderson who was supposed to be Rowand’s center field successor on the south side of Chicago didn’t work out. Anderson hit a weak .225 at the plate. The White Sox also missed Rowand’s gritty style of play and club house leadership. The Brewers like every other team not named the Angels or White Sox need starting pitching.

But if these two deals go through I see the Phillies being the biggest winners. Any of the White Sox starting pitchers would improve the Phil’s rotation. With the return of Rowand to Chicago, Shane Victorino would play center field with Pat Burrell, Jeff Conine, and Kevin Mench splitting time in the corner outfield positions. The Phillies would also hypothetically get a reliever.

Derrick Turnbow could be a solid setup man for Tom Gordon. Turnbow’s season started off well making his first all-star team. However, after that his season went off the tracks ending with (cringe) 6.87 ERA. Yikes! I prefer to look at his stats from 2005 where he racked up 39 saves with a 1.70 ERA (that feels better). In reality Turnbow is not nearly as bad as 2006 and probably not as good as 2005. Turnbow could also benefit from the change in scenery and at the end of the day Turnbow can definitely outperform Arthur Rhodes and is a viable option as a closer if Gordon goes on the disabled list. So lets all keep of fingers crossed and hope the Magician Pat Gillick gets these deals done.

Sources:
Phils have a few deals in the works
by Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Gillick working of deal for starting pitcher
by Jim Salisbury / Philadelphia Inquirer