The Phillies have a good rotation, Hallelujah!

The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up a legitimate ace when they traded for Freddy Garcia. The deal sent Gavin Floyd and a player to be named later who White Sox GM Kenny Williams let slip is former White Sox prospect Gio Gonzalez. This is a fantastic deal for the Phillies. First Garcia’s track record tells us that the Phillies picked up a pitcher who will give 200 innings and an ERA close to 4.00. Garcia’s 2006 ERA of 4.53 is scary but his overall track record says that he is better than his 06 numbers. In addition Garcia a pitcher who has spent his entire career in the American League will get a boost facing pitchers instead of DHs in the National League. In addition as Phillies Phans we don’t have to worry a lot about how Citizens Bank Park will affect Garcia. U.S. Cellular Park while not as homer prone as CBP is comparable in terms of being a hitter’s park. Garcia solidifies the rotation making it one of the best in the NL East.

The Phillies did have to give up Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez. For an ace like Garcia Floyd and Gonzalez isn’t too high a price to pay. Gavin Floyd is very high on potential and I really hope he fulfills that potential. However, Floyd’s player dossier is filled with ugly statistics. Most recently Floyd posted a down right nasty 7.20 ERA during 11 starts in the Arizona Fall League. In any case people who know more about this than me say that Floyd someday will be a great major league pitcher. Whether or not that is true I want the Phillies to win now, not in a few seasons after Floyd develops, but now. The loss of Gonzalez hurts because you can never have to many southpaw power pitchers. Despite the loss of Gonzalez I choose to think about the other positive aspects of this trade.

The loss of Floyd and Gonzalez is ameliorated by the fact the Jon Lieber is now resting right on top of the trading block. Lieber who is now the Phillies sixth starter will be moved before the season starts. Pat Gillick has commented that moving Lieber to the bullpen isn’t an option so logically Lieber will have to be moved to another team. In this absolutely ridiculous market were Gil Meche will get a five year 55 million dollar contract, Lieber will allow the Phillies to plug some holes. Gillick’s first priority is to pick up that illusive eighth inning setup man with closing experience. Fortunately the Cardinals, Rangers, Brewers, and Cubs are in desperate need of starting pitching and all have relievers to deal. The Phillies can be sure that Gillick won’t trade Lieber unless it fills some of the holes in the Phil’s bullpen. So when considering this deal and the loss of Gonzalez and Floyd, Phil’s Phans have to consider what a future trade of Lieber will bring to the Phillies.

Finally the icing on the cake is that Gillick managed to get this deal done without trading Aaron Rowand. Rowand could also continue to be valuable trade bait for all the teams out there who need center fielders. So three cheers for Gillick who has managed to overhaul the Phillies rotation in his short but glorious tenure.

Sources:
Phils acquire Garcia form White Sox
by Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Phils ride 'roller coaster'
by Ken Mandel / MLB.com