LuckyBen said:
The problem is that Ruben should have done this last year in the same position and chose not to. Ok, he didn't like what the returns were looking like, but why is that going to increase when all of those guys are a year closer to retirement. The Phillies are screwed for at least two more years and a Hamels trade isn't solving that problem.
Yes, Amaro could maybe hide behind 'he didn't like the returns last summer" excuse, which sounded bogus at the time. But its become quite obvious Ruben Amaro hasn't adjusted to the times and is completely inept.
There has been a flurry of activity this winter: high-end prospects, lottery prospects, high paid vets, cash moving around with deals, multiple teams bidding for Lester (who is similar to Hamels talent wise), catchers in demand - the baseball trade market has never been so LIQUID. When markets are liquid thats the best time to transact, somehow Amaro hasn't figured that out.
Teams/General Managers are going to feel good about their teams and lineups, like the Red Sox now feel about their rotation. Is the Sox rotation perfect? No, but I don't expect Ben to make another addition to the starting 5 unless its a trade he absolutely wins.
Ben will see how his top flight prospects and starting 5 work out for the first few months before having to go back to the trade market.
Ruben clearly missed out on getting the most value from his roster twice in the last 6 months, Gillick should get in there and straighten out that mess.