Well, first we didn't we the All-Star game yet again. Ryan Howard had the chance to become the NL Hero, most definatily game M.V.P in his hometown, but couldn't deliver. Oh well, that is behind us, the road to the post season begins tomorrow.
Which leads me to the news of the day, we signed Pedro Martinez, which most people knew was only a matter of time. This has sent the Phillies Message Boards, Facebook Discussion Lists, and blogs buzzing. Phans are split on this decision. Some think this is another in a long line of stupid moves in Phillies history, others excited about having a pitcher of Pedro's caliber on the roster. I am one of the ones that sees nothing but upside to this deal. Pedro is signed for one year at $1 million with incentives of $1.5 million. What is the worst the can happen, we lose a $1 million. How many pitchers have come and gone at a much higher price tag? Adam Eaton anyone? Another plus is that Pedro has something to prove, he wants to prove that he has the stuff to help win a championship. Let's face it, a 37 year old Pedro is probably going to be more effective than Rodrigo Lopez or Antonio Bastardo.
So here we are, on the eve of the second half of our road to the post season. We have an outfield filled with All-Stars, we have an infield of incredible player who know how to deliver in the clutch. Hopefully, the rest did Jimmy Rollins some good, we need him to perform in the second half if we want to win another World Championship. This team has the best shot of repeating for the first time since the NY Yankees of 1998-2000.
Which leads to my last thought, can you imagine if the Phillies win the Roy Halladay sweepstakes? This team would be unreal. Let's for a minute look at the possibilty of landing Halladay. First from the rumors on the internet, the contenders the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers. The Blue Jays are short time away from truly contending in the East. Sending Halladay, who is 32, to the Sox or Yankees who have more than enough money to keep, would hurt there chances of contending. In my mind, that excludes them. The we have Roy Halladay's comment that he will waive the his full no trade clause to play for a contender, well that's not the Rangers. That leaves the Phillies as the front runner for Roy Halladay. But Halladay will come a cost to the organization, price that this Phan is willing to pay. In this day and age, repeats are virtually impossible and dynasties are unheard of, but this team has been built to win for years to come. A pitcher like Roy Halladay moves us that much closer to the dynasty we have been told for years we were building. Halladay doesn't guarantee another Championship, but it gives us a great shot. What a rotation we would have: Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, and Pedro Martinez...WOW. That rotation combined with All-Stars: Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth; along with guys who have been struggling but will get their act together in the second half in Jimmy Rollins and Brad Lidge will make this squad tough to beat. Hopefully we will be celebrating deep into the night again this October.
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