Miller: Lieber deal verbally agreed upon

By Jared Trexler

Bucks Country Courier-Times Phillies beat writer Randy Miller told The SportsTalk 950's Jody McDonald that the Philadelphia Phillies have come to a verbal agreement to trade starting pitcher Jon Lieber to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Kevin Mench and right-handed pitcher Derrick Turnbow (fellow relief pitcher Jose Capellan was the relief pitcher mentioned in the trade on Rotoworld).

BUT...

First, the Phillies must acquire another starting pitcher, according to Miller. That pitcher could be Chicago White Sox hurler Freddy Garcia, who has one year and $10 million left on his contract. A much talked about trade among media members at the Winter Meeetings has White Sox cult hero Aaron Rowand heading back to the Windy City along with either Ryan Madson or Gavin Floyd for Garcia.

Miller had no new knowledge of that supposed trade other than that it had been bantered about. The trade with the Brewers appears to be the second domino in GM Pat Gillick's reshaping of the Phillies. However, for it to fall, a first trade must come to fruition for another starting pitcher.

Miller also talked about the status of outfielder Pat Burrell, who has been a hot topic of conversation in Orlando. Miller feels that the Phillies are willing to trade the outfielder even if they don't replace him with a slugger. Names Miller mentioned as extra outfielders include Preston Wilson and Rondell White.