Winter Wonderland

By Jared Trexler

A guy can dream, right? Some of my compatriots and friends will bestow on Orlando for a week of wheeling and dealing.

Verizon will make millions.

I will be sitting in my office in King of Prussia, helping keep our loyal readers up to date on the Phillies latest moves as they happen.

If there are any. Yes, I didn't stutter. If you read the link posted this morning on our site, GM Pat Gillick attempted to temper expectations by saying he wasn't planning on making a big splash near Splash Mountain.

"Batting fifth, left fielder Pat Burrell," or worse yet, "Batting fifth, center fielder Aaron Rowand."

That last one will fill the seats.

The most frustrating part of this entire ordeal is that the Phillies have a golden opportunity. Make a move and win over a city bored with the Flyers and Sixers, and flat out pissed about the Eagles' floundering season.

A team is in perfect position to make a serious run at World Series glory when its best player (Ryan Howard) probably won't top $1 million next season. Couple that with the Bobby Abreu trade (the one that created "financial flexibility") and the Phillies have money to spend and nowhere to spend it.

Because they won't be bold. They won't part with Gio Gonzalez and J.A. Happ for Vernon Wells. Or Manny Ramirez. Or Andruw Jones.

But enough with what Gillick probably will do (press conference at 5:30 p.m. to announce the signing of David Weathers), let's get into what I would do if I were GM for the week of the Winter Meetings.
***

• Call Theo Epstein. Inquire about Manny's interest in coming to Philadelphia. If its tepid, offer to pick up his option and begin contract extension talks in earnest. Offer a package of Gonzalez, Happ and a throw-in. See where that gets you. If they want an outfielder, tell them to pick one, any one. Exhaust every option. If none of them work, hold a press conference or get every beat writer on the phone and explain to them that the fullcourt press was put on Manny, and nothing worked. If only Scott Palmer was that media savvy.

• Ditto Vernon Wells. A package begins with Gonzalez and/or Happ depending on Wells' desire to talk contract extension immediately. I'd be hesitant with a one-year rental unless only 1 of my top 2 pitching prospects was in the deal.

• Offer Borowski's contract to Miguel Batista, even sweeten it with a third-year option, drawing the total contract to somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 years and $15 million (Justin Speier territory). Tell him we need you for the bullpen, but WHEN one of our injury prone starters goes down, you are first in line for the job.

• Take chances on other relievers. Play Russian Roulette because that's basically what relief pitching is. Don't lock up David Weathers or Borowski off 1 or 2 good seasons on the heels of a mediocre one. Dustin Hermanson, David Riske, and how about Eric Gagne? Don't sign a Type A reliever and lose draft picks. Sign a couple of chances to incentive-laden contacts to throw in with Batista, Geary, Smith and Gordon.

• Don't sign a back-up catcher! I don't understand those reports at all. Yes, Chris Coste may be a flash-in-the-pan at 33 years old, and yes, Carlos Ruiz hasn't proven anything at the big league level (though he did lead the minors in batting average). Even if the combination struggles offensively, both call a good game, and (correct me if I'm wrong) we led the league in runs scored last season.

• Trade Aaron Rowand. If he isn't part of the Boston deal above, trade him to Texas or Colorado or Chicago for pitching help. Brian Fuentes? Rowand + Gavin Floyd or Zack Segovia for Garcia/Vazquez/Garland?

This, as the Phillies GM, would be my dream scenario at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings:

Lineup:

SS Rollins

CF/RF Victorino

1B Howard

CF/LF Wells/Ramirez

2B Utley

LF/RF Burrell

3B Helms

C Ruiz/Coste

Starting Rotation:

Myers, Hamels, Lieber, Moyer, Eaton

Bullpen:

Smith, Joey Eischen, Brian Fuentes, Geary, Dustin Hermanson, Miguel Batista, Flash

If all else (or most) fails:

Lineup:

SS Rollins

CF Victorino

2B Utley

1B Howard

LF Burrell

RF Kevin Mench/Trot Nixon

3B Helms

C Ruiz/Coste

Same Starting staff and bullpen (still trade Rowand + prospect for Fuentes)

******

Give me a call Pat. I'll send you a copy. I've been consistent in stating my intentions on judging Gillick once the offseason is complete.

I'll stand by that belief.

Now get it done Pat.