Howard Update

[love_that_reefer]

Ryan Howard (Achilles tendon surgery) could begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday.
Howard has been playing the field in simulated games down in Clearwater, Florida since mid-June. He's likely to spend close to three weeks appearing in minor league rehab games before returning to the Phillies' starting lineup shortly after the All-Star break. The 32-year-old slugger has been out all season.

Phillies sit 8 games out and tied for last in the East. They need some help and with Utley set to return soon, the Phillies might be getting some. Howard and Utley shouldn't be expected to be like themselves of old but can still contribute more than Wiggington and Martinez/Galvis.

[zodious]

With the all-star break and deadline coming up Phillies need to see quickly how good they'll be before they can figure out if they are buyers or sellers

[Kingdom]

Man, if they're sellers, who would have called that? Especially when they have been the Princes of the Trade Deadline last few years.

[zodious]

What would you sell though?

Howard? Not off an injury and not with that salary...

Lee? Halliday? Doubt it.

Utley, same with Howard.

In reality they're going to be sellers on Rollins... Though I'm not sold on that,

The big one people would chase is Hammels, there would be a large market for him, but who could pay what they'd ask, AND if they're trading Hammels you may look to deal Lee and Halliday then.

For multiple reasons the phillies could be the most interesting team to watch at the deadline.

[Kingdom]

Hamels.

Hammels is in Baltimore.

[zodious]

Hamels.Hammels is in Baltimore.

Lmao! I knew I should have just said Cole. I forgot Pence too, they got him at the deadline, why not trade him at the deadline.

[love_that_reefer]

Hamels, Victorino, Pence, Blanton, Thome, Wiggington

[Kingdom]

Thome go back to Cleveland!

Wigginton seems like what the Dodgers would acquire. Who's feelin' frisky to go all in on Hamels?

[Kingdom]

Oh God, ahahahaha. Could you imagine Mofo's reaction if the Dodgers traded for Victorino?

[love_that_reefer]

Thome go back to Cleveland!

Too bad the Indians have too many LH bats

[love_that_reefer]

Howard was activated today after having played just one full game at 1B. Don't see the rush really.

[Kingdom]

Desperate. Even though they have been selling off a little piece here and there.

[zodious]

They need to put him in the lineup to see if he's the piece that makes them a playoff team, or a sell off team, and they have less than 4 weeks to figure it out... and one of those weeks is lost due to the ASG

[love_that_reefer]

I get that but why not wait til after the break to bring him back and let him get his legs under him, literally.

[zodious]

because its a 3 game series with Atlanta for what could be the WC or divition at the end of the season...