Quote:
I don't know if I would trade Cain for Howard... I'm very high on Howard, but I'm not completely sold on him.


Is it the all-or-nothing approach at the plate, his almost utter lack of defense, or the fact he turns 26 during the offseason? Or is it the fact he does much of his damage in a home park that almost rivals Colorado's as a hitter's haven? (granted, he does have excellent power anywhere, but his numbers have been inflated). Or is it the fact his type is a lot more plentiful than Cain's? Or is it the fact we'd be giving up a 21 year-old (we'll call him 21 since I called Howard 26) power pitcher with sick stuff who hasn't even come close to tapping his potential while Howard is fast approaching his peak? And last I checked, the cost to replace a comparable pitcher is close to eight figures a *year.* Why would we consider giving up what we desperately need? For a lefty first baseman? Yep, we need one of those too, but not for that price.

Don't get me wrong. If Howard became available, despite my misgivings, I'd take a flyer as a possible left-handed complement (at worst) for Lance Niekro or Pedro Feliz, but he's the kind of guy who gets traded at the deadline for that missing piece, not as an exchange for top prospect for top prospect. Those deals rarely happen. In other words, if we have a veteran piece of the puzzle that the Phillies might be willing to absorb, then fine. But for Matt Cain? Hellllll no!

-Dave

P.S. Re: the OP, just because two people in two different states read the same websites, doesn't make a rumor anything more than a rumor.