Blue Jays Interested in Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino?

Word just broke that the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays have discussed candidates for a possible trade. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting according to several major league sources, "at least one club - the Toronto Blue Jays, already has engaged in dialogue with the Phils about their top potential free agents, left-hander Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino."

Let that digest for a second. This should just add to all of the negative thoughts going through the minds of the Phillies fans right now. Remember it is only May 11, no team should be a seller this early into the season. This is the second time in two days that Ruben Amaro Jr. is publicly saying the Phillies could be sellers in July. Is he possibly jumping the gun? Or is Amaro just doing his job, by trying to test the waters and see who is interested and who is not, so by the time July rolls around the Phillies can be sellers and the front office will have had two months to think about players they would want in return?

But now think about this, the Blue Jays are doing their homework on players who may be available. Hamels and Victorino's names have already been floated out there, imagine all of the teams that would be interested in securing a left-handed ace and former World Series MVP, and a gold-glover. The Blue Jays,  Dodgers, Tigers, Rangers, and of course the Yankees, just to name a few early candidates.

I'm still holding out hope the Phillies can re-sign Hamels. I honestly believe if they want to prove they are committed to winning and staying successful, give Hamels whatever he wants. This is definitely looks like it could turn into a wild roller coaster ride for the Phillies and their fans if the team does not pick it up over the course of the next two months.

Ruben Amaro: We May be Sellers in July

Earlier I posted about the closed-door meeting that Charlie Manuel conducted last night after an embarrassing three-game sweep courtesy of the New York Mets. Now comes word from Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, that Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr has chimed in on Manuel's lashing.

Asked if the lashing was needed, Amaro responded saying, "Most undoubtedly, it was deserved." Amaro also stated there was no need for him to chime in during the meeting last night and that, "Charlie handled it very well."

Just like all Phillies fans, Amaro is not any bit happy with how the team is playing and leaving us all to scratch our heads. "I don't like the type of baseball we are playing. We're playing fundamentally unsound baseball, missing cutoffs and making mental mistakes. We're better than what we are showing. How much better? I don't know. But we're better than this. Regardless of who is in or out of our lineup we should be better."

Amaro then went on to state something Phillies fan have not been accustomed to in the past five seasons. "July is far ahead. We just have to get back on track. But if July comes around and we're playing like this, we'll be sellers. How we play now will determine whether we'll be buyers or sellers in July."

Charlie Manuel Rips Into Phillies

It has not been an enjoyable season to date for Phillies fans like myself. Beginning with the lack of hitting in the early weeks of the season, to sloppy play in the field, and a pathetic effort putting together a big league bullpen, there has not been much excitement this season. Last night the hated Mets completed a three-game sweep of the Phillies, the Mets first sweep of the Phillies in six years.

I have wondered for a few weeks now when Charlie Manuel was going to have enough and finally rip into his team. Apparently enough was enough last night for Uncle Charlie, as reports came from the Phillies club house that Manuel unloaded on his team in a closed-door meeting after the loss.

I give Manuel credit for having patience this long. By the end of the first week of the season, I was already pissed off and extremely frustrated with this Phillies team. I consider myself a rational fan and knew coming into this season it would not be like years past of crushing home runs and putting teams to sleep in the early stages of the game.

Many blame Manuel for the team's early struggles. I do not understand how he can be the one to blame. The blame should fall directly on the most loved GM here in the city, Ruben Amaro Jr. Other than trading away the entire farm system to acquire Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence, what has he provided Charlie with this season? Ty Wigginton and Laynce Nix. Impressive Ruben, I'm sure Brian Cashman would approve of your tenure as a GM.

Nats GM Calls Hamels Gutless

After Sunday's game against the Nationalss, Cole Hamels admitted that he purposely threw at Bryce Harpers back.  Harper proceeded to take first base. After a single from Jayson Werth that took him to third, Harper stole home in almost a "back atcha" to Hamels.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo didn't like Hamels throwing at his young outfielder, and responded when asked by the Washington Post.

“Cole Hamels says he’s old school? He’s the polar opposite of old school. He’s fake tough. He thinks he’s going to intimidate us after hitting our 19-year-old rookie who’s eight games into the big leagues? He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”

Who is he dealin with exactly? Does e think he's a mob boss? Will hamels be sleeping with the fishes sometime in the near future?

Throwing at or near a batter is something that is prevalent in the major league and has been for decades. A strategy that instinctively backs the batter away from the plate. Hamels wasn't head hunting. In fact, later in the game, Nats starter Jordan Zimmerman responded throwing at and hitting Hamels in the knee while he was attempting to bunt.

“He was bunting, and I’m going to take an out when I can get an out,” Zimmermann said. “I was trying to go away, and I cut a fastball really, really bad and hit him in the knee.” At least Cole admitted throwing at the 19 year old.

At this point, after several successful post seasons in a row by the Phillies, there seems to be bad blood  between the division rivals. The Nationals haven't appeared in a single postseason since the 1981 year when they were still called the Expos.  Nationals owners began a campaign earlier this year to "take back" their stadium(from Phillies fans who follow their team down to Washington). They wouldn't allow credit cards from outside the state to be used when purchasing their tickets.Unfortunately, even with the top pitching prospect in the league, and the best record in the division, the Nats are still having issues filling their seats. On the other hand, the Phillies have been struggling thus far this year on the field, yet still pack Citizens Bank Park every game. The bottom line is Philadelphia has passionate fans that show up rain or shine.

Phillies Blanton Pitches Complete Game Shutout

On Wednesday, a Phillies pitcher let up three hits all game, but not one player reached home. No, his name doesn't start with a Roy, Cliff, or Cole. It's chubby Joe. Blanton went 9 strong innings throwing only 86 pitches, and 67 were for strikes.

Who could have figured that after 26 games the Phillies would be without slugger Ryan Howard, all star 2nd baseman Chase Utley, and their ace would be Joe Blanton? Things look more odd by the day in Philadelphia. At this point It wouldn't surprise me if I woke up tomorrow and we discover that pigs really do fly.