Last a Whisper, Whisper

The Hot-Stove League is Here to Keep the Game Close By

THERE ARE TWO THINGS to like about the recently reported rumors that the Phillies and Blue Jays have talked about a trade involving Bobby Abreu and Vernon Wells and that the Phils are fielding nibbles on Jim Thome. The first is an indication that Pat Gillick may not believe, as many of us feared he did when he was named general manager, that the team is a middle reliever short of contending. I'll leave the analysis to BeerLeaguer and Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, but what encourages me is that Gillick apparently recognizes that creative thinking will be necessary for the Phils to push the rock up the hill. And if that includes moving the Gold Glove-slash-home run derby champ rightfielder, or the jewel of the free agent crown three years ago, so be it.

The second thing to like is that two weeks into the off-season, we're talking baseball. No other sport's post-postseason is filled with the kind of speculation, rumors, and horse-trading as baseball's. Waist-deep in fallen leaves, with Christmas, snowstorms, and freezing temperatures fast approaching, we have something to chew over that transports our minds and hearts to spring training, and sultry summer nights at the ballpark, and lazy Sunday afternoons to catch the last tilt of that three-game set at Shea. It hasn't been all that long since the White Sox' triumph, and already I miss the game. Having the hot-stove league -- that's right, they even came up with a name for it -- to ponder while awaiting the reporting of pitchers and catchers keeps baseball alive even though it's not being played. So bring on the rumored trades, and the debates over whether the deals should be consummated. In the absence of high heat, backdoor curves, and wicked, exploding sliders, that'll do just fine.

Comments

[Jer]

Abreu for Rolen straight up.

[Tom Durso]

Deal!

[Jer]

Great, I'll have my people call your people. Bob Abreu would be an awesome fit on this club. We've got Nunez to hold down third.