Trading Ryan Howard Should Be Philadelphia Phillies’ Top Offseason Priority
By Pete Schwichtenberg
@schwick26_pete
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Just a few short years ago the Philadelphia Phillies looked to be a budding dynasty with their core locked up and the best pitching staff in all of baseball. After one world championship and a few playoff disappointments, the team has a completely different look. While most of their core players are still there, the talent level is not. These players who were signed to huge contracts are no longer the same stars, and the rotation is a shell of what it once was. With the future looking bleak, the Phillies need to consider trading Ryan Howard this offseason.
The team acknowledged that they are not ready to compete for a title in 2015 and dealing Howard would be a great step forward. Once one of the biggest sluggers in the game, injuries have take their toll on Howard. He has shown in recent years that he is no longer the threat that a team can build their offense around. Though he was able to remain healthy for 153 games last season, he batted just .223 and struck out 190 times. He finished the year with 95 RBIs, but he often struck out in crucial situations that could have changed games.
By trading Howard the team can also look towards the future. Currently if Howard is on the team he needs to play, which prohibits either Cody Asche or Maikel Franco from getting everyday at-bats. Even if they need to pay for most of his massive amount of salary that remains on his contract, they need to do what they can to consistently get these players on the field every day.
The NL East is strong and will be even better than last season, and the Phillies are not ready to get to the top. With the future more important than the past, it is time to cut bait and get rid of Howard any way that they can.
Pete Schwichtenberg is an MLB writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook, or add him to your Google Network.
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