The Phillies traded Shane Victorino [Monday] to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom and Double A catcher Ethan Martin as well as a player to be named or cash. The deadline day deal seems like a pretty decent move for the Phillies, who I did not expect to re-sign Victorino after the year the way the 2012 season was playing out (the Hunter Pence trade I have a slightly different take on, but we'll explore that another time).
Victorino had been struggling this season on offense, on defense and running the bases. It may not have been pretty but Victorino may not have been quite as bad as some would have you believe. That said, the Phillies will be bringing in a relief pitcher (a clear area of need) and a prospect who could fit in to the picture in a few years. Yes, the Phillies were rightly labeled as "Sellers" this trade deadline, but stuck in the bottom of the division with such a huge hole to fill, Ruben Amaro had to make a move to get something for Victorino while he still could. Overall, this seems like a decent enough move.
As Victorino now finds himself in a playoff hunt in Los Angeles, perhaps he can provide some sort of spark and get back in to the mix the way he was during the Phillies' playoff runs in recent seasons. The change of scenery may be enough to relieve some pressure on Victorino, and hopefully that becomes the case.
- Category: MLB
- Tags:dodgers, phillies, shane victorino
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