Philadelphia, PA

After the World Champion San Francisco Giants bolstered the lineup by adding Carlos Beltran earlier in the week, it only felt like a matter of time until the Phillies would pick up a significant bat.

Well, the team with the best record in baseball believes it just got better by trading for the Houston Astros rightfielder Hunter Pence.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro dealt top prospects Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton, who played for the high A Clearwater Threshers.

The former is a starting pitcher and the latter a slugging first baseman. Cosart is the 37th best prospect and Singelton the 38th, according to Baseball America. The Astros will also get minor leaguer Josh Zeid and a player to be named later.

Pence, 28, is hitting .309 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI. He has a .356 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. His right-handed bat should fit in the left-handed dominant Phillies lineup.

"I think we were trying to address a need that we felt was kind of a missing piece," Amaro said. "We believe in our offense as it stands. It's been a little inconsistent, not as consistent as it has been in the past. I think this gives us a little more balance with a hitter from the right side. But not only that, I think we acquired someone, who is really well-rounded."

Pence has the tools to do it all. He is a speedy fielder, who covers a lot of ground. He has a very good arm. The two-time All-Star has some power and perhaps best of all for Phillies fans, Pence is a hard-nosed hustler, who often soils his laundry.

"He's a guy I think our fans will take to really well," Amaro said.

Not only is Pence younger than Beltran, he is under the Phillies control until the 2014 season. Beltran will be a free agent after the 2011 campaign.

"I don't like rentals," Amaro said. "I don't believe in them. That was a huge element. He's under 30. He has a lot of energy.

Pence will be the lone Phillies starter under 30, presuming Domonic Brown sits or more than likely, will be sent back to the minors, so he can play everyday.

The Phillies expect Pence to arrive in time for its game tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It's not surprising the Phillies consummated the deal with the Astros since their GM Ed Wade is comfortable working with his old team and Amaro, who was his apprentice. Wade and Amaro have made three big deals.

Phillies fans should have known that Amaro was going to cut a big deal July 29. That's been his M.O.

Amaro acquired Cliff Lee on this day in 2009 and Roy Oswalt on July 29 last season. Also, word is Oswalt will be back next week. Expect Oswalt to start against the San Francisco Giants, possibly August 7.

 

 

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