PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Currently in Philly sports...

PHILLIES-

* The Phils lost a doubleheader last night to Miami, as the march to 100 losses continues. Only 21 more and the team will lose 100 ballgames in a season for the first time since 1961.

It could be another long week for the Phillies. After two more games with the Marlins, the world champion Cubs invade Citizens Bank Park over the weekend. Chicago is trying to put distance between them and Milwaukee, St. Louis and Pittsburgh in NL Central.

Once again a visiting team come into the Phillies' home park and crushes the pitching staff. Nola and Pivetta both got shelled last night. With Leiter Jr. and Thompson closing the Miami series  look for a surging Marlins club to sweep.

* Speaking of Miami, they are still on target for a wild card berth, only 6 out and climbing. Both Colorado and Arizona are in their cross hairs, plus Miami still has games left with both the Rockies and Diamondbacks.

Would the Marlins still be willing to trade slugger Giancarlos Stanton ( who sits at 46 home runs) and Christian Yelich in the off-season? I doubt it, with mew owners taking over the Miami franchise. Stanton is someone to build around, despite the huge contract, and Yelich is a solid overall player. With a line-up loaded with talent, a nice combination of speed and power, you got to wonder how much different this season would've been if pitcher Jose Fernandez was still around.

So, if I were the Phillies, I would be interested in Stanton and Yelich if available. Offer the Marlins Franco and Herrera to start with. An outfield of Stanton, Yelich, Altherr/Williams is solid. With an infield of Hoskins, Kingery, Galvis/Crawford and who knows at third base, the Phillies immediately have a line-up to reckon with.

Most of all, this organization needs a face on the franchise. If it can't be Mike Trout for 3 years, why not Stanton for now? Hitting 46 homers in Miami is one thing; smashing 46 homers in Citizens Bank Park is another. Stanton might hit 60 playing in a small bandbox like CBP 81 games a year.

* Vince Valasquez is finished for the season. The young pitcher is having surgery on his middle finger for some sort of vascular issue. GM Matt Kletak thinks he can return next year as a starter. Another bad thought by the inept general manger. Valasquez should move to the bullpen next spring training as the new closer. The team had said they want more innings from Valasquez then a few relief appearances every week as a closer.

Valasquez only gave them 70 innings this year get it that starting pitching is a premium in the majors, but the Phils should try Valasquez where he may flourish. At this point, why not give it a try?

* Ichiro is amazing. He smacked a long home run in the first game of the doubleheader last night. He leads the majors in pinch-hits. He intends to keep playing a few more years before ending up in Cooperstown someday. A great player who gets his due, but to me, is still under-rated.

EAGLES-

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Zach Berman  did his weekly Q & A session on philly.com yesterday afternoon. I got thru with a question about Eagles football, which was:

What are the chances the Eagles bring back Shady McCoy from Buffalo?

The Birds need a running back, McCoy is still only 29 and is still playing well. Buffalo seems to be collecting draft picks, trading CB Darby to the Eagles and WR Watkins to the Rams.

Berman's answer was:

The Eagles don't have the draft picks to get it done.

I suppose the Bills are at least looking for a 3rd-rounder?  Hopefully GM Howie Roseman explores the possibility.

SIXERS-

Interesting trade last night, the Celtics getting Kyrie Irving form Cleveland and sending Isaiah Thomas to the Cavs ( plus the Nets' 1st-round draft pick next June). The trade makes Boston the favorite with the Cavaliers to win the east. it also heats up the rivalry with the Sixers for years to come (Irving is only 25).

The Sixers' home opener is against Boston. Too bad another home game vs. the Celts will take place January 11 in London, England.