Raul Ibanez had an All Star Year. Chan Ho Park carried the bullpen once he was put in there.When the Phillies needed an ace pitcher to man their staff for the playoff run, Amaro delivered again,
landing the best pitcher traded- Cliff Lee- without giving up any of his top prospects.
He schooled his fellow GM’s so bad at the trading dead line he got Toronto GM JP Ricciardi fired.
It should be noted that most of those moves were met with skepticism.
Raul Ibanez was 36 year when signed his deal. Chan Ho Park had a record of 4-4 with an ERA of 3.5 when he was signed. And when the Phillies got Lee, everybody wanted Roy Halladay.
This off-season, the moves have been met with just as much doubt.
Amaro decided to let reliable, if not flashy, Pedro Feliz walk to sign Placido Polanco. Many people feel he should have just kept Feliz.
Earlier this week, Ruben Amaro Jr. traded both Cliff Lee and prize prospect Kyle Drabeck to acquire Halladay. Drabeck was considered untouchable at this seasons trading deadline when the Phillies first were chasing Halladay.
A lot of fans feel Amaro gave up to much in this deal.
Those same fans were begging Amaro to give up Drabeck for Halladay at the trading deadline.
This off season has shown that Amaro is not content to stay put. He could have kept what got him there last year- Feliz and Lee.
The moves could back fire.
Polanco could prove to not be the solid glove Feliz was at third. Halladay could come up small in the post season- a stage he has never been on, and a stage where Lee thrived. Drabeck could live up to his potential.
But if Amaro has shown anything in his short time as GM it is that he knows what move to make, and when to make it.
