Phillies get Hunter Pence

**Drew** · 07-29-2011, 09:40 PM

The Phillies were on the verge of completing a deal Friday night that would send Houston's All-Star right fielder, Hunter Pence, to Philadelphia for four prospects.

Officials of two clubs who spoke with the Astros on Friday told ESPN.com the trade was expected to be finalized Friday night.

Although there had been talk earlier that the teams could expand the trade to include a third club, multiple sources said that by late Friday, only two-team scenarios were on the table.

The Astros were still insisting on a massive return for the 28-year-old Pence -- a package described by one executive who spoke with them as "two headline pieces and extra stuff."

The "headline pieces," in this case, would appear to be the Phillies top pitching prospect, Jarred Cosart, and their top hitting prospect, Jonathan Singleton. The Phillies made those two the centerpieces of their original offer for Pence early this week.

The Phillies' package does not include either outfielder Domonic Brown or rookie starter Vance Worley, sources said.

Jayson Stark: Sources: Philadelphia Phillies close to deal for Astros OF Hunter Pence - ESPN

Oh, boy, Phillies. Oh boy..

**celticfan** · 07-29-2011, 09:42 PM

how do the phillies keep both of those prospects and land Pence? I thought they werent trading him, unless they got Brown

**MilwaukeeBaller** · 07-29-2011, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by celticfan

how do the phillies keep both of those prospects and land Pence? I thought they werent trading him, unless they got Brown

the Astros did get the Phillies' top pitching prospect and top hitting prospect.

**Drew** · 07-29-2011, 09:46 PM

Yeah. I mean ... I'm not going to say they overpaid ... but they paid a lot for a guy who's not as good as people think he is.

**MilwaukeeBaller** · 07-29-2011, 09:57 PM

I wouldn't say that Pence isn't as good as everyone thinks he is, but because of it being the trade deadline and everything, his stock is higher than it should be I suppose. Since there aren't many big names on the market, and Pence was one of the top players out there, this week has made it seem like Pence is overrated if you know what I mean. He's still a very good player, normally underrated imo. Even though the Astros didn't get Brown, they still have to be happy with what they were able to get in return.

**Drew** · 07-29-2011, 10:05 PM

If I'm the Astros, I'm loving what I got. Pence is good, but he's gonna get paid this offseason. And the Phils continue to drown out their farm to win now. But that's okay - both teams got what they wanted.

**Chitownhero14** · 07-29-2011, 11:17 PM

They traded too good young prospect for one good player in his prime or going into it....right now i'd say they overpaid but i mean i wont say anything about it until i see how these guys end up. They prospects could not make it up, Pence could get injured...etc

**cclipper44** · 07-30-2011, 09:59 AM

The Phils are just trading away prospects like they grow on trees. Hope they don't kill their farm, but its looking that way with all the big trades they've made over the last few years.

**ryan.c.lee** · 07-30-2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by cclipper44

The Phils are just trading away prospects like they grow on trees. Hope they don't kill their farm, but its looking that way with all the big trades they've made over the last few years.

im fine with their strategy right now, they have perhaps the best pitching staff ever assembled, 3 of which are getting up there in age. They wont have another chance like this to make runs for championships

**Chitownhero14** · 07-30-2011, 12:17 PM

Really in baseball prospects do grow on trees though! Theres practically quadruple the amount of baseball prospects then baseketball and about double then football!