My thoughts: Phillies * Free up money * Upgrade SS defense significantly (offense at SS would still be empty) until a better option arrives (Stott?) * Assume they upgrade offense elsewhere (outfield) * Add a decent 4th outfielder in Gamel (better than Moniak for now) Pirates * Buy a good prospect by taking on most of the Gregorius contract * Hope change of scenery for Moniak helps and Pirates have OF playing time available (even more so with Gamel going to Phils) * They can cut (eat $) or try to find any taker for DiDi elsewhere and give Tucker first shot at SS as Newman was not likely the long term answer anyway. * Huge assumption - Pirates would actually take on money which is a very sketchy assumption, but I can hope. Comments welcome.

I like the idea of upgrading the D. I'm in the camp that the Phillies putrid defense has been their shortcoming over the past few seasons. I also agree they need to move one of their LH OF project prospects (Hasely, Moniak, Randolph). Out of the three, I'd prefer to move Hasely. The one thing to keep in mind is the CBA and the talk of a salary floor. If that happens trades like this have more validity, because typically the Pirates would not take on money. But if the new CBA says they have to I think contracts like Didi's become moved like the high-priced 1 year deals in the NBA. It gets a team to the floor, doesn't hamper them long term, allows the team to "buy" an asset, and doesn't help them win now so they still get the top pick and slot in the draft.