Dodgers May Have Tricked Ruben Amaro In Hernandez Deal

By Ray Boyd

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Phillies fans were clamoring for a trade leading up to the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline. It did not happen. There was some hope that a waiver deal may occur and that has happened. Roberto Hernandez is making his way to the Dodgers and the Phillies will receive two low level prospects in return for his services.

Something is better than nothing. Right?

Following the news of the deal, it appears that Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. may not have gotten everything he could for Hernandez. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti admitted that he may have gotten over on the Phillies.

Dodgers' pitcher Josh Beckett felt some pain in his left hip on Wednesday. The next day, the Dodgers acquired Hernandez and Beckett appears poised for a lengthy stint on the disabled list. Colletti acted swiftly to acquire Hernandez before the Beckett news went public.

Colletti told the LA Times that trade talks for Hernandez accelerated when Beckett told the team about his discomfort. Colletti stressed that he wanted to get the deal done quick before "Ruben could hold me up for even more," showing the level of desperation the Dodgers had to acquire another starter.

Hernandez may not be a front of the rotation arm, but he is 6-8 on the season with a respectable 3.87 earned run average.

The Phillies could have undoubtedly held up the Dodgers for a bit more if they were aware of the desperate state the team was in. Instead it appears Colletti pulled a fast one on Amaro.

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