Tattooed all over Sportscenter yesterday was talk of a major Phillies-Cardinals, Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols, blockbuster.  Rumor, Speculation, Gossip, who knows?  Buster Olney reported from sources that the Phillies entertained internal discussion about moving Howard for Pujols.  Ruben Amaro quickly stated something to the like of "ridiculous and irresponsible" and shot down the rumors as only such.

I heard the news from a friend via text message, my first thought was wow.  Then a smirk of doubt that he was surely screwing with me.  Then a simple feeling of excitement.  I would do that trade in a heartbeat.  In half a heartbeat.  Without a heartbeat.  Will the trade ever come to fruition, no, but it would be a welcome move.

Don't get me wrong, I love Ryan Howard.  He played a large part in the first championship this city saw in decades and remains an incredible player.  Absurd power, improved defense, Ryan Howard is a superstar.  Yet as good as he is, Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball.  Bar none.  Not only that, they're the same age (granted, that means taking Pujols' age as truth) and Howard makes more money over the next two seasons.  Pujols will very well command more money on the market, but how much more.  Ryan Howard seems committed to bringing home the big bucks and might not be all that big of a bargain for the people of St. Louis.  Howard grew up a hometown boy, so they'd welcome him, but if it costs Pujols, they might be a little salty.

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of seeing Roy Halladay throw against the Braves in Spring Training at their Wide World of Sports complex (I think that's what it is called at least) along with the rest of my college baseball team (yes, I'm on a spring training trip of my own, which explains my lack of posting this week).  Doc threw well and sans a few hits it would have been a flawless outing for the new ace.  He threw against Kenshin Kawakami and it was blatantly obvious that he's on a different level (not that you needed me to tell you that).  I guess the point I'm trying to convey is that watching Doc Halladay pitch was exciting because you could see his command and control and dominance with each pitch.  Needless to say I'm very excited to see him throw in mid-season form.  3 innings, 3 hits, 5 strikeouts for the big righty.

Other thinking points from the game:

-- Jason Heyward ... is a monster.  I am thoroughly afraid of him being in the NL East in the next decade.  This may be unbelievable but he's larger than Ryan Howard.  Easily.  Not only that he flies around the bases and has an absolute cannon from the outfield.  Not to mention that he's only 20 years old and already walks with a presence wherever he is in the stadium.  Should be a phenomenal pro and is rightfully so the best prospect in baseball.

-- Sadly, I didn't get to see Domonic Brown hit.  We had to leave early as a group and it remains my biggest regret of the night.

-- Chase Utley was MIA on the field and despite the fact that I knew he wasn't playing I found myself searching for him all game.

-- Jayson Werth has ascended to superstar level as a Phillie.  He got an ovation similar to that of Rollins and Howard.  It's good to see the Wolfman getting his due for the tremendous season he put together in 2009.

Hilarious moment, someone smashed a double into the left field gap and Jay Werth literally didn't move an inch.  From the pitch to contact to the end of the play his legs didn't so much as twitch.  It shouldn't be noteworthy at all but it's something you wouldn't see during a telecast.

-- The Phils have a catcher on the Spring Training roster named Tuffy Gosewisch.  Amazing.  I hope he makes the squad.

-- Danys Baez is just awkward enough [delivery wise] that I think he'll be a successful piece of the Phillies bullpen.  Relievers are more effective the weirder they are, I'm sure of it.