On the reassuring side, Rob Neyer had a column a couple days ago where he went through who would be the better choice between Burnett and Lowe.  I’ll give you the upshot:

“This is a tough one. Year in, year out, Lowe’s performance trumps Burnett’s. But Lowe is significantly older, and his performance wouldn’t look quite as impressive if he had spent these past four years in the American League, like Burnett has. As always, the devil is in the details; regardless of your projections, you’d rather sign Burnett for one year than Lowe for 10 years. But if I could sign just one of them for, say, five years, I would sign Lowe because I think I know what I’d be getting for most of those five years. With Burnett, I just wouldn’t know. ”

On the downside, here is Jayson Stark’s take on our chances of actually getting Lowe:

“Haven’t gotten a confirmation of the Phillies’ reported offer to Derek Lowe. But agents report the Phillies have been reluctant to go beyond three years on any pitcher they’ve talked about this winter — a holdover from the Pat Gillick edict. And while they might bend that for someone, it isn’t likely to be for a pitcher who turns 36 in June. Also, don’t forget that during the NLCS, Lowe made it clear he wasn’t the president of the Citizens Bank Park Fan Club. “

Floyd is the only prospect I can remember trading recently that has amounted to anything. Though I imagine Adrian Cardenas will at least be an everyday player someday.

On Donald, I would be open to trading him only for an impact arm or bat that we’d have for 3+ years. I believe he will be a solid MLB player, like a Victorino or Rowand. Not a superstar, but someone you want on your team.

On Moyer -

I believe this is about a multi-year deal. I read a quote from his agent or maybe just a writer saying that Moyer wanted to pitch past 2009. So my guess is the Phillies would sign him to a 2-year deal, but only for significantly less per year. That’s probably the hold up. Also, instances where it isn’t about the money are few and far between. $2 million dollars, is still $2 million dollars. There’s very little I wouldn’t do for $2 million dollars. Even play for the Mets.

I get that it’s all about the money for most, if not all, players (especially when they specifically claim it is not).  I really can understand it in many cases—a guy like Howard who put up a ROY and an MVP season while making peanuts or a guy like Burrell who is looking at his last shot at a multi-year, big money contract—-but in Moyer’s case I had hoped that he was past chasing a buck.