The Phils start off the 2nd half of the season tonight against the Meats with Vance Worley on the mound. No need to tell you about the Mets, so let’s look at the 10 things I’m thinking about in the 2nd half of the year.
These are in no particular order.
1. Can Cole Hamels win the Cy Young?
Right now, Hamels and Halladay are in a dead heat, with Halladay having the slight edge in IP and strikeouts and Hamels having the slight edge in ERA and WHIP. We know Halladay can win the Cy Young, but I’m very interested to see if Hamels can keep this pace the whole year, and if he does, what that means for his contract extention. Speaking of which…
2. When will we re-sign Jimmy Rollins?
I want to re-sign Jimmy Rollins. I want to see him break Mike Schmidt’s team record of 2,234 hits. I want to see him break the team doubles record (might actually do it this year), triples record (28 behind Sherry Magee), stolen base record (25 behind Magee) and make a run at the runs-scored record (about 460 behind Schmidt). I think the Phillies want him to do this too, and I think he can be an above-average short-stop for the next several years. The question is whether or not he will want to be paid like an elite short-stop, or get a Derek Jeter-type inflated deal. Would 5-year, $40-45 million deal get it done?
3. Will Ryan Howard have a huge 2nd half?
Howard has been getting a lot of flack, and will continue to as long as he has his huge contract. We know he is known for his July-September performance, but we didn’t see it last year due to injury. It would be good, for many reasons, if he can remind us what he is capable of.
4. Will we see Roy Oswalt in a Phillies’ uniform again?
It’s pretty obvious we aren’t picking up his option next year – but can he come back from the dead this year? Utley did it, why can’t Oswalt? I still think having him in a Game 4 situation in the NLCS or WS would be huge, regardless of how Worley is pitching.
5. Will we make a big move?
Unlike many – I don’t think a big move is necessary. And frankly, I don’t want to trade any of our major prospects. A Josh Willingham or Michael Cuddyer type deal would be good, and hope for a Cody Ross-like Fall out of them.
6. Can Stutes and Bastardo keep it up?
Easily the most pleasant surprises of the year. We knew they could be good – but they have been dominant. We also know how important a shut-down bullpen is in the playoffs.
7. Can Domonic Brown have a strong 2nd half?
He’s been playing well of late, though clearly needs more seasoning. A .436 OBP in July might be a sign of things to come.
8. Can Utley stay healthy?
His health since coming back has been a miracle to me. Hopefully it stays that way.
9. Will any minor leaguers make an impact?
It’s surprising to me that the success of Stutes and Bastardo hasn’t made the team more open minded to bringing up Mike Schwimer instead of just parading Herndon and Baez out there. And what about Mike Rizzotti as a bat off the bench?
10. Roy Halladay? Cliff Lee?
Still on the team? I’m still not dreaming? OK, good.
Pete,
What’s your thoughts on the contract Cole is going to command given his performance this year?
And do you think the Phillies will shell out….
Good question.
Brotherly Glove did a good piece about it here that I pretty much agree with.
http://www.brotherlyglove.com/2011/05/05/extending-cole-hamels/
I think they will.
I think they WANT to re-sign Rollins, Hamels and Madson. I think the pecking order on that is Hamels, Rollins and Madson.
Pete,
Buster Olney just tweeted that the Phis are more actively pursuing bullpen help (Heath Bell) than they are a right handed bat. You agree with this approach considering how well Stutes and Bastardo have pitched and with the guys who are coming back (Madson along with Contreras and Lidge at some point)?
I think a right handed bat is much more important.
Chances are in the playoffs Halladay, Lee and Hamels will pitch at least 7 innings. They you have Madson, and Bastardo/Contreras/Stutes. I’m OK with that.
I am hoping that they will “fine tune” the pen rather than go for a big name loaner like Bell. There are some relievers that we can still work into the rotation. One guy I think that we should call up is veteran Jason Grilli. He doesn’t have much of a resume in the ML, but he’s been pitching very well all year since spring training. He won’t eat up innings, but he can be used to get a righty batter out in key situations.
Don’t like the pitching matchups this weekend so I look for the Mets to win 2 of 3. tough way to open the second half against Dickey. And Hamels often pitches well in NY but loses. We usually get shut down by the knuckleballers even more than just the average pitchers that are handling us this year. Then it often puts us in a hitting funk for several more game after that. With Kendrick Sunday I will be happy to avoid a sweep.
Something tells me that the Phillies are trying to correctly line their aces for the upcoming 7 games against the Giants.
Also, if Ruben does get one of the Padre receivers, Ludwick better be included in any deal with the Padres.
When brown has AB’s like that, I can see why they like him so much
Great AB by Mayberry too. See enough pitches and good things will happen.
There are some incredibly bad lineups in the NL right now. Mets looks like a triple A team tonight. Braves and Florida and the Giants are horrid.
I know and the Phils have been fortunate there, but you can never take anything for granted. A 3.5 lead over the Braves is not a comfortable lead, but I still think the Phils will win the division and the Braves will be a wild card team.
I am curious though about what Ruben wants to do before the trade deadline– an extra bat wouldn’t hurt if we want to overcome what happened in that 2nd round exit to the Giants. Perhaps, getting a Padre reliever and Ryan Ludwick could help the cause. Ludwick used to be a Pujols protector. Howard needs someone like that. Ludwick has had that power before and perhaps a hitters ballpark like CBP will help his cause. Hopefully, the defense will not falter this time in the postseason and be the defense we all know and love from the fightin’ Phils, but the timely offense must show up, especially in that huge AT&T ballpark.
GO PHILS!!
Worley owes a cheesesteak and a case of tastycakes to ibanez
And some wudder ice.
Worley looked pretty good tonight, but it seems he is only good for 5-6 innings which aint a bad thing at all.
Seems Ibanez can’t do now wrong right now. hope that helps RyHo.
I REALLY like Juan Perez’s stuff. Boy if he could keep getting it under control, and Chooch gets better at blocking it, it’s gonna be something huge for this ballclub.
Speaking of; our bullpen when completely healthy could be something ridiculous.
As much as I like Dom Brown’s upside, come playoffs, John Mayberry is my RF. No way is that kind of shaky defense acceptable. I am a believer in results and right now the difference between Mayberry and Brown is clear. Brown is not going anywhere but at this point, we should not be looking for a roster spot for JMJ.
phillyfan: have you seen this?
That’s one of the few intelligent pieces I’ve ever read on Bleacher. Good find.
Again, it is two opinions based on different set of assumptions. IT can sound ludicrous to many of us when RBI is simplified to statements like “it is just a matter of getting more opportunities” or “it takes no special skill”. I can’t imagine anybody with half a brain to really believing you can interchange anyone into a lineup position and get the same results. I go back to my Carlos Ruiz-type argument. They are both batting about the same average so that means if you stick Ruiz in the 4th hole – he too would drive in 140 runs. Does anybody really believe that? Might he drive in 100? perhaps, but 140? The answer is no.
There is also another point that is difficult for the RBI haters to get past the I think people like Conlin just see as self-evident. That is that the greatest season and greatest players and greatest hall-of-famers have the highest RBI totals. It is the way players have always been judged. Why? Because it is part of their greatness. EVERYBODY can’t do it. Many have been placed in the position (3-4 hole) and have failed. If it was just tranlating a batting average to another lineup position, then why do so many fail or put up lousy numbers? IT is because it takes something extra to deliver in those situations.
I am not arguing that great hitters don’t translate. Yes, if a great hitter is batting 6th and is move to 4th, his stats will improve. But you can’t necessary put an average hitter in Howard’s spot and assume they would have comporabe stats. that is where the stat-geeks go wrong. They say (1) Howard is not a great hitter….therefore, (2) an average hitter like Howard would put us the same stats. REALLY??? Would Jason Werth? Really? Would Raul Ibanez? Really. WOuld even chase drive in 130 just one spot lower when he only drove in a high of about 100 in his career best? Would Ryan Ludwick drive in 140? Stick in your average hitter. So now you know why people like Conlin and myself see as much ludicrousness in their position
No one is saying that you can put Wilson Valdez in the 4th spot in this (or any) lineup and expect him to drive in 140 runs. Howard drives in runs because he’s a great hitter in a lineup with great hitters that consistently get on base ahead of him. That’s the bottom line.
We’re not debating Howard’s merits as a hitter, we’re debating the merit of the RBI stat to identify great hitters. And while it isn’t a useless stat and yes, Howard’s numbers would be better than Valdez’s all things equal, it isn’t the RBI stat that tells us that because all things aren’t equal. The 4th hitter in San Diego’s lineup isn’t going to get the same opportunities that Howard is going to get because of who hits before and after him in his lineup so it’s flawed to try to judge that “something extra” he may or may not have in the same way you judge Howard.
OPS and Slugging and BA illustrate a player’s ability to put bat on ball – in any situation, that’s it. It’s not affected in any way by what the guy in front of or behind him does. The RBI stat is. It’s a good stat, a number everyone looks to and for good reason, but there are two or three other numbers I look at first and for good reason.
This is correct, I believe.
Adrian Gonzalez had 99 and 101 RBI the last two years playing for the Padres. Moved over to the Red Sox, he is now on pace for 136.
Howard does improve his play with runners on – but over the last year and a half – he’s been only a slightly above average hitter overall.
Over that time, here are his ranks among ONLY 1B in the majors…
OPS – 10th
HR – 7th
OBP – 14th
SLG – 8th
RBI – 2nd
WAR – 13th
When ranking the 1B in the MLB the last year and a half (NOT including Howard’s previous seasons) – he is MUCH closer to the 10th best 1B over that time than the 2nd.
You simply can’t make a intelligent argument that he’s been better than Votto, A-Gone, Cabrera, Pujols, Teixeira, Fielder, Konerko or Youkilis over that time period. That puts him as the 9th best player at his own position in the game.
No one is talking about putting Valdez or Ruiz in his spot. They are talking about putting those 9 guys in his spot.
Howard is being paid as one of the top-5 players in the game at any position, and he’s barely top-10 at his own position.
Being a top-10 first baseman isn’t BAD by any stretch of the imagination. He’s obviously a big part of this team and overall positive influence.
It is true that Howard has tailed off a good bit over the last year and a half. There was a time when there was a good argument that he was top 2-3, whatever, but I think top ten is probably accurate today. Remember when he lead the league in intentional walks? Don’t see that very often any more.
Hopefully he’ll pull off a vintage late summer and prove me wrong…
Howard is being paid as one of the top-5 players in the game at any position, and he’s barely top-10 at his own position. >>
While there is followup mention of RyHo being a big part of this team, and an overall positive influence, it is an immeasurable fallacy to think of him being paid as one of the top 5 players in the game and expected to put up corresponding numbers. Ruben, in announcing the contract, said more than once (practically verbatim) that “he’s being paid for what he’s done already.”
Additionally, as Jonah Keri, in thorough objectivity articulated recently,
“I think the people that ridicule the Howard deal,” Keri said, “and I confess I didn’t think it was a good deal either, I think that other side of the equation that is ignored in analysis, the marketing and promotion side. I don’t exactly believe in that side of the equation in player valuation, or subscribe to the idea that you should sign somebody because he’s famous, but I think it’s what the Phillies wanted and this is the result.”
It may be the case that Howard is one of the top 5 paid players in the game. That is a historically temporary thing. Not that salaries will escalate forever, but you could submit a long, long list of players that were in the top 5 in the salary game only to be replaced shortly thereafter. Reggie Jackson signed a 3 mil, 5 year deal, to enter top 5 territory in the mid 70′s, a pittance compared to the Howard deal, and was at best, a slightly better rounded player. Most importantly, like Howard, Jackson was never a good hitter. But make no mistake, Ryan, like Reggie, is a dangerous hitter. There’s a huge, huge difference.
The real problem with Howard, as unlikely as it is for a common fan to have the answer, seems quite simple. A failure to adjust. That’s easily understood by the following information, now 2 weeks old from the FanGraphs database..
These are the percentage of times that RyHo has made contact with pitches thrown outside the strike zone.
2005 – 35.9%
2006 35.2%
2007 39.2%
2008 40.9%
2009 41.8%
Still with me? Because I am just gettin’ started.
2010 48.0%
2011 56.6%
How ya like those beans for discipline?
And, in the last 2 years, he’s swinging at about 5% more pitches outside the strike zone.
And people wonder why his power is down? It should be mandatory reading for anyone even thinking about watching a baseball game to access (if Possible) an SI cover article Ted Williams co-authored in 1968 on the science of hitting. I suppose by now, 20,000 other versions reasonably supplement it, but as if common sense didn’t tell you, it color coded what average you’d hit by swinging in certain zones. So when you’re swinging at pitches outside the zone, how ya gonna matriculate average, let alone power.
So we hold these truths to be self evident.
Firstly, forget this responsible, decent guy (public image, subject to incorrect) being complacent off the contract. But by all means, he’s PROBABLY trying to justify it by swinging at everything trying to beat the shift, and carry a blase offense. He really needs to go to an eye doctor, too. How can it hurt?
No offense to Chris Volstad, but you have to be really and truly stupid to throw him strikes.
As an add, I’ll mention that this trend should be front row center to anyone who thinks Howard’s second half superiority outweighs this trend of bad habit. August, and September or not, bad plate discipline is more important than calendar months. But this is definitely correctable stuff. Why it’s reached the levels it has, who knows. But physical skills still being what they are, there is every chance that this guy still produces as he has in the past over the next 2-3 years, before age does become a factor. It’s a big if, but it’s seen from here as the root of the problem. And it has a helluva lot less to do with how much he’s paid than is commonly thought.
I generally agree with this too, KB.
I like Ryan Howard. I would like Ryan Howard to stay a Phillie for his entire career. Same with Rollins, Hamels, Utley, Ruiz, Victorino and Madson.
I’m also OK with paying for, to an extent, things a player has already done. But I still think with that, and the marketing aspect, that’s the length and amount of Howard’s contract is just dumb.
I also like howard and have defended him many times on this board. But, if he continues to underperform his contract, the marketing aspect can quickly be turned from a positive to a negative, especially if his contract is perceived as keeping us from making other moves. I think we all know that fans in this city (especially a few years down the road) will be much more interested in how he compares to his peers than what Amaro intended the contract to be a reward for.
… logical fallacy #3: argument by authority.
“I know [Bill Conlin]. And believe me, Senator, you’re no [Bill Conlin].” You are, however, an unrepentant RyHo teamster.
73 RBIs for 20 million dollars this one season … that’s $273,972.60 - over a quarter million served! -for EACH RBI to date. The good news is, his batting glove spits and bat head points at opposing pitchers are free of charge. Typical 21st Century jock, supplier of price increases.
Bill Conlin is a HOF writer and a longtime must read, but I don’t agree with the position of his recent Ryan Howard column. Howard’s on the decline and Phillies are on the hook to him for $125 million from 2012 to 2017. That’s too much time and too much loot.
You are misplacing your issues with the Howard contract. Your issue is with RAJ regarding the money. Howard didn’t hold this franchise hostage for the 125 mill. He didn’t even politely ask for it. It was handed to him. Your issue is with RAJ. Nobody thinks JEter is a 20 mill per year shortstop anymore, but we know there are cricumstances surrounidng that contract. Howards contract was similar in that there were “circumstances.” Furthermore, there is no evidence the contract is hamstringing the organization. The money angle needs to be let go. At 25 mill, no stats would appease some. Too many people now see 135 RBIs is insufficient for 25mill. It really is a stupid position. Apples and oranges.
And here is a logical fallacy #4 for you…in the real world, people get paid commensorate with their performance compared to their peers. I can gaurantee you that whatever your job is/was, someone was making more that you in the same organization or industry that was contributing less. Yet, for some reason in sports we fixate on comparing players based on salary. Why should sports be different than life?
To hold a magnifying glass to every first baseman at a single point in time and analyze their current pay, irrespective of other circumstances, such as years to FA, when the contract was signed, past performance, etc. makes no sense.
I think you are missing the point. It’s not about whether it’s logical to think that he’s overpaid. Here’s the point – the average fan in philadelpia will compare Howard to his peers. If the perception is that he’s overpaid, people will hold it against him. It’s what happens in this city. If that starts to happen, it negates the marketing argument.
And again, I’m not saying that he defititely will underperform his contract. In saying that if he continues on his current pace, it’s not farfetched that the perception will be out there.
what are we gonna do about our defense? this must not carry into the postseason.
whether it’s reps, practice, health or lucky charms, some fixing is in order.
Carlos Beltran appears to be on the Phillies’ radar, along with the Giants, Indians, Tigers, and Red Sox. It is strange that rivals would make a deal, but if it is possible go Ruben. That would be the ultimate FU to the Giants!
Hamels – I think he’ll have the numbers to win the Cy Young but prying votes away from Halladay could be an uphill battle. Cole did get better in the 2nd half last season and if he improves over what he’s already done I think he does have a shot at it. As far as his contract – I agree that he’s the priority.
I also think they’ll resign Rollins but 5 years is too long. His health still worries me a little bit. Someone asked before if Madson was a must-sign. After seeing Bastardo, I don’t think he’s a MUST but I’d love to see him back just the same.
Relief vs. RH bat – Whatever direction they go I would hate to see them give up good prospects for a rental. There’s just not a lot out there that they don’t already have.
Finally – just some congrats for Kendrick. Just when you think the series is lost, he comes in and battles his way through.
Phillyfan -
Simple question. Where do you rank Ryan Howard as an overall player among MLB 1st basemen.
Pete – tough question in my mind. I am not big into rankings.
First, we have to wait until the year is over, especially with Howard. He frequently gets blasted from May through June and then his critics tend to stop chirping and then the season ends and people are exhausted and nobody really reflects on the entire season. The next thing we know we are hearing from the May chirpers. His historic August/Sept no longer seem to garner the accolades becaus ethey are expected – although no less incredible. Can he still do it? Of course, he just did it in April. He often seems to be considered the 7th best firstbaseman at the end of June and then by the end of the year…he blows everyone out of the water in certain categories.
I will attempt to rate who I think are the top 5, which includes Pujols, Howard, Votto, Fielder, and AG. Let me say that I think they are all very close and it is possible the Phils record is nearly the same with any of them. HOwever, I do not think we have a better chance to win it all with any of them as we do with Howard. When productive, he is the best fit for this team.
I still think Pujols is the best – although I would have to think twice to trade him for Howard or maybe any of the others due to his injury history, unless my team was stacked on offense.
I rate durability extremely high. I don’t believe stat-geeks take that into consideration but it is invaluable to have someone who plays alot and you can count on. It impacts the whole team. The Phils never need to seriously consider a roster spot to gain significant production at 1st, other than Howard. The organization doesn’t need to wonder if his knees will last the year. Just pencil him in. Based on his history I rate him #1 in that category but not a significant separation from the other 3 contenders.
From a simplistic perspective I can say that, with the excpetion of Pujols, who is the best 1st baseman IMO, the other top ones (Fielder, Votto, AG) currently play on dramatically better offensive teams than Howard. They have protection in front and behind, and also play in similar fields. So if they are better than Howard they should be producing significantly more. Yet conspicuously, they aren’t.
Also, none of these other 3 have done it year after year. I am talking bat for a decent average, hit 35-45 and drive in 130+. None have even done it once. Forge about projections. For example, AG had 100 RBI in San Diego so that translates to 130 in Boston. Let’s see him do it first. My guess is he probably will this year but he has slowed down considerably the last 20 games in production. Let’s see him do it.
I will give AG a slight nod due to defense and ave, but he better keep up the production for the rest of the year or I see no reason why would couldn’t just say – “Hey, put Howard in the boston lineup and he would be back to 40+ and 140 too”. That is the problem the stat geeks now have with Howard. They spend many year diminishing his individual numbers due to the “coincidence’ of playing on a good offense team. So If he still hits 35+ and 120+ with this horrid offense, then it would only be fair if they admit that – “hey he hasn’t dropped off because if you put him back in a productive offense his numbers would be just as good as always.” Makes sense right?
Fielder is the closest to howard in all departments. Again, lets see where Fielder’s average is at the end of the year – it is beginning to plummet. I would take Howard because Fielder’s body type still scares me. But basically they are the same player. I think Howard as at least 5 vey productive years. He is not a big fat guy. He is a big guy. With todays training tool there is no reason to think that at 33 he needs to be a shell of himself.
Votto isn’t even in the conversation due to his precipitous drop in power this year. He has had essentially one great year.
So there you have it:
Pujols
AG
Howard
Fielder
Votto
The following question came up on an ESPN chat today (Hardy just got a 3 year extension for $22.5M from the O’s):
John (Virginia)
Does Jimmy Rollins use the Hardy contract to price himself out of Philadelphia next year?
David Schoenfield
(1:22 PM)
Is Jimmy Rollins better than J.J. Hardy? Rollins since 2009: 333 G, .714 OPS. Hardy since 2009: 281 G, .719 OPS. Rollins four years older. I think we’ve just established about what Rollins will get, no?
I think any Phils fan would be happy with that kind of contract for Rollins. Objectively, do you think Rollins under-performed, out-performed, or fairly performed his last contract (6 years, $48.5M)?
The last 3 months and playoffs are critical for me to assess Rollins future here. If we sign him, it must be with the understanding that he need to move down in the order. We could put up with his selfish shananigans at leadoff when Utley and Howard were at there peak. We can’t anymore.
Who would you propose lead-off?
We would have to go get someone in the off-season. Maybe that is our replacement for Ibanez – a speedy outfielder. We could use some speed too.
I disagree with Schoenfield’s position. It’s a supply and demand thing, and Baltimore, unlike the Phillies has supply within, if you believe in the talents of Manny Machado. What the Hardy signing did, rather than set a price on Rollins was reduce supply, and increase liklihood of Rollins having the ability to get more money. Take a look around the bigs, and the quantity, and quality of shortstop, and you’ll see an advantage JRoll has. Maybe there is more depth at the top level of the minors than I’m aware, but teams couldn’t sign Tejada, Rentiria, and Uribe fast enough last off season. There are people that think Rollins is old. Stupid might be an appropriate adjective to describe their thinking. His defense is still very good, he steals bases, his crime is not being able to match 2007. How felonious of him.
Even within the organization, if you pay Howard, and the pitching staff exorbitant amounts of money, with depth non exsistent (Freddie Galvis is not a clear cut answer) until probably so until at least 2014, how do you turn around and offer Rollins as little as 8. Where do you not give him a raise after the past 5 years after the winning that he’s been an integral part of?
The answer to the question as to if JRoll played to the value of his deal is simply answered with 1 Phillies action. Over a year in advance of 2011, they exercised the option year, this one, 2011, for 8.5 million. And while the uniqueness of an option exercised so early in advance is rare, to my knowledge, it was never followed up on successfully as to why they did it so far, leaving me to conclude it was because he was a steal. If I’m Jimmy, I’m thinking 12 mil, and a player friendly option for year 4 before I think about giving up my free agency.
Ken,
Manny Machado just turned 19 years old earlier this month. ARod playing his first MLB game at 18 and Starlin Castro at the age of 20 also come to mind but they’re definitely the exception. I’d say it was a good move to sign Hardy to the extension by the O’s – it let’s Machado season in the minors without starting his service time while they try to acquire more talent because right now they have no shot to compete in the AL East.
While I agree that the Hardy signing decreases supply, I would also argue that the Phillies have leverage of their own with Wilson Valdez, Michael Martinez, and Freddy Galvis under team control next year. Those guys would probably be blackholes offensively but is Jimmy Rollins at $12M per year for 4 years starting at the age of 33 worth $1M per year for any of the other guys?
*worth more than
I would also argue that the Phillies have leverage of their own with Wilson Valdez, Michael Martinez, and Freddy Galvis under team control next year.>>
You have countless millions tied up in the pitching staff. You have a fan base as expectant of winning as they are the oxygen they breathe. And you’re going to support that with that trio? My answer is no. A not even close no. That’s not even close to leverage. It’s more fraudulence than anything.
I don’t do worth on baseball contracts. But I sure as hell have learned a few lessons in the negotiating game. I didn’t say Jimmy will or won’t get 12. While my inclination is to think he will get close to it, that’d be the price I’d set if I’m sacrificing free agency.
Machado figures to be in the bigs by mid 2013. That’s halfway through hardy’s deal. Even a decision to move him to 3B doesn’t slow that expectancy down a significant amount.
You have countless millions tied up in the pitching staff. You have a fan base as expectant of winning as they are the oxygen they breathe. And you’re going to support that with that trio?>>
You also don’t have a proven RF, LF, or closer for next year. While I fully expect them to give Brown every chance to prove himself to take one of those OF spots, you act like money grows on trees. We went into this season without a proven RF and I’d say we’re still doing alright so I don’t see why it’s so unreasonable to use Valdez or Martinez as your starting SS and save some money or spend it elsewhere. Please explain how you expect to fill those positions along with the rest of the bench/bullpen and sign Cole Hamels while still staying under the luxury tax cap. Pete is projecting $142M already for next year and the cap was $178M this year.
Even if Machado is ready and the O’s bring him up in mid-2013, doesn’t that make Hardy a valuable trade piece since there’s so little quality and quantity at shortstop?
The discussion of monetay constaints on singing guys for next year plays into my point on the Howard contract. It’s probably not on most people’s radars yet, but it looks like we have some very tough choices to make in the coming year, and eventually people will start to look at Howard and wonder whether he is really worth every penny, and how else some o that cash could have been spent.
Is it fair to start asking, “Whats wrong with Chase?” He is providing no spark and no consistent power. We don’t need a 280 singles hitter in the 3 hole.
Out of all aspects of our game, I am most concerned with out defense. I spent a post earlier in the year indicating that what separates us from alot of teams is we do not beat ourselves. I knew our pitching would be good and our offense would be challenged. What I think has been unexpected is our diminishing defense. We can win a title with this offense and great pitching and solid defense. But lately our defense has really been bad. Dom Broan needs to be more than a 240 hitter who can’t play defense. Wasn’t he supposed to be a bit more polished than this. the more I watch him the more I want him to be trade bait.
I’ve heard all along that his defense would need work. I think he’ll be fine – I’ve noticed lately that he’s not charging balls that look like they could be caught (easy for me to say from my couch) so maybe he needs some more confidence.
what about going the wrong way on balls behind him ? He’s raw, and we need to get used to it since most of our top day to day players in the minors are also raw.
may as well be 12-0. Second straight game we are no-hit through the first three innings. Just brutal. I sure don’t miss not being able to see them play like I used to in 2007-2009.
I kinda wish Halladay reported some flu-like symptoms. I can’t recall in my life a pro pitcher coming out of the game due to heat stress. Kinda removes a bit of his aura. I am sure it has happened but can’t recall it. He would have done well to fib a bit and say he wasn’t feeling 100 percent prior to the start.
Yeah, that is strange, but he’s human. Many fans think he’s Superman,including Dubee and Manuel.
Stutes and bastardo are just nasty.
We went into this season without a proven RF and I’d say we’re still doing alright so I don’t see why it’s so unreasonable to use Valdez or Martinez as your starting SS and save some money or spend it elsewhere. >>
Rock on.
Care to elaborate, or is that your advice to Ruben Amaro? Maybe the Phils should sign Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols to shore up the bench next year too. Since money is obviously not an issue.
When you back off the sarcasm targetinga side I didn’t speak to, I’ll give it some thought as to if I choose to elaborate beyond what I write here. Clearly, I am speaking to the Rollins side, and I am telling you as a fan, therefore subject to outside knowledge what I feel Rollins should, and I believe will do. You can believe what you want as to whether I know what I’m talking about. It’s not changing my confidence, or lack of as it may be in same, and hardly effects the concern scale. He’s not signing for any similar money to what he has earned through the recent winning times without exploring free agency. Pretty simple and to the point. I never made any comment at all as to a compromise or what the Phillies could afford to pay, and I still may not choose to. . We’ll see if you want to read more based on your reaction, but if you choose to play that sarcasm with me, you will be greeeted by deserved silence. You wanna believe the trio of backups are adequate, be my guest. I convictionally disagree. That’s more answer than the discussion warrants for now.
For the record, The Shortstop has now recorded his 8th multi hit game of the month. That’s a fact. Interpret his performance however you wish.
Manuel is just brutal-no reason for Worley to still be on the mound