Comments on: Are the Phillies Really Cheap? http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:41:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: It’s Official: Andre Iguodala Signed for Six Years, $80 Million http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-4043 It’s Official: Andre Iguodala Signed for Six Years, $80 Million Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:13:44 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-4043 [...] rarely miss an opportunity to rip Philadelphia sports management, as fans, for not spending on talent, not going after the necessary pieces to put our teams in [...] [...] rarely miss an opportunity to rip Philadelphia sports management, as fans, for not spending on talent, not going after the necessary pieces to put our teams in [...]

]]> By: Chris http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3209 Chris Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:14:41 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3209 Rich Hoffman's column notwithstanding, the Phils do not extend their budget to go after the final couple of pieces that would make the difference in winning a championship. They sign their core players and pray that shoddy starting pitching and mediocrity at catcher and third base will be sufficient. I repeat, the Phillies are the fifth largest market in MLB. They sell out the stadium on a regular basis. The ownership has already made a mint on their investment in the team, so it should be willing to go out and grab whatever couple of players necessary to put the team over the top. They will certainly make a huge ROI for doing so. They think small, which is typical of the Phillies. That is why they have won only one championship in 127 years. That's a disgrace. Rich Hoffman’s column notwithstanding, the Phils do not extend their budget to go after the final couple of pieces that would make the difference in winning a championship. They sign their core players and pray that shoddy starting pitching and mediocrity at catcher and third base will be sufficient. I repeat, the Phillies are the fifth largest market in MLB. They sell out the stadium on a regular basis. The ownership has already made a mint on their investment in the team, so it should be willing to go out and grab whatever couple of players necessary to put the team over the top. They will certainly make a huge ROI for doing so. They think small, which is typical of the Phillies. That is why they have won only one championship in 127 years. That’s a disgrace.

]]> By: dbldn11 http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3172 dbldn11 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:58:19 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3172 sonido - I actually think my dislike of the Phils provides a degree of objectivity. Being inundated with news about the team and all that, I think the offseason after basically a humiliation at the hands of the Rockies was going to be a crossroads type of situation for the team. Moves could have been made to acquire big name, big talent players to put around Utley, Hamels, and Howard. Lidge was a major question mark that thus far has totally panned out. Feliz and standing pat behind the plate and with the back end of the rotation were questionable moves that don't seem to have. As I said previously, I actually feel some degree of empathy for the fans, because they are super passionate and knowledgeable for the most part, and the ownership leaves them hanging out to dry more often then not. To me, good enough is not not good enough - it has to be about getting the ring. Especially in this market. sonido – I actually think my dislike of the Phils provides a degree of objectivity. Being inundated with news about the team and all that, I think the offseason after basically a humiliation at the hands of the Rockies was going to be a crossroads type of situation for the team. Moves could have been made to acquire big name, big talent players to put around Utley, Hamels, and Howard. Lidge was a major question mark that thus far has totally panned out. Feliz and standing pat behind the plate and with the back end of the rotation were questionable moves that don’t seem to have. As I said previously, I actually feel some degree of empathy for the fans, because they are super passionate and knowledgeable for the most part, and the ownership leaves them hanging out to dry more often then not. To me, good enough is not not good enough – it has to be about getting the ring. Especially in this market.

]]> By: sonido http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3158 sonido Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:21:11 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3158 @ dbldn11- You qualified yourself as a Phillies-hater--I appreciate the honestly, and I think what you mentioned here is not bias, but the TRUTH regarding this team. Are they not as good as we think as fans (everyone else on this blog)? @ dbldn11-

You qualified yourself as a Phillies-hater–I appreciate the honestly, and I think what you mentioned here is not bias, but the TRUTH regarding this team. Are they not as good as we think as fans (everyone else on this blog)?

]]> By: bski http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3144 bski Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:24:07 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3144 EVERYBODY: Rich Hoffman's article in today's Daily News ties into our discussion here. He says the Phillies are 13th in revenues and 13th in payroll, so they are not cheap. They do what pretty much everyone else does. The focus of the article is about the Mets' new ballpark and how much more revenue it will generate. The extra revenue will give them even more money to spend on players, widening the gap between them and us, making it that much more difficult to compete with them. If the Phils are truly at their upper limit in terms of payroll, maybe they should start thinking about acting like a low payroll team and find an alternate, more efficient way to build a winner. It may be their only shot. <a href="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080724_Rich_Hofmann__Mets_heading_into_new_financial_ballpark.html" rel="nofollow">Here's the link for the article </a> EVERYBODY: Rich Hoffman’s article in today’s Daily News ties into our discussion here. He says the Phillies are 13th in revenues and 13th in payroll, so they are not cheap. They do what pretty much everyone else does. The focus of the article is about the Mets’ new ballpark and how much more revenue it will generate. The extra revenue will give them even more money to spend on players, widening the gap between them and us, making it that much more difficult to compete with them. If the Phils are truly at their upper limit in terms of payroll, maybe they should start thinking about acting like a low payroll team and find an alternate, more efficient way to build a winner. It may be their only shot.

Here’s the link for the article

]]> By: dbldn11 http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3140 dbldn11 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:54:10 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3140 Being a phillies-hater i almost never weigh in on these things. That being said, interesting stuff from the post all the way through the comments. I have felt, again, as an outsider, winning the division last year the way they did was the worst thing that could have happened. The team was not playoff-worthy, made it by the skin of their teeth on the final day because of the biggest collapse in the history of the sport, and was promptly swept out of the playoffs. But it gave ownership the excuse they were looking for to not spend money and improve the team. So now it is 100+ games in and you have the same team - a stud in Hamels, a stud in Utley, a back-to-normal Rollins, a HR & RBI league-leading Howard who doesn't hit for average and is bad on defense, an over-achieving Moyer, a suprisingly good closer and a few nice complementary players. Suspect pitching, bad catchers, bad at third, bad bench...frankly not a championship team. And your rivals got Johan Santana. Down the stretch...don't look good. And with a sparkling new stadium and a passionate fan-base, there is no excuse for the owners to not do everything to get a championship. Not just make it and be happy with that. Being a phillies-hater i almost never weigh in on these things. That being said, interesting stuff from the post all the way through the comments. I have felt, again, as an outsider, winning the division last year the way they did was the worst thing that could have happened. The team was not playoff-worthy, made it by the skin of their teeth on the final day because of the biggest collapse in the history of the sport, and was promptly swept out of the playoffs. But it gave ownership the excuse they were looking for to not spend money and improve the team. So now it is 100+ games in and you have the same team – a stud in Hamels, a stud in Utley, a back-to-normal Rollins, a HR & RBI league-leading Howard who doesn’t hit for average and is bad on defense, an over-achieving Moyer, a suprisingly good closer and a few nice complementary players. Suspect pitching, bad catchers, bad at third, bad bench…frankly not a championship team. And your rivals got Johan Santana. Down the stretch…don’t look good. And with a sparkling new stadium and a passionate fan-base, there is no excuse for the owners to not do everything to get a championship. Not just make it and be happy with that.

]]> By: Stop Smoking http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3112 Stop Smoking Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:22:34 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3112 It doesn't even matter if the Phillies are cheap, they're not doing badly at all this year and the past two years they've had the NL MVP It doesn’t even matter if the Phillies are cheap, they’re not doing badly at all this year and the past two years they’ve had the NL MVP

]]> By: sonido http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3110 sonido Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:15:49 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3110 @ jkay- Its incomparable! You can't compare the two and shouldn't try. The Eagles have a track record of winning, competing at a championship level as contenders year in and year out! They have build a business model of sustaining success for an extended period of time--now for 10+ years. What are they the second winningest team in the last decade (behind the Colts and ahead of the Patriots) The Phillies don't have that track record even to be given the benefit of doubt. The Phillies should never be confused with an Eagles organization that has a plan and is executing it--at the same time, contending (injuries aside). @ jkay-

Its incomparable! You can’t compare the two and shouldn’t try. The Eagles have a track record of winning, competing at a championship level as contenders year in and year out! They have build a business model of sustaining success for an extended period of time–now for 10+ years. What are they the second winningest team in the last decade (behind the Colts and ahead of the Patriots) The Phillies don’t have that track record even to be given the benefit of doubt. The Phillies should never be confused with an Eagles organization that has a plan and is executing it–at the same time, contending (injuries aside).

]]> By: jkay http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3103 jkay Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:54:20 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3103 why does everybody just LOVE to complain; hey they may not be the red sox or yankees but they do spend money. sure they could spend more but remember this is a business; EVERYBODY'S CHEAP! we'll see just how cheap they are when hamels and howard come up for contracts. i personally dont think its that bad. now the Eagles?.....dont get me started. why does everybody just LOVE to complain; hey they may not be the red sox or yankees but they do spend money. sure they could spend more but remember this is a business; EVERYBODY’S CHEAP! we’ll see just how cheap they are when hamels and howard come up for contracts. i personally dont think its that bad. now the Eagles?…..dont get me started.

]]> By: sonido http://www.reclinergm.com/are-the-phillies-really-cheap/#comment-3049 sonido Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:52:42 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/?p=342#comment-3049 @ pete- a one year sample is not sufficient enough to qualify the Phillies as cheap or not! They made a move for Blanton, slept on Harden, and by all reports were deeply involved in talks for Sabbathia. There revenue/salaries are top-third of least cheap. But, seriously, the Phillies are cheap! You can't have any real discussion with regard to whether the Phillies are cheap without taking into consideration the last 20 years or so. History is evidence of it, Pete--this is a cheap franchise. You shouldn't imply anything otherwise. With regard to today, the Phillies have signed their core--nothing less, nothing more. They took care of (for the most part) their core and that accounts for a large percentage of those salaries numbers that you posted (i.e.- Myers, Burrell, Utley, Rollins, Howard, even). They have done all that without ever displaying a consistent effort to bring in impact and/or big-money free agents--to bring in that link that makes them a championship caliber contender, not just in the division "hunt". It is exactly for that reason that this team is labeled cheap, esp. when put in the context of the moves other "contenders" have made to enhance thier ability to bring a championship to their city. That alone makes them CHEAP in my eyes. Look at the Lidge/Myers move this off-season--to mixed results, although it was in my eyes CHEAP. This organization (and they baseball personnel, scouts, etc) made what they called at the time an "irreversible" decision last year to put Myers in the bullpen only to move him back to the rotation this year at the moment it was the cheapest way to fill-out their rotation and look what they got. It took him being one of the worst starting pitchers in MLB this year for them to finally remember why they put him in the bullpen last year. Now, Lidge who they got on the cheap, without question has been absolutely dominated and the organization needs to be credited for that move, but this organization knew what they had with Myers and it was a starter, but it was the cheapest move to make, the cheapest way to fill-out the bullpen. Now, the free agency class was not great, but again they came to the conclusion the year before that he was not a starter. Get creative if need be, but make a move. They are to blame in large part to Brett's struggles and this rotation being in the condition it is today. They should firmed this rotation up in the off-season the right way, not through patchwork. They robbed this team of a real good chance of pitching well and winning games out of the gate. Your boy Blanton just as advertised tonight. Though, what a HUGE WIN! A momentum changer? @ pete-

a one year sample is not sufficient enough to qualify the Phillies as cheap or not! They made a move for Blanton, slept on Harden, and by all reports were deeply involved in talks for Sabbathia. There revenue/salaries are top-third of least cheap. But, seriously, the Phillies are cheap! You can’t have any real discussion with regard to whether the Phillies are cheap without taking into consideration the last 20 years or so. History is evidence of it, Pete–this is a cheap franchise. You shouldn’t imply anything otherwise.

With regard to today, the Phillies have signed their core–nothing less, nothing more. They took care of (for the most part) their core and that accounts for a large percentage of those salaries numbers that you posted (i.e.- Myers, Burrell, Utley, Rollins, Howard, even). They have done all that without ever displaying a consistent effort to bring in impact and/or big-money free agents–to bring in that link that makes them a championship caliber contender, not just in the division “hunt”. It is exactly for that reason that this team is labeled cheap, esp. when put in the context of the moves other “contenders” have made to enhance thier ability to bring a championship to their city. That alone makes them CHEAP in my eyes.

Look at the Lidge/Myers move this off-season–to mixed results, although it was in my eyes CHEAP. This organization (and they baseball personnel, scouts, etc) made what they called at the time an “irreversible” decision last year to put Myers in the bullpen only to move him back to the rotation this year at the moment it was the cheapest way to fill-out their rotation and look what they got. It took him being one of the worst starting pitchers in MLB this year for them to finally remember why they put him in the bullpen last year. Now, Lidge who they got on the cheap, without question has been absolutely dominated and the organization needs to be credited for that move, but this organization knew what they had with Myers and it was a starter, but it was the cheapest move to make, the cheapest way to fill-out the bullpen. Now, the free agency class was not great, but again they came to the conclusion the year before that he was not a starter. Get creative if need be, but make a move. They are to blame in large part to Brett’s struggles and this rotation being in the condition it is today. They should firmed this rotation up in the off-season the right way, not through patchwork. They robbed this team of a real good chance of pitching well and winning games out of the gate.

Your boy Blanton just as advertised tonight. Though, what a HUGE WIN! A momentum changer?

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