Back to Rollins.  Here is an update from Andy Martino:

“Jimmy Rollins is out of the lineup tonight again, and Charlie Manuel indicated that the, um, mental break could last longer than the two days initially planned. He is taking it day-by-day.”

Could it be that Rollins is not taking this very well and the situation has turned into a bit of a standoff?  Maybe Manuel is trying to make a point.

“……J-Roll is really having some major hang-ups with the heat, to the tune of -1.57 runs per 100 fastballs pitched. He’s also not striking the ball with authority, as evidenced by a plummeting line-drive rate and a hike in infield flies……..At 31-years old, I’m hardly saying Rollins is finished, though I think this could be the beginning of the end of Rollins best days………”

Also, fangraphs pegs Rollins dollar value worth to the team at minus2.4 million dollars.  Ouch! 

On the positive side, fanfgraphs also has a positive article about Joe Blanton.  The upshot:

“Through May 21, Blanton had the following numbers: 8 GS, 44.1 IP, 17 BB, 37 K, 7.11 ERA. Since then: 6 GS, 39.1 IP, 9 BB, 40 K, 2.75 ERA.………..A 5.06 ERA and 4.82 FIP is nothing to write home about, but if Blanton can continue to twirl gems similar to his last several starts, then Kentucky Joe may be able to fill the void left by Myers,……….Many are quick to suggest the Phillies need to acquire an ace, but if Blanton has legitimately improved into an under the radar, #2 pitcher, they might not need to mortgage the farm for someone like Roy Oswalt.”

“Charlie Manuel has benched Jimmy Rollins for tonight’s and Friday’s game. Manuel says Rollins will return to the leadoff spot when he returns, however he’ll ride the pine for the next two days.”

I guess the boneheaded play in the field, on top of his lack of hitting,  was more than Manuel could take.  

I’d love to know who holds the single-season record and the career record—-both for the Phils and the all-time MLB mark—–for number of times a solo home run by a player has accounted for the only run his team scored in a game.

At the rate that we are using our bullpen, every single reliever is going to break down at some point this season.  The problems have started already and will continue as long as our starters don’t  hold up their end.

Pete, I’d love to see a ranking of all the MVP players of the past 50 years, I’d have to believe that Jimmy is one of the weakest MVPers of all time. 

Sadly, I think we have to consider that Jimmy was on PED for that one year which gave him a boost well over his career averages.