Antonio Francisco (Rafael) Bastardo burst onto the prospect scene in 2007 as a starter in Class A. He pitched 96.2 innings, struck out 110 and only allowed 68 hits.
Injuries hampered him in ’08, but in ’09 he earned a much anticipated call-up as a starter. After flashing some brilliance in his first start, he struggled, and only made 5 starts for the team.
In 2010, he was converted to a reliever full-time and showed some great potential (12.5 K/9) and great lack of control (1.50 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9). And again, the injury bug bit.
2011 was/is an important season for Bastardo. His days as a starter were obvious numbered. His future depended on bullpen success, but the Phillies clearly had little trust in either his ability or ability to stay healthy, as they re-signed the not-very-good J.C Romero to be the premier lefty out of the bullpen. At 25, this was a make or break season for the lefty. And well, it looks like he’s made it.
Let’s start with the basic numbers, as they stand on July 20th.
39 appearances, 36.1 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 14 BB, 43 K, 0.99 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 7 saves
Now let’s break that down with some fun stats…
Note: This will assume that Bastardo gets to 50 IP on the season
- His 3.2 H/9 would be an MLB record for a pitcher with 50+ IP… by almost a full hit over juiced-up 2003 Eric Gagne (4.04)
- His 0.74 WHIP would be the 10th best in MLB history, just behind Pedro Martinez’ outrageous 2000 campaign
- His 0.99 ERA would be the 11th best in MLB history
- All 3 would obviously be Phillies team records
- From June 6th to July 15th, Bastardo pitched a 12 inning no-hitter, and only walked 2.
- Only one of Bastardo’s four ER have come with the Phillies up by less than 4 runs
- The Phillies won all 4 games in which Bastardo gave up a run
- Opposing hitters are hitting .107 against him this year. RHB hitting .092 with a .371 OPS.
- Per FanGraphs, his fastball rates as the 5th best in baseball this year
- His ERA+ of 385 would be tied for 9th best in MLB history
- In 75% of his appearances, he has not allowed a hit
- In 51% of his appearances, he has not allowed a baserunner
- He has only has a negative affect on the Phillies probability of winning the game (WPA) twice in 39 appearances
Is his success attributed to a development of a second and third pitch? I seem to recall he threw almost exclusively fastballs as a starter which usually doesn’t end well…
relievers really only need 2 pitches, so not sure how development of a third pitch makes the difference. to my knowledge, he always had the slider, just could not really command it well when he was a starter.
great post Pete.
long overdue. he has been our most consistent arm this season. I am curious as to whether Charlie will keep letting him close once Madson is up to speed.
And then where do Lidge and Contreres fit in? This bullpen could soon be crazy good esp if Perez maintains his form.
I see that as pretty optimistic. Lidge has thrown the worrisome 87-89, and I don’t see his recall as anymore than a test to keep trying to gain arm strength, and do it against major league pitching. Anyone thinking he has a shot at closing again within this year is probably very optimistic. I’d guess with full recovery, he might get into the low 90s again after a full spring training, and some warm weather, like June of next year, and it’s iffy. I figure he’ll get Baez/Herndon like assignments for at least a couple weeks, then be evaluated.
Contreras, at the reported 39 years old off back to back forearm injuries….well…that goes in the need I say more department.
It’d be nice, but it’s optimistic. On both counts.
My more realistic goal is that you have 5 guys who are capable of being reliable back end bulpen guys. In order of reliability for the rest of the season Madson, Bastardo Stutes Lidge and Contreras. I would be happy if 3 of those 5 pan out. Perez is probably a flash in the pan who we will ride til he runs out. Madson is arguably the 2nd most reliable and effective reliever in baseball the last 4 or so years (behind Mo). Bastardo and Stuetes can they keep it up/stay healthy? Lidge and Contreras can they get healthy. The Phils are in good shape they don’t need as deep of a bulpen because of the starters and some of these guys will step up.
Pete,
I was curious about your thoughts on Vance Worley. When I watch him pitch and look at his stats I am reminded of JA Happ (a guy with success but not due to “stuff” or “measurables” but rather good hiding of the ball or a relative unfamiliarity with the pitcher). I know that Happ put up some great numbers in Philly, but he was overachieving, and the Phillies traded him while his stock was high which seems to have been wise. Do you see the same in Vance Worley? I know he is pitching lights out right now, but this run has to stop. From what I understand he projects as a 4th or 5th starter. Now I am not extremely knowledgeable on the sabermetrics side of things so maybe you would have more insight into the situation. I may be rambling here, but really my question is, do you trade Worley while his stock is high? Or do you hold on to him thinking maybe he has the “it” factor to defy odds and be better than his projection?
I think a lot of people, myself included, are wondering this same thing.
His ERA is obviously not sustainable.
There are a couple ways to look at it…
To me – that seems about right. I think his ceiling is a Joe Blanton (the good Joe Blanton), maybe a hair better.
That being said – trading him now is intriguing – but considering that Oswalt will likely be gone next year, and Hamels is still up in the air, having cheap, decent starting pitching is huge. So I would keep him.
Yeah I mean I love what he is bringing right now, but I am all about selling high. If the right trade presents itself and the other team wants Worley you gotta include him right? I know the Phils have strength in pitching in the minors, could there be someone ready to step in if we lost Worley or are all of the arms too far away from the big leagues?
From your lips to Buster Olney’s Twitter….
“Source: The Phillies would prefer to structure any of their Hunter Pence offers around Vance Worley.”
If I’m evaluating Worley by the numbers (which I haven’t had a chance to do in depth yet). I’d throw out the game or two when he was yoyoing back and forth between the bullpen. He clearly had been taken out of his conditioning routine for those games…
Having said that, if he gets you a proven stud like pence, I’d give it some serious consideration.
As a side point on Happ, I seem to recall the last time I looked him up that he had pretty much stopped throwing his cutter in Houston. I thought that was odd, because it was his best non-fastball pitch. I have no idea if it had anything to do with the elbow problem he has right before we traded him, but once he developed that I kinda felt like all bets were off anyway.
I really like the idea of Hunter Pence in this Phillies lineup. Next year Brown takes over for Ibanez with Pence to add the right handed balance. Not sure the astros would take another chance on a young mid rotation level pitcher as a center piece(Happ). I’d prefer to keep both Brown and Worley and give up a prospect pitcher and player with Mayberry. I bet the Phillies are offering Worley and Mayberry.
Ok so I know in the past, Mayberry has not appeared to be on his way to be a big time player, but I am a little reluctant to trade him because of his recent success. I know maybe it is a bit provincial to look at it in this framework, but maybe the recent adjustment to his stance will open up the potential that initially made him a first round pick.
From ESPN.com: Mayberry is 8-for-23 since making an adjustment to his stance. He is using a slight crouch with a more open stance that he says has helped the quickness and athleticism of his swing.
Could John Mayberry be Jayson Werth? A castoff who was tutored by Charlie Manuel and then was able to turn it around? I really don’t know, but it would be a shame to trade him if that is the case.
Understand, I am fully aware that this could just be a streak and Mayberry could go right back to the old underachieving player, but I have to admit, whether it is for good reason or not, I am reluctant to move him at this point in time.
But then again, if you get Pence I guess all is good and well. For the record, I would NOT trade Brown for Pence.
I wouldn’t trade Brown for anyone. He already takes the best AB’s on the team. If he ever puts it all together, he’s going to be very, very good.
Shouldn’t say ANYONE – but anyone being discussed.
sfw -
Worley and Mayberry won’t be close to enough.
Mayberry is a nice player, but he’s a Ben Francisco-type add on to any deal. He’s a good bench player, and too old to be considered a “prospect” (he’s as old as Hamels, people).
Worley and a top prospect (Colvin, May) and a mid-range prospect (James, Gillies) or a reliever (Schwimer, De Fratus) might be enough.
Remember, Pence is an all-star OF with a reasonable contract for several years in the future.
Pete,
Thought about it after the post and agree. Would you go for Worley and Singleton? Or is that too much for the Phils to offer? Seems like fair value for both sides.
That’s probably in the ballpark.
Personally, I’d trade Cosart before Singleton. We have a lot of pitching prospects, but Singleton is currently our only real good hitting prospect. And we are going to need offense sooner than we will need pitching…
But Singleton is still not ready, and he plays 1B. It is also doubtful that Houston would want them since they have Wallace, and reportedly want major league ready young talent,
It may not include yesterday’s game, but FanGraphs shows Worley at an 87% contact rate on swung at pitches.
Kendrick is at 89%. The likes of Doc, Cole, Cliff and Verlander are about 8-10% lower. For Kendrick to be sporting an ERA a full run plus higher than Vance, when batters make contact similarly speaks to The Vanimal’s good fortune.
This is not glaring red flag evidence to instigate a trade. Many, many other factors enter in.
Another standout number is his first pitch strikes. He’s at 60% there. Kendrick is 3% higher, the aces about 7% higher. And all strikes are not created equal. There are strikes to get ahead in the count, and meaningful strikes that are unhittable.
It still doesn’t firmly conclude he’s pitching over hois head, but the evidence is clear that the 2 ERA represents little more than a confidence builder, or marketing tool.
Suffice to say a buyer better be careful on expectations.
It’s somewhere between interesting and funny that all the conversation here is about Hunter Pence as an acquisition, and not a word about Carlos Beltran, who is picking up more and more momentum publicity wise as a Phillies candidate. Strikes me as fascinating for whatever reason.
From my end – Pence is a more attractive option, especially considering that Beltran seems like he will cost about the same amount, and I fear RAJ signing him to a 3-year deal a la Polanco/Ibanez if he performs well
That’s fine, but it just strikes me as something that Beltran gets no mention here. Take that as an indication that not even getting into Pence, Beltran excites me. Quite a bit in fact.
I think Beltran is the best option for the remainder of the season but Pence a good long term fit. If the cost is similar, I’d prefer Pence behind Howard for the next couple of seasons vs Beltran here for the remainder of the season.
If we can get Beltran without giving up too much, that would a great consolation prize. I’d be excited if we could get an all star him his prime for the next few years though.
Great point Pete about Amaro signing a 35 yo good hitting, weak defensive OF. I don’t think we can afford another mediocre defensive OF; Pence, 7 years younger and good defensively, would be ideal and a logical replacement for Jayson, but I’m not that optimistic about getting him
I think Pence is more comparable to Werth than Mayberry; big, strong 4-5 tool player that is still underachieving with regards to his potential,.
I am glad Dom brown is swinging the bat well, I’d rather he work on his defense. With Utley’s occasional miscues, Howard’s limitations, Polanco being injured and having Raul in LF, I’m not sure we have the luxury of another question mark defensively at another position.
Brown’s OBP is 92 pts higher than his AVE…he’s drawing walks and doesn’t swing at too many bad pitches…he already has better plate recognition than howard which is pretty sad. Brown’s OBP is 41 pts higher than Ibanez…the main objective is to get on base and Brown is doing a decent job of doing that. His power will come around, its only a matter of time. you cant judge the guy on 162 at bats. give him time, and i think he will grow into a good player. He survived the Lee, Halladay and Oswalt trade, no way he’s traded any time soon
I misspoke ibanez obp is .288; brown’s is .339 thats 51 pts higher actually
Love Brown’s plate discipline, especially at his age. You have to think that swing/stance of his is going to give pitchers a couple of soft spots in the zone to pitch at once they get to know him, but i guess there are guys with funkier approaches who’ve had success (youkilis comes to mind)
Would you trade Mayberry, instead of Brown for a Hunter Pence?
Is this a joke?
All (not just TRR)
I’m sorry to say it, but John Mayberry has zero trade value. Whether you think he SHOULD have more is a different story. But I can guarantee you that no team trying to trade us a quality player will ask for John Mayberry in return.
He is a 27-year old 4th outfielder hitting .238 with a .310 OBP.
He could be a throw-in in a deal if a team needs a bench bat – but alone he will bring us no one.
I think this is accurate. Subjectively, it feels like his offensive game could click, but other teams are looking at the numbers and the numbers don’t look like much.
There’s a couple reasons why I feel like he has room left to grow, the main one being that he’s apparently very coachable. That adjustment to his stance was very effective. He also does have good plate discilpline despite the low OBP – he’s seeing the same number if pitches per AB as Brown. And the OBP is about 70 points higher than his avg. If the stance adjustment works out long term and he hits the ball better, the OBP would figure to look a lot better too.
Hitting the ball more consistently is the key for him – he has the power, speed and defense to be a solid player. That’s why I put so much value on the stance adjustment. Whether it actually pans out, I have no idea.
And I’m an incorrigible optimist.
he could be a very good platoon player. but since he has little body of work, he literally does have zero trade value. I see his ceiling as a David Delucci type player. I don’t want to see him go back down to the minors.
Celebration Time…Baez sent packing for Lidge’s return
There was a great stat in the Philly.com article – I think it was that baez only pitched in two games where we didnt have a lead of more than 5 runs. And we know that one of them was the 19 inning game.
next up; Herndon, when either Oswalt or Contreras returns.
thanks for the 16 inning win Dannys. Ltr!
What are the chances that the Phils can trade Phillipe Aumont, JC Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies to the Mariners for Felix Hernandez?
I’m reading articles and seeing guys like ricky bottalico talk about trading brown and worley for pence and it makes no sense. Brown survived 3 trades for better players. Lee, Halladay, and Oswalt are all much better players than Pence and we were able to keep him. Why the hell would we trade him now? The guys has like 256 career PAs its ignorant and plain stupid to judge him and throw him away now for Pence.
It doesn’t matter if we get Pence, Beltran, Cabrera or whoever…if rollins, utley and howard don’t hit in the postseason than its null and void. I really don’t see the impact a bat would make. We are already going to make the playoffs so we’re trading for the postseason and next year.
I say grab a bullpen arm to throw in there with Stutes, Bastardo and Madson and pray that Howard turns it around and Polanco gets healthy
There are two teams that could really challenge the Phillies in the postseason: the Braves and the Giants (which they did last year). The Phils lack of offense, as well as some surprisingly sloppy defense, cost them another World Series apperance last season. Let us hope that the Phillies learned their lesson and finally get a bat with some pop in it. Of course, extra bullpen help is always welcome. However, the bat is where it’s at!
GO PHILS!!
Chances remain excellent that Carlos Beltran will be suiting up in a Phillies uniform by next Friday night. This will add skill, desire (no ring to date), a fit in personality, and further separation between the Phils and any other ball club covered by MLB.com.
One of the more significant factors in determining Beltrans’ next destination is Beltran’s no trade clause. That, coupled with his realization that wherever he goes has to be taken as a short term situation continues to point to heading to Philly. A strong finish to an already fine season will mean either added dollars to his next deal, or solidify what he’ll get already if the market is effected by the hardly recovering economy. The Mets desire to remain a player for Beltran’s future increases the chance they want to work with him to do what he prefers. Switching leagues at this point hardly enhances his chance at a strong finish. Playing in San fransisco requires covering more ground, and facing the same challenge he has at Citi Field, a large park that has enabled him to accumulate doubles, but not homers. Staying in the division he’s come to know isn’t disadvantageous, either.
Sources have conveyed that Beltran wants to go where there’s a good pitching staff. Guess who he’s talking about. It ain’t the Braves.
The ping pong imagery of the Phillies shopping for relief help on even calendar days, and batting assistance on odd ones has created a picture of either desparation, or confusion. While no team is perfect, and always looking to improve, the day to day developments have reduced this dilemma over recent days. Worriers will worry, but tbhe view from here is people will be quite surprised in the coming weeks to find out that Roy Oswalt is still Roy Oswalt. His return will finalize a skill set of the necessary 4 pitchers for a post season rotation that adds a bullpen arm to the Phils roster. People can debate all they want about Vance Worley’s liklihood to continue at the pace he has as astarter, but he’s an outstanding bet to succeed short term in short doses in a bullpen role. Not that experienced relievers like Adams, Bell, Koji, or Soria might not be more likely to do so, but whe n you’re attempting to deal one time, as the Phils do, the simplification of decision is glaring.
The Vanimal is a good percentage liklihood to fill the role of the aforementioned bullpen gurus if you have to compromise.
Carlos Beltran is what you call an IMPACT player. He’s competed in the post season. He can carry a lineup. Not that Jose Reyes outstanding season should be considered lightly, but where David Wright, Ike Davis and Jason Bay have all been slowed by injury, it’s pretty clear who’s carried the Mets this year. His presence in a pretty decent, but still could be better lineup clearly enhances the chance to produce even more adequately. The list of candidates is fairly talented, including at least some other post season experience in BJ and Melky, but you have a chance to get an IMPACT player, who has that post season, big market experience, you go for it. And I am of the view that Ruben and company will. And probably for a small enough price that leaves em baffled at the review window.
Welcome to Philly, Carlos. May your stay be even half as good as I think it will. That oughta be quite enough, thank you.
That is a very bold post Ken. Not a Bland statement at all! I like the logic about Beltran playing at CBP than AT&T Park. As long as the Phillies get that bat, I will be content. I still want Pence though.
The whole Beltran deal is based on the Mets identifying talent they want. At that point, the lack of other compatible trade partners will be more of a factor. At least that much sure seems high percentage. Personally, I don’t see the Phils having Pence as an option. There’s too much need in Houston for the club to acquire more ready made ML talent than the Phils can offer. About the only place the Phils have that, where it’s tradable, are relievers Schwimer and DeFratus. A bullpen is the least of Houston’s needs. So you may continue to read Pence rumors in the same sentence as the Phils, but I think it’s just talk.
Two other outfielders- BJ Upton and Reed Johnson- are also being mentioned as possible alternatives for teams wanting a bat.
Mets apparently want D Brown for Beltran according to SI:
I.com’s Jon Heyman tweeted Friday afternoon that the Mets want Belt, Wheeler or outfielder Gary Brown from the Giants, and Brown from the Phillies. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote earlier Friday that the Mets covet left-hander Mike Minor in return for Beltran.
Mets are on crack if they’re thinking Beltran for brown.
+1
latest on Pence :…However, the Astros’ asking price for him could prove to be too high. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman reported that the Astros would want at least three MLB-ready prospects in exchange for the talented five-tool player. In MLB language, that is a king’s ransom.
That being said, it seems a pretty safe bet that most teams will pass on Pence. He’s a great player, but is already 28 years old.
One team that already seems to have passed on Pence is the Philadelphia Phillies, who took themselves out of the race upon learning that rookie outfielder Domonic Brown would have to be involved in any deal. According to CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury, losing Brown could be a dealbreaker for the Phillies.
Teams that currently remain interested are the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, though neither team really has any valuable chips who could be of any use, save for the Reds’ Yonder Alonso.
As trading season hits it’s zenith this week (well, I hope so considering the advantage rumors hold over action), I look at the Los Angeles Dodgers as an interesting case of inactive. Beleagured by financial paralysis of sorts, the Dodgers find themselves in unfamiliar territory of way down in the standings, particularly interesting when you consider the talented trio of 40-40 bound Matt Kemp, talented Andre Ethier, and this lefty pitcher they throw out every 5 days. I wouldn’t pass judgement on whether they should be wheeling and dealing, but it’s a touch off the norm how a downtrodden club isn’t looking to deal strengths like these guys that are gonna get very, very expensive, and very soon.
But that’s not what this venture into verbiage is about. It’s about who the best lefthanded pitcher in baseball is. It’s not exactly commonplace or unanimous that the name Cole Hamels pops up in response to that question more often than not. Cole is most definitely worthy of mention, and is mentioned as mush as anyone in a topic that at least gets some play. And it probably doesn’t speak as much to east coast bias as to winning gets recognition, or the publicity gained from his celebrated teammates making it easier to pay attention to him.
But from a numbers standpoint, it’s pretty easy to see that the flip of a quarter might be the best judge between the 23 year old Clayton Kershaw, and 27 year old Hamels.
Both have started 21 games, Kershaw has thrown 1 more inning. Kershaw has a .209 BAA, Cole .210. Cole leads the WHIP race, 0.96 to 1.02. K’shaw has struck out 30 more, which is kinda fascinating since Hamels is a good K guy himself. Cole’s ERA is 2.62, to CK’s 2.72. Course Cole has 2 horrific starts that contribute to that, but it is what it is.
Suffice to say that the next time anyone pronounces Hamels the best lefty pitcher in the game with any degree of confidence, you can assume they have a quarter to their name, and matched the call of a flip with the result. Clayton Kershaw is doing a masterful job of finally coming to his owm. And after all this time, at the veteranage of 23, it’s about time. Or so the impatient wo0uld say.
Are the Phils interested in B.J Upton?
they should be; he’s nice and cheap with tons of upside. not sure whether he would be able to contribute anything this year but good long term investment in the hopes that all he might need may be a change of scenery. At worst, he can be a defensive replacement or pinch runner.
I seriously doubt it. Reports keep surfacing about tangible things the Phils want. Nobody mentions the underlying thing the Phils look at first. You wanna play here, your first concern, far above number 2 is winning.
I’d say there’s fair question as to wheteher BJ fits that description. You’re more likely to perpetuate winning by bringing in players who contribute to that attitude, than chancing people who can take to the exsisting attitude, and grow into it.
Do you think Jayson Werth’s primary concern was winning when he signed his $126M contract with the Natinals? I agree with you that Upton is a prima donna and doesn’t have the best attitude but I think the whole “winning attitude” is overblown. Maybe he’s just pissed that the Rays haven’t signed him to an extension/long-term contract. I bet he puts up some good numbers in his contract year next year though.
A player’s primary concern in free agency has nothing to do with a club’s dtermination of acquaition of help in trading season. I don’t know Upton’s attitude for fact. I suspect it’s questionable, and therefore answered that I seriously doubt they are interested. I liken the reports of interest to early exploration. I say with more certainty that the Phillies clubhouse is one that prioritizes winning
And you don’t agree with me on Upton being a prima donna, because I didn’t say that.
Jen Royle of MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) reports that the Phillies and Rays are discussing a deal involving B.J. Upton.
May just be doing their homework or may just be trying to drive down the price on Beltran. Upton has way more value though since he’s under team control for one more year and considering Beltran won’t return any draft picks when he signs somewhere else in the offseason. Can’t say I’d oppose either one but I’d have to know what we’re giving up first.
This team needs someone who can and will bring in that same magic in the postseason with that bat (kind of like Matt Stairs in ’08 and ’09 against the Dodgers)! GO PHILS, REEL IN THE BAT!!
Be nice to put an exclamation point on it with the sweep today & set the tone for the week.. I’ll be enjoying the proceedings vicariously through Messers. Anderson & Franske.
On the acquisistions front, latest rumors are that the phils are likely to add all stars placido polanco & Roy oswalt to the active roster in the near future. Combined with recent addition of all star & gold glover shane victorino, the revamped phils lineup will soon be striking fear into the hearts of their opponents.
I jest, but honestly it will be nice to see the full complement out there. Shane’s been having a good year, utley & rollins are heating up. Polanco & osawalt say the feel good. whatever else happens, these are all great developments.
Mike Adams and Heath Bell just gave the Phillies a great audition! Hope they get one of them, wow!
Adams isn’t going anywhere they say; Bell might be pricey. The way the pen is shaping up, I think they’re focusing on a hitter; just read where they might even go for Giambi-DH in WS ?
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are interested in Jason Giambi, for a potential August deal.
http://twitter.com/#!/Ken_Rosenthal/statuses/95597291762753536
Nice option for DH.
Interesting. Not a bad thought.
The chances of landing Giambi in August are really, really slim. He’d need to clear waivers through anyone in the League with a lesser record. That’s a high population. It’d make it even tougher to acquire a Jim Thome, or Hidecki Matsui, if those were the names that were on the wish lidt. The thought of Giambi is actually quite good. The mechanics of acquiring him are of a much different feasibility. Transactions are a lot harder to complete than rumors are to create. And while that is truer of August than July, it still isn’t simple.
I remain of the opinion that there is an excellent chance that Carlos Beltran is headed to the Phils, despite sentiment in the media this morning that the Phils have cooled as a candidate. Yesterday, Beltran, through Mike Puma of the NY Post nixed the idea he wouldn’t go to the AL. He did verify he wasn’t interested in DHing, or so the report said. Beltran’s final push to free agency isn’t crushed by playing in the AL, or somewhere other than Philly, but it’s not as strengthened. He leaves doors open, he has more choices, and those choices may wind up including incentives to make certain moves. His powerful no trade clause still leaves him room to say no at the point of necessary decision. I suspect the Texas Rangers will emerge a very viable candidate through this process, and they may wind up the first to complete a deal to the point where Beltran needs to give an approval. Today might be a calm on the beltran front, but look for it to get very intense by Thursday. It’s a deal that figures to get done sooner than later.
excuse me, the Rangers need another stud OF?? are they just collecting them, or is Cruz and Hamilton not good enough? As well as they are hitting, I’d say that’s low on their top priorities. Plus Michael Young at DH aint that bad at all.
TEX – .276 team BA (2nd in AL), .334 team OBP (3rd in AL), 526 Runs scored (2nd in AL)
I think your comment might be better if you said that another OF should be low on their priority list. They have been mentioned as aggressive pursuers of Beltran for several days now. I tend to think that’s true. I’m not judging whether it should be or not, just conveying what I think is. Hamilton and Cruz are obviously fine, Josh more spotty than last year, but still a straw that stirs the drink. But the chance to land Beltran is a major upgrade over the likes of Chavez and Murphy, and i assume that’s their basis for the want. But based on their agressiveness, and want to keep up with Yank and red Sox AL offenses, I read them as a serious Beltran candidate. Rightly or wrongly.
Beltran’s chances of becoming a Phillie rest more on the mets demands than anything. If they hold firm in asking for brown back, it’s not gonna happen.