Ryan Howard turns 30
LGT his Baseball Reference page.
Just goes to show that he (and the core) are not particularly young anymore.
1 day ago
WholeCamels
14 comments
0 recs
Is it Time to Trust the Phillies?
by dajafi on Nov 19, 2009 1:27 PM EST
19 comments
Through the first two weeks of the off-season, I haven’t heard much out of the Phillies’ front office that’s made me happy. The payroll isn’t going up much, despite a year of record attendance and post-season revenues I assume they didn’t budget for but that included eight home dates, one short of the maximum possible (they didn’t need that Game Five against the Rockies, thankfully). Yet they’re looking at pricey but questionable free agent additions to the bullpen like Fernando Rodney; are evidently hot once again for aging Mark DeRosa ("he's a Penn grad" really isn't a very compelling reason to bring the guy onboard); and reportedly are planning to bring in a "defense-first" type for infield depth. That’s four "ughs" right there, all along the lines of past mistakes we’ve seen the Phillies make—in fact, they’ve made these exact mistakes in previous offseasons. Read Roberto Hernandez for Rodney, David Bell for DeRosa, and Abe "No-Hit" Nunez for whatever slick-glove guy they bring in for the bench.
Yet I find myself unable to get too worked up about it anymore. it’s not because I don’t care; it’s because I’m now (almost) convinced that whenever my views diverge from those of GM Ruben Amaro Jr., the strong likelihood is that he's right and I’m wrong.
19 comments | 0 recs |
Great Editorial Decisions -- Domonic Brown Edition
From Yahoo! Sports' Big League Stew
Original, poorly proofread article still online as of this posting, follow the link within the article.
1 day ago
WholeCamels
11 comments
0 recs
The Wrong Focus: Why the Phillies Should Focus on Offense Off the Bench
by David S. Cohen on Nov 18, 2009 11:40 AM EST
21 comments
Ruben Amaro Jr. is reportedly so content with the offense that Ben Francisco and Greg Dobbs can provide off the bench next year that he thinks that the Phillies should focus on defense with their other bench positions. Here's the Inquirer's introductory take on the matter:
The Phillies will emphasize defense when working to improve their bench this off-season, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said yesterday.
While the team would love to add part-time players who can hit for batting average and power, they will "err on getting defense over offense," Amaro said.
Amaro is wrong here for two reasons that can be encapsulated with the following numbers: .630 and .447.
First, Amaro is wrong because the Phillies as a team had an awful .186/.284/.346 triple slash line and .630 OPS last year when pinch hitting. That .630 OPS was 12th in the NL. Their .186 batting average when pinch hitting was 15th in the NL. This is awful production from the bench, especially given that the bench usually comes into play in important game situations.
Second, the Phillies were 8-16 in interleague play last year (when you add in the World Series) and have a .447 overall winning record against the AL since interleague play has begun (including World Series appearances). As was quite clear in the World Series, the Phillies suffered with the DH at Yankee Stadium and Hideki Matsui being the main pinch hit threat at Citizens Bank Park. With a bench that's weak offensively, the Phillies will not eliminate their NL East disadvantage in interleague play or give themselves more options if they reach the World Series again.
Both of these reasons indicate the Amaro is foolish to emphasize defense over offense in his quest to fill out the bench this off-season.
But, there is one possible way that I could be less angry with this decision. In filling the third base spot, as PhillyFriar has noted over the past week, there are players available by free agency or trade who might be offensive assets but defensive liabilities. If Amaro were to pursue one of those players, it might be worth backing him up with a more defense-oriented infielder who can sub for the new third baseman when appropriate.
However, even this possibility would explain just one position. Even if that were to come to pass, the Phillies need more offense off the bench. Focusing on defense is wrong.
21 comments | 0 recs |
Phillies Breakfast Links, November 18, 2009: Happy Petey, Shane Gets Married, Swap Happ?
by WholeCamels on Nov 18, 2009 7:48 AM EST
22 comments
Thanks for your patience around here. This is truly the slowest part of the offseason.
PARK, EYRE, PEDRO: STAY OR GO? - Philled In
Scott Lauber breaks it down.
Reports: Dodgers, Cubs stalk Martinez
If people are willing to overpay for Pedro Martinez, let them. He's worth more to other teams than the Phillies at this point, probably.
Park keeping options for 2010 open
I know we're talking negotiations and whatnot, but I really hope Park doesn't insist he's still a starting pitcher.
Phillies no stranger to awards
It's really funny how much less of a crap you give about these awards, as a fan, when your team has been going deep into the postseason.
crashburnalley.com " The Case Against J.A. Happ
Trade J.A. Happ now, while is value is (likely) at its peak?
22 comments | 0 recs |
Bye Bye Bruntlett
No longer will we have to ask the question "Why is Eric Bruntlett on the Phillies?" As of today, he's gone from the 40-man roster, along with John Ennis, Paul Hoover, Andy Tracy, and Tyler Walker. Todd Zolecki reports that Bruntlett and Walker "will not be back next season"; the other three could return on minor league deals. Perhaps less heartening is Zolecki's list of possible replacements: John McDonald, Omar Vizquel, Jamey Carroll, Ronnie Belliard and Juan Uribe, all more or less variations on the dreary Bruntlett theme.
3 days ago
dajafi
23 comments
0 recs
Marlins' Chris Coghlan named 2009 National League Rookie of the Year; Phillies' Happ finishes second
by WholeCamels on Nov 16, 2009 2:01 PM EST
20 comments
Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins was named the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year today, narrowly edging out Phillies' LHP J.A. Happ for the award. Coghlan received 105 total points and 17 first place votes, versus 94 and 10 for Happ.
Coghlan posted a .321/.390/.460 line for the Marlins, starting 120 games in left field for the Fish.
Vote tallies after the jump...
20 comments | 0 recs |
Analyzing the Third Base Candidates: Trade Targets
by PhillyFriar on Nov 16, 2009 8:50 AM EST
30 comments
On Friday, we tackled the free agent possibilities at the hot corner. Ruben Amaro is said to be leaning toward signing a free agent, but due diligence dictates a look at potential trade targets as well. I've tried to limit the discussion to third basemen who might actually be available (so you won't see Ryan Zimmerman listed below, sorry).
Without further ado, here's a look at how the trade market for third basemen shapes up: Brandon Wood, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Garrett Atkins, Andy LaRoche, Dan Uggla, and Alex Gordon.
30 comments | 0 recs
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NL East Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia
|
93 | 69 | .574 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
Florida
|
87 | 75 | .537 | 6 | Lost 1 |
|
Atlanta
|
86 | 76 | .530 | 7 | Lost 6 |
|
New York
|
70 | 92 | .432 | 23 | Won 3 |
|
Washington
|
59 | 103 | .364 | 34 | Won 7 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 1:13 PM EST)
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Most Commented
Analyzing the Third Base Candidates: Trade Targets
by PhillyFriar 4 days ago
30 comments | 0 recs
Worst Day of the Year
by David S. Cohen 6 days ago
24 comments | 1 recs
Bye Bye Bruntlett
by dajafi 3 days ago
23 comments | 0 recs
Phillies Breakfast Links, November 18, 2009: Happy Petey, Shane Gets Married, Swap Happ?
by WholeCamels 2 days ago
22 comments | 0 recs
FOXSports Reports Phils Lead Race for DeRosa
by Tony4251 1 day ago
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