Do we really need another hitter?

by PhillyFriar on Jul 22, 2008 5:40 PM EDT

I don't mean to turn into a poll-aholic, but the recent trade rumblings have surprised me a little bit. First there was the aborted Holliday blockbuster, now Rosenthal says we've inquired on Xavier Nady and Matt Kemp.

Now don't get me wrong -- all of these players would be fantastic additions to the lineup, and Kemp is especially appealing. But at what cost? The Holliday deal was certainly creative, but it would have left the farm system almost completely devoid of talent. The Bucs are right to start a bidding war on Nady (who's having his career year), and the Dodgers are notoriously tough to deal with, especially for a young player of Kemp's caliber.

My two cents: even given the massive slump the Phils have been in, is offense really this team's biggest need right now? You still have the best offense in the National League on paper -- it's just time for Rollins, Utley, Howard, and pretty much everyone not named Burrell to pick it up (and hopefully the BABIP picks it up as well). If you were going to give up top shelf prospects, you should have done it for a big-time starting pitcher, in my opinion.

Look, I wouldn't mind picking up an outfielder on the cheap to replace Taguchi (Lofton or Hinske, anyone?), but to trade any more high end prospects to shore up what should be a team strength is foolish, in my opinion.

Poll

So what's your take on this?

Make the deal to add a big-time bat

3 votes

Don't sacrifice the prospects; just pick up someone on the cheap if possible

14 votes

Stand Pat

4 votes

21 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Holliday would have been a decent move despite his bad splits. Nady and Kemp are Werth but just on a different team and aren’t good enough players to expect them to continue. But, more to your point, yes, this team could definitely use another bat.

OPS+:
Cardinals: 112
Cubs: 110
Braves: 107
Marlins: 107
Brewers: 106
Mets: 105

Phils: 104

Yeah, the Phils have had the 7th best offense in the NL according to OPS+. Not the best indicator because OPS is inherently flawed, but still, good enough to show us that our bats aren’t as good as we think they are.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jul 23, 2008 3:03 AM EDT reply actions

Since the OP’s point was that our hitters are slumping below their expected performance, I don’t think simply listing this year’s OPS rankings is responsive.

You’re also drastically underselling both Matt Kemp and Jayson Werth in the same sentence. Werth’s main problem is his propensity to get hurt. If you take that away, “just another Werth” is a pretty damn good pickup. (Not to mention that long-term, Kemp will be better than Werth. I could see Kemp becoming an all star.)

Anyway, do we “need” a bat? No. “Could” we use a bat? Sure, but only if the price is right. We’ve already dumped Cardenas and Outman for a guy who isn’t very good, and we’re apparently looking to dump Happ as well. I have no desire to see our entire minor league system cleaned out in the space of two weeks.

by taco pal on Jul 23, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Another Werth doesn’t really help since we already have a Werth. What good would it do replacing Werth with Werth? That was my point, not that Werth isn’t good. I am as big of a fan of Werth as you can be (well, beside’s Mama Werth).

The slumps have also been countered a bit by the over-their-heads like Burrell and, ok, just Burrell. This is likely Chase’s true level and Howard will bounce back a bit. We have a huge hole at C and a decent hole at 3rd and a slight hole in right. A batter in any of those spots would help a lot more than acquiring a Joe Blanton.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jul 24, 2008 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Has anyone seen this guy amaro says ‘isn’t a 3rd baseman’ who could probably already out hit pedro feliz, i think donald? Could he actually be a 3rd baseman and the phils are just being stupid?

by jemagee on Jul 24, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

If the Phillies were a rebuilding team

Then I’d like to see that. But I doubt Donald could outplay Feliz this year.

That said, I’d like them to try him at 3B and see what happens.

by phatj on Jul 26, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Try him at 3B in AA or AAA, I mean.

by phatj on Jul 26, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Well I don’t see them as a serious title contender this year, but the phils have implied (at least one mouthpiece) that they don’t even seem inclined to try Donald at 3rd base…which seems silly to me.

by jemagee on Jul 26, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions