Phillies Breakfast Links, November 11, 2009: Park Wants to Start, No Deal Hamels

by WholeCamels on Nov 11, 2009 8:03 AM EST Comment 72 comments

MLB's Park Chan-ho Visits Korea After World Series
Again with the "starting role."

Korean pitcher Park demands lead role for next season
YOU ARE NOT A STARTING PITCHER ANYMORE! YOU CAN BE A DOMINANT RELIEVER! Jeezus...

Bill Conlin: It's time for DH in the NL
I agree with Bill! I wish jonk were here to read this...

Phils need to change voices
I don't envy Tom McCarthy, he had a nearly impossible task this season. But the fact is... well, I don't want to have to say it...

Jays' Hallday fit for Phillies?
Is "Halladay to Phillies" the new "Brian Roberts to Cubs"?

Sammy Sosa bleached skin, Sammy Sosa white, Sammy Sosa face and Sammy Sosa pictures
Awesome.

Phillies GM Amaro scuttles talk of Hamels trade
Good sense pronouncement, or the dreaded "vote of confidence"?

Media Life Magazine - In Series signage, Phillies hit a homer
WE RULE! WE RULE!

0 recs | Comment 72 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

From the hot stove...

1. Phillies looking at Fernando Rodney as a reliever;

2. Amaro says that Kyle Drabek will likely arrive in September of 2010 or thereafter, and that Moyer will likely be ready for Spring training (so much for retiring)

3. Phillies are “seriously considering” Chone Figgins

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10343728/Latest-buzz-from-MLB%27s-GM-meetings

http://bases.nbcsports.com/2009/11/just-call-him-chone-phiggins.html.php

by Boundforbeach on Nov 11, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I’m in love with the Rodney thing. He’s only a Type B free agent, but he’s walked 5.5 per 9 innings the past two years, and I don’t think he’s going to come particularly cheap. Glad to hear that that Amaro is kicking the tires on some relievers, but there are better and more cost-effective options than Rodney.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 11, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fernando Rodney? I wouldn’t sign him.

That ball hit deep! Way back! You can put it on the boooaaaard...YES!

Long drive into deep right center field! This ball is OUTTA HEEERRRREE!
R.I.P. Harry Kalas 4-13-09

by HappyHuman on Nov 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So, the phillies finally think wheeler has to go?

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Park you cant start

Simple as that.

by Ant on Nov 11, 2009 9:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Easy guys

CHP’s fans in Korea expect him to be a starter, and they are adamant about it. He needs to appease them. There were tons of articles written about this last spring.

by vendor71 on Nov 11, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure CHoP wants to start as well. I would. I don’t blame him for it. Best of luck to him. He’ll probably end up in someone’s bullpen, but I can understand wanting to fight for a rotation spot, as well.

by Cormican on Nov 11, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It has to be Park’s own personal desire to still start, because there’s no way his agent doesn’t realize that he’s best marketed as a reliever at this point.

In that case, I’d gladly offer him arbitration and take the compensatory pick. Good deal all around.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 11, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa, he’s a Type A?

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh wait, never mind. We still get a pick if he’s Type B, it’s the signing team that doesn’t give one up.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as CHoP realizes what his options are, it’s fine for him to want to start, and to publicize that. Overall he did well in Philly, expressed displeasure at being move to the bullpen (who wouldn’t) but didn’t harp on it, and got over it and performed well in his role.
It’s not like he sabotaged the bullpen in hopes that they’d move him back to starter. He did what anybody SHOULD try to do in that situation. He pitched his ass off in hopes to get another shot at starting. I don’t think the Phils can guarantee him that, nor should they, in any way, because if you demote him again, I think it’ll be more likely to get ugly.

I don’t think he’s going to find what he wants:
A competitive team that will let him be the 5th starter, so he can either be a very good reliever on a good team, or a marginal starter on a bad team. Hopefully he realizes the former option is better for his career, but it’s his choice.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that the notion that relievers are just failed starters – which is, to be honest, kind of true – is particularly strong in Japan / Korea. Which I guess might explain CHP’s somewhat annoying fixation on this, even though by now it’s pretty clear that a failed starter (though quite good reliever) is exactly what he is.

by SethC on Nov 12, 2009 7:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s usually true. But some starters are also failed relievers. Braden Looper, Darren Dreifort.

by taco pal on Nov 12, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is a strongly held belief in Asia that relievers are the guys who can’t start. In all fairness to CHoP, he was a pretty good starter early in his career. Sadly, if he is insistent on starting, he’ll probably need to go back and play in Asia.

by Cormican on Nov 12, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A phillies lineup with figgins leading off and rollins batting 7th would be very tough. lots of speed and athleticism, and finally a leadoff hitter who can do what a lead hitters do. hopefully Rolllins doesnt complain or rock the boat if and when this may happen.

and bring Franzke up to TV. it’s about time.

by ajr142 on Nov 11, 2009 10:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

hell yeah. Let the rest of the world deal with him saying “chopper” over and over like I had to with him on the radio.

Y’all laugh at “fisted” (albeit for slightly different reasons). I groan at “chops one” and “hits a chopper”.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hes VERY streaky, not really the kinda guy we need.

by philiafan14364 on Nov 11, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Could someone tell me what this streaky nonsense actually means…wasn’t ibanez ‘streaky’ this year?

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 9:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

anybody’s who’s “streaky” to the tune of a .395 OBP is fine by me.

by SethC on Nov 12, 2009 5:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Announcers

It is time for Tom McCarthy to go. I gave him pretty much every benefit of the doubt this year. However, I don’t think I can hand another year of him, and since I don’t live in Philly, I am stuck with him on MLB Extra Innings. (I can’t listen to Scott and LA while the TV is muted.)

I loved Miller’s suggestions. I think Todd Kalas would be a perfect fit for the Phillies. He doesn’t have to do TV play-by-play, but I think the organization should bring him in. Moving Franzke and LA to TV wouldn’t be bad either, but I doubt the higher-ups want LA on TV.

We should also keep Sarge in as well. He has really improved, and “Cadillac Time” had really started to grown on me.

by threezerofour on Nov 11, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

how long has it been time for wheeler to go?

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

15-20 years now.

by Cormican on Nov 11, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

compared to some of the other color guys around the league (i’ve lived in Bmore, San Diego and Philly), I think wheels is inciteful, connecting the older generation to the game you’re watching. with that said, the banter between wheels and t-mac makes we want to throw my tv out the window.

by ajr142 on Nov 11, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Inciteful? He certainly is!

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

insightful. i’m not a good proof-reader haha.

by ajr142 on Nov 11, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe that is called a Freudian slap.

by Wet Luzinski on Nov 11, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

So wheeler is there to incite anger and alienate the younger generation? The ones still deciding if they’re going to be phillies fans, and who have more disposable income and longer life spans (in general) ahead of them?

I’m glad Wheeler makes them remember the 50s, it was such a lovely time in america

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll stick my neck out a bit here

I don’t mind Wheeler all that much. Sure, he’s a huge dork, but ajr142 is right: he does a better job than a lot of color guys around the league, and aside from some of his annoying sayings, he’s actually is pretty insightful if you listen to him.

I think a lot of Philadelphia fans are unwilling to like him because he and Harry didn’t exactly get along, and while I understand that sentiment, it doesn’t automatically make Wheels an awful broadcaster. Top notch, no, but compared to Buck Martinez, he’s pretty damn good.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 11, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve never liked Wheels. However, I do recognize that “Baseball Announcer” is probably the most difficult job in all of broadcasting. 3+ hours of talking and sometimes, frankly, not much is happening. Get a game with a lot of pitcher changes, or a 20 minutes rain delay, or just bad pitching leading to long innings. I can’t even stay interesting for an entire post here sometimes, so I can’t imagine doing it 150+ times a year, 3+ hours a stretch.

by Cormican on Nov 11, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One of the best things about Whitey is that he was never afraid to just shut up and say nothing.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just couldn’t agree more. The beauty of the game is so often lost with these guys just having to say something, anything, all the time.

by Boundforbeach on Nov 11, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

for once taco pal…I don’t think i could’ve put it better than you did.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you think it wasn’t fair for McCarthy to follow in Harry’s footsteps, how in the world does his Kalas’s kid have a shot? Please don’t do that to Todd unless he really really wants to do it.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Although this is not McCarthy’s fault, one reason for my dislike of him is that he is kind of cookie-cutter and bland. His voice is not particularly unique, and his calls are not particularly special. He is just a random guy hired to do play-by-play (even though he is from the Philly area).

In my mind’s eye, Todd Kalas has a stronger connection to the team and to Philadelphia. I obviously don’t expect Todd to be exactly like Harry or as good as Harry. It really is not rational at all. It is purely sentimental. I like the idea of the son replacing the father.

I like the IDEA of Todd Kalas.

by threezerofour on Nov 11, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If I were Todd Kalas, I wouldn’t like the idea of Todd Kalas. I’d want to be my own man, not a walking monument to nostalgia.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Buck gets paid VERY well…I’m just saying

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and how many of us think the only reason joe buck got a job was because of his dad?

I do.

I think he sucks.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was kind of the point :)

Skip Caray as well

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Sarge stays.

by philiafan14364 on Nov 11, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bob Carpenter

There aren’t many guys worse than “T-Mac.” But Bob Carpenter’s one of them. He really might be the worst broadcaster I’ve ever heard.

And Randarino is a world-class douchenozzle—so it doesn’t shock me that his preferences run that way.

by dajafi on Nov 11, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I actually don’t mind McCarthy. MLBtv makes it pretty obvious there are some really atrocious announcers out there. If we’re dreaming though, can we start the Jon Sciambi petition?

by phila on Nov 11, 2009 11:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, to me T-Mac is mediocre. I don’t like him but I don’t think he’s utterly horrible.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ARGH

Stop the madness!

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Eh…Those Brookover/Ford/Fox “dialogues” are easily the worst pseudo-trendy drek out there – no writing skill, no analysis, and it takes three people to turn out that steaming pile of male bovine fertilizer.

"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"

by The Dark on Nov 11, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No Halladay

Let me see if I understand these sports writers points. 1 we send a YOUNG and up coming pitcher for a 30 + year old rental that will leave for the Yankees as soon as they wave 160 million his way. 2 or maybe trade Hammels , Drabek, and Brown for the same stated rental? 3 While ignoring that we need upgrades at third, the bench and bullpen. So the Phillies deplete their farm to get a one year rental to win it all now and then slide back into mediocrity 3-4 years from now when our position players age or move on in free agency.

I prefer to get Figgins have him lead off, put rollings down in the order at 7. It would be nice to Park back for the bullpen, and I would like to see Drabek in August or September . Maybe Brown as well.

We don't play stats, we play baseball.

by W.P.M on Nov 11, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

depending on Drabek in the spring games i may even start him earlier than august, I don’t want to see any more Jamie Moyer

by packimop on Nov 11, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No Drabek until September, unless he consistently dominates in AAA for an extended period of time i.e. one measured in months.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m willing to give Moyer a shot, but he gets a short leash. 3-4 bad outings and he’s done.

by Bilzo on Nov 11, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

unless its in a relief role

by packimop on Nov 11, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pitching Rotation

I say you go ahead and promise an opportunity for CHoP to start. The rotation is already lopsided to the left. A righty makes sense, plus if he doesn’t do well… send him to the bullpen again.

Make sure Moyer is our 5th guy. I like the idea of seeing Drabek sometime in July or after in case one of our starters breaks down.

by Phils 2036 World CH on Nov 11, 2009 11:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If Drabek hasn’t yet mastered AAA by July, I’d rather see a stopgap like Kendrick fill in instead. Drabek’s long term development is more important than the slight improvement he might or might not give you for a half-season in 2010. Not to mention that it would be stupid to start his service clock earlier than we need to.

by taco pal on Nov 11, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. No need to Homer Bailey the kid.

by Cormican on Nov 11, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what about signing a SP?

There are a lot of solid starting pitchers on the market, including one that I really like, Joel Pinero. He’s a sinker ball pitcher, and if we get a good defensive player at the hot corner (maybe Beltre), our infield defense will just be ridiculous. The question is; Do we throw a lot of money at Figgins, or do we sign Beltre for maybe 15mil over 2 years with a 3rd year club option and go after another starting pitcher. Either way we will still have to have some left over cash to fill our bullpen and bench (i think we need a new backup catcher too).

by packimop on Nov 11, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Figgins and a reliever

) Figgins will cost about 4/40 mil to get because there will be plenty of suitors. I like Beltre if the money is around 2/12 mil but I don’t that happening either. On the reliver from how about Takashi Saito who was released by the Red Sox about 4 mil + incentives should get him here to back up Lidge in case he implodes, and he will cost the Phils no draft picks. I say eat part of Ibanez contract and trade him - it’s time to see If Taylor and or Francisco can play left.

by Brzyski R on Nov 11, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree, Figgins is going to command some coin to get. Beltre on the other hand is who I’d want manning 3rd myself personally. Whoever we grab for the pen is up in the air in my opinion, I haven’t bothered to see who’s available for trade or FA. Benny Fresh can and has covered left with relative ease, he’s got the speed and glove and is a defensive upgrade to Ibanez any day of the week. His bat leave a little to be desired. I would be wary of calling up Taylor too soon, but his time is nearing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him resting some starters come September.

Scar tissue is stronger than muscle tissue. Realize the strength, move on.

by JCB79 on Nov 11, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd rather traid werth

and go for better value because he only has one more year on his contract and i don’t know if we will be able to resign him after next year

by packimop on Nov 12, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn’t victorino have more value because of his arbitration status? What is his arbitration status?

by jemagee on Nov 12, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vic has one more year in arbitration after this year.

Anyway, the question isn’t who has more value. It’s who has the highest positive differential between his trade market value and his actual value. We can guess at the answer to that question, but there’s no way to find out what it is conclusively other than Ruben actually talking to his fellow GMs and asking them what they all think.

by taco pal on Nov 12, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wagner is available

I’m not really kidding. He is available, and throwing hard.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Nov 11, 2009 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah great, can he find the side of a barn?

by jemagee on Nov 11, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He also did not seem fond of Philly and its fans.

by Cormican on Nov 12, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And in other ‘news’ if you still read the Philadelphia sports casters, a ‘prodigal son’ is returning home and being allowed to write about anything he wants? Bill Conlin has some competition….that’s right….Stephen A Smith is back….

Fyi…..the reports are true. Today at 12 Noon I RETURN TO THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER as a full-time General Sports Columnist. Details later!

by jemagee on Nov 12, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs