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.

about 2 years ago dajafi 23 comments 0 recs |

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Can’t figure out why they’ve already decided that Walker won’t be back. I don’t see the harm in offering him a minimum deal — he was generally effective last year, and would be an upgrade over someone like Durbin.

That’s certainly not a list of All-Stars, but the last three are at least somewhat intriguing. Carroll is a slap hitter, but still features a career .351 OBP. Ror whatever reason, I loathe Belliard, and he’s never actually played shortstop in his major league career, but as a right-handed utility infielder, his career .275/.339/.418 line is decent enough, and he’s displayed increased pop in recent years (a .179 ISO over the past two years). And Uribe has a bit of power himself, slugging .495 for the Giants last year.

I’m not sure if the latter two would have much interest in a strictly bench job, but hey, that’s why you wait until later in free agency and see who’s still around.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 16, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions

Agree about Walker—I’d much rather have him than Durbin, who’s actually going to be somewhat expensive. Sort of makes me want to vomit just thinking about it.

by dajafi on Nov 16, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think Durbin is as awful as the rest of y’all.

by Bilzo on Nov 17, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Based on what?

by FuquaManuel on Nov 17, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

Me neither

by philiafan14364 on Nov 17, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

It’s not that he’s avert-your-eyes awful. It’s that he’s in line for a salary of over $2 million in arbitration, and as a Phillie over the past two years, he’s posted the following line:

157.1 IP — 4.7 BB/9 — 7.2 K/9 — 4.76 xFIP

If past performance is the best indicator of future performance — and for a soon-to-be 32-year old like Durbin, I tend to think it is — then that’s not a quality of pitching worth paying $2 million for. He’s gotten very lucky with BABIP and strand rates over the past two years, so don’t be fooled by the ERA. If anything, he’s a ROOGY, and a $2 million specialist isn’t something the club can afford right now.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 17, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind Belliard or Uribe

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 16, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions

agreed

Belliard is a solid hitter (.275 career hitter) and a career .250 PH. Urbie is a .323 in 31 PH @ bats. Uribe also has versatility in the field.

by fantasybc88 on Nov 17, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, and quick shout out to John McDonald, the last Providence College baseball player remaining in the major leagues. As an NL club, we need someone who can hit on our bench, so McDonald doesn’t fit the bill. But man, can that guy do some work with the glove.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 16, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply actions

but now who

will turn unassisted triple plays? We clearly cannot count on rollins or our other gold-glove caliber infielder to get the job done there.

by layout ultimate on Nov 16, 2009 11:57 PM EST reply actions

Hooray!!!

by JimmyK on Nov 17, 2009 9:03 AM EST reply actions

World Series here we come

How do you get to L.A from Philly?.... You take Houston Street ~Guy on 610

by JerseyJay on Nov 17, 2009 3:21 PM EST reply actions

I’m sad to see Bruntlett go: he had the best beard in baseball.

by Clyde Simmons on Nov 17, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions

Had he grown it longer (like ZZ Top long) he may still be here, if his beard were able to register the occasional hit.

by Cormican on Nov 17, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

or hit by pitch ;-)

by Clyde Simmons on Nov 17, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

That could be a serious weapon. Perhaps his next contract should incentivize his beard length.

by taco pal on Nov 17, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Tie a bat to thing, I bet it out hits the rest of him by 100 points.

by Cormican on Nov 17, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

I’m guessing it’s going to be a long time now before the Phils can find somebody in the organization with time to spare to take the Phanatic’s costume to the dry cleaner and fetch Coppenbarger his morning coffee.

by Wet Luzinski on Nov 17, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions

Andy Martino on replacing Bruntlett.

Basically says that Amaro is emphasizing defense first and foremost. Martino seems to think that eliminates Carroll and Belliard. He mentions McDonald and Uribe, and also Bobby Crosby as a possibility we haven’t discussed here before.

I also think Craig Counsell would fit the bill, but Buster Olney seems to think he could get a multiyear deal. Jerry Hairston, Jr., maybe? I mean, I agree that the guy needs to be able to play a good shortstop, but if we’re going to sign McDonald, we may as well have kept Bruntlett.

by PhillyFriar on Nov 17, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Defense off the bench would be a plus, and makes sense. There have to be ways (like late-inning defensive replacements on Saturday nights) that Manuel can routinely give the 30-y/o core some rest in 2010.

by Wet Luzinski on Nov 17, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

if we’re going to sign McDonald, we may as well have kept Bruntlett.

Exactly what I was going to post. I agree Defense is the key, but you have to try to upgrade the bat somewhat, otherwise, what’s the point?

by Cormican on Nov 17, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

A part of me gets worried about making improvements over Feliz and Bruntlett but then I remember that Amaro replaced The Bat pretty well so I have faith.

by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Nov 18, 2009 1:24 AM EST reply actions