Phillies Breakfast Links, August 6, 2009: That's Domonic Brown, Pedro Martinez, Phillies and MMA

by WholeCamels on Aug 6, 2009 8:53 AM EDT

Fans in a frenzy over Martinez
As an attendee of around 100 Reading Phillies games over the course of my life, this is one I really wish I could have seen.

After rumors, Brown glad to be a Phillie
Kevin Goldstein discusses why the Darryl Strawberry comps are offensive in the 2009 Baseball Prospectus annual. But I have a feeling they're here to stay.

Reading's Brown Making a Name for Himself
Kudos to the Phillies scouting department for looking past the commitment to play football and asking the important questions of Domonic/Dominic Brown himself. That 20th round selection looks like it's going to be a steal.

Pedro Martinez getting impatient
This whole thing is going to be a terrible train-wreck. Someone's feelings are going to be irreparably hurt.

Interview: How Bad Is Eric Bruntlett?
Crashburn Alley featuring an interview with the men behind "Fire Eric Bruntlett."

Lee appreciative of fans' reaction, focused on start
Cliff Lee has heard all about the passion, as well as ire, of the Phillies fans, and he can't wait to experience it for himself this afternoon when he makes his home debut. Now DON'T F*$% IT UP!

Bill Conlin: Sixth sense: Happ will go to Phillies bullpen

If we're talking economics, what about the escalating innings pitched thresholds in Jamie Moyer's contract? Sending him to the bullpen mitigates that quite a bit.

Plan ahead for Camp Erin Fundraiser

Albany Camp Erin is sponsored by The Moyer Foundation, created by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, as well as The Community Hospice.

Okay, now I feel like a creep for discussing cutting him...

Victorino, Phillies teammates are fans of MMA
Meh, never really did anything for me.

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Comments

Moyer NEEDS to be removed from the rotation. If he is not, Manuel and Amaro are bigger idiots than I thought.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 6, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

While I am wholly behind Happ remaining in the rotation, I’m shocked by the groupthink that seems to be surrounding Jamie Moyer’s ability as a Major League pitcher. His problem is not that he isn’t good anymore; it’s that he’s inducing more fly balls in a very homer-friendly home ballpark. Check out his home/road splits from both this season and 2008.

What I think the Phillies should do — if they’re willing to be innovative ~~- is use a platoon with the #5 spot in the rotation: Pedro Martinez at home, Moyer on the road. This has the short~~ and long-term benefit of keeping both pitchers rested; and, if this strategy is effective, it means the Phillies win more games and lock up a playoff spot earlier, thus having the luxury of resting the rest of the rotation as well.

Moyer has pitched effectively this season at times. If you cut him off from his toxic relationship with his home ballpark, he would be a slightly above-average contributor, and well above-average for a #5 starter.

Crashburn Alley

by Crashburn Alley on Aug 6, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess the use of the double-hyphen creates a strikethrough. Whoops!

Crashburn Alley

by Crashburn Alley on Aug 6, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I am fine with that idea. But if Manuel is not smart enough (or too loyal) to recognize that Moyer is clearly the weakest link in this rotation (even if it is primarily at home), then do you really think he will be creative enough to think of something like this?

by FuquaManuel on Aug 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been pushing for something like this too – your idea is a better one given Moyer’s splits. I feel similarly: what would give the team the best result? And that’s clearly leaving the rotation intact, and alternating Moyer and Martinez at #5. One corollary would be that Moyer pitches at home or away vs FLA.

What are Moyer’s numbers when he gets extra rest? I seem to think they’re pretty good.

by Wet Luzinski on Aug 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

His average against (just going by ESPN) home vs road wouldn’t be accounted for just by fly balls i would think

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=1799

Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned

by jemagee on Aug 6, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Then what could it be? It’s nearly a 40 point difference.

Away day games on turf. The Phillies could be on the verge of a new subspecialty: the situational lefty starter.

Also, he should be lifted every time the #8 hitter steps up. (1.197 OPS!) Weird.

by Wet Luzinski on Aug 6, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

2.1 HR/9 home
1.2 HR/9 away

2009 NL BABIP averages…
- Fly ball: .144
- Ground ball: .232
- Line drive: .718

Jamie Moyer career BABIP averages…
- Fly ball: .100
- Ground ball: .211
- Line drive: .724

Jamie Moyer 2009 BABIP averages…
- Fly ball: .144
- Ground ball: .224
- Line drive: .734

Crashburn Alley

by Crashburn Alley on Aug 6, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Amaro

Yahoo reported that Amaro said that Happ isn’t going to the bullpen. He said that they might move to a 6-man rotation with Martinez.

Personally, this makes a certain amount of sense to me, as I mentioned it in an earlier comment. The Phillies are pretty much locks for the post-season. They could use a bigger rotation to give the starters extra rest, which could be great for Hamels and Happ.

by The R on Aug 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

link

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;ylt=AhYGj0rt9Noho2NiBEIKzQk0bYF?slug=ap-phillies-rotation&prov=ap&type=lgns

by The R on Aug 6, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I made fan shot for article

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20090806_Happ_to_stay_in_rotation.html

Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned

by jemagee on Aug 6, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks, I’m still trying to figure out things on here :)

by The R on Aug 6, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

They gave him that silly contract for sentimental reasons against their better judgment. Don’t compound the mistake… Send him to the pen and see what happens. I know he hasn’t pitched there in 20 years, but we’ve got time to experiment.

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by JasonB on Aug 6, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

hear hear

by awd777 on Aug 6, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t completely understand the arguments against using Moyer out of the bullpen. From what I’ve seen, there are two:

1) He takes a long time to warm up. (Well, given his age, this is understandable, and I don’t know that his arm would put up with having to be ready every day at 46.)

2) His “stuff” isn’t bullpen “stuff.” I don’t quite get this one. Outs is outs to me, whether they’re in the first or the ninth. Moyer clearly has the stuff to be a mop-up variety reliever – if the game is out of control, he’s ideal to give you innings and either make the loss deeper or pitch 4-5 innings while the offense catches up.

by Wet Luzinski on Aug 6, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

New Idea

Go with a 6 man rotation and DFA Bruntlett. It solves our 2 biggest problems.

Leaves us without a true infield backup, but we can put Dobbs at 3rd and Feliz at SS if Jimmy wants a day off. No days off for Chase though.

by philiafan14364 on Aug 6, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

The problem with a true six man rotation is that you want your best arms (Lee, Blanton, and theoretically Hamels) to get as many starts as possible. As we get closer to the end of September, if the team is still holding a big lead in the division, maybe you want to keep them fresh and go with a six man.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 6, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Im pretty sure were going to the playoffs this year so getting the best arms out there isnt a huge concern. Plus, it would limit the innings for Hamels which could really help him in October.

I know Im counting my chickens, but how can you not?

by philiafan14364 on Aug 6, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions