Infield Armageddon: Utley and Polanco to DL
by PhillyFriar on Jun 29, 2010 2:12 PM EDT
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PrintESPN's Jerry Crasnick is first with the scoop (via Twitter): both Placido Polanco and Chase Utley are expected to be placed on the DL this afternoon.
It's obviously a huge blow for the Phils, who have scuffled to a 40-34 record and 3rd place in the NL East thus far this year. And the move comes just as Jimmy Rollins has made his way back from a pair of lengthy DL stints after some calf problems. Even if he's able to stay healthy (and avoid this nightmare lineup), the fact remains that Charlie Manuel is going to have to run out some combination of Wilson Valdez, Juan Castro and Greg Dobbs to plug the gap (and maybe some Brian Bocock, because apparently he's gotten the call too, according to Todd Zolecki's Twitter). And did I mention that Carlos Ruiz is on the DL right now too?
Not sure if Ruben Amaro has a Tadahito Iguchi up his sleeve, but now would be a good time to pull one out.
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Ugh… This was so not the birthday present I had in mind (b-day tomorrow)…. Chances that the Phillies are able to not entirely fall apart in the meanwhile?
I’d say right about “nil”
"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez
by Jose and the Contrarians on Jun 29, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
That is what I am thinking…. If the Phillies manage through this 14 game stretch (assuming we get lucky and get them both back following the All Star Break) 2-12, the Phillies will be doing good. I guess it is time to wave goodbye to any chance of making the playoffs.
Baseball actually doesn’t work that way.
This news is about as awful as it gets, but what that means is that between now and the all-star break, it will probably cost us about 1-2 games.
We have the Reds (6 more games) and the Braves (3 games at home) between now and the all star break… we also have the Pirates (who I think we can split with)… what chance do you think we have of winning any of the nine games that do not involve the Pirates?
I applaud your optimism, considering that a comparatively healthy Phillies team got swept by the Braves.
Listen. Don’t take this personally, because it is not intended that way, but the opinion that you are espousing in this thread is really stupid. It has nothing to do with optimism or pessimism, it is about simple math.
I don’t have time for this. If anyone here has the inclination to illustrate why it is extremely unlikely that the Phillies will lose all of their next nine games against Cincinnati and Atlanta, feel free to take a shot. There are many ways to explain this statistically.
We're not going to lose 9 games in a row.
Howard is hitting the ball a ton lately (12 TB in the last 4 games, 34 in his last 10); Werth and Ibanez are streaky and iffy, but 38TB between them over the last 10 games; we’ve still got Rollins (who apparently draws walks now), and we’ve got Victorino.
In addition, Francisco, Valdez and (especially) Gload have shown flashes of quality recently, and should help out.
Halladay is in line to start at least twice (maybe 3x?) before the break. Hamels and Moyer should get 2 starts each, and have been pitching very well lately.
We can win games without Utley and Polanco. Not easily, maybe, but we can certainly win.
Plus, guys, remember what time of year this is. It’s still June for Crissakes. And we’re only 3.5 games out.
That is kind of how I feel as well… I want to believe that it will not be that bad… but I just have this feeling that the next couple of weeks will be digging a hole that may be too deep to fight their way out of— Atlanta and New York are good, relatively healthy teams… either or both could get on a tear.
You think we are going to lose all nine games? Do you want to bet money on it? I’ll give you a 2-to-1 payout.
So, what then? Give up?
Do you really think the Phils are going to lose 9 games without Utley and Polanco?
How bad did we do in ’07 when we had neither Utley nor Polanco for over a month?
Yeah. I mean, I’m not sugarcoating anything here. To be clear, this is horrible for the team, it will hurt us in the standings, and if Utley misses significant time we’re basically f***ed. But we’re not going to have a .200 winning percentage from here on out. Come on people.
I did not say from here on out… I believe I looked at the next two weeks (the length of time that I know they will be missing)… I said that these two weeks are going to be unilaterally miserable.
Now you are contradicting yourself, because even a team with a .200 winning percentage would be unlikely to lose nine straight games to the Reds and Braves.
There are 4 games against the Pirates in there… I believe that the Phillies can win enough of them to have a Mendoza line winning percentage.
The worst team in modern baseball history had a .250 winning percentage (1962 Mets). And this Phillies team still has Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins…
http://www.thegoodphight.com
And Shane Victorino, Jamie Moyer, Ross Gload and Ben Francisco
anyone of whom would have been the superstar of the 1962 Mets.
You’re telling me Moyer wasn’t on the 1962 Mets?
Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - C&H
by alcatraz0109 on Jun 29, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe in ’07 we had a starting third baseman… Right now, I am thoroughly convinced that there is a mandate from on high that Valdo (Valdez/Castro) has to start a starters portion of the games this season.
If you mean that he was penciled into the lineup at 3B most games, then sure. We’ll have the same situation now as well.
If you mean that he was the quality of a typical starting 3B in MLB, then you’re wrong. He was a really bad player. Our 3B options sans Polanco are worse than Feliz was, but not that much worse.
I meant that not only was he pencilled in, but the powers that be intended that occurrence… I am pretty sure nobody intended to be putting Castro and Dobbs in in place of Utley and Polanco, thus leaving them as backups,
come on
pedro feliz was not that bad, especially defensively
by PhilsForever on Jun 30, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t have time to break it down, as I have a meeting to go to. However, I’m willing to agree it’s possible (though I can’t figure out what Slumpuary means, as we don’t play in January and February). It is extremely unlikely though. To be quick, as I only have a minute, half the lineup is basically replacement players with the other half capable of playing well above replacement levels and the Starters are still well above replacement level (KK is arguable there). Even a team full of replacement players would be somewhat unlikely to go 0 for 12 (though the Astros are challenging this theory on a daily basis).
This is somewhat half assed, but before I have to explain to my COO that I’m late because of Utley’s thumb injury, I’m off.
Yes this is one avenue to get there.
Very quickly, here’s another one. The very worst baseball team to play in MLB since the Kennedy administration was the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who won only 26.5% of their games. So their probability of winning any given game were around that percentage. Let’s make a ballpark estimate for the sake of argument that their odds of winning a game against a good team (like this year’s Reds or Braves) were 20%. In that case, their odds of losing a particular game were around 80%.
Now, what are the odds that they lose the next nine consecutive games against those teams? You would take 0.8 and multiply it by itself 9 minus 1 times. That takes you down to a 13% chance that even a team that is that bad would lose nine consecutive games at a pre-specified point in the season.
The Phillies without Utley and Polanco are not a very good team, but they are still a whole heck of a lot better than the 2003 Tigers. The odds that the Phillies will lose the next nine games against these teams are therefore minuscule. The 98% figure I guessed above might have been overly pessimistic, if anything.
"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez
by Jose and the Contrarians on Jun 29, 2010 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
We’re about to see some Phillies lineups unmatched in ugliness since at least 2002, probably more like 2000.
Is it better to spread the crappy hitters around in the lineup, or bunch them all up at the end? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I’m not sure.
By this I mean, I’d live with someone crappy in the 2-hole for the time being, so that we’re not rolling with Valdez-Castro-Sardinha-[pitcher] in the 6 through 9 holes.
Just not Valdez 2nd
We’d never get the leadoff guy to second.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Pre all star break
2 CIN
4PIT
3 vs. ATL
4 vs. CIN
Call me crazy, but I think they can get by. The Braves series will probably hurt, but I think they can get past the Pirates 3 of 4. If they can manage a split against Cincy (not close to a gimme, but not out of the question) they could finish that stretch a game under .500 (6-7).
I’m sure they’ll take a step back, but I don’t think it’s as damning for their season’s hopes if people can make timely recoveries.
We aren't dead yet
Not even close actually. Even if we get swept by Atlanta, we still could split Cincy and take at least three of four from Pittsburgh. If we can get three or four of the remaining six against the Reds, and at least one against Atlanta, and Utley or Polanco or both come back on time, we will still be very much alive.
Now, everybody get out your shrines to Baseba’al…
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I should have finished that. Get out your shrines and pray that Rollins doesn’t get hurt before the All-Star break.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
These would be the same Reds who have 43 wins and are leading their division? How do you think that is going to work?
Halladay has two starts against them, including tonight. Moyer and Hamels should also get starts against them. It’s not overly optimistic to expect three or four out of six.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry
Halladay is tomorrow. My point still stands
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
But you have to score runs and play defense… losing Polanco and Utley puts a huge dent in the Phillies ability to do either.
The Reds have given up 347 runs this year, far and away the most of any division leader in baseball, and they have done this so far in a division that includes Houston and Pittsburgh. Their pitching staff is really not that special, even without Utley and Polanco, we can score against them. For comparison, the Phillies have given up 311, and the Braves 306.
I’d also point you to Taco Pal’s post below about the WAR values for Utley and Polanco. If we don’t miss both of them for too long, then we will be just fine.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
But we've still got Howard.
We’ve still got Werth, we’ve still got Ibanez, we’ve still got Rollins, and we’ve still got Victorino.
Don’t give up yet—it’s still June!
We benefit from playing the braves at home and not on the road(the braves are very mediocre on the road this year, home is another story). However, it saddens me to say that I felt after rollins came back from the dl that I felt utley would eventually go on it. Just a gut feeling. I was not anticipating polanco and ruiz though. uggggh.
by PhilsForever on Jun 29, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
It’s not like we several weeks to play catch up. If this happened in August then we’d be done. Remember injuries can happen to any team. And there still is the trade deadline (re: Taguchi)…..It will probably be ugly but they can’t let this stretch destroy the whole season.
Utley and Polanco are probably worth about 10-12 WAR in a typical year. Let’s say for the sake of argument that their subs will be below replacement value and bump that up to a whopping 16 WAR. That means that in all likelihood their absence will cost us about 1 game between now and the ASB. If we do really poorly in those games, it probably means that we would have done nearly as poorly even if these guys hadn’t gotten hurt.
Obviously, 1 win per 10 games is a lot. Over the course of a season, that really builds up. So it’s crucial that Utley doesn’t miss too many games. (I’m sure Polanco will be back relatively soon.) But as far as the short term goes, this isn’t the end of the world.
Can Dom Brown play 3rd? Werths a former catcher, how bout we put him there and Dom in right? Eh? Eh?
Wish I never laughed at the Mets’ injuries last year.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
I have no doubt that J-Roll will head to the DL at least one more time
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
OMGOMGOMG!
WHAT IF THE STADIUM IS HIT BY AN EXPLODING METEOR!
Seriously, guys. Yeah, it sucks. But worse has happened. And worse will continue to happen.
I wish of the pics was that on during the Flyers series with the Bruins. The one that had Darth Vader screaming NOOOOOOOOO!!!! The Flyers went on a tear after that until the Cup Final we need that pic now.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
The Phillies just posted on their website that Polanco and Utley are both on the 15 day DL, but that timetables for both to return are still unknown.
Polanco has inflammation and possibly other issues in his left elbow. Utley has a sprained right thumb— the team is hoping he does not have a ligament tear.
A minor sprain can just be a pulled ligament. It’s not necessarily torn
Honor is no substitute for victory.
THIS IS GOING TO MAKE GAME DISCUSSIONS BLOODY AWESOME
Preaching the Inglewood Jack
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Jun 29, 2010 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
Three questions
1. Is there anyone out there who makes sense to trade for?
2. Should we dig deeper into Charlie’s tendency to not use his bench, like, at all?
3. When will we hear from Amaro, and how smug will he be then?
Did the red sox trade mike lowell yet? Is he available?
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Who are the guys at AAA who play these positions and could they hold the fort for a couple weeks?
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Brian Bocock, Cody Ransom, Greg Dobbs, and Melvin Dorta.
Bocock: .179/.239/.231, 20.7% K rate, 7.2% BB rate
Ransom: .238/.311/.470, 26.9% K rate, 8.9% BB rate
Dobbs: .118/.111/.118, 38.9% K rate, 0% BB rate (small sample size – only has 18 AAA PAs this year)
Dorta: .312/.353/.382, 8.8% K rate, 6.7% BB rate
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Sadly, Dorta might be the best guy we have at AAA. I’d probably rather have him than any of the other three. He’s only played SS and 3B, though, so he probably couldn’t fill for Utley.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Well, Castro can cover 2B, and worst case Scenario, Polanco is a hell of 2B, if he comes back significantly earlier than Utley.
Has Valdez ever played second? Although we are probably stuck with both halves of Valdo starting for a while.
Nor could they “walk” around the ramparts patrolling it.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even sure they could substitute for the cow in the catapult
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe we could get Bocock to fart in their general direction.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Call the Pirates. They’re always willing to trade somebody for cheap.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
It was mostly sarcasm about the Pirates strategy of trading away all their best players so they can groom other teams’ prospects, only to trade them away. But with that said, I’m sure they must have somebody better than Brian Bocock.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh Goodness........
Is this the SI curse? Can we ever catch a break this season?
eff you we winning anyway
A.I. IS BACKKKKKKK
What does a bad newsletter provider have to do with anything?
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow Really?
I hope you didn’t think I was serious. Since you are “intelligent” you should know
eff you we winning anyway
A.I. IS BACKKKKKKK
A d now for something completely different
If you are around my age (38) this japanese live action film trailer should make you nostalgic
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
Star Blazers!
(yeah, yeah, I know…Space Battleship Yamato).
And…erm…I’m a wee bit younger than 38
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Thought it would brighten the geek heart of some phillies fans today
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
+1....000,000,000,000
I have Iscandar, the Comet Empire, and Bolar Wars on DVD. All….for…uh…my kid. Yeah, that’s it. Plus this.
Star Blazers was awesome. Queen Starsha >>>>> Princess Leia.
Chase who?
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Jun 29, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew I’d brighten some days (not so much on my sixers board – all those youngins – makes me sad)
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I got the first few eps on DVD and never picked up the rest – that show was awesomness
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I was starting to get old enough to wonder how those explosions happen in space, where there is no oxygen. But then I suspended the disbelief and let the rocket-laser-battleship soar once again in its quest to establish a Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Galaxy.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I always accepted that sound in space was a conceit to special effects (though joss whedon extra props for his not using sound in serenity except where it might actually have been heard in upper atmospheres)
I mean hell – star wars got away with it – cartoons definitley should
The nice thinga bout cartoons was that the bad guys shot one color and the good guys another…made it easy
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
The nice thinga bout cartoons was that the bad guys shot one color and the good guys another…made it easy
Which Star Wars did also (mostly).
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Yeah I know – but it wasn’t a cartoon – and i’m mad at george lucas
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
You’d think they’d drop the stupid sailor hats – thought they were gay when I was a kid, they are even more stupid in live action.
That hat would be what you’d wear if your in full, dress or service uniform – not really appropriate for battle dress.
It’s the japanese navy, in a space ship, I’m pretty sure they can do whatever the hell they want.
Didn’t bother me as a kid, still doesn’t bother me (the pipe did – but so what – it’s FUN)
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I sort of like the red arrow on the white zip-up suit, kinda pointing to the important junk.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s a space battleship
In other really cheesy tv news – my bosses kid is up for the lead (second call back) in a new power rangers series :)
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Cool! I am surprised Power Rangers is still on— my brothers played with them growing up.
by dannijd on Jun 29, 2010 11:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s the rebuilt battleship Yamato.
I give them a pass on the hats, since it’s a genre convention for “senior officer.” From what I’ve seen, it’s generally only the Captain and/or Executive Officer who wear the hats when it’s not a formal occasion, giving an instant visual cue that they’re supposed to be older and wiser.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Release date: December 1. I have never particularly wanted to go to Japan, but now, I might.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Jun 29, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Anime is a HUGE market in america – i’m sure when it’s on DVD it will be available
Or if sci-fi or g4 are smart they’ll get a dubbed (well) version here in america
Dated a japanese girl once, introdocued me to neongenesis evangelion – told me that subtitled stuff is usually translated more accurately than the dubbed stuff – found that odd
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
So does Neongenesis Evangelion translated have that over explained, run-off sentence sounding dialogue like Ghost In the Shell ?
So does Neongenesis Evangelion translated dubbed have that over explained, run-off sentence sounding dialogue like Ghost In the Shell ?
Don’t get me started on ghost in the machine, or as i like to call it ‘fake neuromancer’
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Subbed is usually better. A lot of the dubbed stuff gets toned down, since cartoons are “kid’s shows” over here. One of the worst is the pre-Harmony Gold Macross. It was dubbed by a Korean company to be used as a teaching aid for English classes in Japan. One of my friends (somehow) acquired a copy, and it was Drinking Game level of bad.
And Evangelion is one of the weirder animes. The director’s a bit eccentric (he hates the anime fan culture, which is hilarious). He started as an animator on Macross , and directed Gunbuster and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. All of his directorial positions since Eva have been live-action.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
What about Mark Grudzielanek?
He’s a free agent, plays decent defense (won 2B gold glove in 2006), and was hitting .278 until Cleveland released him.
He’s bound to be better than Castro.
How hard can 3rd base be to learn – just move dom brown ;)
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 3:39 PM EDT reply actions
Contrarian view
Assuming a full recovery, this could be the rest that Utley needs, and the excuse not to play him in the ASG. This is not entirely a bad thing.
don’t get me wrong: every game we get to see Utley play is a baseball blessing. But the man dragged himself through a pretty bad September last year.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s true. I made the point in the other thread (rather, the general link thread that turned into an primitive version of this one) about the proximity of the ASG, and how we could use it to stretch some extra rest for Utley and Polanco. Really, if we survive this stretch, we could be better off for it, assuming a full Utley recovery.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
yep. The thing that sucks the most is the Braves series, but at least it’s at home.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
If it is just the two weeks and IF he comes back healthy and able to play well, maybe… I do know this— last night, I was following the game on the blog and gameday— when he got caught trying for 2nd I groaned… I groaned again following the error. If and when he comes back— I won’t boo— not even the bad calls.
Mr. Positive! Or, more accurately, Mr. Silver Lining.
I think it’s the double whammy of Polanco with Utley that has people down. The rest will definitely do Utley some good, but to benefit the team, the Phillies need to be within striking distance by the time Chase returns. (I know you know this, just stating the obvious.)
Polanco is the real challenging piece from a management/ replacement standpoint, because he conceivably could be moved around among 3 infield positions without losing much defensive value. Utley’s more valuable, but in a multi-injury situation Polanco’s versatility is needed. And now we see why!
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I will agree that the double whammy has made this ten times worse than what it would have been— I had the sinking feeling that Utley was going to the DL— losing Polanco too was like rubbing salt in the wound. However, my big concern is that by the time we get them back, the team is going to not be within striking distance anymore. (Just for the sake of my understanding, what should striking distance be defined as?)
This should make for a fun couple weeks.
And by “fun”, I mean “nerve-wracking”. Not panicking (it’s still just late June, after all) but I’m a little hot under the collar about this.
Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - C&H
Wow
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a .470 OPS for a position player before, but that’s what Bocock has in AAA: .179/.231/.239. Presumably he can field some.
I was hoping to see Ransom up here in his place, but I guess not. I certainly hope Bocock is good in the field because that’s a pretty awful line.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe now is the best time to start a beanball war with the Braves.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Now THAT’s the real silver lining here.
by Baseball Nerd on Jun 29, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Bocock got demoted to A ball during one recent season, and his numbers were even bad there. He might be worst hitter in the history of the sport.
He is baseball’s version of the green tomato you put on the kitchen windowsill that mysteriously never changes color.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
One has to wonder if there isn’t ‘more useful’ rosterf filler than this dunderhead?
by jemagee on Jun 29, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Ruben does deserve some criticism for this, but at the same time it’s not like the FA market was teeming with good backup middle-IFs.
as well as the unlikely spate of DLs that call to mind Mr. Burns’ collection of ringers for the Springfield Power Plant Softball Team.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIIIIIIGHT SIDE OF LIFE.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo
Man up, Phillies fans (You too, ladies). It’s not the end of the world. You could be Pirates fans.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Jun 29, 2010 5:46 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t see much bright side there… I am about to be unemployed… I was looking forward to lots of good baseball during my vacation in the low rent district… now it seems that at least until the all star break, I get to watch a lineup of ours that looks like something out of Spring Training (or my nightmares) lineup against some very good teams while hoping that this is the last this team is going to see of the injury bug… today bummed out is what I am.
I do not know which is worse— the crushing of one’s hopes (which is what we are going through right now) or just knowing that things are bad to begin with.
You act like you are the only one who has to watch this goddamned team.
Man up and stop whining already. No one is forcing you to watch the games.
by FuquaManuel on Jun 29, 2010 6:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bright side-ish: from now until July 14 is a great time to pound the pavement. Some real nice teams at Reading and Lakewood.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Matt Gelb tweets
this:
PHI at CIN: Victorino 8, Dobbs 5, Rollins 6, Howard 3, Werth 9, Ibanez 7, Schneider 2, Valdez 4, Blanton 1
woo hoo. So Imma gonna say it’s time again for the 3-run Blanton homer that plates Schneider and Valdez. It’s like Powerball for baseball.
Gelb's on the radio now
Says they’re not sure how long Utley’s recovery time will be. There was disagreement among the Phillies’ doctors about how serious the strain is. Utley will see a hand specialist for a second opinion.
Polanco’s been taking anti-inflammatory medication since he got HBP’d in April. He will probably put off surgery until the offseason, but it’s not certain yet.
Says there isn’t a whole lot out there on the market. Mentions Grudzielanek, Garrett Atkins, Wigginton, but those aren’t good options. Also says there are a couple of utility men available on the market, though he doesn’t name them. Mentions that the Red Sox just picked up Eric Patterson from the A’s to fill in for Pedroia, by way of comparison.
I can see this stopgap measure costing the Phillies someone like Mathieson. If people are too edgy about his surgery history, you might go for a high-A talent of the non-Singleton variety.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the question continues to be what the timetable is for either Utley or Polanco to return— if one of them is going to be back just after the All Star Break (which is sounding less and less likely the way people are talking), then maybe the Philies stand pat and wait for them to get well, just as they did with J-Roll. However, if there is a good chance of both of them missing a prolonged period of time (the whole month of July or longer), then it may be time to see what can be picked up.
Kind of depends on the Polanco prognosis. He’ll likely want to play, but given the multi-year commitment the Phils might be tempted to shut him down. At that point they have to look stopgap, but maybe not necessarily. I’m also of a mindset that this could be an opportunity here to pre-empt the deadline deals by doing something real bold.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Kind of depends on the Polanco prognosis. He’ll likely want to play, but given the multi-year commitment the Phils might be tempted to shut him down. At that point they have to look stopgap, but maybe not necessarily. I’m also of a mindset that this could be an opportunity here to pre-empt the deadline deals by doing something real bold.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Brown for Peralta!
I’m concerned “bold” will turn out to be “stupid”.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Jun 29, 2010 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
of the two, really Polanco bugs me more. When the needles stop working, there’s a real problem there.
Utley had functionality at least initially, but the swelling must have gotten to him later in the game.
by Wet Luzinski on Jun 29, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
The fact that Utley had functionality gives me hope that he will come - the fact that the docs are not sure how seriously he is injured worries me- I hope that he gets good news and that it only takes him 2-3 weeks to heal.
As for Polanco— I get the feeling that it may be a longer while before we see him back. Just depressing all around.
That has been flying around for a while— he apparently has a history of them, and it is now irritated and becoming a problem. That being said, the official word is that nothing had been found on the MRI.
Go in shave em down do your rehab (I skipped the rehab part when i had bone spurs) and you should be fine
by jemagee on Jun 30, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
My bone spurs probably would have required a couple weeks of rehab to be back to 100% – but he’s a professional athlete – he should be able to be back in 2010 but if its spurs it does require surgery and rehab (I also had bone fragements, i think ‘loose bodies’ at the same time when my ankle was operated on, now have arthritis in that foot)
by jemagee on Jun 30, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
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