Phallen: Pirates 2, Phillies 0

I doubt that there will be a fire sale, in large part because of how this team is situated with the contracts of it’s starters. The only player I see a likely to go if the Phillies turn into sellers is Jayson Werth— I could see him traded at or near the deadline if the Phillies can get good value for him and are far enough out of things that it is unlikely that the season can be saved. Other than that, I expect the Phillies will stand pat this year and hope for better luck next year— considering the abysmal injury luck, there is a good chance that next year could go better, so I don’t see the Phillies entirely selling.

Predicting a fire sale is kind of nuts…the team is still good…just injured…judicious trades to obtain temporary replacements if possible (ending contracts) makes sense

A fire sale is insane

Having my cavities ground out and filled way more fun.

It was almost fascinating in its awfulness. Almost.

I mean, it’s never fun to see your team lose. But sometimes you’ll see a masterful performance on the other side—I didn’t so much mind seeing Greg Maddux beat the Phils, except for the fact that he mostly did it for the fucking Braves—or something from one of your players that gives you some measure of hope going forward. But seeing your lineup, comprised exclusively of slumping stars and sub-replacement level replacements, entirely shut down by a middling pitcher for a lousy team, is about as far from that as you can get.

I’m going on vacation tomorrow. Just down the Jersey shore, so I’ll probably be in and out around here, but I can honestly say that it won’t be a problem to avoid the near-obsessive checking the game that, in better Phillies seasons, so aggravates my wife.

Feels.

But if we get rid of Kendrick, who is the fifth pitcher? It’s not Happ, who is nowhere bear ready to come back, and I doubt he is in our pharm or bullpen. I think unless something can be done at a minimum cost of low level prospects, the team is stuck stading pat.

Yes.

uh huh.

True, and very reflective of how I feel about this team right now. While I know that the phillies have not fared well at PNC Park in the past, and I know that this team has been through the injury meat grinder, they are back to five games behind Atlanta, and have to play the Braves this coming week. I am praying for torrential downpours.

Dog.

Next year.

The Phillies this year are a completelyband totally bi-polar team— they are either in world beater mode, where they score runs like it is going out of style, or cold as ice. There is no average, no middle. Because of all of the injuries, it is difficult to tell where the true talent level of this team is, but right now, they are not having a very good time of it (although as I keep being reminded, there is time on the clock, and the Phillies are generally a second half team).

Actually, the team is back to being 5 games back in the standings. I also do not know that I agree with your assessment that the Mets are a paper tiger— they are playing well, and although their pitching is likely to regress somewhat, they are expecting Carlos Beltran to return soon… I think they are going to be in the hunt all year. The more I watch them bounce back this year after last, the more I have some hope for the Phillies next year- the Mets were bad last year because the team resembled a M*A*S*H unit. This year, with their injury luck regressing to the mean, they are much better. There is nothing that says that the Phillies could not have the same luck.

Agreed on the starting pitching. The only way I would be interested in starting pitching would be a pitcher with a lot of time on their contract at a reasonable salary- not something that is going to be available much in the market. I am not sure as to whether there is need in the bullpen once Madson and Durbin return, although I would love for Baez to walk the plank.

While I do not like coaching firings because of their appearance of doing something just to do something, and Thompson’s prior success with this team suggests he deserves something of a pass, I do wonder whether a new point of view may be helpful.

With the contract Cookies signed in the offseason, he is probably not going anywhere.

I don’t know what type of offer the team would get for Werth— he has been so streaky this season, and there is not going to be a huge market among teams that think they can contend for an outfield rental— particularly one who is consistently inconsistent.

84 games left.

I would be amazed if Lee is out of the Mariners organization prior to his next start. I do not know what to make about the Phillies going after Lee, but the thing that makes the most sense is that this is an attempt to prevent him from going to the Mets.

Why is everyone so sure the Phillies were in NYC for Lee? Utley and Polanco both went on the DL that day, and it is quite possible they were there to evaluate Lopez— after all, NYC is not that far from Philadelphia.

I hope Ruiz gets feeling better soon, although I am still surprised that it took the team as long as it did to find the concussion.

The news about Madson (2 IP, 2H, 0R, 1K) is encouraging.

A week after the trade deadline I hope.