One shouldn’t complain when your club goes out and picks up a stud pitcher like Roy Halladay but it would be dishonest to state that as a Phillies phan that I am super excited with the overall deals that have been done.  I am super excited that we acquired Mr. Halladay but am almost as equally disapointed that we traded away Cliff Lee in the process.   In my opinion the team blew a golden chance to be the dominant team in 2010 in both leagues!

I realize that money does not grow on trees and that baseball is indeed a business but still….. the acquisition of Halladay comes along with $6 million from the Jays which in essence means the Phillies pay him $9.75 million for 2010, with the trade away of Lee and his $9 million due him the trade in essence is a financial wash for 2010.   Yes I get that Halladay signs an extension which is sweet in itself as we Phillie Phans get to watch Big Roy for at least four years.   I also get that Lee would not sign an extension as he seems very wantful to test free agency after next season.   But here is my issue, the team could have had both for the extra $9 million for 2010….. that is alot of money but you are talking about a franchise that sells out every home date and has become a fan favorite accross the country which means they suck in more dollars on apparel and merchandise.  I don’t buy they can’t make money by keeping Lee for the 2010 season along with Halladay.

It is also argued that they needed to replenish the farm after giving away Drabek, Taylor and the young catcher to get Halladay.   Seattle sends the Phils two guys who throw in the mid nineties at times along with a speedster center fielder who has an above average arm.  That is all well and good but I thinkthat we were deep enough to absorb losing our three and would get a number one pick back if Lee would have walked in 2010.   Keep in mind that Joe Blanton is only 28 and could be resigned after next season to fill the gap supposedly created by trading our top pitching prospect.

So………long story short while I am super excited to have the “Doc” in Philly and I think the Phils are still the frontrunners to win another N.L. pennant it’s just that  I don’t think they match up to the Yankees, Sox or now Mariners in regards to starting pitchers in a seven game series………they definitely would have with both Halladay and Lee!

It appears the team is not done on the free agent market as John Smoltz and Fernando Rodney seem to be on the radar.   Those guys would be excellent additions but still don’t fill the Lee gap!

Sometimes, like Pedro Martinez, says you have to tip your cap and admit that the other team was just better.  The Yankees were indeed the better team this post season and although it was not the outcome I was hoping for the Fightin’s did give us another great season!

Now the “Hot Stove” season is slated to begin and G.M. Ruben Amaro has already begun planning for the 2010 season.  The club picked up the option on lefthander Cliff Lee and has initiated talks that a long term deal could be in the future albeit probably unlikely.   They have told righthander Brett Myers that he will not be part of the 2010 plans and Myers will be pursueing free agent employment elsewhere. 

Today the team announced that they will not pick up the option on third baseman Pedro Feliz which may indicate that exploratory talks with other free agents at the position may be fruitful but the team is keeping the door open for future discussions with Feliz as well.

So what does this team need to get back to the World Series and win it in 2010.   The evident need to me is starting pitching quality not depth……… the Yankees ran Sabbathia, Burnett and Petite at us, yes if Cole Hamels was at 2008 form then coupled with Lee we had two thirds of the matchup equaled but we need another ace………… Roy Doc Halladay fits here and can be had in my opinion.  Send the Jays a package of J.A. Happ, Michael Taylor, Joe Savery or Yoland Flande and the kid outfielder from Lakeland that stole a bunch of bases and I think he can be had.   Yes he is only signed for one more season as is Lee but have themcompete for the contract extension, in the interim running out a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Blanton and perhaps Moyer sure sounds like a winner to me!

In regards to third base I keep reading the name Adrian Beltre as a potential fit here, also Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, Troy Glauss, Dan Uggla, Melvin Mora or Marco Scutaro.   Personally I like Pedro Feliz and the steady defense that he brought but if the team can keep that kind of glove and improve the offense then so be it.   I think that it will either be DeRosa, Beltre or Glauss myself.

The team also needs a steady middle infield backup and Scutaro would be a great addition there but he would have to be agreeable to limited at bats since Rollins and Utley don’t take many games off.  Backup catcher is also a need and the Colorado Rockies just released Yorvitt Torrealba.  He would be a great combo with Carlos Ruiz for next season.

Bullpen re-engineering is also a need and the Mets release of J.J. Putz provides the Phillies an opportunity to get a high reward, low risk type of guy coming off injury.  Putz has closed and if healthy could provide another option to help Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge at end of games.  Last off season the Phillies brought in Chan Ho Park and he did a very good job in the pen, look for another few of those signings this season as well.  Relievers need to be redistritbuted since they throw alot of innings and it is very difficult for teams to stay consistent with the same crews, need to bring in fresher arms from year to year, perhaps the minors might also provide some new options as I think both Antonio Bastardo and Sergio Escalona could make strong pushes in Spring Training for roster spots.

Alas, we lost the world series but looking ahead pitchers and catchers report in a little more than 90 days!  Still a great time to be a Phillie Phan!

September 3rd – Houston 5 Phillies 4

Charlie Manuel is perhaps the most patient and supportive manager in major league baseball but one has to truly wonder how much even he can take.  Brad Lidge was perfect last season and has, in spurts, this season shown some of that same form but tonight’s game against the Astros may indeed have broken the skipper’s patience !

The Phillies have been scuffling on offense and have been shut out twice in the last five games scoring a total of seven runs in those contests.  If not for pitching gems by Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez against the Giants they most certainly would be riding a five game losing skid. 

That being said the  issue at hand tonight was even harder to swallow as the team had scuffled back from an early 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead into the ninth for our closer  to end it.  But problems occured when after getting Hunter Pence to strike out on some nasty sliders to start the inning Mr. Lidge could not find the plate !  He walked Geoff Blum and then Chris Coste sat on a first pitch fastball and lined it to center, he then walked Lance Berkman to load the bases !  Get the theme, no control in the zone will usually get you beat no matter what you throw!    With the bases juiced Michael Bourne helped Lidge out by first pitch swinging which resulted in a force out at the plate for out number two but a patient Kaz Matsui worked a 3-1 count and lined a fastball to center to end the game for Lidge’s 10th blown save!

It is true that the Fightin’s are in first place by nine games in the loss column at game’s start but it is also true that the constant failure of the closer is a real concern.  It had appeared that Lidge had righted the ship having saved his last three chances but once again in this once a recurring theme occurs, teams are laying off of the slider out of the zone as he has been unable to throw it for a strike, they sit on the fastball and have been able to hit it hard consistently this season, fittingly the phrase……. Houston we have a problem!

Chatter

Cliff Lee has also mightingly struggled his last two outings after appearing to be Superman in his first five starts for the Fightins,  Houston tagged him for six runs in only three innings last night and the Braves lit him up for nine in the start before, hopefully just a hiccup in a long season.  Cole Hamels has pitched exceptionally well in his last two outings so that is a great sign.  Joe Blanton has perhaps been the steadiest pitcher all season as he once again gave the team a quality start in tonight’s Houston debacle.

Not for nothing but with Raul Ibanez struggling the way he has since coming off the DL his offensive numbers bear a striking resemblence to those that Pat Burrell put up for the team year after year, not bad but for all those Burrell knockers Mr. Ibanez has not been that much distinctively better on offense when it comes down to it.

Rosters expanded on September 1 and the Fightin’s added Jack Taschner and Brett Myers to the pitching staff and Paul Hoover as a third catcher.  Expect John Mayberry Jr. to join the team as well when the Iron Pigs triple A season is over later this week.

Chase Utley did not play tonight against the Stro’s as he has a foot injury from a foul ball, the team reported x-rays were negative.  Shane Victorino left the game early tonight with a noticable limp.  Can’t afford the injuries!

Still in first place folks so no need to panic but the team must figure out the back end of the pen else we will be watching either St. Louis, L.A., the Rockies or Giants in the series this year.  Still a good time to be a Phillies fan!   Could be the Mets with no hope this year eh!

GM Ruben Amaro today pulled off his first major blockbuster deal as he acquired Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians for minor leaguers Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson and Jason Donald. 

Lee, the 2008 A.L. Cy Young Award winner gives the Phillies a true 1-2 punch when coupled with Cole Hamels that should rival any top of the rotation competion they will face.  While the team had seemed focused on acquiring Toronto ace Roy Halladay  terms could not be reached with the Canadians as they insisted on the Phillies inclusion of top prospect Kyle Drabek in any deal for Halladay. 

I think that Amaro has pulled a coup in getting Lee instead and from what I have read about Francisco is that he may indeed be the right handed bat off the bench that the team is lacking.  He has 10 home runs thus far this season and hit 15 last year.   Skipper Charlie Manuel is familiar with both Lee and Francisco from his days in the Cleveland organization and seems very pleased with the deal! 

Good going Mr. Amaro, shows this team is for real about winning now !  Good time to be a Fightin Phillies fan!

Chatter

Amaro was interviewed on Comcast Sportsnet after the trade became official and indicated that the team may indeed be more open for further moves.  The Phillies have sevenMajor League starters  in tow now with Pedro Martinez tuning up in Triple A and believed targeted as soon to join the big club.  Rodrigo Lopez is undefeated as a starter,  J.A. Happ is 7-1 and Jamie Moyer has won 10 games!  Joe Blanton has pitched distinctively well over the last two months and Cole Hamels had an excellent outing this week by outdueling Arizona’s Dan Haren. 

Could be that Happ may still be dangled as bait for another bullpen arm………. Heath Bell, Chad Qualls or George Sherrill come to mind as potential Phillies before the deadline passes! 

In any regards we are loaded for Bear, watch out ………… maybe we have another parade forthcoming!

As the season opener rapidly approaches the Fightin’s have made a few shuffles in the roster to finalize the opening 25 man crew.   Outfielder Geoff Jenkins was given his unconditional release, the Phillies still owe Jenkins $8 million for the second year of his contract and will eat that amount.  Jenkins was a good team man and I am sorry to see him go but do realize that with Jayson Werth established as the everyday right fielder that Matt Stairs is better suited than Jenkins as a left handed bat off the bench.  Jenkins should catch on somewhere as I believe he still has good baseball left in him.

The team also designated John Mayberry Jr. to minor league camp as well as Carlos Carrasco. Both are young players and will most likely be future big leaguers.  Chan Ho Park was told that he has won the fifth starter’s job over J.A. Happ.  I have a good feeling that Park is going to have a decent year and am glad to see him win the starting job.  I hope that Happ can adjust to a bullpen role as I don’t think another minor league assignment is in his best interest mentally.  If the team does assign him to Triple A I think they are doing so with the intent of eventually moving him in trade. 

Robert Mosebach was reclaimed by the Angels.  He was a rule 5 draft choice of the Phillies this winter and had to remain on the big league roster or be offered back to the Angels.  Reports are that the Fightin’s are attempting to work out a trade to keep him, he has very good velocity and would be a good insurance policy at Triple A.   Recently acquired Jack Taschner will most likely make the roster but if indeed Happ does as well that will give the team 3 lefties in the pen!  Last season they went almost the entire season with only one before acquiring Scott Eyre.  It would appear that Gary Majewski might be optioned to Triple A but that hinges on the team’s opinion of Happ and whether they want to play with his psyche and send him to Lehigh.

Chatter

Gary Sheffield was released by Detroit, he officially clears waivers at 1 pm tommorrow and apparently the Phillies have interest in signing him as a right handed pinch hitter and part time outfielder.  I think Sheffield is a very good player but do have concerns on his locker room impact, this is a good crew of men that gets along well, not sure we need a Kenny Lofton like influence.  I only know what I read of Sheffield and perhaps the negative reports in this regard are inaccurate.  If the team signs him then Miguel Cairo would presumably be out of a roster spot.  It has also been rumored that the Fightin’s have interest in Andruw Jones but it seems that he will indeed make the Texas Ranger’s opening day roster.   Lastly Marcus Giles was given his outright release, it would appear that his baseball days are over at the major league level but one never knows, perhaps he catches on elsewhere.   Brett Myers will start the season opener as Cole Hamels slight elbow injury will push his first start back to later in the season against Colorado.

Can’t wait for opening day!  Thanks to the folks at Nuemann College for affording me the chance to do a book signing yesterday, did very well with sales and met alot of interesting folks!

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed their new left fielder. Raul Ibanez and the team came to terms Thursday night on a three year deal that will pay him $10 million per year. Sounds pretty expensive for a 36 year old. I would have preferred to have a one or two year deal.

Ibanez hit .293 last season, with 23 homers, 110 RBIs, a .358 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. He is one of just five outfielders who have driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past three seasons.

The Cubs, Mets, Angels, and Braves were also talking with Ibanez but he had been telling his friends that he would prefer to go to the Phillies.

What’s your opinion on this signing? Is it too much money for an older player?

Phillies Blog

The Phillies traded minor league outfielder Greg Golson to the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder/first baseman John Mayberry Jr. Both young men were prior first round draft picks of their respective teams. Golson’s main assett is his speed, he has not shown thus far the ability to hit consistently but is a very good defensive player and an excellent base runner. Mayberry is a big man standing 6 feet 6 inches and is a prototypical power hitter that projects to have 30 to 40 homer potential. He is a right handed hitter.

Mayberry was added to the Phillies 40 man roster and was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs roster at Triple A.

Hot Stove Cooking

Rumors persist that the Phillies may have interest in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez. Ibanez would fill the potential hole in the outfield if Pat Burrell is not resigned. Stories are also circulating the the Fightins may have interest in Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermedia. Hermedia is a left handed hitter who is arbitration eligible thus Florida is willing to trade him for prospects…….perhaps the acquisition of Mayberry is part of that equation.

Chase Utley is going to have hip surgery which will require a 4 to 5 month recovery. Utley will miss the early part of the 2009 season, as much as 2 months worth. The Fightins must consider a short term replacement, Eric Bruntlett filled in admirably last year when Jimmy Rollins went down with injury and perhaps he could do so as well for Utley………… time will tell what direction the team intends to take.

The Phillies acquired right handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matthew Spencer.  Cardenas and Outman were rated as top ten prospects in the Phillies system.  Blanton is an innings eater having pitched more than 200 innings in two of the past three seasons.  He has a record of 42 and 34 over that same time period.  Blanton has struggled at times this season and has a 5-12 record thus far for 2008 in 20 starts.  He is expected to replace Adam Eaton in the starting rotation with Brett Myers rejoining the rotation as well.

I believe it is an upgrade to the rotation, perhaps not a top of the rotation type pitcher but for what was exchanged he is well worth the risk.  It remains to be seen if any more transactions are made before the trade deadline passes.

The Phillies optioned R.J. Swindle to Triple A Lehigh Valley and recalled pitcher Joe Bisenius.  Swindle was ineffective in his short stint with the Phillies.  Bisenius was on the big league roster last season as he made the opening day roster.  Once thought of as a potential closer Bisenius is a hard throwing right hander.  The Phillies were caught short in the bullpen after extended innings were needed both in Friday and Saturday’s games.  Bisenius was available for action on Sunday but was not used. 

One day after helping the Phillies end a four game losing skid rookie left hander J.A. Happ was optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley. The reasoning is that with the all star break upcoming the big league club will not need a fifth starter until July 23rd when they face the Mets in New York. It is very possible that Happ might be recalled to start that day but in the interim the team wants him to pitch in a regular rotation at the Triple A level rather than sitting.

Called up to replace Happ on the roster was infielder Mike Cervenak. Cervenak is a thirty two year old right hand hitter who was batting .310 at Lehigh with 7 home runs and 52 rbi’s in 90 games. This is his first opportunity to play in the big leagues. Prior experiences include a stint in the Korean Baseball League. He was drafted in the 43rd round by the Oakland A’s in the 1998 player draft and is a graduate of Michigan State University. He will provide pinch hitting off the bench and can play both first and third base. The move leaves the Phillies with 11 active pitchers on the roster and 14 position players.

While a somewhat curious move from the perspective that Adam Eaton struggled in his last start the team feels that Eaton is a better option as the fourth starter than Happ at this point……….perhaps a sign that a trade is brewing ?