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!

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.

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels says his $100,000 pay raise is a low blow from the Philadelphoia Phillies.  Hamels was expecting a lot bigger raise based on how he performed last season.  After earning $400,000 in 2007, Hamels will now earn $500,000 in 2008.

Since Hamels was not salary arbitration elegible so there really wasn’t anything he could do as the Philles re-worked his contract.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies offered first basemen Ryan Howard $7 million dollars, and after going through salary arbitration, they will be paying him $10 million dollars.  The $10 million is the highest amount awarded a victorious player.

Hopefully Howard will get his batting average back over .300 and continue slugging homeruns and hitting runners in with this new contract.  Earn that extra $3 million dollars Ryan!

Phillies Blog

Kris Benson has decided to sign a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies it sounds like.  Benson will get a invitation to Spring Training as well, and will give it a go to earn a spot in the starting rotation for the Phillies.

Benson might not be 100% until after opening day as he is still recovering from a torn laburm that he had to have surgery on.  You definately do not want to rush bringing him back.  Make sure he is 100% ready and then let him battle it out for a spot in the rotation.  If not, enjoy the minors lol.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies have went out and signed Pedro Feliz to a two year contract for some reason.  Feliz is really making out on this deal, at most it should have only been a one year contract most Phillies fans think.

Look for Feliz to hit toward the bottom of the order for the Phillies. I really don’t think he will have much of an impact for the Phillies.  The Phillies could have probably done better but thought Feliz was the best deal out there at the time.

What do you think Phillies fans?

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies signed a couple of pitchers to hold down spots in the bullpen for the 2008 season.  Ryan Madson re-signed with the Phillies for one year at $1.4 million and Brad Lidge signed a contract for one year and $6.35 million.

So between the two players, the Phillies commited close to $8 million dollars between to relief pitchers.  Two of the better ones in the game though, so I think it is a good move.  You can never have too many good relief pitchers in baseball.  Lets hope Lidge recovers from his bad 07 season with the Houston Astros.

Phillies Blog