Lots to discuss on the Phillies and the hot stove hasnt been turned on yet.
Some things I thought about an news flowed in from the GM meetings:
1. Does Scott Boras own stock in W.B. Mason? I swear, the man never travels without a stack of binders. I could do a whole post about my hatred for Boras and what he has done to the game, but I will save that for later.
2. The Phils are kicking around the idea of two Tigers - Polanco for 3rd and Rodney as a late inning bullpen option. I dont like either. Rodney, although blowing only 2 saves last year, has a ERA above 4 playing in the grand canyon of Comerica. I really worry about him in the Bank. As for Polanco, he has been in a steady decline in his numbers the last two years, and never really had the arm to play 3rd. While I like his ability to be a contact hitter in the 2-hole in the lineup, I would rather see the Phillies pick up Beltre, who, despite his injuries, has a much bigger upside.
3. Some rumors about a trade of Cole Hamels have been floated. I think that would be a big mistake. Historically, pitches who have an innings increase of over 30 innings from one season to the next are due for a down year. In '08, because of the Playoff run, Hamels threw 70 more innings than '07. Thus, it was not a huge surprise (but a major bummer), that he had an off '09. I look for Hamels to have a much fresher arm in '10, and the Phillies would not get value back to trade him after his down year.
4. For long time Phillies fans, there is a really cool auction taking place right now. Darren Daulton's personal collection of Phillies memorabilia is being sold at Coach's Corner. I have bid on a few items (please done outbid me), and there is tons of great stuff from the bad Phillies teams of the late 80's, and the amazing 1993 squad.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Fire up the hot stove
Its been a few days since the World Series ended, but I am just now able to write about it. Many people have told me that I shouldn't be upset because the Phillies had a great season, that they made the Series in back to back years, and lost to a good Yankees team.
I disagree. Sure, I enjoyed the season, The Phillies were a fun team to watch, and had a variety of dramatic issues to keep conversation flowing. I was thrilled to make the playoffs again and make a run into November in defense of the title. But despite those accomplishments, I am pissed they lost to the Yankees and even more pissed about how they lost.
The Phillies were done-in by the same problems that plagued them all season, and by some stupid, stupid managing moves by Uncle Charlie. Lets take a look at a few examples.
1. The Pitching: Somehow the Yankees were able to win a world series with 3 starters, but the Phillies, who had 5 on the roster, constantly seemed like they were the team short on pitching. Why? Because Cole Hamels is still trying to find the Wizard of Oz to give him a heart, and Charlie decided to send the rookie of the year to the bullpen. Going into the playoffs he should have started Lee, Happ and Blanton, with Cole as a 4th starter to be used in a series with a comfortable lead. Assuming each of those starters could give you 6 innings, your bullpen sets up nicely with Park/Durbin, Eyre and Madson for the 9th. That way Hamels doesnt put you in a devastating hole in Game 3, and the bullpen doesnt have to rely on Lidge to blow game 4.
2. The bench: I think we learned a lesson about bench play from the Yankees. While he sent out the craptastic combination of Bruntlett, Stairs and Francisco, the Yankees had Brett Gardner and Matsui for the NL games. We dont have to spend much time to realize who was stronger here.
3. Charlie: Ugh...where do I start here. I am mystified at the litany of stupid moves made by Charlie. From using Lidge in a tied game 4, to using Stairs twice to lead off innings, to not replacing Ibanez for defense in game 2, to not letting Happ face Matsui in game 6, he mismanaged every step of the way. Makes me miss one of the unsung heroes of last year: Jimy Williams. Jimy was the puppeteer telling Charlie what to do, he was the man who finally explained the double switch, and he was the man that Pete Makannin couldnt replace.
So yes, the Phillies did have a fun exciting year, and I dont want to get on them too badly as they were the first NL team since the Reds to have a chance to repeat, but I am still frustrated that they came so far only to play so poorly in the final games. I dont think the Yankees are a better team - I think they were a smarter and calmer team in the WS, and that was the difference.
So on to next year: A few key questions are worth discussion:
1. Feliz: He had a 5.5 million club option for next year that the Phillies are nuts to pick up. He was the only automatic out in the Phillies lineup during the postseason, and his defense does not balance his lack of production from a key position. Figgins from LA and Beltre from Seattle are very good options available during free agency to replace him.
2. The pitching: We already know that the Phillies have shown Brett Myers the door, a move that I think is a mistake. Brett provided much needed insurance against another Lidge implosion, and could serve as a consistent 4th or 5th started on a team that needs back of the rotation help. Lee, Hamels, Happ and Moyer are the 4 starters guaranteed to return, with Blanton and Pedro both a maybe. Pedro filed for free agency today, which may signal his intention to move on. I would love to see the Phillies add a Jon Garland to bolster the back end, or maybe tell Moyer he can start until the all star break when Kyle Drabek is big league ready.
3. The bench: If this were my team, the day after the world series I would pink slip Bruntlett, Cario and Stairs. Bruntlett is the biggest waste of $800,000 I have ever seen, and at 41 Stairs just cant get the job done anymore. After we see the free agent filings next week, I will check back with some ideas of players the Phillies could use to improve the bench.
So, congrats to the Yankees, and lets hope for an exciting offseason.
I disagree. Sure, I enjoyed the season, The Phillies were a fun team to watch, and had a variety of dramatic issues to keep conversation flowing. I was thrilled to make the playoffs again and make a run into November in defense of the title. But despite those accomplishments, I am pissed they lost to the Yankees and even more pissed about how they lost.
The Phillies were done-in by the same problems that plagued them all season, and by some stupid, stupid managing moves by Uncle Charlie. Lets take a look at a few examples.
1. The Pitching: Somehow the Yankees were able to win a world series with 3 starters, but the Phillies, who had 5 on the roster, constantly seemed like they were the team short on pitching. Why? Because Cole Hamels is still trying to find the Wizard of Oz to give him a heart, and Charlie decided to send the rookie of the year to the bullpen. Going into the playoffs he should have started Lee, Happ and Blanton, with Cole as a 4th starter to be used in a series with a comfortable lead. Assuming each of those starters could give you 6 innings, your bullpen sets up nicely with Park/Durbin, Eyre and Madson for the 9th. That way Hamels doesnt put you in a devastating hole in Game 3, and the bullpen doesnt have to rely on Lidge to blow game 4.
2. The bench: I think we learned a lesson about bench play from the Yankees. While he sent out the craptastic combination of Bruntlett, Stairs and Francisco, the Yankees had Brett Gardner and Matsui for the NL games. We dont have to spend much time to realize who was stronger here.
3. Charlie: Ugh...where do I start here. I am mystified at the litany of stupid moves made by Charlie. From using Lidge in a tied game 4, to using Stairs twice to lead off innings, to not replacing Ibanez for defense in game 2, to not letting Happ face Matsui in game 6, he mismanaged every step of the way. Makes me miss one of the unsung heroes of last year: Jimy Williams. Jimy was the puppeteer telling Charlie what to do, he was the man who finally explained the double switch, and he was the man that Pete Makannin couldnt replace.
So yes, the Phillies did have a fun exciting year, and I dont want to get on them too badly as they were the first NL team since the Reds to have a chance to repeat, but I am still frustrated that they came so far only to play so poorly in the final games. I dont think the Yankees are a better team - I think they were a smarter and calmer team in the WS, and that was the difference.
So on to next year: A few key questions are worth discussion:
1. Feliz: He had a 5.5 million club option for next year that the Phillies are nuts to pick up. He was the only automatic out in the Phillies lineup during the postseason, and his defense does not balance his lack of production from a key position. Figgins from LA and Beltre from Seattle are very good options available during free agency to replace him.
2. The pitching: We already know that the Phillies have shown Brett Myers the door, a move that I think is a mistake. Brett provided much needed insurance against another Lidge implosion, and could serve as a consistent 4th or 5th started on a team that needs back of the rotation help. Lee, Hamels, Happ and Moyer are the 4 starters guaranteed to return, with Blanton and Pedro both a maybe. Pedro filed for free agency today, which may signal his intention to move on. I would love to see the Phillies add a Jon Garland to bolster the back end, or maybe tell Moyer he can start until the all star break when Kyle Drabek is big league ready.
3. The bench: If this were my team, the day after the world series I would pink slip Bruntlett, Cario and Stairs. Bruntlett is the biggest waste of $800,000 I have ever seen, and at 41 Stairs just cant get the job done anymore. After we see the free agent filings next week, I will check back with some ideas of players the Phillies could use to improve the bench.
So, congrats to the Yankees, and lets hope for an exciting offseason.
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