How the Phillies Make This Last a Decade ...

By John Powers and Amy McCormick

So, you're liking the last five years, eh Phillies fans??? Yeah, well, so are the rest of us.  What started as an offensive juggernaut that was home run dependent and pitching weary has turned into to the exact opposite.  Now we have the greatest pitching staff in modern memory and the most unproductive offense since the days of Travis Lee and David Bell.  Welp, we're kinda liking this whole "being the best team in the league" thing and we don't want it to stop; unfortunately, that is something that will require some significant and available changes to accommodate.  The rest of the division has perenially sucked during this administration, and while we have taken advantage of it, a run such as the Braves we once knew and loved (sarcasm indicated) is possible ... but only if we change with the times.  Here's how we do it.

Let's start with the rotation.  Halladay is essentially locked up until 2014 as that option will easily vest.  Lee is locked up until at least 2015.  Mr. Oswalt is an interesting subject, as the Phillies were not inclined to guarantee his $16 million club option at the time of the JA Koufax trade; we believe it's in the Phillies' best interest to pick up that option and pay the man through 2012.  Then, seriously reconsider an additional three year deal.  Cole is a must and after we explain the plan for the rest of the team, offering our World Series MVP slash unrestricted free agent a five year, $85 million deal with a club option for an additional $20 million for 2017 will not seem out of line.  Aside from the obvious, get rid of Blanton as soon as humanly possible (along with the $8.5 million for each of his next 2 years), and give Mr. Worley a legitimate shot at being the best number 5 starter in the bigs.  We still have Kyle Kendrick in the event of those disabled list times we all love so very, very much.

Now, the bullpen needs to be ripped up a bit, and it's really already in place as of today.  Brad Lidge is done and that deal should never have been given to him in the first place.  Decline the 2012 club option on Lidge, and guess what? It's now time for Ryan Madson to either be the closer or not.  He has this summer to prove himself as an unrestricted free agent.  If he does, he gets a three year, $30 million deal;  if he does not, it's time to court Francisco Cordero. Chapman will be ready to step into the closer role in Cincinnati next season.  Beyond that, we go with what we have which is the Bastardo/Stutes eigth inning deal, Romero/ Contreras in the sixth and seventh, and of course, KK for long relief.  Danys Baez should be shot out of a cannon directly into that brick wall covered with ivy in center field.

Now, for the fun part.  The offense.  Batting leadoff in 2012, Jose Reyes.  He's a free agent just like Jimmy Ground-to-Second Rollins would have been had he not been traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline.  He's a much better pure leadoff hitter, as well as a guy that will allow us to not miss Jimmy's defense.  Oh, and he's five years younger and really won't cost much more than the most overrated player in Phillies history would have.  Then it's Polanco, who's moved to second base this year after the Chase Utley trade to restock the farm system and cut some salary slash hip injuries during the offseason.  Andre Ethier hopes to continue his success hitting third and playing right field after being traded for Jimmy Rollins last season.  He resigned with the Phils for a four year, $36 million deal which will keep him in red pinstripes through the 2015 season.  Ryan Howard's batting cleanup.  (Some things never change and don't need to.)  Backing up the big man is new third baseman and free agent prize Evan Longoria from the Rays after signing a free agent contract for $42.5 million over the next five years.  Shane Victorino moves into the six hole and John Mayberry, Jr. looks to continue his successful rise to stardom in the seven hole, rounding out the outfield.  Carlos Ruiz continues to be the backstop and batting ninth is the best rotation we've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.  Pinch hitters will continue to be unknown, sometimes annoying, and often very successful.

This, our friends, is the formula that is more than possible and will ensure we are finally able to utter that elusive term in conversations with our Yankee loving friends to the north.  Dynasty!

My Tirade

By Amy McCormick

Roy Oswalt was activated from the disabled list today, and he’ll return to pitch tomorrow.  Vance Worley, as a result, has been sent down to Lehigh Valley.  To be perfectly honest, my first reaction was “We’re holding onto Baez and Romero, but Worley is being sent to AAA?” After a little thought, though, it makes sense.

Vance Worley is a starting pitcher, and at this point, he seems a little rusty coming out of the bullpen.  He needs to pitch seven innings.  If he were to stay in Philadelphia, he’d be the odd man out in our rotation, and would hardly see any playing time.  At least in the Lehigh Valley, he will be a starter.  If and when we have an injury occur, I expect him to be called up again.  We also need to remember that Worley is just 23 years old, and we should be seeing him for some time.  Personally, I’d like to see Blanton unloaded before the deadline, but who knows if that will happen.

I have to say, I have mixed feelings about our bullpen right now.  The one inning I don’t really worry about is the ninth; Ryan Madson has proven that he runs that show.  In all honesty, he’s proving that Brad Lidge is essentially unnecessary. 

For long relief, we’ve got Kyle Kendrick, who’s 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA.  I actually like Kendrick in this role, and I think he’s handling it decently well.  It could certainly be worse. 

Speaking of “worse” … our right handed pitcher situation in the bullpen doesn’t make me very happy.  We’ve got David Herndon with a 9.28 ERA, Danys Baez with a 3.94 ERA, and Michael Stutes with a 3.60 ERA.  It’s a sad state of affairs when Stutes and Baez are the best righties we have.  I don’t worry so much about the LHPs, because Antonio Bastardo is doing well.  We need a decent RHP for the eighth inning.

I suppose I really shouldn’t be complaining about our 25-14 team.  We’re second only to Cleveland in all of Major League Baseball.  I worry, though, that our injury-stricken team will not hold up as well as it should against our upcoming opponents (Cardinals, Rockies, Rangers and Reds).  Our offense isn’t producing, so our pitching staff needs to maintain the “every run counts” mentality.  If the Phils’ lineup isn’t going to score more than a run or two, then the pitchers – starters and relievers – need to keep a lid on the opposing teams’ offense. 

That’s all for today’s complaints.  Unless, of course, Cliff Lee gets no run support tonight and I get annoyed.

Utley Won't Save This Offense

By Amy McCormick

The Phillies have the best record in Major League Baseball.  They’re currently 24-12; the Marlins trail by three games in the NL East.  Don’t celebrate just yet.  The Phils also only have 34 extra-base hits with runners on, a slugging percentage that is on the decline, and 156 runs scored (fourteenth in all of baseball).  Where is the offense?

I, for one, am tired of seeing ground balls hit into double plays, runners stranded, and batters swinging at garbage (I’m talking to you, Wilson Valdez.  You were swinging in the dirt last night).  It’s hard to complain when Philadelphia boasts MLB’s best win-loss record, but I’ll do it anyway.  Why?   The NL East may not offer huge competition, but I have a feeling that St. Louis, Cincinnati, Texas and Colorado – all upcoming opponents – will produce better offense.  Aside from the Rockies, each of those teams has scored more runs this season than the Phillies. 

So, what’s the solution?  Please tell me you don’t think Chase Utley will single-handedly save this lineup. 

Utley has begun his rehab and is playing decently well in Clearwater; we hope to see him return to the Phils this month.  That’s fantastic news.  Of course we want our All-Star second baseman back from his long absence.  Will it be enough to turn the offense around?  Doubtful. 

What’s the answer, then?  Fire Greg Gross and send him to hang out with Milt Thompson?  Switch the batting order?  Purchase new batting gloves?  Come on, Charlie.  It’s not rocket science.  These players are perfectly capable of getting on base and sending one another home to score.  I think Manuel is a little too laissez-faire with his players; I’m not asking him to micromanage them, but when the bats are coming up short, it ultimately falls on him.  The Phils’ lineup needs to be held accountable.  Manuel wants the best team possible – pitching, batting and fielding.  He needs to start demanding it and expecting it. 

Surely, the return of Utley (and Ruiz, I haven’t forgotten about him) should improve production.  I just don’t think it’s wise to expect Chase to swoop in and save the day.  I’m sure some of you think that I have no right to complain, since Philadelphia’s winning record is better than the rest of Major League Baseball.  Well, if we want the best overall team, then pitching isn’t going to cut it.  We all saw Cliff Lee strike out sixteen and still get the loss, yes?  Run support is crucial.  I’m excited that Chase is on his way back, and I’m sure he’ll contribute … but he’s not Superman.  I don’t like seeing a perfectly capable lineup coming up short. 

What did they tell us all back in little league?  Everybody hits. 

Kendrick Records Only Win in Braves Series

By Amy McCormick

The Braves came into town on Friday, May 6 for a three game series in Philadelphia.  That evening, we saw Cliff Lee strike out sixteen – breaking his own record – and still get the loss.  How does that happen?  He let up three runs in the third inning, but it was our offense that just couldn’t generate any runs.  The Phils didn’t record a hit until the bottom of the seventh when Shane Victorino hit a single to left field.  To add insult to the 5-0 injury, Placido Polanco ended up leaving the game early with an injured toe (x-rays were negative).  Atlanta’s Derek Lowe earned the win. 

Saturday night brought us Kyle Kendrick, filling in for Roy Oswalt, who is now on the DL.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about this start.  The funny thing is, Kendrick (with the help of JC Romero, Mike Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Ryan Madson) recorded a win.  It wasn’t just a win; the Phils shut out Atlanta, 3-0.  It didn’t hurt that the Braves introduced rookie Julio Teheran, who was up past his bedtime and got pulled after 4 2/3 innings.  The series was now tied, 1-1. 

Sunday night, Mother’s Day, I attended the game.  I was beyond excited to see Hamels pitch, and I was ready for the Phils to salvage the series with another win.  We mothers didn’t get the gift we wanted.  Jair Jurrjens pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed one run.  Atlanta had won seven of their last eight, and Philadelphia was just no match for them last night.  Alex Gonzalez, Freddie Freeman and Eric Hinske each homered, while the Phils stranded runners, grounded into double plays, and couldn’t produce.  Hamels ended his four game winning streak and is now 4-2. 

On a sidenote, Dan Uggla’s little sister would like her jersey back.

What worries me about this disappointing series is that the Phils will soon be facing far better teams on a long road trip.  Offense needs to pull itself together in a hurry, because the Phils are losing games in which their pitchers are striking out double digits.  No pressure, Utley, but we could use you up here. 

All Eyes on Werth, Ibañez in Phils-Nats Series

By Amy McCormick

We had all been waiting for Jayson Werth to return to Philadelphia for the first time as part of the Washington Nationals.  How would he be received?  Some Phils fans couldn’t wait to heckle him, while others said they would welcome him back with appreciation, since he was part of our 2008 championship team.  The result?  Well, it sort of started out with some booing that led to a standing ovation and a lot of applause for his first at-bat.  He recognized the fans with a tip of his helmet.  On MLB Network Radio, Charlie Manuel said, “They definitely have a warm spot in their heart for Jayson, ‘cause he played good here.”  I suppose I’m part of the minority, then.

Werth hit a dismal .221 in the month of April, and didn’t exactly win me over with his 2 for 10 in the series against the Phils.  That, to me, solidifies my opinion that he doesn’t perform on a team that struggles.  I maintain that DC made a comically awful deal when they signed Werth.   

Meanwhile, the Phillies have much to celebrate.  Not only did they sweep the Nats, but Raul Ibañez finally abandoned his 0-35 batting slump.  That’s right.  Zero hits in 35 at-bats.  My patience had worn thin, but Charlie Manuel, always loyal to his players, insisted that he would shake it off.  I wondered how long he would let this go on before he wised up and played Mayberry.

This was not a gradual climb out of a slump.

Ibañez went 8 for 12 in the three game series (not a typo).  This includes two homeruns and five RBIs. Welcome back, Mr. Ibañez.  We’ve missed you.  It’s nice to see an offense that isn’t merely a Howard-Polanco effort.  Hopefully this streak is longer than that terrible slump was.  I don’t mind being proven wrong when it benefits the team this much.