Phillies Nation

Polanco Traded

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, June 08, 2005 07:11 PM

Placido Polanco was traded this afternoon to Detroit for right-handed reliever Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez. It’s no surprise Polanco was moving this year, but the timing is most interesting. Ed Wade, with an exception to the rule, did not wait for August before acquiring a legitimate and much needed bullpen arm. He knows his job depends on it, even pulled together a news conference to break the news.

Ugie (is that how you spell it?) is 1-3 with nine saves and a 2.63 ERA in 25 games this season with Detroit. He should make for a nice setup man and back up for Billy Wagner (you know, Tim Worrell’s old job). Ryan Madson will be free for middle relief or some spot starts. Martinez is like Polanco only not quite as good a hitter which basically makes him another Tomas Perez.

The loss of Polanco, though giving more pt to Chase, will decrease the Phils versatility and probably OBP. Polanco was great for giving everyone a rest once in a while since he could play everywhere. In these summer months that would helped a lot. So in the end, we’ll all miss Polanco. He was the kinda guy you wanted on your team; and he wanted to be on ours. His parting words: “I just wanted to play. I wanted to stay here my whole life.”

Posted in Posts | Share This | Permalink | Comments Off

First it’s a little irritating, then you hear it a few times

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, June 08, 2005 12:13 AM

On the big amateur draft day, the Phils selected local boy Mike Costanzo with the 65th pick overall (Lieber cost them their 1st rounder, but won today to make up for it). A graduate of Archbishop Carroll and currently a junior at Coastal Carolina, Costanzo can both hit and pitch. He led CC in batting average (.379), hits (91), runs (74), home runs (16), slugging percentage (.658), on-base percentage (.525) and walks (68) and described himself as “a left-handed power hitter.” At the same time, the lefty was 8-1 with a 2.13 ERA and his 14 saves set the school single-season record. The Phils drafted him as a third baseman nonetheless. The best part about him, in his own words, “I can’t wait to play for the Phillies,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be signed by tomorrow. I’m not pulling a J.D. Drew. I’m not doing that to this team or this city.”

Posted in Posts | Share This | Permalink | Comments Off

Birthday Present

Posted by Brian Michael, Sun, June 05, 2005 03:28 AM

What more can I ask for than a call at midnight from my sister who works at the Phillies informing me that they swept a twi-night doubleheader? There’s all this excitement down here in DC while the Nats are creeping up the division, knocking off the Braves and Florida consecutively. Well little do these beltway folks realize, they’re opening the door for the new power in the East. True, a five team divisional race is much more perilious than the Wild Card hunt, but it makes for much more exciting baseball in the summer months. It’s June 5th, the Phils have won 5 straight…it’s gonna be an exciting rest of the season. At least that’s what I’m saying tonight.

Posted in Posts | Share This | Permalink | Comments Off

What a Stud

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, June 01, 2005 11:22 PM

Oh, Chase Utley, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways. 1-2-3-4 runs in a Grand Slam!!  Pinch hitting nonetheless.  Seemingly this was foreseen, at least implicitly, by Mike over at A Citizen’s Blog.  He lays out the numbers proving that Utley’s swing is worth much more than Polanco’s glove; especially when it comes at an 1/13 of the price. 

So then what is Ed Wade waiting for, the trade deadline?  It would be nice to make a trade a bit earlier in the season than his normal fire alarm routine.  Though not as many players may be available yet, they are in much less demand, and therefore less expensive.  A middle reliever would be great.  Speaking of which, the SF Cronicle mentions a possible return of Tim Worrell to his former club. 

Phils go for the sweep tomorrow, which would be a nice start to this 13 game homestand.  In a conversation with Harry Kalas a few weeks ago, he mentioned that if the Phillies were going to take first place, this home stretch would be the time.  After the Giants, the D’Backs, Rangers, and Brewers come to town.  A repeat of the recent road trip (a 8 and 5 or 9 and 4 record over the two weeks) would certainly help their chances.

Posted in Posts | Share This | Permalink | Comments Off