Phillies Nation

Help Wanted: Outfielder

Posted by Brian Michael, Tue, August 22, 2006 11:58 AM

If you have watched any type of sports highlight show over the last 24 hours there is no doubt that you witnessed the bonehead collision between Aaron Rowand and Chase Utley. In the bottom of the 8th inning former Phillies outfielder John Mabry hit a bloop fly ball past into shallow right. Chase Utley ran in pursuit of the ball verbally and physically calling off Victorino and Rowand. Aaron Rowand disregarded Utley as the replay showed Rowand never looked away from the ball during his run for the ball. The end result was a collision, Rowand breaking his ankle and John Mabry ending up on third base.

I’m not the one to tell you "I told you so."

I still am not.

When do we say enough is enough. His ability at the plate reflects his play in the field, reckless. I wish I could get behind Rowand and proclaim him a champion of the outfield who is willing to do whatever it takes to catch that ball. Then I wonder what is more important , the eagerness to catch a ball at all costs or to catch a ball without regards to the safety of one’s self and his teammate?

Today I will not praise Aaron Rowand. His bonehead disregard for Chase Utley as a leader and a player cost Rowand the rest of the season, Chase Utley and the result of the game.

Now the Phillies have some moves to make. With September only nine days away they can not expand their roster until the 1st. With Flash Gordon and now Rowand on the DL for the remainder of the season the Phils can bring up two players from the minors to fill their roster spots or make a trade.

The outfield Free Agent list is quite unimpressive. An option for the Phillies is to call up Michael Bourn. He has split time between AA and AAA this year and his combined minor league numbers for this season include a .276 batting average , 5 home runs and 41 RBIs. He also has a combined 45 steals which would improve the speed of the outfield if he is called up.

More than likely GM Pat Gillick will pull off another waiver trade for a veteran outfielder such as Reggie Sanders or Shawn Green. But, we will wait an see as the Phillies attempt to now limp through the 9 remaining games of their road trip.

Posted in Posts | Share This | Permalink