Phillies Nation

Gamenight: Phillies (58-49) At Nationals (38-69)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 31, 2008 05:39 PM

Back to actual baseball — the Phillies will attempt a sweep of the Nationals tonight..

Ultimate Weapon?: Our Vic — Shane Victorino — just ended a sweet July. He went .327 with 7 HR and 17 RBI during the month.

Wash Them Win: After starting 1-3 against the Nationals, the Phils ahave won four straight against them.

Back At The Top: The Phillies will attempt to hold onto first place tonight.

Phillies: Kyle Kendrick (8-5) 4.70 ERA
Nationals: John Lannan (6-10) 3.33 ERA

Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EST
Weather: 83, cloudy
Lineup:

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: So the Phillies didn’t make a deal. Well, I’ll have more about this later. But for now, enjoy a Fuller’s London Pride, an English pale ale. Sure, maybe we don’t have the prospects or the money necessary to do explosive things at the deadline, but we have our beer, and that’s what counts, right? For dinner, have some red curry chicken and basatmi rice.

Go Phillies!

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Olney: No Move For Phillies

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 31, 2008 03:47 PM

Buster Olney has written the obituary on this deadline for the Phillies. He says they look to be sitting out of the left-handed reliever sweepstakes.

It’s more likely a LOOGY will come after waivers.

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Two Hours Left: Eerily Quiet On The Phillies Phront

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 31, 2008 02:10 PM

Two hours to go before the non-waiver trade deadline, and nothing yet.

In other news, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports is echoing many allegations that the Manny Ramirez-to-Florida deal is dead.

Will the Phillies do anything at all before 4 p.m.?

In fact, just looking at the whole day so far, there has barely been a peep about or from the Phillies. It’s as if the Phils are silently concocting some mad plan. Maybe not, but it’s eerie how quiet it’s been over here, while at least there’s been word the Mets, Angels and A’s aren’t dealing at all.

Trades made today:

• Rays trade two prospects for OF Jason Bay
• Marlins trade prospect for RP Arthur Rhodes
• White Sox trade for OF Ken Griffey Jr.

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Marlins Trade For Rhodes

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 31, 2008 11:15 AM

The Marlins acquired Arthur Rhodes today from the Mariners for pitching prospect Gabby Hernandez.

Rhodes has a 2.86 ERA this season, missing last year to Tommy John. He pitched for the Phillies in 2006 and had an ERA over 5.00.

That puts the Phillies watch list down one man in the left-handed reliever category, and I’m not losing sleep over this one.

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Trade Deadline Open Thread

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 31, 2008 08:57 AM

The Major League Baseball Non-Waiver Trade Deadline (all rights reserved) is about seven hours away.

I’ll turn it over to all of you — what would you like to see the Phillies do today, if anything at all?

Spin a deal for a left-handed reliever? And who? Jump all in and go after Manny Ramirez? Make one last push for Matt Holliday? Grab another starter? Maybe something different?

Go nuts. Be the GM.

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Phillies Solve Redding, Beat Nationals

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 11:50 PM

They opened the cabinet, pulled out the Dimetapp and ingested hard. They found the cure for Tim Redding.

The Phillies went down early, but broke out with a five-run fifth inning en route to an 8-5 win. In that fifth, Jimmy Rollins knocked an RBI double, Shane Victorino brought home two with a single, and Chase Utley brought he and Vic around with his 28th home run of the season. Victorino also hit a homer — his ninth, an insurance shot in the seventh.

Pat Burrell added a bases-loaded single in the first inning, getting the Phils on the board.

They didn’t hold on at first, as Jamie Moyer ran into early trouble and went down 3-2. But he was solid after, striking out five on 94 pitches. He left after six innings and looked comfortably ahead once the Nats came back to bat. Ryan Madson gave up two quick runs — which he’s been doing a lot of lately. Jayson Werth didn’t help at all, stumbling before catching what became a ground-rule double. He was brought in for Burrell on a defensive replacement move. Seriously, can Charlie Manuel stop this replacement garbage on Burrell?

Once all that ended, Chad Durbin finished off the Nats in the eighth and Brad Lidge netted his 26th save of 26 chances.

With the win (and a Mets loss) the Phillies are back in first place, 0.5 games ahead of the New Yorkers. Another positive note: both Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Ruiz had two hits in the game; Ruiz has raised his average from .202 to .217 since July 13.

Associated Press photo

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Report: Manny Almost A Marlin

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 11:06 PM

It’s been reported multiple times already, but I’ll bring it here: The Marlins are dangerously close to acquiring Manny Ramirez.

The deal would send Jeremy Hermida, two Marlins prospects and a Red Sox prospect to the Pirates. The Buccos would then send Jason Bay and John Grabow to the Red Sox. The Sox would send Ramirez, cash and a prospect to the Fish.

Potentially the Marlins lineup would feature Hanley Ramirez at the top, Manny Ramirez cleanup and Dan Uggla and Mike Jacobs on the both sides of him. Throw in Jorge Cantu and Josh Willingham and you got a very strong order capable of beating a lot of teams. Yes, Virginia, the Marlins are for real, they ain’t going away and they know it.

For the Fish it’s a pretty good move, but I really like what the Sox are getting from this — they’ll get Grabow to help their already good bullpen, plus Bay, one of the game’s best outfielders. Considering they’d be getting that for Manny (and two prospects), they’re making out. Still, the Phils will be fighting with the Fish until the end, and it’ll be tough with Manny leading these guys night in and out. He’s a good fit for that club.

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Gamenight: Phillies (57-49) At Nationals (38-68)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 06:21 PM

The Phillies continue their three-gamer in Washington, D.C. with a match against Tim Redding and the Nats.

Seeing Redd: Tim Redding is the No. 1 Phillie Killer, the B.A. Baracus of the team of guys who openly throttle us on a regular basis. He has pitched 13.1 shutout innings against the Phils this season, giving up eight hits while walking five. If the Phils decide to take pitches …

Iron Ryan: Ryan Howard has a consecutive game streak of 221 games, longest in baseball.

Flawless Final: After last night’s win, the Phillies are 46-0 when leading after eight innings.

Phillies: Jamie Moyer (9-6) 3.76 ERA
Nationals: Tim Redding (7-5) 3.98 ERA

Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EST
Weather: 88, cloudy
Lineup: Rollins/Victorino/Utley/Howard/Burrell/Jenkins/Bruntlett/Ruiz/Moyer

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: Affligem Blond is a Belgian beer, really my favorite nation for beer. It’s yellow/gold, very light and has somewhat of a banana lace smell. Can’t beat that combination. When facing a guy who has baffled you all season, you need to rethink strategy, take your time, focus on every little pitch. That makes Affligem Blond a nice beer for tonight. For a food pairing, I’d go with clams.

Go Phillies!

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Bruntlett The Best Choice To Start At Third

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 03:46 PM

Yesterday Charlie Manuel started Greg Dobbs at third base in place of the injured Pedro Feliz, and he went 0-for-3. Moreover, he remains a liability defensively at the hot corner.

Quickly checking out some numbers, I found it’s much more beneficial for the Phils to keeps Dobbs a bench player. He likes that role, he thrives in that role, and Eric Bruntlett isn’t a bad option to start.

Bruntlett as starter (142 PA): .242 AVG/.312 OBP/.352 SLG/2 HR/12 RBI
Bruntlett as substitute (33 PA): .222 AVG/.364 OBP/.222 SLG/0 HR/0 RBI

Dobbs as starter (81 PA): .237 AVG/.284 OBP/.316 SLG/1 HR/7 RBI
Dobbs as substitute (62 PA): .397 AVG/.419 OBP/.586 SLG/2 HR/7 RBI

As it shows, Bruntlett seems to be a better starter than a sub, while Dobbs is much more successful off the bench. Start Dobbs, and you automatically lose a bench bat, whereas if you start Bruntlett, Dobbs remains the weapon he needs to be. For Manuel, it makes sense to plug Bruntlett into the lineup everyday.

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PETA Names The Bank Top Vegetarian Ballpark

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 01:16 PM

PETA named Citizens Bank Park its top vegetarian-friendly ballpark of 2008 (thanks, Sports Complex).

If I remember correctly, the Bank was No.1 last year, as well. And last year it won a Food Network award for Best Ballpark Eats.

So take a moment from all this trade talk and appreciate that Citizens Bank Park is an awesome dining experience.

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Report: Rays Interested In Werth

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 12:34 PM

According to Mike Tingle of ESPN 840 in Charlottesville, Va., (hat tip MLBTR), the Rays are going to scout Jayson Werth, saying he may be available if the deal is right.

It was reported earlier in the season the Phils asked about reliever Dan Wheeler. It’s possible the Rays could make either lefty Trever Miller (5.13 ERA) or lefty JP Howell (2.54 ERA) available in a trade. But I’d assume the Phils would need to get win-now value in return for Werth. (Unless the Phils are serious about getting Manny Ramirez, spinning Werth for prospects and trading away those or their own.)

And as expected, Greg Maddux said no to a trade to the Phils.

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For Myers, It Comes Down To Sunday

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 10:53 AM

Today in the Daily News, Paul Hagen writes about Brett Myers’ start yesterday, a 7IP, 0 ER performance against the Nationals.

He writes:

In some ways, Myers was in a lose-lose situation last night. If he didn’t pitch well, the wolves would be nipping at his heels, demanding that he be removed from the rotation at once and maybe be made to stay after school and clean the erasers as well.

If he did, the cynics would be quick to say, sure, but he did it against a Nationals lineup that had scored a total of two runs in its previous four games, batting .133 as a team in the process. A team that has been shut out 15 times already this season. The only club in the National League to have scored less than 400 runs going into last night.

So all eyes will be on Myers when he makes his next start, Sunday in St. Louis. In the meantime, though, allowing just one unearned run on four hits defused what could have been a tense situation, which allowed him to talk freely about his hellish season.

This was a good start, just like Wednesday night was a cautious start. Hagen is right that all eyes will be on him Sunday night, but I see Sunday as the true indicator. If Myers goes out Sunday night, pitches seven and gives up a run, maybe two, we know we’re getting something better out of Myers.

But if he struggles Sunday, and if I’m Charlie Manuel, I shouldn’t be afraid to pull the plug yet again on the Myers carousel. A game like Sunday’s is a game the Phils will be playing 50 more times until the season ends, and they can’t afford much less than quality.

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Trade Deadline Reset

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 06:48 AM

We’re a little more than one day from the non-waiver trade deadline, aka the most hyped in-season day in any sport. The Phillies, obviously in contention, are close to — if not, the top team in the midst of trade talks. To put everyone on the same page, I’m resetting everything we know, don’t know and kind of want to think we know.

July 17: Phillies trade Adrian Cardenas (IF), Josh Outman (P) and Matt Spencer (OF) to Oakland for Joe Blanton (SP)
A major deal, netting the Phillies a starting pitcher for a top-five prospect, a top-10 prospect and a low-level pseudo-prospect. As a Phillie, Blanton has been somewhat inconclusive (8 IP, 7 ER, 11 H, 4 BB, 2 K) but it currently doesn’t look promising. Cardenas, about two years from Major League impact, was seemingly blocked by the Phils middle infield stars. Outman, converted to a reliever after a rough patch as a Reading starter, was a fastball/changeup lefty close to becoming an MLB-level player. The jury, however, is still out on this trade.

Rumored: Phillies trade Shane Victorino (OF), Carlos Carrasco (P), Lou Marson (C), JA Happ (P) to Colorado for Matt Holliday (OF) and Brian Fuentes (P)
An absolute blockbuster that surfaced by the usually truthful Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Phils would’ve gained a studly outfielder and solid back-end reliever for a big bounty. Supposedly the deal was nixed late. It would’ve cleaned out the Phillies farm system, with the No. 1 prospect, catcher-of-the-future and potential No. 3 starter heading west with the starting center fielder for at least another year. An absolute win-now move. Fuentes has since been taken off the trading block, and Holliday seems to be off, as well.

Rumored: Phillies trade Jason Donald (IF), Adrian Cardenas (IF) and JA Happ (P) to Cleveland for CC Sabathia (P)
According to Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro, the Phillies were the backup plan for Sabathia. Ultimately, he went to the Brewers, where he is currently 4-0 with an ERA under 2.00. This seemed to be the deal, but the Phils weren’t willing to part with Carrasco or Marson for Sabathia, who is under contract only until the end of the season.

Rumored: Phillies trade Jason Donald (IF) to Kansas City for Ron Mahay (P)
According to Jayson Stark, his sources (other general managers) said this deal was almost done. That was a little before noon Tuesday. In about an hour or so, Stark refuted his original claim and Rosenthal backed it up. Currently the Phillies are not the team in the lead for the left-hander.

Rumored: Phillies trade Lou Marson (C), Jason Donald (IF), JA Happ (P) and PTBNL to Toronto for Roy Halladay (P)
This came from Howard Eskin on 610 WIP Tuesday — not a great source, but it opened discussion. Supposedly the Phillies found out what it would take to get the all-world starter, and made an offer late today. Toronto rejected it, asking to put Fabio Castro in the deal. I’m not sure if Toronto wanted Castro or if Eskin misread Carlos Carrasco; either way, this deal would significantly reduce the farm system, though it would give the Phils maybe the best pitcher in baseball. I don’t expect anything to come out of this.

Players Inquired About

Starting Pitchers

AJ Burnett, Toronto (P)
Before the Blanton trade, Burnett seemed to be the Phils major focus. The Phils scouted him and talks evidently occurred, but Toronto wanted one of either Carrasco or Marson (really, Marson). The Phils said no.

Erik Bedard, Seattle (P)
Along with Burnett, Bedard was a top prize for the Phillies. Bedard seemed to be high on the trading block with the Mariners sinking fast, and the lefty even went on 950 AM in Philly to discuss his situation with the Mariners. But no rumored deal ever came to fruition, nor was there any indication the sides were talking. Once Blanton came through, this talk went by the wayside.

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati (P)
The Phillies “kicked the tires” at the righty who is having a poor year in Cincinnati.

Jarrod Washburn, Seattle (P)
Another tire-kicker, Washburn almost seemed set to go to the Yankees, but that has stalled.

Ben Sheets, Milwaukee (P)
The Phils scouted the All Star, but Milwaukee wasn’t looking to give up Sheets.

Greg Maddux, San Diego (P)
The Phils also scouted the Hall of Famer, but indications are he’d prefer either Los Angeles, Arizona, the Cubs or Atlanta.

Roy Oswalt, Houston (P)
The Phillies evidently scouted Oswalt, but the Astros don’t seem intent on giving up Oswalt, instead thinking they somehow have a shot this year.

Outfielders

Manny Ramirez, Boston (OF)
“Manny Wants Out of Boston Part XXIV” has somehow dropped the Phillies deep into the chapters. There should be truth to the rumor the Phils have asked about him. SI.com’s Jon Heyman is saying the Phils lead the charge to trade for the Hall of Fame hitter, but Heyman can’t be trusted as far as I can throw him (which isn’t far). Rumors have Ramirez coming here for Pat Burrell — a lateral move, and a dumb one from where I sit. Burrell is perfect for this team; Manny is the antithesis of Burrell.

Left-Handed Relief Pitchers

John Grabow, Pittsburgh (P)
The left-handed reliever seemed high on the Phillies’ list of left-handed relievers, but a recent injury has said to have scared the Phils off. Don’t be so sure, however.

Arthur Rhodes, Seattle (P)
Once a Phillie — and a bad one at that — Rhodes has found somewhat of a renaissance with the Mariners. Pat Gillick has a long work relationship with him, so it’s possible the Phils could strike an easy deal for the lefty.

George Sherrill, Baltimore (P)
The lefty is having a nice year with the Orioles, and the Phils have been said to be asking about him. Still, heavy thought is the O’s aren’t giving him up.

Other Possibilities

Starting Pitchers

Probably none at the non-waiver. Blanton was the move, and unless a ridiculous blockbuster with Toronto for Halladay occurs, the Phillies seem finished for now. Don’t count out a waiver move, however, especially if Brett Myers falters again or Blanton doesn’t pan out.

Outfielders

Something tells me the Phils won’t make an outfielder move unless it’s a big bat, a la Holliday or Ramirez. Even then the Phils would have to give up an outfielder (Victorino, Werth or Burrell) to get one. They haven’t been attached to Jason Bay, Adam Dunn or Raul Ibanez, and didn’t seem like runners in the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte race. Look for a waiver claim, but then again, I could be shocked.

Just to add, the Phillies did show interest in Cleveland infielder/outfielder Casey Blake, but the Phils supposedly finished second in that sweepstakes.

Left-Handed Relief Pitcher

Not much else out there, as the Phils inquired about everyone worthy of inquisition. One other name: Jeremy Affeldt, who the Phils have asked about in previous seasons. Lefties are hitting slightly worse against him, but he has an ERA over 4.00 this season. If I had to point blindly at a target, I’d say the Phils overpay for Mahay or Grabow.

Other

A relief pitcher in general is a possibility, and Dan Wheeler of Tampa Bay has been mentioned. Can’t see the Rays giving him up, however. Look for a small pickup (maybe an infielder) after waivers. Gillick has a nice track record with the Phils in this arena (Jamie Moyer, Kyle Lohse).

Commentary

From almost day one, the Phillies said they were making Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson untouchable. They’ve stood by that assertion (except for Holliday, if that’s true), and it makes sense. While it would’ve been nice to see the Phils go all-in to win now, their farm system isn’t as rich (allegedly) as other contenders’ (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs). Truth is, you can’t deplete your entire farm system, especially when you’ve taken a couple years to rebuild it.

It was hard enough giving up Cardenas and Outman, and at this moment it seems like too much for Blanton. But they were strategic moves, better or worse, and don’t really harm the Phils’ long view. They tried for Sabathia but just couldn’t give it all up for a guy who they weren’t even sure they could re-sign. That’s the way it goes — when you empty your system in the past, you pay for it in the future.

The Phillies will almost definitely grab a left-handed reliever before the deadline passes. It would either cost them a Jason Donald (Mahay, Grabow) or a little more than cash (Rhodes). I’m hoping more cash than Donald, but then again, I don’t want Rhodes, I want Mahay. Don’t bet on a big deal for a Halladay or — forbid — Ramirez. I’m sorry, but Manny is bad news for the Phillies. They should — and probably have — stay away. Anyway, add a waiver claim or two and a later deal for a hitter and the Phils will be all set. In their eyes. Is it enough to go the distance? It’s possible.

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Myers Impressive In Win Over Nationals

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, July 29, 2008 10:15 PM

Brett Myers pitched well in seven innings, giving up no runs on seven baserunners in a 2-1 Phillies win over the Nationals. Myers lowered his ERA to 5.46 in the process, and the Phils remained 0.5 games back of the Mets for first place in the National League East.

Myers threw only 88 pitches, an astounding 63 for strikes. He got ahead of hitters, used his curveball and slider to perfection and his fastball looked pretty good. Of course, the Nationals are a horrible offensive team in the middle of an epic slide (one run in their last 28 innings). Still, give Myers credit for throwing strikes, something he didn’t do at all against the Mets in his first start back from the minors. His next start at Saint Louis will be a more appropriate indicator, but this time out he was very effective, and there should be room for promise.

Chase Utley stroked his 27th home run of the season for the Phils only runs. They let up a run in the eighth, also thanks partly to Utley. He blundered a possible double play ball and put two on for the Nats with no outs. Upon Myers’ exit, JC Romero got the next two outs, letting a run score on a give-it-up grounder. Chad Durbin got the last out. Yet again the bullpen shuts the door — what would this team do without them, especially Durbin?

Brad Lidge — don’t forget him — shut the door for an easy 1-2-3 save, his 25th in as many chances, extending the franchise record.

If the pitching doesn’t go as well, we’re talking about the offense’s inability to score off rookie starter Collin Balester, who was asking to get punched around. Instead, it’s a win against a bad offense, and we’re talking about a big performance for a guy who needed it bad.

Associated Press photo

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Gamenight: Phillies (56-49) At Nationals (38-67)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, July 29, 2008 05:39 PM

The Phillies begin a six-game road trip tonight against the Nationals.

Brett, Take Two: Less than a week ago Brett Myers walked five with his fastball, but struck out two with his curveball. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares with the former, and if the Nationals can hit the latter. With JA Happ’s addition to the big league roster, Myers will have to perform well to remain in the rotation.

Burrell Blasting: Pat Burrell has homered in 28 different ballparks, a franchise record (Bobby Abreu is second). He can make it 29 by homering in Nationals Park this week.

Eastern Pitch: The Phillies have a 4.05 ERA against the NL East this season, best of all teams intra-division.

Not Feliz: Pedro Feliz is on the 15-day DL, which will give both Eric Bruntlett and Greg Dobbs more playing time.

Phillies: Brett Myers (3-9) 5.82 ERA
Nationals: Colin Balester (1-2) 5.75 ERA

Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EST
Weather: 89, partly cloudy
Lineup:

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: Dogfish Head, which makes many find beers, brings forth 90 Minute IPA, which is stronger than your 60 Minute, but it really tastes good. Between its nine percent content and superior satisfaction, it reminds you of a good Belgian brew. Perfect for a mild night like tonight. Eat some pork with it.

Go Phillies!

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