Phillies Nation

61 Responses to “Kendrick Looks To Bounce Back Against Braves”

1. Geoff Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 11:18 am

   With Kendrick this is definitely a see-ya pal type of thing.

2. Chooch's Cooches Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 11:41 am

   That picture is so racist. It’s great.

3. Chris.I Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

   Don’t be surprised if Kendrick throws a good game…For our sake, I honestly hope he doesn’t because he isn’t the #5 guy were looking for (Sorry Kendrick, no offense). I’d rather see Kendrick in the Bullpen as a LR. He would really help getting people out in a late inning jam with a sinker, double play ball.

4. MP Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

   I’m really hoping he pulls it out today. Despite his problems, I’ve always liked him. But, if he doesn’t put out a really decent outing today, I think it’s gonna be Happ.

5. John Fire Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

   Update: kendrick is not throwing a good game. He’s allowed a two-run dinger, lots of fly balls… a double by jo-jo reyes. I’d say your 5th starter is either Happ or Park. His line so far – 2 IP / 5 H / 3 ER / 0 BB / 0 K. \

   Jason Donald, btw, hustled out an infield single in his first at-bat, ultimately scoring on a headfirst slide at the plate. He roped a second base hit in the second.

6. John Fire Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   ah, and now Kendrick has balked.

7. Jason B. Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   Kendrick looks very unsettled. Not good fo the competition. And then there were two.

8. Geoff Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   Like I said, seya pal….

9. Geoff Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

   Maybe a trade for someone like him that needs a change of scenery…throw Coste in the deal…

10. Jason B. Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Now 4 earned runs for KK. He looks like a man who has lost his mojo.

11. Tim Malcolm Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    This could easily be Kendrick’s last stand. Is it still early? Yes. But you HAVE to dominate a Braves lineup that’s without Jones and McCann.

    BTW, that picture reminds me of Little Richard. “Woooo!”

12. TheDipsy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Tim and freinds…a query. John Mayberry is having a helluva spring. In light of the fact that his path to the majors is blocked for the forseeable future, perhaps a trade would be in the Phils best interest? If the Phils start him in AAA and he stops hitting well, thus reverting to past performance, perhaps he would lose the trade value that her has now. In short, i suggest a “sell on the bounce” theory with Mayberry. Perhaps a package of Mayberry and Happ + could bring something really nice.

    The Dipsy

    p.s. I love the Braves guy. Cheif Knockahoma.

13. Jason B. Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    Faced 11 batters, gave up 6 hits, 4 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB, and one balk. Not a very good line at all.

14. Mike W Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    anyone else think the phils are just entertaining park by telling him he’s competing for the 5th slot? even though he’s had a great spring, the bottom line is neither kendrick nor happ are very well suited for the pen.

    thankfully, happ is looking to be in line for the job, although it’s really ashame for park.

15. John Fire Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Update on Kendrick – 3 IP / 9 H / 6 ER / 1 BB / 2 SO / 2 HR-allowed / balk.

    Gave up two 2-run homers to Clint Sammons, 2 hits for Jo-Jo Reyes.

16. Tim Malcolm Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Kendrick and Coste won’t net you anything. Both are loss causes in known battles.

17. Jason B. Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I think if Park keeps showing promise in ST, you could look to move him. But I think Park has a better chance than you might think, Charlie likes veterans.

18. John Fire Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Regarding TheDipsy’s comment about Mayberry… as good as he has been, he’s still only hitting .241 and he strikes out a bit too much. I think Donald (.370) and Giles make the team before Mayberry at this point. A shame, because I thought Mayberry’s right-handed power bat would be a great asset to this team. Still, looks like he might need a bit more seasoning…

19. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Yeah except John Mayberrys path to the majors isnt blocked. He will make the team out of ST to start the season as Jayson Werth will miss the seasons first few weeks. Mayberry will be the guy that plays during that time, not Jenkins. After that time when Werth is healthy Mayberry will stay on the team because they still need his RH bat. Hell still get some PT as the 4th outfielder. Jenkins is going to be traded IF they can trade him, otherwise hell be the 5th guy and stairs will be the odd man out.

    Are you seriuos though? Mayberrys smoking the ball right now…it would be retarded to deny this lineup that type of power from the right side of the plate…hes made the team.

    Also what are smoking that makes you want to trade Happ? You must mean Kendrick…

    And..for what? if they are packaged for a good player where are they going to play in this lineup? (crickets….) If its a reliever, still, unless they cut a few guys theres already a logjam of a competittion for the last few reliever spots…

    For a starter…nobodys going to trade a good young starter before ST is even over…thats insane…plus theyre cheap…so theyd be looking to unload a big contract on us…which the phllies cant afford because theyre at their limit already….so I dont see any major trades happening anytime soon…

    they wont trade happ or mayberry. theyll try and move jenkins, coste, and kendrick for some kind of value but not all in the same deal…

20. John Fire Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Kendrick’s done. 10 hits and 1 BB in 3+ IP. Yikes.

21. Jason B. Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Wow. IT’s almost as if he isn’t even trying. Now, although I know that’s not true, to a man, you gotta come up bigger than that when your livlihood is on the line. The worst part is, It was Kendricks spot to lose, and after today, I believe he may have lost it. He may need a no-hitter against the ‘27 Yankees to have a shot at this point.

22. Manny Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    We’ve all glorified Mayberry for his great spring, but isn’t Donald performing notably better? .370 average (don’t know how many at-bats though). Isn’t the right-handed bat we’re looking for supposed to be a contact hitter rather than a power hitter?

23. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Happ will get the 5th job…Carrasco got lit up over the weekend…Kendrick just got humilaited today..6 runs!

    But lets not delude ourselves…Kendrick has been giving up 3,4,5 runs all year last year (on average) and the year before…his WHIP blows…his ERA blows…the Phillies just scored a lot of runs behind him that allowed him to get the run…but hes not an effiecient pitcher at all…and he hasnt been. Hes had good starts, a few great starts, but on average hes a below average starting pitcher…4,5,6 runs is inexcuseable from a professional starting pitcher….

24. John Fire Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    Yep. Donald is killing it right now. He gets on base, he hustles… plus Manuel loves him. He seems to be a real scrappy kid. I think he makes this team.

25. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    If Happ isn’t going to be the 5th starter.. it wouldn’t be a bad idea to attempt to move him.

    He shouldn’t go back to AAA, he proved he belongs in the majors, so if Happ + ? could bring you something in reutrn (and its more useful than Happ in an unfamiliar bullpen role..) then why not look into it?

    All indications are its Happ or Park right now for the 5th spot, loser goes to the pen

26. Phan in TN Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    listening to game on MLB.TV

    feel bad for Kyle.

27. John Fire Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Kendrick’s final line: 3 IP / 10 H / 8 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / 2 HR / 1 BALK

    Donald is now 3-4 with a run scored, two singles and a double.

    Mayberry smacked another homer.

    Majewski got hit a bit in his 1 inning of work – 3 hits, 1 er (2 runs).

    Howard has an error and a strikeout (and a single, two ribbies) – needs a homer to complete the Howard.

28. Manny Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    KK: 8 ER in 3.0 IP.

    He just blew it.

29. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Well if Park pitches that well that he wins the 5th spot then you could trade happ + coste or jenkins (with eating some salary) for a better relief pitcher perhaps and some kind of compensatory B prospect that they have blocked….Id be ok with taht…I just would be absoltely stunned if Happ lost the 5th spot to Park…

30. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    8 ER in 3+ IP? damn…we can say it now….

    Seya Pal!

31. reddeath Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    you got to be crazy to try and trade mayberry and happ right now

32. TheDipsy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    Hey Geoff. This is the way a trade works: In order to get something you want, you have to be able to give another team something they want. Coste, Jenkins, and Kendrick together, and indidually, is/are dogshit. Nobody wants them. That said…..so WHEN is Mayberry going to play again? As the 4th outfielder. The “4th outfielder” on this team doesn’t play. Its Werth, Victorino, Ibanez. End of story. You wanna have him sit the bench and start once a week for Ibanez? If you wanted to keep Mayberry you would keep him in AAA. He’s not making the club. As for Happ, he’s pitching well. I like him some. But you can’t have three lefties in your starting rotation. Well, maybe you can in yours. They are players with value that don’t fit with your team right now. So what do you do with players like that……you try and trade them. You could trade them in a package for ohhh, ummm, another starting pitcher maybe. One thats actually good. OR for a third baseman for when Feliz goes down again. And he will go down. Backs don’t get better.

    The Dipsy

33. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Geoff, you need a new catch-phrase “see-ya pal” sounds too Home Alone-ish

34. MP Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Yeah Mayberry and Happ should stay. After this outing, and I hate to say it because KK was so promising, but he is done and I’m predicting the 5th spot is going to Happ.

35. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    I know how trades work…but why would you give up young cheap talent UNLESS Happ doesnt make the rotation…pal…actually m,ayberry isnt like most prospects. once they get to be 25 or so and they havent broken in yet…you get them whatever playing time you can if they are good enough for your team…but is antonio brown going to benefit from playing part time int he majors? absolutely not. With high-ceiling prospects you dont bring them up until theyre ready to be a full time player…with late bloomers like mayberry you just get them any big league PT that you can get them…you utiltize their talents. plus, i read that werth will miss the first 25 games of the season…so whos going to play that? jenkins…no.

    Feliz will go down but theyre not going to trade for his replacement ahead of time…and theyre up against the payroll…so unless youre talking about a young 3B who again wouldnt be available unless hes blocked and i cant think of one

    If Park wins then I can see them moving Happ. Kendrick and Coste have no value at all…so just get them out of here anyway you can…I just disagree with how these guys project to fit in. Mayberry is a guy who can contribute and I drather have a 4th outfielder who is good than someone like Jenkins…Happ seems better than Park

    But i find it very hard to beleive someone would trade a cheap young good starting pitcher this early

36. christopher Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    well as much as people were overreacting about kendrick’s performance against team USA… i don’t think it’s any overreaction that this was kendrick’s last chance at making the opening day roster. it’s a shame, i like the kid, but it’s time for him to retool his game.

    as for donald, doesn’t his high average come by virtue of few ABs so far? i remember a few games where he put up 0phers, not sure if they were VS WBC teams or what though.

37. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    The only reason people are down on Jenkins is because people thought he would hit 30 HRs last year (not sure why..he was always going to platoon)

    He plays good defense, he’s got good power.. he was front and center cheering on his teammates through the entire postseason, and never complained at all about his lack of playing time. He’s a professional, and I’d much rather see him in that 4th OF spot than a young prospect

    Mayberry would be much better suited playing everyday in AAA then he would sitting on our bench.. he played college ball, sometimes it takes those guys a few more years to get used to baseball as their “job”

38. TheDipsy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    Geoff. Okay. Honest disagreement. How old was Howard when they brought him up? If you believe that Mayberry has “fixed his swing” and is “keeping his head still” and his “hands quiet” and all that other hitting coach bs then perhaps now he has “blossomed”? If thats the case, what do you do with him? I would agree with you if this guy was just an old prospect who’s topped out but by all accounts this guy might be good. If that’s the case you can’t leave him on the bench. I have no problem starting him in right until Werth gets back. But if he plays well, then what do you do? Ya trade him or send him back to AAA. He might be too good to sit on the bench and not good enough to start. Sitting the bench would retard his progress.

    I hope for all of our sakes that Park does not win the 5th starter spot. If you really wantb a reality check, take a look at the 5 year averages for Moyer and Park. Eeesh. Ugly.

    The Dispy

39. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    I think Donald has played almost every game so far… and after the first like 6 or so he was under .200 …. I guess he’s been chipping away with some 2-hit games and getting that average up

    How many of those hits came against AA ballplayers and stuff though? Lets see what these guys do as starters go a little deeper into games, and if Donald can handle Halladay, Sabathia, Beckett, Lester, etc.. then maybe he deserves his shot on the roster..

    but we can’t go crazy with what these guys have done so far because that would be the same as the Braves going nuts because Clint Sammons hit two HRs today!!! (when in reality, they were off Kyle Kendrick, so its not all that impressive anymore)

40. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    If Park “WINS THE 5th STARTER SPOT”….. its because he out-pitched the others battling for the job.

    Its clear that its between him and Happ at this point.. and I’m pretty sure all of us are pulling for Happ to win it, but really, whoever will help the Phillies win more games is the guy I want with the ball to start every 5th game

41. Kev Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I love Geoff among other people saying “trade Kendrick, Coste, (Eaton when he was on the team), lol reality is, if we know they suck and don’t want them, what makes them appealing to other big league clubs? If your going to trade shit (KK, Coste), your going to get shit in return.

    I completely agree with The Dipsy, Happ and Mayberry are players with promise, who dont necessarily fit in with this ball club at the moment, so why not trade them? Maybe get a decent 3rd baseman, (Garret Atkins anybody??) Or another veteran right handed starter. Also, leave Mayberry on the bench in the BIGs, getting pinch hits and an occasional spot start, would hurt him in the long run, hes a young player who needs to see live pitching everyday, not once a week, hes not Dobbs or god damn Julio Franco.

    Basically, it makes me laugh how people think that we could trade KK and Coste for like a Jayson Werth type player (good, solid, fairly young player). Teams hope we make KK are 5th starter, so they can assault him every 5th day

42. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    I agree: If Park wins its because hes been pitching well so tahts ok with me…cant really get mad at them for that…

    Mayberry just needed a change of scenery, remember the Volquez-Hamilton trade? It was two guys that needed a chagne of scenery and it was mutually benefitical…Im not sayign Mayberry is remoptely anything like those guys but I view the Golson-Mayberry trade as a fair tradeoff. Mayberry was a guy who was blocked who had some upside but was struggling. Golson was kind of similar except he was liek Michael Bourn 2.0. and they got what they could get for him while they could get it…

    If Mayberry starts the season and is on fire then you hold onto him until Werth proves his health by playing some good baseball. THEN, you flip one of them for pitchign help after the all-star break. Whoever is playing better will stay. I liek Werth a lot and you cant lose your job to injury so when he comes back hell play, but if he struggles mayberry will be given a chance to take the job away. The outcome of that will determine what move is made, if there is one at all….

    I just kind of think its too early to tell…but hey, if they flip mayberry happ (if he loses the 5th spot) and coste or someone for some nasty Starting Pitcher that noone in their right mind would give up then hey, im ok with that…

43. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Dude, when did I say you could get a good player for kendrick & coste or ANY breathing person forf eaton? Youd be getting a filler B/C prospect at best for those guys…

44. Kev Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Why is everyone counting Werth out for opening night and the beginning of the season? Theirs 25 more days till the opener, im pretty confident that he will work out whatever is ailing him, and make it back healthy and ready for the title Offense.

45. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Also…MLB 09 The Show is awesome…too bad I only have like an hour or two a week tops to spend on videogames if at all. If i was still in college id be playing the heck out of that game…

46. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    If Mayberry went to Colorado… he would put on a show…

47. Kev Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Kendrick is awful, haha wow 8 ER against a poor, poor braves lineup, oh baby

48. CT Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    we should should hold onto Happ and not trade him. unless the magic of Jamie Moyer really is powered by some kind of fountain of youth, i don’t think he’s going to last forever. it would be nice to keep Happ around as a lefty SP to take Moyer’s spot once he’s gone/retires. you have to think about the future here. if he doesn’t get the 5th spot, i think keeping him in AAA as insurance for a possible Myers breakdown or some other SP need is a good idea.

49. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    Yeah he would…I get the impression if the Phillies were to acquire salary theyd have to move salary as part of the deal though…I sense that they wont want to spend much more than they are now…

    you think people will actually take jenkins salary? id be amazed if they did

50. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    another off-topic, Which roster would you guys rather have:

    A) Howard, Rollins, McCann / Webb, CC Sabathia, Joakim Soria (top 5 closer)

    OR

    B) Howard, Rollins, Pujols / Webb, Soria, Dice K

    I gain Pujols, but lose arguably the top Catcher… and lose of the best pitchers in Sabathia but get Dice K in return.

    I also have Ricky Nolasco, so I could go Webb, Dice K, Nolasco and have to then draft a Cathcer and RP..

    again, not trying to bore everyone.. just trying to see what baseball fans think about these guys

51. BurrGundy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Kendrick is young and has pitched well his first year. He needs another out pitch and to improve his change-up, Remember Gavin Floyd? Everyone here, including me, gave up on him because of his head. He’s now the #1 for the White Sox. I am not saying that Kendrick has the same stuff, but he has a chance of being a decent starter. It would be perfect for AAA and that would make him hungry for the majors and give him the needed time to develop. Also, he would not bring us much in a trade — perhaps a Brandon Duckworth.

52. Keystone Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Donald has 29 AB’s this ST second only to Mayberry’s 31 for the phils. So he’s seen a lot of pitching so far. I know its still early but he’s making a good case.

53. Geoff Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    The difference is Gavin Floyd throws 95 mph heaters…kendrick has a jello arm.

54. Kev Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    and a nasty 12-6 curve, nasty

55. Don M Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Jenkins is here to stay, unless Mayberry hits .500 with 15 HRs for the spring..

    Paulino isn’t tearing the cover off the ball, which means Coste is still in the mix.

56. Kev Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    I like to see donald make the team, but where is he going to play? I think everyone is confident that Utley will be ready before the opener. Can he play 3rd?

57. CT Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I think they’ve been giving Donald some time at 3rd during ST

58. Greg Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Question for Dipsy:
    Why can’t you have 3 lefties in the rotation?

59. CT Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    I agree with Greg. why not? if you have a guy capable of getting batters out no matter what side of the plate they’re on, then who cares?

60. The Dipsy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    Answer for Greg. Most batters are right handed.

61. The Dipsy Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    If Jason Werth is going to be out a while, then I would love to see Mayberry out there. And it really sets the lineup.

    Against lefties:

    Rollins
    Victorino
    Utley
    Howard
    Mayberry
    Ibanez
    Feliz
    Ruiz

    The Dipsy

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