Phillies Nation

Photos from St. Paddy’s Day Tailgate

Posted by Brian Michael, Sat, March 20, 2010 12:54 PM

When the calendar hits March 17, you know it’s time for another Phillies Nation St. Paddy’s Day tailgate party. The skies were grey prior to the Phillies-Yankees game at Bright House Network Field in Clearwater, but that didn’t dampen the our spirits – that job was reserved for Guinness and Yuengling.

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Total WAR Project, Part IX: Boston Red Sox

Posted by Paul Boye, Thu, March 18, 2010 05:00 PM

The Total WAR Project is a series of posts that analyzes the closest competition facing the Phillies in 2010. The posts use Wins Above Replacement, a metric designed to use offensive and defensive production within a single stat. You can check out the rest of the teams in our series here.

Wednesday, I previewed the Red Sox as part of the A.L. East and league preview. Really, this is a team that would be the odds-on favorite to win any other division in the game. They have excellent pitching, a fan base that takes over nearly every visiting park and a patient offense that will put plenty of runners on base.

Ah, but they rue this day, for they must contend with those omnipotent Yankees not only 18 times a year, but in the race for a division title, as well. This is hardly an enviable position. Fortunately for Boston, the wild card provides a bit of a security blanket. Many would pencil the Red Sox in for a playoff spot right now, but with games to be played, all we can do is see just how good they might be, and wonder if they could truly contend for a seemingly locked-up division title.

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American League East Preview

Posted by Paul Boye, Wed, March 17, 2010 08:30 PM

The American League East is the toughest, most talented division in baseball. There really isn’t even a close competitor. The Yankees, after providing the rest of baseball with a brief respite from appearing in the postseason, restocked their team with multiple marquee free agents and stormed through the playoffs, only to lose to the Phillies in the World Series.

Nice thought, right?

The Red Sox feature a patient, talented offense and powerful pitching staff. The Rays are young, improving and graduating a number of high draft picks almost regularly. The Orioles sport some talented hitters and an arsenal of prospect starters nearly ready to try and alter the balance of power in the division. The Blue Jays, while clearly not in contention this year, have restocked their farm with solid prospects on a team that could already compete for the N.L. wild card.

The 2009 Season

New York Yankees (103-59, 1st)

It sort of leaves a bitter taste in the mouth to say it, but no team uses the current economic situation in baseball to its advantage better than the Yankees. A team with an impossibly large revenue stream in a league with no salary cap is a recipe for success, and the Yankees have, essentially, been a perennial powerhouse forever. They signed Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia out of free agency and won their 27th title. It’s no accident; good players means a good team.

So, of course, like any good team, the Yankees made improvements to a team that, even if left alone, would have been a favorite to repeat in 2010. They traded for Curtis Granderson. They signed Nick Johnson. They traded for Javier Vazquez. They retained superprospect Jesus Montero in spite of all that wheeling and dealing. And at the end of the day, they’re an even heavier favorite to emerge from the American League once more.

The only hope for the anti-Yankee is that this team is aging and their pitching is a bit suspect (except for that Rivera dude). Unfortunately, no one has really shown any signs of slowing down, so at least for 2010, it appears age won’t really be a problem.

The pitching is pretty good. The offense is unbelievable. The Yankees are a true force.

Boston Red Sox (95-67, 2nd)

If you’re going to face this team, try to catch them in your home park or they’ll bludgeon you. Hitting a combined .284/.365/.498 at Fenway, as opposed to a more middling .257/.340/.414 on the road, the Red Sox hitter have a true home field advantage. Pitchers also performed better at Fenway – at least in terms of ERA – by more than half a run. In any other division, the Red Sox were division champions in 2009.

Instead, they get the glorious designation of having to play second fiddle to the Yankees once more. That isn’t to say they’re acting like subordinates, though; the Sox made plenty of moves of their own in an effort to keep pace with New York. Bringing in Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron and John Lackey should help, and with a pitching staff superior to New York’s and an offense that can swat a few baseballs in its own right, the Red Sox are an excellent team.

Tampa Bay Rays (84-78, 3rd)

Winning 84 games in this division is quite the feat, even if missing the playoffs is a disappointing result for the 2008 A.L. Champs. Finally reaping the rewards of high draft picks accumulated from years upon years of losing baseball, the Rays have shaped a young, talented nucleus into a winning team, yet still find themselves at a disadvantage.

The Rays ranked second in all of baseball in team WAR in 2009 – behind only those pesky Yankees – at 34.4, nearly five wins ahead of third-place Anaheim. The bulk of that came on the shoulders of breakout star Ben Zobrist, who put together a wonderful season that didn’t garner nearly the attention it deserved.

Behind Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and Zobrist, the Rays have a bumper crop of young pitchers looking to move into their primes. They also added Rafael Soriano to bolster an already tough bullpen. Like the Red Sox, the Rays would be a definite division title contender anywhere else, but such is their lot in this life.

Toronto Blue Jays (75-87, 4th)

Roy Halladay is gone, Alex Rios is gone and Vernon Wells has a franchise-hamstringing contract. Scott Rolen was traded, and lame duck G.M. J.P. Ricciardi was canned. Things are not looking bright for Toronto in 2010, but some shrewd trading from new G.M. Alex Anthopolous and top prospect graduation has the offense at least featuring a couple bright spots in Adam Lind and Aaron Hill. Former Philly prospect Kyle Drabek could contribute at the M.L. level as soon as this season, and newly-acquired Brett Wallace could see time at third and first this season.

There is a core taking shape, but Toronto is still some ways – and years –  away from making serious noise in this division. Keep an eye on Travis Snider, a LF/1B/DH type who is only 22 and projects to have a big, powerful bat. He and Lind should form a powerful punch in the middle of the Toronto order for years, hopefully for long enough to allow a competitive core to mature around them.

Baltimore Orioles (64-98, 5th)

Oh, there is a light on that horizon. Nick Markakis is a solid hitter, Adam Jones is a budding superstar – revisit that Erik Bedard trade with Seattle sometime, and marvel at that horde of talent Baltimore pilfered from the unknowing hands on former Ms GM Bill Bavasi – and three stud prospect starters are inching ever closer to the Majors.

Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta have the potential to be the next “Big Three” of starters, in the ilk of bygone days of Zito/Hudson/Mulder  in Oakland. With Tillman already on the roster, Arrieta and Matusz aren’t far behind. Expect the Orioles to catch a few people by surprise this year, but don’t expect a winning season. They just aren’t quite at that point. Yet.

Predicted Standings

Now, to wrap up the American League, each writer was surveyed for their projected playoff results and league awards, as well as highlighting a player to keep an eye on that you may not already pay a great deal of attention to. With that, the prognosticating begins!

Playoff Predictions

Michael Baumann

Red Sox over Twins
Yankees over Mariners

Yankees over Red Sox

Paul Boye

Yankees over Twins
Rangers over Red Sox

Yankees over Rangers

Pat Gallen

Red Sox over Twins
Rangers over Yankees

Red Sox over Rangers

Amanda Orr

Red Sox over Twins
Yankees over Mariners

Yankees Over Red Sox

Corey Seidman

Yankees over Mariners
Angels over Twins

Yankees over Angels

Nick Staskin

Yankees over White Sox
Red Sox over Mariners

Red Sox over Yankees

American League Awards

Michael Baumann

MVP: Mark Teixeira, NYY
Cy Young: Justin Verlander, DET
Rookie of the Year: Chris “Disco” Hayes, KCR or Brett Wallace, TOR
Player to Watch: Ben Zobrist, TB

Paul Boye

MVP: Evan Longoria, TB
Cy Young: Jon Lester, BOS
Rookie of the Year: Brian Matusz, BAL
Player to Watch: Denard Span, MIN

Pat Gallen

MVP: Kevin Youkilis, BOS
Cy Young: Jon Lester, BOS
Rookie of the Year: Austin Jackson, DET
Player to Watch: Gordon Beckham, CWS

Amanda Orr

MVP: Alex Rodriguez, NYY
Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, SEA
Rookie of the Year: Brian Matusz, BAL
Player to Watch: Max Scherzer, DET

Corey Seidman

MVP: Evan Longoria, TB
Cy Young: Jon Lester, BOS
Players to Watch: Matt Wieters, BAL and John Lackey, LAA

Nick Staskin

MVP: Alex Rodriguez, NYY
Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, SEA
Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz, TEX
Player to Watch: Cliff Lee (who?), SEA

—

That finishes off our preview of the Junior Circuit. Team-by-team previews for the National League start soon, starting with those in the N.L. West.

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Cliff Lee Suspended

Posted by Corey Seidman, Wed, March 17, 2010 05:16 PM

Mariners lefty Cliff Lee has been suspended for the first five games of the 2010 regular season for throwing at Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder in a March 15th Spring Training game. Lee will likely appeal the suspension.

See? We SHOULDN’T have kept him! Ed Price of FanHouse.com broke the news on Twitter.

This raises an interesting debate: should beanballs in Spring Training result in regular season suspensions?

In a mini-conversation with Matthew Leach, Cardinals beat reporter for MLB.com, Leach raised a valid point, arguing that concussions in March are the same as they are in June. He noted that if the suspension is for the commission of a dangerous act, the act itself is just as dangerous in Spring Training as it is in the regular season. I’d love to see your opinions on this.

The question I posed to Leach was, if Lee can be suspended for hitting Chris Snyder, why wasn’t Barry Zito suspended for hitting Prince Fielder in Fielder’s first Spring Training at-bat? Sure, the pitch was aimed at Synder’s head, while Fielder was hit in the back with an offspeed pitch, but pre-meditation is pre-meditation regardless of the speed or location of the pitch.

If MLB truly cares about preventing pre-meditated beanballs, ban them all, not some. That sets an absurdly weak precedent.

Once again, sound off in the comments section.

Ron Washington = Tyrone Biggums?

In other AL West news, Rangers manager Ron Washington, who looks like a 70s porn version of Dave Chappelle, reportedly tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season, leading fans to ask, “managers get tested too?”

Washington will remain the Rangers manager as of now, but common sense would dictate that if the Rangers are struggling by the midpoint of the season, he’ll be shown the door. Imagine if you found out your teacher or boss tested positive for cocaine. Wouldn’t it be, I don’t know, hard to listen to anything they say?

(For those that didn’t understand the reference, Tyrone Biggums was a character from Chappelle’s Show.)

Phils Beat Yankees

The Phillies beat the Yankees 6-2 today, in case anybody cares about meaningless games in March. Jayson Werth went 2-for-3 with a jimmy-jack and three stakes. (If you were born after 1910, this means a homer and three RBI.) Here’s a video from the game to make you jealous.

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Internal Discussions

Posted by Michael Baumann, Wed, March 17, 2010 03:22 PM

I play sports video games a lot. Malcolm Gladwell wrote in Outliers that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become truly great at something, and I think I’m there with EA’s FIFA series. But what I like more than the gameplay itself is managing the team and making roster moves.

With all this Ryan Howard-to-the-Cardinals-for-Albert Pujols nonsense going on this week, I think it’d be fun to ask for some submissions from the audience on the following: Let’s say you suddenly become empowered with the ability to possess (like a demon) another human being’s body, and you now control Ruben Amaro, Jr.’s consciousness. I wouldn’t stay long because he’s a pescatarian and I’d need to stop out for a burger, but you get the idea. What trades do you pull off? Here are some ground rules:

1) It has to be something that would actually be accepted by the other team. Much as I’d like to trade Kyle Kendrick and Juan Castro to the Nationals for Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats wouldn’t accept that trade.

2) It has to keep the Phillies competitive in 2010 without completely blowing up the future, and vice-versa.

3) Salary matters. You can get a big contract, but you have to dump some salary in return or get someone who would sell enough jerseys to pay for an eight-figure salary.

4) No one’s untouchable. Now’s the time to indulge those Utley-for-David Wright fantasies you’ve always had.

5) And before some smartass thinks this up, no undoing the Cliff Lee trade.

My suggestions, if you care, are after the jump.

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The Gods Must Be Lazy: Buster & Stephen A.

Posted by Corey Seidman, Wed, March 17, 2010 01:59 AM

Pat Gallen wrote a well-argued post Tuesday outlining the legitimacy behind the reporting of a potential Ryan Howard-for-Albert Pujols trade, despite the unlikelihood of the deal itself. While Pat and I have all the respect in the world for each other, our outlooks on this subject happen to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.

All of the reasoning in the world cannot lead me to believe that this front-page headline on ESPN.com was anything but a way to generate baseball traffic on an otherwise slow news day.

We all know the background: Buster Olney reported early Sunday morning that the Phillies were “internally discussing a swap of Howard and Pujols.” Internally discussing. Verbatim. Take a brief moment and ask yourself how YOU would define the phrase “internally discussing.”

I’ll offer my interpretation: it means either A) a source informed Olney or B) he heard – with his own ears – two or more members of the Phillies organization utter the words “Howard,” “Pujols,” and “trade,” in the same sentence. I don’t believe Olney reached for his quill and wrote a piece of fiction – after all, he is the face of ESPN.com baseball, for better or for worse.

ESPN has standards. They don’t turn rumors into front page headlines and they don’t confuse hearsay with gospel. Recently, they have refrained from participating in the “breaking news race,” preferring instead to accumulate a full, detailed story. Websites such as MLBTradeRumors and HoopsHype provide quicker transaction information, and non-ESPNers like Ken Rosenthal, Jon Heyman, Bob Glauber, et al. often break stories before a member of the worldwide leader adds their two cents. Some stories are directly posted from the Associated Press wire, but not before fact-checking is done.

It is important to make note of ESPN’s journalistic standards because these standards are why this story was so strange – it was completely out of character.

What is an “internal discussion?” Why wasn’t it clearly defined so that every reader could fully comprehend what they were looking at – that is, after reaching down to pick up their jaw? Why was a line like “it is unclear whether the Phillies have contacted the Cardinals about such a trade,” glossed over so quickly that it could easily have been missed? Why was such a dynamic, earth-shattering, game-changing topic reported so sloppily, with little clarification or explanation?

The answer to all of these queries: it was written lazily because it was a lazy story. It had no legs.

Olney could unscathingly get himself off the hook by saying “I heard two members of the Phillies brass discuss this trade,” or “A trusted source informed me that word was spreading around the office of a potential Howard-for-Pujols blockbuster.” Olney could shield himself with either of those comments and none of us would have much to gain from asking a follow-up.

As I wrote on Twitter, the actual members of the Phillies organization that were discussing this trade could have been Ruben Amaro and one or more of his trusted colleagues, but it just as easily could have been Mick Billmeyer and a bullpen catcher engaging in a conversation of, “Hey, that Pujols is gonna be a free agent after next season. Cards might be willing to move ‘em. Think Howard would entice ‘em?”

Another problem with this story is that it sets a terrible precedent. As many baseball scribes and analysts have noted the past few days, discussions such as these take place all the time. I’ll further this point by adding that Pujols in unquestionably, undeniably better than Ryan Howard. It is not close.

Sure, Howard goes through scorching stretches and makes the monster numbers of other power hitters look like friendly ghosts, but Albert Pujols is the best offensive player in one of the toughest eras in the history of Major League Baseball. If I knew it wouldn’t take away from the overall point of this article – which is bad journalism from the professionals – I would declare right here that Pujols is the best baseball player of all time.

(Why? Because, just like every other sport, baseball features more athleticism, tutelage, and talent now (as a whole) than it ever has. The post-steroid era has been the most offensively impressive clean era the game has ever seen, and Pujols has stuck out – just as he would had he played in the 1920’s, 1950’s, or 1980’s. We can discuss this more another day, but suffice to say, Pujols is a mega-talent. If Ryan Howard’s a 9 out of 10, Pujols is a 14 out of 10.)

Back to the topic-at-hand. If these discussions take place all of the time, and Pujols is better than Howard, does that mean that we’re going to be subject to stories like “Skip Schumaker for Utley?” or “Is Happ Enough for King Felix?” or “Mathieson for Greinke?” Yes, these are exaggerations, but they are being made to illustrate the point that OF COURSE the Phillies would internally discuss Howard-for-Pujols, whether it was an in-depth meeting or one sentence from Mick Billmeyer. Of course the fantasy would be imagined.

Any of us who has ever played any baseball video game has packaged a role player and a minor leaguer for a superstar, or turned a stud into a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer. Do those scenarios deserve their own articles, from the Worldwide Leader in Sports, no less?

…

Stephen A. Smith broke the story about Allen Iverson ten months after Smith was fired by ESPN. He was able to re-obtain his old job with the Philadelphia Inquirer some time later, but the former shouting-head was nowhere near as visible or relevant as he had become accustomed to. The article demeaned Iverson’s lifestyle, effectively tarnishing what was left of the controversial guard’s reputation.

Smith cited one piece of evidence.

The use of one piece of evidence in damaging an athlete’s reputation is suspect enough, but news quietly began to seep out that Smith’s evidence was either exaggerated or completely false.

The evidence for Iverson’s CURRENT chronic alcoholism and addiction to gambling was that Iverson was “banned from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City.” Just as the uncertainty of the Phillies approaching the Cardinals about a Howard-for-Pujols deal was not expanded upon, the nature of this or these “ban(s)” represented an extremely important piece of information, central to its article’s point, that offered no further explanation or clarification.

Which casinos? What kind of ban? What exactly did he do that resulted in a ban? When did this ban take place?

Sure enough, many NBA athletes and writers close to the situation later reported that the “bans” were blown out of proportion and that Iverson’s days of drinking and gambling were tame compared to what they had been in the past. They asked why, if Smith felt this was so newsworthy, did he not report on it years earlier, when Iverson was actually living on the edge of the precipice?

Most importantly, the widespread claim became that Iverson was not, in fact, officially banned from either casino.

When faced with this, Smith responded (paraphrasing) that Iverson was in casinos and bars everyday and owners of these establishments were expressing concern to the teams in those respective cities. That rebutall had “backtrack” written all over it.

Extremely famous worldwide sportswriter. One piece of exaggerated evidence. Lead story on ESPN.com.

Here is where I should note that Smith’s article effectively boosted him back into the spotlight, back into the mainstream, back into relevance. Now, we all remember that Stephen A. Smith exists, even if it turns out someday that his story was exaggerated or unfounded. Great work.

…

Buster Olney was probably telling the truth. Stephen A. Smith’s story probably had a hint of truth in it as well. But neither did enough research. Neither provided enough background information and explanation for his respective sensational story. Both were front-page material but both lacked actual substance.

Other than the author’s laziness, the stories of Allen Iverson’s spiraling decay and an exchange of the aforementioned sluggers have another thing in common: they’ve both been beaten, bludgeoned, and bloodied. Nobody wants to hear talk of either story ever again. But, ironically enough, the true story in each has been missed.

These aren’t tales of fast-living athletes and blockbuster trades. They are stories of two professional writers retreating to levels beneath them as men-of-the-pen.

I, and many of my fellow “non-professional” writers (sorry, I loathe the term “blogger,”) will likely never reach the stature of a Buster Olney or a Stephen A. Smith. Jealousy didn’t write this article.

Ethics did.

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Photos from Today’s Phillies-Tigers Game

Posted by Brian Michael, Tue, March 16, 2010 07:28 PM

Here are more photos from this afternoon’s Spring Training game between the Phillies and Tigers. The Phillies pitching (during “A” games) continues to look strong, as does top prospect Domonic Brown. So with a sunny day, the beautiful backdrop of Bright House Networks Field (without question the finest ballpark in either Spring league), a semi-fancy camera and our favorite Phillie stars, it’s hard to take a bad picture.

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Howard/Pujols Not Just Another Trade Rumor

Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, March 16, 2010 09:14 AM

The consensus surrounding the Ryan Howard/Albert Pujols trade rumors is that it’s a non-issue.  Teams talk like this all the time – and they should because attempting to wrangle in the best players in baseball is the focal point of any organization.  The Phillies brass are merely looking at all possibilities regarding their payroll-inflated roster that is sure to keep rising if another move isn’t made.  But this move reaches a different level.  Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols may be a pipe dream – and it sure as hell is being beaten like a dead horse – but it’s still not something that is discussed everyday.

I don’t pretend to know everything about the inner-workings of a baseball club, but conversations like this one can’t take place as often as prevailing wisdom says.  Are the Kansas City Royals huddled in Kauffman Stadium mapping out a way to steal Alex Rodriguez from the Yankees?  Should the Pittsburgh Pirates be scouting David Wright because they can make a play for him?  This type of thinking is reserved for only a handful of franchises.  The Phillies happen to be one.

The thought process behind this deal is not as laughable as one would think.  The non-issue is that there is a 99.8% chance it will not happen.  St. Louis would burn to the ground if Pujols were to be traded well in advance of his contract ending.  To slam the writer of this rumor, ESPN’s Buster Olney, is also a mistake. The guy is simply doing his job, and if that means wrestle up more hits by using two of the biggest names in sports, then so be it.

On the surface, this would seem like a ridiculous trade, however, the Phillies are attempting to find a soft spot in the Cardinals organization.  It’s impossible to tell how deep the discussions became regarding such a blockbuster, but the fact is, the Cardinals are going to have a hard time affording the mammoth contract Pujols will likely garner in free-agency a few years down the road.

You can’t blame the Phillies for “talking” about this.  Also remember that the Phillies are one of the few teams that could actually pull off this type of deal.  Maybe not this exact trade, but they have the resources to make big moves, which not all teams do.  That’s what sets this rumor apart from the rest.

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Photos from Phillies Spring Training

Posted by Brian Michael, Mon, March 15, 2010 05:50 PM

Here are a bunch of photos – including a few dozen of Roy Halladay – from today’s Phillies-Pirates Grapefruit League action in Bradenton, FL. A quick summary of the game: Halladay looked solid even though he gave up his first run of the Spring; Placido Polanco sprained his knee after attempting to catch a pop-up in the swirling winds behind the mound; Cody Ransom hit a solo shot to center and played well in Polanco’s absence; Phillies won 5-1.

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Buster Olney on 97.3 ESPN FM

Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, March 15, 2010 03:30 PM

ESPN’s Buster Olney joined The Sports Bash with Mike Gill today to talk about the reported “internal discussions” the Phillies are having regarding Albert Pujols.

Olney says the Phils are talking amongst themselves – and has reiterated that they have not talked to St. Louis – as they figure out if they can pry Albert Pujols away from the Cards for Ryan Howard.  The Phillies first baseman is a St. Louis native, but Pujols is their native son, so a trade of this magnitude is unlikely to occur.

Listen to the entire Buster Olney interview:  Buster Olney on 97.3 ESPN FM

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The Dip: Roll Call

Posted by The Dipsy, Mon, March 15, 2010 07:13 AM

Dave Bancroft, Travis Jackson, Bobby Wallace, and John Ward. No, this is not a list of NASCAR drivers. It is a list of men who have played shortstop in the major leagues and have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Suffice it to say, these guys don’t evoke the grandeur and prestige (tongue firmly in cheek) of that hallowed institution. This is one important reason why Jimmy Rollins, if he continues at pace for another 3-5 years, will go into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Not only that, but he has a chance at being considered one of the greatest shortstops of all time.

Sure, maybe I’m not giving the above-mentioned individuals enough credit, but if they were really that great, I would have at least heard of them before I actually looked at the list of actual Hall of Fame shortstops. I am one of those guys that really don’t take baseball before Babe Ruth that seriously. Further, I don’t really consider the truly “modern era” of baseball to have begun until Jackie Robinson broke in. Even so, as it pertains to this discussion, I cannot dispute that Honus Wagner was just incredible and stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. With the way he hit, he could have been a butcher in the field and it wouldn’t have mattered.

The shortstops in the Hall can be sorted into groups.

1. The guys that played when dinosaurs roamed the earth: Bancroft, Jackson, Wallace, Ward, Hughie Jennings, Rabbit Maranville, and Joe Tinker (check his stats when you get a chance).
2. Guys who got in mostly through their association with great teams: Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Loe Boudreau
3. The truly deserving: Joe Cronin, Arky Vaughn, Luke Appling, Robin Yount
4. The truly great: Wagner, Luis Aparicio, Cal Ripken, Jr., Ernie Banks, and Ozzie Smith

Now you have some context. Jimmy Rollins, during is first ten seasons in the league, has led the league in AB’s and triples four times, won three Gold Gloves (the beginning of a string I suspect), won one MVP and one World Series. He has averaged out of the lead-off spot, 660 AB’s (wow), 105 runs (wow again), and 36 stolen bases while hitting .274. There is no better defensive shortstop in the game. If this caliber of play continues it would take him right over the “truly deserving” category and into the “truly great”.

Of the shortstops currently in the Hall I would take three – and only three – before Jimmy: Honus Wagner, Ozzie Smith, and Luis Aparicio. Aparicio, was a World Series winner, 10 time all-star, 9 time Gold Glove winner, and led the AL in steals 9 straight years (bet you didn’t know that). He was the first state of the art modern day shortstop and an incredible fielder. Ernie Banks only played half his career at shortstop, and if not for that, he would be there with the other three. If you compare Ripken and Jimmy, I’ll take Jimmy’s total offensive game over Ripken’s power. In the field, Cal would catch any ball he could get his hands on, and so can Jimmy. The difference is that Jimmy gets his hands on more balls.

Yes, the roster of Hall of Fame shortstops is not reflective of superior offensive prowess, with shortstop being a defense-first position. Jimmy has more years left to play and hopefully another World Series or two to win. He is a phenomenal two way player who’s biggest sin is not walking more. While Phillies fans tend to be more agog these days over Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, let this little write up serve as a reminder of how good we’ve got it at shortstop. We may actually be in the presence of greatness. Jimmy Rollins is that good.

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Kendrick Fires Another Gem; Howard to STL?

Posted by Pat Gallen, Sun, March 14, 2010 05:03 PM

First things first, Kyle Kendrick was once again spectacular in his third spring outing.  He tossed four brilliant innings, allowing just two hits, although he did not strike anyone out, which is cause for some concern. The one number that sticks out is the zero runs allowed thus far.  KK is certainly making the coaching staff think twice about inserting Jamie Moyer in the fifth starter spot.  And even if Moyer is given that opportunity to begin the season, Kendrick is proving to be a legit fallback option should the elder statesman falter.

The Phillies lost today, 4-3 to the Orioles.  Drew Carpenter pitched three strong out of the pen, giving up one run while striking out five.  However, Sergio Escalona continues to allow baserunners at an alarming rate.  The lefty allowed three earned runs and four hits in one inning or work. Not good for a guy trying to stick as another lefty in the big league bullpen.

Now, onto the fascinating/crazy trade talk provided by ESPN’s Buster Olney.  He reported today that the Phillies discussed internally a trade that would send Ryan Howard to St. Louis for Albert Pujols. In no way does this mean a trade was talked about between the two clubs, rather, it seems as though the Phils brass has at least thought about sending an offer to the Cardinals.

Doubtful.  There’s no way the Cardinals trade the greatest hitter in baseball and the face of an entire town. Even if they were blown away by an offer that included multiple top prospects, I still don’t think John Mozeliak pulls the trigger.  The shockwave would be too much to handle in a city that lives and breathes baseball on an even higher level than Philly.  Kind of cool to think about such a blockbuster, but i’d put it at about one in a million.

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Fifth Starter? Not Important Now

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, March 13, 2010 06:33 PM

The loneliest time for any human being? That hour you have to wait for AAA to help change your flat tire.

Look, I’m no tire expert. Dad didn’t wheel me under the 1988 Ford Escort – which I remember most for its front license plate: the old-school Phillies typography and a cartoon Phanatic. My hands never knew oil or sludge and I for years, I couldn’t tell a monkey wrench from an Allen wrench. Horrible, but true. So when I find a deflated tire on my car, I call the pros – the guys who might appreciate that Escort more for its strange hum than its childish license plate.

During that hour waiting for AAA, I started thinking about numerous things, chief among them the Phillies fifth-starter competition. It’s truly the only competitive battle ongoing in spring training. Bullpen entrants will be left up to chance; if Brad Lidge can convince the managerial crew that his knee is elastic, his arm is fantastic and his head isn’t spastic, he’ll be slinging sliders in the ninth inning by opening day. That will eliminate a job for Antonio Bastardo or – shudder – Ryan Vogelsong. But the winner of the fifth starter competition will truly be victorious: He’ll get an opportunity to pitch major innings for one-fifth of the National League champion’s season. The loser? Maybe the bullpen. Maybe Lehigh Valley, where he’ll likely be shagging balls with Vogelsong. Seriously, Vogelsong.

Fifth starter. It’s one of the common buzz terms of spring. Every team seeks a fifth starter. They sign a couple retreads, hand a cookie to a prospect and assure a veteran slop-thrower that he is not completely secure in his position. And some kid who’s already tasted the sour juices of major league rejection gets a lemony shot at redemption. Jamie Moyer is that veteran. Kyle Kendrick is that kid.

Then you add ingredients. Moyer is the $8 million reason the Phillies aren’t shuttling out an all-universe rotation in 2009, led by the studious duo of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, backed by the feisty Cole Hamels and rock-solid Joe Blanton and JA Happ. Because of Moyer and his inability to leave a game he says to love more than flank steak, the Phillies opted to refill the system, swallow the pills and hope that the National League still can’t figure out the wicked combination of 74 MPH curveball and 81 MPH changeup. Needless to say, the preferred exit was with the Clydesdales and Pat Burrell.

Kendrick had his chances. He broke through in the wacky 2007 season, when the National League failed enough to let a bullpen co-led by Antonio Alfonseca reach the postseason. Kendrick’s fastball-sinker routine won some games, then got tired, then stunk. His head blew up. He moved to Allentown. Now he has gained a changeup, a “sick” cutter (always believe a 30-something female ex-”Survivor” contestant) and the tutelage of Halladay, the coffee-slurping breaking-ball king who plows through the elliptical for breakfast.

On one end: The old guy who doesn’t know how to leave. On the other end: The hungry youngster with the greatest teacher in pitching land.

I know who I’m taking.

But that’s not the point. It’s the fifth-starter competition. The winner has the opportunity to start one-fifth of the Phillies games, but will he? Tough to call. For help, let’s run through the names of 2009 Phillies starting pitchers:

Joe Blanton, Cole Hamels, JA Happ, Cliff Lee, Chan Ho Park, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Pedro Martinez, Andrew Carpenter, Rodrigo Lopez, Antonio Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick.

The Phillies used 12 starters in 2009; only two of the five pitchers who started the season on the rotation ended the season on the rotation (Blanton, Hamels). Durability is a key. The ability to pitch solidly is the other key. Not a key? The ability to pitch well in March, when hitters are working on their timing and managers are shuffling lineups every three innings. Take, for example, Mr. Park.

Park’s spring 2009 numbers would have made Lee or Halladay blush: 21.1 IP / 6 ER / 20 H / 25 K / 2 BB / 2.53 ERA. He translated that to the 2009 season, where right out of the gate, he showed his true colors: 3.1 IP / 5 ER / 7 H / 2 K / 3 BB / 10.38 ERA. While he improved from there, he wasn’t an effective starter, leaving the rotation for the man who lost that 2009 spring battle, Happ. That kid only ran through the National League, barely missing a Rookie of the Year award despite a sub-3.00 ERA. Today, Happ is entrenched in the Phillies 2010 rotation; Park, meanwhile, is trying desperately to win a starting job with the New York Yankees.

What 2009 showed is however strong a man can pitch in March, it won’t mean much once the calendar turns to April. Moreover, you have to look at the big picture. Park was obviously effective as a reliever with the 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers; in 2009, he again showed his worth as a reliever, a man who can turn all his pitches up to 11 for one or two innings, instead of pacing himself for six or seven.

The problem here, is that in 2009, Kendrick barely showed enough to prove he can last six or seven consistently against National League offenses, while Moyer has proven that at least enough to give him a decided advantage in the fifth-starter competition. The good thing, though, is that the Phillies won’t use just five starters in 2010. Someone will get sore or injured. Someone won’t pitch well enough to hold his job. There might be a trade. Anything and everything can and probably will happen – the joy of a baseball season.

This is why when I waited for that AAA-certified auto-repair man, I realized there wasn’t much of a competition for fifth starter. With all likelihood, Moyer will start in April for the Phillies alongside Halladay, Hamels, Blanton and Happ. But Kendrick – wh0 has pitched quite well so far this spring – is the next guy in the ready. He’ll be starting by May or June, when he can prove himself worthy of facing and defeating National League hitting. If he can do that, he won’t find the same fate that found Andrew Carpenter, Rodrigo Lopez and Antonio Bastardo. Instead, he’ll be starting the important games in September 2010, maybe with the division on the line, maybe with 40,000-plus red-clad radicals throwing their towels around and screaming like banshees.

Oh, yeah, he did that last year.

It’s likely he’ll be there again this year, but he won’t prove it in March.

Tim Malcolm is a former regular writer at Phillies Nation. He’ll write once in a while to talk Phillies. He also writes a once-in-a-while scribe of the 2010 Phillies at Pheel! The 2010 Philadelphia Phillies.

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Odds & Ends and Gameday: Twins at Phillies

Posted by Amanda Orr, Sat, March 13, 2010 12:41 PM

With the rain pushing back J.A Happ’s start, the Phillies altered their rotation for the week. On Monday, Roy Halladay will start and Jamie Moyer will pitch in a B game. Cole Hamels will pitch on Tuesday, Joe Blanton Wednesday, Kyle Kendrick Friday, and Halladay on Saturday. The Phillies have off on Thursday, when Happ will throw again.

Happ will start in today’s game against the Minnesota Twins.  It can be seen on MYPHL 17 and MLB Network at 1:00 p.m.  Carl Pavano will take the hill for the Twins. 

The Twins lineup will consist of almost all regulars, except Joe Mauer: Denard Span, Orlando Hudson, Justin Morneau, Jim Thome, Michael Cuddyer, Wilson Ramos, Delmon Young, J.J Hardy and Nick Punto.

For the Phillies, all the regulars are in the lineup for the first time this spring: Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco, and Carlos Ruiz.

Here’s your odds and ends for the day:

-Phillippe Aumont, Yohan Flande, Scott Mathieson, Drew Naylor, J.C Ramirez, Jesus Sanchez, Joe Savery, Bill White, Tuffy Gosewisch, Kevin Nelson, John Suomi, Freddy Galvis, Quentin Berry and Tyson Gillies have all been re-assigned to minor league camp.

Scott Matheison is the most surprising name on the list. Ruben Amaro said that Matheison could appear in the big leagues in 2010, but also said that he needed to “refine” his secondary pitches.

-It is still uncertain if J.C Romero and Brad Lidge will be ready by April 5. Romero says not to count him out for Opening Day, although it appears to be a long shot at this point.

Romero threw 30 pitches yesterday, and mixed in a few changeups. Romero will start throwing sliders tomorrow.

Today, Lidge threw to a few hitters. On Monday, Lidge will likely throw in a minor league game.  Both Lidge and Romero see progress.

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Split Squad Games Rained Out Today

Posted by Pat Gallen, Fri, March 12, 2010 11:32 AM

Sorry Phillies fans, no baseball today.  Due to the monsoon-like rains in Florida, both split squad games have been cancelled with no make up date.  But worry not, the Phils will be back tomorrow taking on the Twins in Clearwater, when it is supposed to be clear with no (falling) water.

J.A. Happ will start against Minnesota.  Feel free to use this space as a spot to reflect on what has happened in Spring Training thus far.  Here are a few story lines:

GOOD: Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Antonio Bastardo, David Herndon

SO-SO: Phillippe Aumont, Shane Victorino’s shoulder, Brad Lidge’s recovery, JC Ramirez

BAD: J.C Romero’s recovery, Jose Contreras, Ryan Vogelsong’s ERA

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