Well it is that time of year again. Pitchers and catchers officially reported today for the Phillies. Baseball season is coming and it makes one wonder, can the Phillies win the National League East for a fourth straight time? Can they really make it to the World Series for the third straight time?
Let’s take a look at the moves they have done this off-season.
Trade for Roy Halladay – The Phillies traded three top prospects to the Blue Jays to get the pitcher they wanted at the trade deadline last season. Two of those prospects were tops in the Philadelphia farm system. Those two were RHP Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor (Two players who were “untouchable” at the trade deadline in 2009).
It is clear that both Halladay and the Phillies organization wanted this trade to be completed. Halladay signed a three year $60MM contract extension in Philadelphia and seems genuinely excited to be playing for a contender. Halladay even said in a magazine article how excited he is to pitch with someone as good as Cole Hamels.
Dealt Lee - That’s right. He didn’t say Cliff Lee. Lee was traded in a completely unrelated deal that took place the same day. After his stellar performance in the Post-season last year, Lee was shipped to Seattle for three prospects including Phillippe Aumont who became the top pitching prospect in the organization. The other two are J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies
Lost bullpen help - Other pitchers that also are no longer with the organization are Scott Eyre who retired to tour the country in his RV, and Chan Ho Park, who is still a free agent at this point. The Phil’s have already expressed that they do not have the funds to re-sign Park. Both Park and Eyre made significant contributions to the Phillies Bullpen last season.
Brett Meyers and Clay Condrey are also no longer in Philadelphia. After eight seasons with the Phil’s, Brett Meyers was informed that he was no longer needed in Philadelphia. He signed with the Houston Astros with the GM who drafted him in Ed Wade. Condrey signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent.
Replenished the bullpen (Kind of) – The Phillies added two significant veteran pitchers to their bullpen in Jose Contreras (38) and Danys Baez as well as Oscar Villarreal (who signed a minor league deal).
Bolstered the bench – One of the glaring weaknesses of the Phillies last season was their weak bench which Charlie Manuel seemingly never used. After letting go of Eric Bruntlett, Miguel Cairo, 2009 mid-season acquisition Paul Bako, and fan favorite Matt Stairs, the Phil’s signed a number of bench players. The bench now looks like this: Ben Francisco, Brian Schneider, Greg Dobbs and Juan Castro.
Hot corner moves – The Phillies also did not pursue free agent Pedro Feliz after they failed to pick up his option for the 2010 season. Instead, they signed former Phillie and two-time gold glove second baseman Placido Polanco to fill in at third base. When Polanco played in Philadelphia the first time he played third base. Since, he has built quite a resume at 2nd playing for Detroit.
Securing the future –In addition to all the signings and losses, the Phil’s were able to lock up some of their core players. Jimmy Rollins had his 2011 option picked up. Shane Victorino ($22 MM), Joe Blanton ($24MM), and Carlos Ruiz ($9MM) were all signed to three year extensions within the same week.
Did I miss anything?
How did the Phillies do this offseason? Well needless to say it was a busy one. Going into spring training they have some questions to answer still.
One of which is who will be the 5th starter? Jamie Moyer had offseason surgery and then had complications afterwards. He will not be ready for the start of the season. After losing his starting job last season to Pedro Martinez, it has been rumored that the young Kyle Kendrick could replace Jamie in the rotation.
This is an exciting time of the year for baseball. Can the Phillies do it again? We will see.
Showing posts with label Major League Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Major League Baseball. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Week of Reunions
Just one day after Allen Iverson re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, it is apparent the Placido Polanco will once again be a Phillie. According to Jayson Stark, the only thing standing in the way of a 3 year $18MM contract (including a mutual option for 2013) is a physical.
Since Polanco was not offered arbitration by the Tigers, this signing will not cost the Phillies any draft picks for next season.
Polanco played for Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005. It is cited that the mutual familiarity was a driving force behind this deal. Since going to Detroit via trade, Polanco has accumulated two gold glove awards at 2nd base. It is obvious though that he will be moved back to third base in Philadelphia.
Polanco is more patient at the plate than his predecessor, Pedro Feliz who struck out more than walking throughout his tenure in Philadelphia. Polanco has never had more than 50 strikeouts in a single season throughout his career. Not to mention he is another right-handed bat in a lineup filled with lefties.
Where will he hit? Probably in the number two spot moving Shane Victorino down in the lineup. This might change. Victorino has proven that he can thrive in the top of the lineup and it might suit the Phillies to bat Polanco in the 6th or 7th spot.
Since Polanco was not offered arbitration by the Tigers, this signing will not cost the Phillies any draft picks for next season.
Polanco played for Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005. It is cited that the mutual familiarity was a driving force behind this deal. Since going to Detroit via trade, Polanco has accumulated two gold glove awards at 2nd base. It is obvious though that he will be moved back to third base in Philadelphia.
Polanco is more patient at the plate than his predecessor, Pedro Feliz who struck out more than walking throughout his tenure in Philadelphia. Polanco has never had more than 50 strikeouts in a single season throughout his career. Not to mention he is another right-handed bat in a lineup filled with lefties.
Where will he hit? Probably in the number two spot moving Shane Victorino down in the lineup. This might change. Victorino has proven that he can thrive in the top of the lineup and it might suit the Phillies to bat Polanco in the 6th or 7th spot.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Phillies pitching depth
So the Phil’s have options at third base. How about the rest of their needs? Brad Lidge has already had off season surgery to repair the elbow in his throwing arm. Is that why he led the league in blown saves last season?
I don’t know the real reason why Lidge struggled last season, but it is clear that the Phillies need to figure out what to do if Lidge can’t return to his 2008 form. But in order for Lidge to pitch, the Phillies need to fill some holes in the early bullpen.
Getting J.C. Romero back from injury next season will definitely bolster the bullpen. And Ruben Amaro Jr. has made it clear that the Phillies are pursuing free agents Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre. Having those two return would definitely help.
But with the struggles the bullpen had this season it would be nice if the Phillies could add one or two arms to the pen that have the ability to close should Brad Lidge continue to struggle. Fernando Rodney has drawn interest from the Phillies. Signs say however, that the interest is not mutual. Rodney is a closer and wants to keep that role.
The starting rotation also has at least one question mark. As of now the starters for the 2010 season are as follows:
1. Cliff Lee (the Phillies exercised their option and will most likely talk contract extensions through the year. Lee will most likely demand Burnett money though)
2. Cole Hamels (If he can return to his 2008 post season form, it would be a deadly one-two punch)
3. Joe Blanton
4. J.A. Happ
5. Jamie Moyer? (Moyer has one year left on his contract with the Phillies but might not be able to step back into the starting rotation)
It isn't clear if Pedro Martinez would even re-sign with the Phillies, and if he does, can he pitch an entire season without injury and at a high level? I don’t think so.
It is also unlikely however that the Phillies will trade for Roy Halladay or even go out and sign a big name free agent pitcher (Randy Wolf and John Lackey), to fill that number 5 spot in the rotation.
They will most likely try to stay in house and eventually move Kyle Drabek up to the majors (A prospect the Phillies have labeled “untouchable”).
Whatever the Phillies end up doing, one thing is certain. They need to figure out a solution to the problems that labeled the bullpen a liability in the postseason in 2009.
I don’t know the real reason why Lidge struggled last season, but it is clear that the Phillies need to figure out what to do if Lidge can’t return to his 2008 form. But in order for Lidge to pitch, the Phillies need to fill some holes in the early bullpen.
Getting J.C. Romero back from injury next season will definitely bolster the bullpen. And Ruben Amaro Jr. has made it clear that the Phillies are pursuing free agents Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre. Having those two return would definitely help.
But with the struggles the bullpen had this season it would be nice if the Phillies could add one or two arms to the pen that have the ability to close should Brad Lidge continue to struggle. Fernando Rodney has drawn interest from the Phillies. Signs say however, that the interest is not mutual. Rodney is a closer and wants to keep that role.
The starting rotation also has at least one question mark. As of now the starters for the 2010 season are as follows:
1. Cliff Lee (the Phillies exercised their option and will most likely talk contract extensions through the year. Lee will most likely demand Burnett money though)
2. Cole Hamels (If he can return to his 2008 post season form, it would be a deadly one-two punch)
3. Joe Blanton
4. J.A. Happ
5. Jamie Moyer? (Moyer has one year left on his contract with the Phillies but might not be able to step back into the starting rotation)
It isn't clear if Pedro Martinez would even re-sign with the Phillies, and if he does, can he pitch an entire season without injury and at a high level? I don’t think so.
It is also unlikely however that the Phillies will trade for Roy Halladay or even go out and sign a big name free agent pitcher (Randy Wolf and John Lackey), to fill that number 5 spot in the rotation.
They will most likely try to stay in house and eventually move Kyle Drabek up to the majors (A prospect the Phillies have labeled “untouchable”).
Whatever the Phillies end up doing, one thing is certain. They need to figure out a solution to the problems that labeled the bullpen a liability in the postseason in 2009.
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