Open Discussion, 6 September 2011

Daily Discussion

Hi all. I am without internet right now, waiting for Comcast to come out and find out why my internet suddenly stopped working Sunday night. I’m not going to labor through a box score recap on my iPhone, so I’ll just create this post to give you a place to keep all your comments. Hopefully I get back up and running in the next day or so. Thanks in advance.

61 thoughts on “Open Discussion, 6 September 2011”

  5. Obviously we have few prospects in AA and AAA so while its very nice to get into the playoffs, its not that exciting in this case. Random thoughts: Will Overbeck get a chance to be a major league player? He obviously has power but is not a great fielder although he’s serviceable at 1B. Will he and Rizz share 1B at AAA next year or will one or both of them be traded to an AL team? Will Spidale ever get a legit shot to play AAA? Will Brown even be given a shot at major league job next spring or is he going to play AAA for at least half the year? Comments form the Phils and Snadberg seem to suggest they want him to stay in AAA for awhile. It will be interesting to see who the Phils will call up as their 3rd catcher after these teams finish. Would they finally reward Tuffy?

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      1. Are you happy with Gload’s production this season?

        Based on your comment I expect not so I don’t get why you would advocate replacing him with someone who will be just as bad. My hope is they actually upgrade their bench next year..

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          1. I’d prefer someone who can hit more than .230 with little power, no speed, and who doesn’t have the the ability to play anywhere other than 1b. That was Gload in 2011 and sounds a lot like Overbeck in 2012.

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    3. I’d love to see Rizz dealt for another prospect at 2B, SS, 3B, etc. The kid puts up killer numbers but is stuck in our organization, rightfully so. Otherwise he’ll be Rule 5 material soon and could end up productive like a Victorino or George Bell.

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      1. Very few prospect for prospect trades. Each team values its own more than other teams. So it’s difficult to arrive at mutual evaluation. Also, teams develop a history and a development commitment to players, along with loyalties the player develops. Teams do not want to rock the boat. Hardly ever happens. But it makes logical sense to balance positional needs with other teams’s needs from time to time. To many self-invented obstacles prevent that though.

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    1. The same Rizz that passed through waivers unclaimed by every other team in the league? Yeah, probably not much trade value there.

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  7. Wow, Chuck Lamar resigned, the team just announced. Eager to hear what that means, but the late-season timing would suggest to me (knowing nothing tangible) that it’s not an amicable split.

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    1. Maybe he got tired of overseeing the development of players only to watch them shipped off to other teams? (Only partially kidding.)

      I actually think the timing makes perfect sense; the minor league season is over, and teams will be making personnel decisions going into arbitration/free agency/Rule V. Wouldn’t read too much into it. Maybe he’s a candidate for the Cubs job?

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      1. Yeah, that was the first thing that occurred to me, except teams gnerally don’t make front office moves mid or late season–usually tends to happen the first couple weeks after the season. Also, I haven’t heard his name floated on any of the rumor sites, which means nothing. That said, it’s a loss to me as a fan. I feel like he was always really open and frank with the press when it came to assessing the Phils prospects. I also saw him once or twice at games and he was pretty approachable. To an outsider, at least, seemed like a classy guy.

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      2. Rich, I agree with you about the timing as this gives him more time to interview for a position. Maybe Marti Wolver gets promoted up to Lamar’s old job and someone takes his job. Good luck Chuck in your endeavors and thanks for 2008.

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        1. Does anyone know what this means for the Phillies? I don’t fully understand how this will translate to different draft strategies, development plans etc. How integral was he in the front office brass?

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  9. A couple of questions from last nights game.

    1. Is Bastardo okay? It would seem that he has had several days of rest since he last pitched. It was a surprise to see Lidge in the 8th.

    2. Is everything okay with Schneider? I was surprised to see Ruiz hit for him against a right-handed pitcher. Schneider’s record as a starting catcher is beyond amazing (some of the credit has to go to Worley, of course).

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    1. Manual has done that several times with Schneider/Ruiz late in the game. I’m wondering if it’s an issue with Madson/Stutes throwing to Schneider that the Manual is concerned with his ability to handle balls in the dirt?

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      1. Charlie brings in Chooch to catch Lidge all the time. having said that, Lidge had a strike out bounce away form Chooch who bounced a throw to Howard. Bastardo was simply getting a few days off to bring some life back into his arm. The kid is tired and Charlie knows they need him healthy in the playoffs. They’ve done the same thing with Madson from time to time. Unfortunately, it looks like Stutes is really struggling now. look for Lidge or even KK to get a sht at those innings going forward. herndon too as he’s pitched very well except for the other night.

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  10. i was wondering the same thing about Bastardo but im assuming they just wanted to give him another day of rest considering he is our only LHP. Ruiz always comes in late for Schneider so i dont think we need to worry about Schneider…..i think we saw Ruiz come in a little earlier in the 8th this time because of Lidge’s nasty slider which Chooch even has some problems with last night. Overall, i hope Lidge can keep that mojo, we’re gonna need him to face LHB’s come the postseason with only having Bastardo…..
    One glaring bullpen issue i see is the need for that 6th or 7th innings LHP to go along with Bastardo. at this point its a mute point anyway for the playoff roster. Id love to see if Savery can come up and do well the final 2 weeks and get protection on the Rule 5.

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  11. Being a big stutes fan, he still is worring me,too many runs he is giving up for a major piece of the bullpen,

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  12. Come playoff time Worley will be added to the back of the Bullpen which will bump Stutes up to being the 6th inning guy. He’s definately been showing some cracks lately.

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  14. ESPN Today Podcast today had 2 notes.

    1) Keith Law speculates that Chuck Lamar was either going to get demoted or fired and decided to quit. JUST SPECULATION.
    2) Keith says that word is that Joe Savery is throwing faster then he has since freshman year of college. He said he thinks the year off along with keeping up with his pitcher conditioning might have done him good.

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    1. I admit to having written off Savery years ago and having ignored discussions about him ever since (along with discussions about Rizzotti). If Savery ever actually amounts to something in the bigs, I will be flabbergasted.

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  15. I don’t know if this is the right place to post this, but according to my calculations as of today the Phillies magic number to clinch a play off spot is 5 (any combo of 5 victories and or 5 Cardinal defeats) 12 to clinch NL East

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  16. Looking back August was the month of the Phillies RHB. Pence and Jr were instep but Ruiz led the way. Vic batting right could be added. Nice
    Hamels get the pen some rest to regroup,

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  17. On MLBTR, Stark says that NL executives belive Ryan Madson will get a contract in the neighborhood of 2 years/14 million plus an option.

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    1. Is that 7 & 7, or 14 & 14? The former would IMO be a bargain, the latter too much. Unfortunately, I think the latter is more likely.

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      1. It meant 7 & 7 plus an option. I think that is a good price for Madson. They were comparing that to what Valverde received.
        I wouldn’t go 3 years with any reliever and I don’t think Madson is worth anymore than 8 million, especially with all of the closers that will be on the market at the same time. He’ll probably only be the 4th best reliever available.

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  19. From Tyson Gillies: BG:9/9/2011

    “When I first got hurt in May 2010, everyone thought that my hamstring was the main problem. Finding out a year later that my groin and hip weren’t functioning properly, I really had to change my rehab routine. Now, all my exercises are based on breathing and firing up my left groin and right hip, which in turn affects the hamstring. If my groin and hip weren’t working properly, my hamstring would compensate, which would make it tough to rehab. These types of exercises are very awkward and time consuming. I was doing two-a-days with these workouts for the first month-and-a-half and it was utterly exhausting. To be honest, I was struggling to even find the strength in that period to work out. After the morning workout I would nap and recollect any bit of energy I could find before going back at it. The Threshers team was usually there so it was always good to hang around with the guys you knew a little more. Next thing I knew, I was back and ready to do the same routine all over again. Everyone has always known me as an extremely hyper and eager individual. For someone like that to sit around and relax is very difficult. It’s damn near impossible. I want to run everywhere. I just want to be able to run freely and not worry about injuries…..The last thing I wanted was to be a 22-year-old baseball player with a blown out hamstring. ….I always try to be as positive as possible, but sometimes it’s very tough in this game. I’ve learned so much already and feel like this injury has given me a chance to grow up in the sport. I know that I have to be much more prepared and on my game than ever before. I have to be smarter with knowing my body and how hard I can push myself….. I’m still going to try and come back as that freak of nature who doesn’t take off, but I know how to do things differently if this happens again. This episode was a wake up call. Being out of the lineup is downright torture. It’s been killing me since Day One……. All the negative opinions I’ve been hearing have been hard to listen to. I’m the type who just wants to make everybody happy. I’ve been trying so hard to come back as soon as possible. It’s one of those things you just can’t explain. I learned you have to look out for your best interest and you can’t please everybody. I have been doing a better job of blocking out that background noise. Though it’s probably easier for me to do that than others (get it!?)! Having someone tell me what I can’t do is very frustrating. For years people were trying to do it with my hearing. It didn’t slow me down then and won’t now either. I have been battling adversity all of my life and it has made me a better man. The injury was just another chapter in that book. I’m going to get out of this… no matter how long it takes I’m going to get out of this… I have to. This is what I do.”

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  21. What the hell was Cholly thinking about? He has made some strange and unneeded moves around Valdez lately.

    Ruiz has been remarkable the second half .333 OBP .407 and 40 RBI. Except for a bad April (or June) he would be a .300 hitter. impressive!
    Galvis ! Its as good a time as ever.

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  22. I guess they could of brought Galvis up for today and monday and sent him back for the playoff game on tuesday for the price of an airline ticket.

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  23. If Valdez is hurt and can’t play the Phils can play Martinez and Orr. If Reading loses today they can call up Rivero from Reading for an extra body.

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  25. Ruiz seems to be greatly ignored by the press, Yeah yeah Pence has been very very good but chooch has been better.

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    1. I was ready to disagree with you, but then looked at Ruiz’ second half numbers. Despite my negative feelings about the Pence trade, then and now, not doubt he has been pretty great for the Phillies so far. But Ruiz, considering the positional differential, has, yes, arguably been even better. Somewhat BABIP driven, though.

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  26. Now that the 14 game streak of wins in games started by Worley (and caught by Brian Schneider) is over, it is time to consider the role of Schneider. On the one hand, he has a great rapport with Worley and a great record as a starting catcher this year. I believe that it is 27-4. On the other hand his offense has been deficient this season. His slash line of .165/.235/.259 is bad, even by backup catcher standards. One wonders if the Phillies will try to upgrade this position next year or will they abide by the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

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    1. They should try to update the position. Also need to take into account Schneider’s age and the fact that he’s had injury issues the last couple of years.

      They have Eric Kratz in AAA who’s a few years younger and has had solid numbers the last couple of seasons and would also be cheaper.

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      1. True, but for a backup catcher, barring injury to the starter, a small sample size is all you will ever have to go on.

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  27. Since there is no clear replacement in the system especially early next year I would tend to keep BS but……..
    I am the only one that thinks the umpire was one sided. He gave Worley nothing but gave the other guy a large large plate. I don’t complain about the umpire if they are the same for all

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  28. Big step back for Schwim after three decent outings a areal clunker. He has to say f… it and let the ball fly.

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