General Discussion – Week of 9-4-2012

Weekly Discussion

Here’s your weekly general discussion. Allow me to suggest a topic: professional baseball.

152 thoughts on “General Discussion – Week of 9-4-2012”

  1. One thing to remember with regards to Darin ruf and the phillies bench in general is that there will be a lot more inter league play next year. thus having someone on the bench who can dh will be very valuable

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    1. In addition to there being more interleague play, it will also be spread out across the season which will make it more difficult to address than this year when the Phils could activate Thome for a 2-3 week period and have him fill that role almost daily. Next year it will be 1-2 series per month so it will be harder to have a “Ruf like guy” just do that from time to time. Also, everyone just assumes Ruf can be a bench player and hit like a HOF’er as a pinch hitter and part time player but most guys do not put up the same numbers in that role vs playing everyday.

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      1. true we don’t know if he can be a pinch hitter/ part time player when we need a dh, But we don’t know that he can not do it either. Your going to need someone in that role for the al team why not give a guy making the league minimum a shot.

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        1. You don’t need someone specifically for that spot, you just need to put one of your bench players in that lineup spot. Hypothetically, a guy like Kratz as the backup catcher could do it, or Ruiz could do it with Kratz catching, or you could rest Utley, Howard, or Rollins by making them a DH for a day and playing someone in their spot in the field, etc. It doesn’t need to be a DH type filling the DH role.

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    2. There isn’t that much more interleague play, there’s just a series every day. We’ll still probably play about the same number of American League teams.

      I think I saw that we’ve got

      Cleveland Home/Road
      Chicago Road
      Detroit (I forget.. I think Road)
      Royals Home
      Boston 2 Home 2 Road

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  2. Imo that is the real question on ruf, can he come off the bench and help,because he cant be a defensive replacement. right now he would only be one tool player, really cant steal a base. cant play defense. so it would be hard unless he learns to play left decent,to make this team.

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  3. The problem with Ruf on the bench is Laynce Nix. It is very difficult to carry two lefty sluggers with below average running/fielding skills on a five man bench. I’m not certain that Ruf can push Nix off the job just yet, and if he does then you have to find another OF as well.

    I think Ruf is a guy you carry at AAA next year in case Nix or Howard is hurt.

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          1. Cursing himself, not you. With all the left handed talent Phills have had its easy to assume every position prospect is lefty.

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      1. Give me a break. Why are you always complaining about bench players? They’re bench players! He’s not the reason why the Phillies are under .500. As a 4th OF making about $1M, he’s fine.

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        1. Excuse me! Are you telling me this putrid bench hasn’t lost 5 or more games more than an average bench not alone a good one. And where would r more wins place the team in the standings. 12th in PH ave 33 point behind 11th
          THAT’S WHY

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          1. wheels…..who are your ‘chairmans choice’ preference/selection bench players for 2013…bear in mind monetary restrictions?

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          2. PH is hit or miss every year. Remember when we had Greg Dobbs? One year, he was all world, the next year, he stunk up the joint. There’s no such thing as having the perfect bench. And you know what, we would have more wins if Howard and Utley didn’t miss so many games. We lost games because Wigginton, Galvis, Orr, Fontenot played too many games as starters. Going crazy about the bench is nitpicking for no sane reason.

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          3. Man, you’re right. Carlos Ruiz is hitting .200 as a pinch hitter; Number 1 bum to get rid of. Amaro already took care of that no-name Jim Thome who was batting .063 as a PH. Jimmy Rollins is completely worthless, as he is batting .000. Hopefully, we can lock up Frandsen, Mayberry and Kratz as they are batting 1.000, .318 and .286 respectively as PH’ers.

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          4. The Phillies should have had a very good bench this year. The reason why it sucked was because the starters were hurt and the bench players were starting for most of the year.

            Wigginton, Nix, Pierre and Thome are good bench players, but they’re not starters.

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          5. Nowheels, your emotional post on this point have become borderline insane. You’re doubling down on one of your very worst preseason predictions – which is odd, because you made a number of sensible comments pre-season. Why revisit one of your worst obsessions?

            The Philadelphia bench is not below average, at all, taken as a whole. It’s average. You need to spend some time looking at benches on other teams. Your idea of an “average” bench is in reality a highly above average bench – and even the difference between the Phillies average bench and the best bench in baseball is maybe two games, not five, over the course of a season. Finally, given the financial resources available, the Phillies actually, on the whole, did an outstanding hob of putting together a bench. (The relief corps, if that’s included in what you are calling the bench, arguably is worse, but that was almost entirely a result of injuries.) Your weird obsession about Nix is particularly odd; yes, not a great pinch hitter (though in a measly 16 PA), but his overall performance this season (when healthy, and you can’t blame the Phillies for his injury) was fine for a bench player costing 1.1 million – better than average defense, near average hitting.

            Yes, they could have put together a better bench by going over the luxury tax threshold. Given the much higher penalties for going overt the cap twice in a row, that would have been a hideous disaster – it would mean, in essence, that they would have zero chance of contending in 2013, because the only way they will contend in 2013 is by going over the “cap.” It seems to me that throwing away a chance for contention in 2013 is a very high price to pay for missing the post season by fewer games in 2012.

            Now, it IS true that, because of injuries, several bench players played much more than the team would have liked. But that’s not a problem with the bench players, that’s a problem with injuries.

            The reasons the Phillies failed to contend this year are many. A poor bench, if it belongs on the list at all (it doesn’t) would rank behind about 50,000 other causes in importance.

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  4. Darin Ruf won TWO gold gloves in college as the best defensive first baseman in the nation. Oh, but I forgot, we already have a gold glover over there. 🙂 Howard couldn’t field an easy one hopper from Rollins yesterday that could have cost us a game.

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    1. I probably shouldn’t even reply to this but I’ll take the bait. I get that Ryan Howard isn’t perfect, I also get that he isn’t worth $25M per year, but the talk and tone that would imply that Ruf would be a better option, even factoring in the salary differential, is insane to me. Howard, for all his faults, changes the nature of the lineup just by his power presence. He has game changing power, even if it isn’t what it used to be, and his defense is by no means terrible, even if he isn’t a gold glover over there. I really expect that once he is recovered from this achilles injury and plays a full season next year, we will have a guy who hits .270, hits 30-40 HR, and knocks in 100+ runs, which at the end of the day is not a bad season from your #4 or #5 hitter, even if it isn’t worth $25M per year.

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      1. Last year was the first year in the last five that Howard didn’t finish with the MOST errors by first basemen in the MLs. ?? He is a HORRID defensive player. Sorry. And I like Howard !

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        1. I wouldn’t call it horrid, I would call it slightly below average to below average. I’ve seen much worse at 1B, i.e., Ty Wigginton

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        2. Let’s be fair, Mrs. Ruf. First of all, Prince Fielder led NL first basemen in errors in ’07 and ’11. That’s three of five years for Howard, not four of five. (You might say that’s not an important distinction. Mrs. Howard would probably disagree.) Second of all, while there remains some disagreement about which metrics are best used to evaluate a player’s defensive skills, I promise you that total errors committed and total college Gold Gloves collected are not even in the conversation.

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          1. The college GG simply suggests than he “might” be a slightly above average first baseman. And while errors alone are not conclusive proof of ineptness, they sure do suggest that indeed he “might” be slightly below average. I concede.

            Adding to the irrelevence, Howard has more errors than any other active first baseman.

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        3. I think most of Howard’s issues come from throwing to 2B. He looks like he fields the ball competently to me. But he can’t throw to save his life.

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    2. That one play from Monday’s game looked like a big/bad hop, not an easy one hop throw. From what I remember, he was set up to short hop it and it came to his chest. But yeah, he’s not very good at playing 1B and has botched a bunch of not impossible low throws lately. Hopefully, with a better off-season and spring he’ll at least get back to playing whatever level of D he used to – “fairly bad” instead of “horrid”, maybe. His throwing or maybe decision making about throwing the previous two years seemed, at least what I saw, to be better than the years before – he ate a few he might have otherwise thrown away, which is something I would guess you get a better feel for with more repitition. Maybe not. And 2011 he seemed also to make a couple more nice plays on balls over his head, the run-to-a-spot-and-find-it-and-make-a-sliding-basket-catch play. That’s hard to quantify with basic defensive stats, since if he misses that play, it’s never going to be an error. Anyway, like I said, “fairly bad” defense would be ok with me if he gets back to .900 OPS or something in the neighborhood. Not defending his contract, btw. Bad contract. No doubt.

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    3. This is what’s it’s come to. Sigh. The funny thing, I find Ruf intriguing, more so than I probably should. I was all set to post a comment setting forth what I think is the best argument for giving Ruf a shot at the regular LF job.* But I don’t want to encourage the trolls and his over enthusiastic fan club.

      *Basically, while the “most likely” result is that he is on balance (i.e., including defense) worse than the alternatives in left field, the Phillies, in the short term at least, have gone from a risk adverse posture to one of needing to take some risks if they want to contend. Under such circumstances, a guy like Ruf, who likely won’t hit enough to make up for the poor defense, but who COULD, best case, be a decent option in left, arguably makes sense. I don’t think I buy it, but, given significant enough defensive improvement over the winter, I could come to buy it. When you have a club which looks like a 95 plus win club, you want low beta players. When you have a club which looks like an 85 win club, you want high beta players.

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  6. I heard that the Phillies FO was so impressed, one of the comments was ‘it’s too early to tell if Cloyd can stick in the ML.. ‘. Probably is too early, however, it does seem they are rooting for him to fail…

    Betcha he’s used in a trade package., if he is, I hope he comes back kicks the Phillies’ a** !

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    1. The notion that the phils would be rooting for him to fail is ridiculous. Of course it is to early to tell if he can stick hes a righty that barely touches 90. Kudos to them for being honest and not overrating his first 2 outings.

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      1. I agree with you completely. And, by the way, if he is traded, far from being angry at the Phillies he will want to kiss the ground they walk on if it means that he has a shot to stick in a major league rotation or bullpen. That’s the difference between making like $35k a year at AAA and $475k a year in the majors with room for raises. People think that would make him angry? Really?

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    2. What team do you cheer for if you hope this blows up in the Phils face? And what evidence is there that the Phils are hoping any of their players or prospects fail? I think a more reasonable assessment of what they are saying is that it is too early to tell what kind of big league pitcher he could be and no matter what he does during the next month, they will NOT go into 2013 assuming he is one of their 5 starting pitchers or a bullpen piece. Best case for him, as it should be, is that he performs well enough to have a shot to win a job in spring training as either the #5 starter or long man in the bullpen. At this point, I don’t think Worley, Kendrick, or Cloyd should be guaranteed a spot in the rotation next year, I think they should all go into the offseason thinking they have to compete to win a job next year.

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      1. I think Worley will have the benefit of the doubt and have a starting spot reserved for him. And Kendrick has been pitching really well after his talk with Manuel. So in my opinion, Worley and Kendrick will go into 2013 as starters. Cloyd will go to training camp and try to win a job as the swingman (Kendrick’s old job).

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        1. I think cloud may have a fair shot at. #5 starter because kendrick can be really valuable out the pen as he has shown

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          1. With the number of Phillies pitching prospects knocking on the door (Martin and Pettibone to start), Kendrick could be a trade chip. To maximize his value, Kendrick needs to be starting. Nobody is going to be trading for a swing man making $4M.

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          2. Or you know we could keep Kendrick in the rotation. He has some pretty good value there. In fact probably more than Cloyd. He’s shown marked improvement over the last few years and maybe if we gave him the chance to not be jerked around between the bullpen and the rotation he might be even better. He could even possibly get into 2 WAR territory which is pretty good for a back of the rotation guy. Something I would never expect from Cloyd over a long stretch of time.

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    1. In the era of LA Dodger spending and waiver wire trolling, the thought of Papelbon to the Dodgers this off season crossed my mind. On one hand, my thought was that even with his big contract, he has had a solid year and the Phils don’t have an obviously ready option for the start of 2013 (although they have guys who could develop into that role). On the other hand, if you could move his 3 yrs and $37M left on that deal, I’m sure they could get a comparable closer via trade or FA for much less money. (Of course that means the Dodgers could also do that.) But assuming the Dodgers were interested in taking him and his salary, without giving much in return, what’s everyone’s thoughts on letting him go vs keeping him?

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      1. A comparable closer to Papelbon? Who’s that? I concede the contract is to big and was signed at a time when it gave up a draft pick when it would not have 2 weeks-ish later, but he’s very good at his job. If you’re comparing him to Lidge 2008, he’s going to pale in comparison, but so will all the “comparable” guys who might be on the market.

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    1. And Pence is still first in RBIs!

      Actually some fun here. Jimmy Rollins is the only Phillies player who looks to qualify for a batting title. (Not counting Victorino and Pence who will pick up their PAs elsewhere.) So Rollins’ triple slash line of .248/.307/.419 would lead the Phillies in all categories. Hunter Pence still leads the team in double plays!

      It all really just confirms that the Phillies haven’t had a regular lineup most of the season.

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          1. Relatively even: Here are their lines.
            Juan Pierre——296 .345 .363 .708
            JRoll————–.270 .328 .431 .759

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            1. Pierre did his best work batting second.sorta a new idea.You wonder what would happen if he had done that his whole time. Lefties are a big problem.

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          2. Obviously Rollins is the better player over his career. Rollins’ edges:

            *Patience, Rollins draws more walks. Pierre racks up huge numbers of raw hits because he swings often, plays (or played) every day and batted leadoff.
            *Defense. Rollins is an above average shortstop while Pierre’s below average arm limits him to left field.
            *Peak Seasons
            *Baserunning. Pierre frequently led the league in caught stealings. Rollins is a high percentage basestealer.
            *Power. Pierre has none.

            Pierre has the raw hit number, but it doesn’t really put him in an elite class.

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  9. Did i miss the memo indicating that Ruff can hit MLB pitching?? Here is an idea – BRING HIM UP
    NOW and give him 100 AB’s to see what he can do

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    1. Amaro stated he will not bring anyone up until they’re eliminated from playoffs. Reading starts playoff series v trenton on Wed

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    2. Ruf is far from the most important prospect on that Reading team, I think it is important to give the young guys a taste of success and he is an integral part of the team. Also while these are professionals you can only imagine what the mental aspect of leaving your team in the playoffs is, even if it means coming to the bigs a week early.

      Currently he would be a disaster in LF at the major league level, and while they may play him there he is not ready to get ABs everyday out there and there is not a glaring hole at 1B.

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      1. I understand the idea of keeping for the playoffs, but the guy has earned a shot at the big leagues after doing what he did this season, period. What’s the problem with bringing him up after the playoffs?

        The point of bringing him up is to see how he would do playing in the MLB both defensively and offensively. Why make these assumptions about him not being able to play left field in the MLB? Does it really matter if he sucks? It’s not like the Phillies are going to do anything this year anyways.

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        1. I still think they’ll bring him up after the playoffs end since they need to add him to the 40 man this winter anyway. I’m sure Ruf would rather skip the playoffs and play in the majors for an extra week or two. My guess is he’ll start the last game or two of the season and there will be no pressure at all since the Phils will be eliminated by then.

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    3. Plus they filled their last 40-man spot with Pete Orr the other day. So they’d have to decide who to get rid of to move on Ruf. Not saying they won’t, and if they have a good idea of a cut coming up this off-season, (Joe Savery springs to mind), then maybe they still will once Reading is done.

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    2. You have Galvis as well that can be put on the 60 day. If they really wanted to space they will DFA Orr to make it

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  11. My heart wants them to bring Ruf up but my mind says he is not ready to play left field at a major league level.

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  12. Ruf is going to learn LF in the Winter and we’ll see what happens, but why not bring him up and give the guy that shredded his achilles a year ago a few days off?? He can at least get a taste of Major League pitching. Similar to Cloyd… why not?? They might lose Pete Orr???????? NOOOOOOO
    Even if its 3 games at 1st, Id like to see what he can do.
    He did also hit for a fairly decent average too…

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    1. Would Ruf or the Phillies really benefit? (Well, beyond the obvious salary considerations.) The Phillies aren’t going to evaluate Ruf based on September stats. They’re going to go on scouting reports. From Ruf’s perspective, I think he’s better getting regular playing time than playing sparingly in the majors. The Phillies would probably be better off evaluating Ruf in Spring Training anyway.

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  13. AAA players have not made $35k for quite some time,
    Has everyone forgotten you are allowed to platoon in baseball.
    I am more worried that the Phil’s keep tjeir #1 pick next year.
    That’s enough for now.

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  14. Hey I want to see either Friday night (Ethan Martin) or Saturday night (Adam Morgan). Who is the better pitcher to see in person?

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    1. I haven’t seen Morgan, but I watched Martin in Reading and he was filthy. Throws hard and has a nice breaking ball, but has some control issues.

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    2. They are both on par, Ethan when he is on get the nod, but his last start I saw was horrid. Morgan is a little more steady but not as good as Martin when he is locked in. Both are great options, I give the nod to Martin but just barely.

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  16. Hello All — I don’t recalled if this topic was discussed recently but I was wondering how the Phillies will handle Galvis in 2013. I am assuming that Frandsen has won a job on the active roster as a utility INF for ’13. And if Frandsen is in that role I do not see a good reason to also carry Galvis on the bench. It seems to make sense to let Galvis get ABs playing every day at SS in LV. Thoughts?

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      1. He certainly did a nice job since being placed in the line up – but the record books are filled with guys that have a great couple of months then fade. Can the Phillies take a chance on him as their 3B’man in ’13 especially with the OF in such flux?

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    2. You are kidding! As to all around players he is too valuable even as a late inning replacement. He knows he has to improve pitch selection and will come into SP
      a better player

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      1. He certainly is special in the field and great fun to watch but I don’t see Galvis as an “all around player” — not while he carries a triple slash line of .226 / .254 / .363 . I gotta believe that he needs regular ABs to develop as a hitter.

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    3. If Utley wasn’t hurt, Galvis would have likely started the year at Lehigh. And his hitting was so poor this year, he just wasn’t ready for big league pitching. If the Phillies view him as a future starter, he’ll start the year at AAA. If not, he’ll be on the bench. Manuel really likes him, but he really needs ABs to develop as a hitter. He won’t be getting that on the bench.

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      1. Any team that needs to rely on the current form of Freddy Galvis to start is in trouble. I don’t get the love affair for Freddy Galvis. I’m with you he needs to develop a lot more. AAA should be where he’s at.

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        1. I’m in complete agreement Chris. Galvis is a LONG way from being a productive offensive player. He needs at least a full season of AAA ABs.

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        2. The love affair with Galvis may stem from him ‘approaching 5 WAR with just his fielding’. (Can’t remember where I heard that).

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    4. I think Galvis should start at AAA next year but I think he’ll end up on the major league roster as back up at 2B and 3B. I agree that Frandsen is in good position ot make the club too but he doesn’t play SS well enough anymore to be the back up SS so I’m guessing they keep Galvis over Martinez for that. Mayberry looks to be playing himself into staying next year (over being cut or traded) as the 4th OF after they sign a CF (Upton?).

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      1. I get that BJ Upton at one time was a touted guy but his performance has not warranted all that much. It would depend on the contract but Mayberry and Upton are essentially the same guy on offense at this point aside from a speed difference. I just don’t think it’ll be worth paying him when you can get similar production from Mayberry at a much cheaper price. Only thing Upton has going for him really is a base stealing advantage. A platoon might be able to get you better production than Upton for half the price and less of a commitment in terms of years. Also why sign Upton to say 3 or 4 years when we have outfielders in the system that will be ready in a year or two?

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        1. Reasonable points. Upton is a gold glove OF while Mayberry is below average in CF. I also don’t think he’ll be that expensive, at least that’s my thinking at this point. I’m not in love wih him and I agree that Gillies could be an option in 2014 but “could” is the key word with him. There aren’t any sure fire OF starters in our system. In addition, I’m convinced Bourn will go for too much money and too many years (Boras). They could trade for a CF but I’d rather not surrender too many prospects this winter.

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  17. IMO PTBNL in Victorino…my guess Jarret Martin, big strong LHP who brings it at 93-95, but was hurt at the end of the season. Joe Jordan drafted him in 2009 for the O’s, knows him and probably would like him back. Just a guess.

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  18. When its all said and done of this season I think the problems are still the same…not enough OPS in your everyday line-up and your 3 and 4 hitters are big question marks. Brown again hasn’t given you any hope he can be an above average offensive force at this level.

    101 AB’s in and I see much of the same. He seems way to timid. He seems to have excellent pitch recognition skills thus he gets himself into FB counts but misses them or takes them when he should be crushing them.

    I’m so frustrated with him right now.

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    1. I just don’t know how healthy he is right now. I think he could be a good hitter but he needs an adjustment period and health to go along with it. The health is appearing less and less likely every year. Last year it was his hand. Now it is his hamstrings or knee. He needs to get healthy.

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    2. We need to be able to move Utley to the lead off spot and Howard to number five in the order. Frandsen might be able to be the number two hitter with Brown possibly there against righties. Ruiz might be a decent 4 hitter if someone like Hamilton is our number three.

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    3. He was hitting pretty well until it seemed like the knee started bothering him. I think he definitely has some developing to do but I’m not even close to frustrated with him right now.

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  20. Getting off topic here but read the article about Jeff Keppinger on MLBTrade Rumors. Does anyone think he would be an ideal fit until Ashe is ready? I think the good thing is he is 1) right handed and kills lefties, 2) can play secondbase and thirdbase. So if Utley is out for an extended time again, at least you have a proven guy that can slide over there and fill in and start.

    I just feel we really need a guy off the bench who can start if need be and can play both 3rd and 2nd (since both those positions seem to be in question)

    The nice part is, it lets you take your time with Ashe and not feel the need to rush him (like they did with Brown)

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    1. Keppinger is having a good year, and it’s a near certainty that somebody is going to give him a multi-year deal. He’s likely to get at least 2 years, $12M or 3 years, $18M. Asche is going to be ready in in less than 2 years at his current rate of progression. I would give him a 2 year deal max, but I think somebody is going to overpay for him.

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        1. While that’s true I’m thinking the cost difference. Frandsen likely only costs $500K next year. If I’m looking to bring someone in I would aim a lot higher then Keppinger. I don’t think its out there in FA so I expect a big trade in the offseason.

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            3. The other options aren’t much better than he is. On a cheap, one year deal, he wouldn’t be that bad of an option.

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            5. Youk is a FA and his best days are WAY behind him. However, if he’s willing to sign for a 1 year, $6-8M contract, I might consider that.

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            6. He could be a guy who could sign a 2009 Adrian Beltre type contract. I’d prefer that than shifting Utley over to third. Regardless of how Youk’s fallen, he’s still a much better offensive player than Galvis.

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            7. I proposed this before, but Michael Young would be a viable option if the Rangers were willing to eat some of his contract. He’s got 1 year left on his contract after this season, and the Rangers need to get rid of one of those guys (Moreland, Beltre, Olt, Young).

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          2. I don’t expect or particularly want a big trade (at least not for a third baseman). I don’t know that Keppinger is a wonderful option in the abstract, but, depending upon the contract size, he may be the best option available for a semi reasonable price. Certainly if the team expects to contend, Keppinger is a much better option than Frandsen.

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            1. I have a few scenarios that I would kick the tires on and the first rule of them is that Asche could move to 2B. The first is what would it take to get Tulo from the Rockies and make him a 3B. The groin injuries make it likely that he may need to move to one of the corners.

              Or what would it take to get Jose Bautista from the Jays as he is both an option in the OF and at 3B. I’m sure Larry will give me all the reasons why those deals are not possible but I like to think most things are possible with a bit of creativity.

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            2. Tulo is making mad money and is highly injury prone. I wouldn’t want that guy.

              Joey Bats contract is reasonable and the Jays GM is a bit of a weasel so the Phillies would have to ante up big for him. I don’t think the Phillies would want to do that either.

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            3. Well, it’s a “kick the tires” post, so I won’t go into the reasons why the deals might not be possible. I will tell you why they would not be desirable: the Phillies need to try to fill some positions with low cost, controllable players. Third base is a position where that could happen as soon as 2014, with another, arguably even better prospect as early as 2015 (more likely 2016 I realize). I’d much rather devote payroll resources to the outfield, where, except possibly for Gillies, our prospects are further away and/or less impressive.

              I’m also leery of trades for older players involving giving up multiple top prospects. Those trade made sense given the team’s status through 2011, but IMO don’t make sense now.

              As much as I push back against the “play the kids” posts on this board, the opposite is as bad – we’re no longer at a point where trading prospects for older stars and signing free agents is going to return the team to contention – at least not on a sustained basis.

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            4. Why would either team get rid of either player?

              Tulo’s signed for a Decade to be the Rockie’s franchise player and the Blue Jays are a few pitchers away from being contenders.

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  22. Rangers recently signed Jurickson Profar’s younger brother Juremio Profar, 3rd baseman, another profile signing, as an international FA. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought there were some controls now on international signings, say a cap limit or something of that nature?

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  23. Also off topic here but will Fridays game in Trenton sell out. Can I walk up and get tickets or should I buy them now?

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      1. Was that a regular season game? There’s a huge difference in the minors. During the regular season the teams have the advantage of better timing (more tickets are sold in July/August than in September), and advance and group sales which make up a huge portion of ticket sales. So minor league playoff games are actually not as well attended as regular season games.

        You can easily click on the Trenton Thunder website though and see exactly what tickets remain. They use the same ticket selling service the Ironpigs use.

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        1. Thanks Alan. Good advice. There are tickets available today. Just not sure about Friday walk up. Trenton is a very attractive sight for Phils fans to see the Reading team. I think that is why the last series there was so well attended.

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  24. I Really believe amaro has to get a big time right handed bat to play the outfield. that being said, one bat might not be enough in the outfield. not sold on brown, mayberry is a platoon player, and there is no one that i can see in the minors to help.unless ruff is some kind of freak ,that can master the outfield. and hit major league.pitching at his age. I am totally against this new wave of ten year deals like crawford got. Hopefully there are some guys who become avaviable in the trade market,that could help. to me worst case, fransen stays and third and martinez is defensive replacement late in games.remember worst case senorio.bullpen needs help, must get a eighth inning guy from the young guns, right now aumont has looked better than i thought, rosenberg imo needs confidence,he has the stuff, bastaro is a head case to me.if none of these guys can handled then we have to go fa or trade to fill that spot.I really hope they bring back peirre, just like his speed off bench and ability to get on.if you platoon him with mayberry in left, then we need center f ielder or right fielder with power. where we get him is a big question.

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    2. Ben Davis said yesterday, in his opinion, not one Philly OFer measures up as a full time starter…. Mayberry, Brown, Scheurholtz or Pierre. Maybe a platoon for Brown and mayberry, but Phillies need to get the power bat for one of the corner OF positions.

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      1. I don’t see a superstar bat on the market who fits. There are a few bats like Jonny Gomes on the market. Not guys you’d want to see full time, but players you would give 400 plate appearances to and shift around a bit. Depending on the price.

        I like Angel Pagan, a player whose defense I feel is overlooked and can provide league average production at the plate.

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        1. They could do the outfield really cheap in my opinion and still get some decent production (as the Giants did in 2010)

          Left Field: Brown/Mayberry
          Center Field: Angel Pagan
          Right Field: Reed Johnson/Nate Schierholtz

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          1. Edit: They could also look to make a run at BJ Upton (for the right price). I saw David Murphy make the comparison that he could be the next Adrian Beltre.

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    3. Reasonable except for Martinez there must be 200 guys better in the minor leagues. Galvis and Nate can cover any real need. .Bourne is little old for a long term contrace (been there done that)

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      1. I’d consider bringing Victorino back for the right $/yrs. Say, 3 yrs plus an option for $11M AAV, (if that fits budgetary plans). I won’t hold my breath. CF market could be very interesting with the big names plus guys like Pagan, so it wouldn’t be a total shock if Victorino was left without his ideal long-term deal, but I would guess someone will give him at least 4 guaranteed years. Too many for my liking.

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  25. So Charlie Masnuel is coming back as manager in 2013 according to Ruben. I wonder if Ryne Sandberg will get promoted as bench coach?

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    2. I hope so. He’s proven all he needs to in the minors plus this should light a fire under Manuel to try to max out his players potential. Sandberg is a great teacher and mentor to any player he’s ever had play for him. Anyone who has gone to Lehigh Valley since he’s been there can see the difference he makes for his teams.

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    1. Hmm…the comments are definitely updated for most of those guys. Interesting they still have Biddle May Colvin 1-2-3. I don’t imagine we’ll see a whole lot of that from various lists this off-season. Also, Valle is ahead of Joseph in the catchers but behind him in the Phils org. Well done, Mayo!

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      1. Jon Mayo for the most part is pretty reliable, but this time he goofed, unless he did not update ‘Position’ lists and just did the teams. Still have to pay attention to details.

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  28. Ruben on team chemistry to Jim Salisbury, 7 Sept 2012:
    ‘You know, one of the things that bothers me a little bit about it – and I think it might be a natural order of progression in some ways – is that when you have success for a long time maybe it gets a little … I don’t know that certain guys, and I’m still observing, that certain guys almost take for granted the opportunity. It’s not easy to win. It’s hard. It’s difficult to do it consistently. Fortunately, we’ve been able to do it up to this year and I’m still hopeful that we finish this year strong. I expect us to. But sometimes I think some people are going to have to take a look in the mirror and think to themselves we’re going to have to push hard to have success and we can’t just think it’s going to happen.’…………..who is he talking about? Probably not Utley, who is obsessed with winning, Ruiz- definitely not, Vic is gone, then who?

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      1. The only other two that come to my mind are Howard and Lee, the remaining players are not core guys, role players or ‘johnny-come-lately’. I would think Roy H and Cole would be exemptions also since they are other obsessive for winning players.

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  29. Phillippe Aumont’s stuff is ridiculous. Last night he threw a curve that I was sure would hit the batter, but at the last moment broke over the plate for a strike. Then he throws some wicked 96 mps fastballs that almost move as much. It was so impressive.

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  30. Anyone interested in OF right-hand bat Avisail ‘Avitar’ Garcia from the Tigers straight up for Dom Brown? He is large and strong with surprising speed for a guy that big, but tends to swing and miss.

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      1. Unless Brown’s sore/strained knee(s) are actually hampering his driving power, not sure he will be the player expected.

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        1. I believe that his sore knees and him still adjusting to his new swing are the reasons for the lack of power.

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      2. Brown got a hit off a leftie who strikes out about half the left handed batters he faces. I know I am impressed 🙂

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  31. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20120909_Phillies_Notes__Phillies__Manuel_says_he_d_find_playing_time_for_Ruf.html

    From Cholly last night…

    “Yeah, we’d find a place for him if he hit the ball,” Manuel said Saturday night before the rain-delayed game scheduled against the Colorado Rockies. “They found a place for [Harmon] Killebrew. They found a place for Babe Ruth.”

    “He’s got some credentials already,” Manuel said. “I don’t care where you are, 37 [actually 38] home runs is a lot. That catches your attention. When you see that, you get excited about that. I saw [Ryan] Howard in the minor leagues and . . . I used to tell him how good he could be. I saw that.”

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  35. Not sure where to put this but I found this tidbit from a Salisbury story:

    “Righthander Shane Watson, the 40th overall pick in June, debuted in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and registered five scoreless, walk-free innings in four outings. A post-draft diagnosis of diabetes had delayed his first appearance.”

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