You want something to fret over? Try this:
Today's Inquirer has several stories on Chase Utley's injury and status accompanied by, and this is the discouraging part, a few charts showing where Utley ranks historically among all Phillies categorical leaders, where he ranks among all significant Phillies second basemen, and where he ranks compared to National League leading second baseman last year.
In other words, the sort of charts one expects at the end of a career.
Luis Castillo isn't going to make those charts any more palatable any time soon.
Follow up: The Inquirer ran a similar table on Jimmy Rollins the next day indicating one of two things:
1. The paper is doing this for all the veterans on the team, or;
2. The paper doesn't expect Rollins back after the season either.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Fleet Rate
What is it this time, Brad?
Another day, another injury for Brad Lidge. The story gets old with Lidge. He's fine; he isn't fine. He feels good; he feels bad. He strikes out minor leaguers one day and announces he feels good; he gets taken to the cleaners by major leaguers the next day and, naturally, he feels bad.
Here is Lidge on the latest injury: "I'm a little concerned because I haven't had shoulder problems in the past. That being said, there's other things in there you can have that can be a by-product of just straining it and they're not serious. That's obviously what I'm counting on right now."
So, it could be "just straining" but given Lidge's history, the first words to come out in the media are "Disabled List", as in, he might begin the season on the shelf.
It's impossible to know just how big a hypochondriac Lidge is. All we know at this juncture of his career is that the Phils can no longer rely on him.
Lidge is scheduled for the inevitable MRI early next week. I'd like to own that concession when it comes to the Phillies.
On another injury note, Placido Polanco is still on the shelf after a few days of rumors he'd be in the lineup. Hey, here's an idea: why don't the Phils send Polanco with Lidge for a double MRI? They could ask for a fleet rate.
Another day, another injury for Brad Lidge. The story gets old with Lidge. He's fine; he isn't fine. He feels good; he feels bad. He strikes out minor leaguers one day and announces he feels good; he gets taken to the cleaners by major leaguers the next day and, naturally, he feels bad.
Here is Lidge on the latest injury: "I'm a little concerned because I haven't had shoulder problems in the past. That being said, there's other things in there you can have that can be a by-product of just straining it and they're not serious. That's obviously what I'm counting on right now."
So, it could be "just straining" but given Lidge's history, the first words to come out in the media are "Disabled List", as in, he might begin the season on the shelf.
It's impossible to know just how big a hypochondriac Lidge is. All we know at this juncture of his career is that the Phils can no longer rely on him.
Lidge is scheduled for the inevitable MRI early next week. I'd like to own that concession when it comes to the Phillies.
On another injury note, Placido Polanco is still on the shelf after a few days of rumors he'd be in the lineup. Hey, here's an idea: why don't the Phils send Polanco with Lidge for a double MRI? They could ask for a fleet rate.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Predictions
In a matter of days, Luis Castillo will have plenty of time to make all the hotel reservations he needs...anywhere but in the Delaware Valley. His departure will deprive Mets fans of the dubious pleasure of telling Phils fans they told us so. As it turns out, Charlie Manuel told us so a few days ago when he mentioned had he been Castillo he would have showed up early for his resurrection screen test, not late!
* * * * * * * *
Chase Utley will not play baseball in 2011.
* * * * * * * *
The Phils Fab Four rotation will win 60 games tops.
* * * * * * * *
Joe Blanton will not be a Phillie in September.
* * * * * * * *
Shane Victorino will miss at least 20 games this season.
* * * * * * * *
J Roll will never again approach the batting figures of his MVP season.
* * * * * * * *
Ryan Howard won't see a fastball over the plate in at least half his AB's this season. He will swing anyway.
* * * * * * * *
Brett Myers will beat the Phils on Opening Day despite Roy Halladay's fine outing.
* * * * * * * *
The Atlanta Braves will win the NL East.
* * * * * * * *
Chase Utley will not play baseball in 2011.
* * * * * * * *
The Phils Fab Four rotation will win 60 games tops.
* * * * * * * *
Joe Blanton will not be a Phillie in September.
* * * * * * * *
Shane Victorino will miss at least 20 games this season.
* * * * * * * *
J Roll will never again approach the batting figures of his MVP season.
* * * * * * * *
Ryan Howard won't see a fastball over the plate in at least half his AB's this season. He will swing anyway.
* * * * * * * *
Brett Myers will beat the Phils on Opening Day despite Roy Halladay's fine outing.
* * * * * * * *
The Atlanta Braves will win the NL East.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Play Safe
From where I'm sitting the biggest competition remaining in Spring Training is not for the final roster spot; instead, it's whether or not the Phillies will have 25 healthy bodies available to start the season.
If I were the head man for the Phillies I would take Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins and cover them head-to-toe in bubble wrap. They are the only every day players remaining who haven't been injured or laid up this Spring.
Victorino, Ruiz and Oswalt were the latest guys to get thumped, plunked or bushwhacked. They join Polanco, Utley, Brown and Lidge among the players who've had rough Springs.
* * * * * * * *
Wilson Valdez can't get enough respect. Why else would the Phillies sign Luis Castillo to any kind of contract, minor or major? Castillo is going to get a good look from the Phils this final week of Spring Training...and then his potential new employers will come to their senses and and cut him, too.
* * * * * * * *
Speaking of respect, Ben Francisco doesn't get much either. He appears to have had a good spring but hasn't been handed the starting job in right field. I don't see him every day, heck I haven't seen him at all this Sprng, so I don't know how he's handled the defense in right, but he would seem to have the edge given he's a right-handed batter with some pop and he can field. Still, there are some self-annointed experts over at another Phillies blog who predict Ross Gload will be getting a lot of playing time because of his bat. If he does, I hope they sit Gload when Cole Hamels pitches or we might see a reprise of Hamels' famous eyes-rolling disgust at bad defense behind him.
If I were the head man for the Phillies I would take Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins and cover them head-to-toe in bubble wrap. They are the only every day players remaining who haven't been injured or laid up this Spring.
Victorino, Ruiz and Oswalt were the latest guys to get thumped, plunked or bushwhacked. They join Polanco, Utley, Brown and Lidge among the players who've had rough Springs.
* * * * * * * *
Wilson Valdez can't get enough respect. Why else would the Phillies sign Luis Castillo to any kind of contract, minor or major? Castillo is going to get a good look from the Phils this final week of Spring Training...and then his potential new employers will come to their senses and and cut him, too.
* * * * * * * *
Speaking of respect, Ben Francisco doesn't get much either. He appears to have had a good spring but hasn't been handed the starting job in right field. I don't see him every day, heck I haven't seen him at all this Sprng, so I don't know how he's handled the defense in right, but he would seem to have the edge given he's a right-handed batter with some pop and he can field. Still, there are some self-annointed experts over at another Phillies blog who predict Ross Gload will be getting a lot of playing time because of his bat. If he does, I hope they sit Gload when Cole Hamels pitches or we might see a reprise of Hamels' famous eyes-rolling disgust at bad defense behind him.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Age Before Beauty
The Mets unceremoniously dropped him and are still on the hook for $6 million but the Phillies have apparently seen "something" and taken a flyer on Luis Castillo because Chase Utley isn't going to play baseball in 2011. Oh, management has kept mum about Utley's prognosis but it doesn't take an advance degree to surmise he's done for this year. All that remains now is for the Phillies to delay surgery long enough so that Utley's recovery will extend into 2012.
Castillo, meanwhile, cleared waivers and was signed to a minor league contract by the Phils. They are "only" on the hook for the major league minimum salary, which is still serious money in anybody's economy.
Scouts say Castillo, 35, has slowed down in every phase of the game; if so, the old geezer would fit right in with the Phils' ancient lineup. The reality must be the Phillies alleged brain trust isn't all that comfortable with the idea of Wilson Valdez being the every-day second baseman. I dunno, from where I sit his defense is far better than Castillo's at this juncture. Any offense he would provide would be a bonus, frankly, even on a team that doesn't have much offense to begin with.
Speaking of offense, I've been posting a lot lately about the Phils' troubles at bat. For reasons hard to fathom, many observers believe their pitching will overcome the anemia I predict. Losing 3-2 or 4-3 would still be losing. If the Four Aces throw to a collective ERA in the low 3's they could still be losing without run support. GM Ruben Amaro received all manner of kudos for re-signing Cliff Lee, but he let some big offense leave without much of an effort when Jayson Werth signed in Washington. The smart money probably believes, and they ain't called the "smart money" for nothing, Werth's agent Scott Boras was never going to seriously negotiate with Amaro, so it might be unfair to suggest the Phils' GM screwed up, but on the other hand he didn't appear to make much of an effort to acquire a solid right-hand bat to make up the difference.
Maybe Amaro believes Ben Francisco or John Mayberry can hold the fort until Domonic Brown returns and develops, but more than a few hints from Charlie Manuel this past week suggest the manager isn't so sure.
If all this weren't troubling enough, we are treated daily to variations on "normal soreness" in discussing the nicks and bruises being suffered by other key elements of the squad, namely Brad Lidge and Placido Polanco. Both these players insist they will be ready for Opening Day and while they cannot be said to be whistling by the graveyard at this time, both have had enough physical ailments recently to make the rest of us wet our lips.
Castillo, meanwhile, cleared waivers and was signed to a minor league contract by the Phils. They are "only" on the hook for the major league minimum salary, which is still serious money in anybody's economy.
Scouts say Castillo, 35, has slowed down in every phase of the game; if so, the old geezer would fit right in with the Phils' ancient lineup. The reality must be the Phillies alleged brain trust isn't all that comfortable with the idea of Wilson Valdez being the every-day second baseman. I dunno, from where I sit his defense is far better than Castillo's at this juncture. Any offense he would provide would be a bonus, frankly, even on a team that doesn't have much offense to begin with.
Speaking of offense, I've been posting a lot lately about the Phils' troubles at bat. For reasons hard to fathom, many observers believe their pitching will overcome the anemia I predict. Losing 3-2 or 4-3 would still be losing. If the Four Aces throw to a collective ERA in the low 3's they could still be losing without run support. GM Ruben Amaro received all manner of kudos for re-signing Cliff Lee, but he let some big offense leave without much of an effort when Jayson Werth signed in Washington. The smart money probably believes, and they ain't called the "smart money" for nothing, Werth's agent Scott Boras was never going to seriously negotiate with Amaro, so it might be unfair to suggest the Phils' GM screwed up, but on the other hand he didn't appear to make much of an effort to acquire a solid right-hand bat to make up the difference.
Maybe Amaro believes Ben Francisco or John Mayberry can hold the fort until Domonic Brown returns and develops, but more than a few hints from Charlie Manuel this past week suggest the manager isn't so sure.
If all this weren't troubling enough, we are treated daily to variations on "normal soreness" in discussing the nicks and bruises being suffered by other key elements of the squad, namely Brad Lidge and Placido Polanco. Both these players insist they will be ready for Opening Day and while they cannot be said to be whistling by the graveyard at this time, both have had enough physical ailments recently to make the rest of us wet our lips.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Breaking News
I'm not sanguine.
Wow, that must come as a surprise to those of you who follow this space.
The Phils made it to the NLCS last season with unexpectedly good overall pitching and an erratic, inconsistent offense that, in the end, let them down.
Now, they are expected to parade down Broad Street with superb starting pitching, a seriously questionable bullpen, and an offense that not only will be missing two key ingredients from last year's, but has injury and hoped-for-recovery issues at far too many spots.
I don't see a parade.
Good pitching overcame a lot last year so great pitching is expected to overcome even more this season. Not going to happen. This installment of the Phillies has less margin of error than last year's. They are older and more prone to injury than in 2010.
Last year they broke camp in good health. This year they won't even do that!! Rumors have them scouring the waiver wire and list of cast-offs looking for fill-ins in the infield. When a team is thought to be considering Luis Castillo, things are not good. He is so washed up the Mets cut Castillo while owing him $6 million. I'd take Wilson Valdez in a heartbeat. Terrific fielder. Real battler. Decent bat.
When rumors have Ross Gload getting several starts in right field we are witnessing a surrender. Do the Phils really need a good-hit-no-field rightfielder who, incidentally, bats left-handed when they have Ben Francisco and John Mayberry? Francisco deserves to be handed the starting job right now and told it's his to lose. Enough jerking him around.
What pains me most on the eve of this new season is how unsettled the Phils appear publicly at this juncture of Spring Training. I say "publicly" because, per usual, they are far less than candid about the real extent of injuries to several players. Right Field. Second Base. The Closer. Third base. Yes, fans, third base. When a player is in his mid to last thirties, have off-season surgery on an elbow and hyper-extends that elbow in March one cannot be blase.
The Phils are no juggernaut.
Wow, that must come as a surprise to those of you who follow this space.
The Phils made it to the NLCS last season with unexpectedly good overall pitching and an erratic, inconsistent offense that, in the end, let them down.
Now, they are expected to parade down Broad Street with superb starting pitching, a seriously questionable bullpen, and an offense that not only will be missing two key ingredients from last year's, but has injury and hoped-for-recovery issues at far too many spots.
I don't see a parade.
Good pitching overcame a lot last year so great pitching is expected to overcome even more this season. Not going to happen. This installment of the Phillies has less margin of error than last year's. They are older and more prone to injury than in 2010.
Last year they broke camp in good health. This year they won't even do that!! Rumors have them scouring the waiver wire and list of cast-offs looking for fill-ins in the infield. When a team is thought to be considering Luis Castillo, things are not good. He is so washed up the Mets cut Castillo while owing him $6 million. I'd take Wilson Valdez in a heartbeat. Terrific fielder. Real battler. Decent bat.
When rumors have Ross Gload getting several starts in right field we are witnessing a surrender. Do the Phils really need a good-hit-no-field rightfielder who, incidentally, bats left-handed when they have Ben Francisco and John Mayberry? Francisco deserves to be handed the starting job right now and told it's his to lose. Enough jerking him around.
What pains me most on the eve of this new season is how unsettled the Phils appear publicly at this juncture of Spring Training. I say "publicly" because, per usual, they are far less than candid about the real extent of injuries to several players. Right Field. Second Base. The Closer. Third base. Yes, fans, third base. When a player is in his mid to last thirties, have off-season surgery on an elbow and hyper-extends that elbow in March one cannot be blase.
The Phils are no juggernaut.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Uh Oh
Uh oh. Brad Lidge just uttered the magic words in Phillies-speak when addressing reporters about his injury, alleged to be biceps tendinitis. "To be perfectly honest...."
We all know what's next.
We all know what's next.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Take Nothing For Granted
Chase Utley took ground balls the other day...seated in a chair.
I am not about to write the baseball obituary of a player as determined and dedicated as Utley, but I am forcibly reminded with his latest injury how fleeting the presence of greatness can be.
Among the many times I've written about Utley, these snippets stand out:
May 11, 2010
How many times over the last few seasons has Chase Utley flipped the ball with his glove to the shortstop or first baseman? It's getting to be a routine thing with Chase and it ain't an easy thing to do, especially when you are falling down or diving as is frequently the case with the Phils' second baseman. The guy just goes hard on every play. Remind yourselves not to take him for granted for one play. Be grateful you are watching one of the great players of this or any era.
April 22, 2010
As for Utley, one cannot get enough of him. It is pure pleasure to watch him step out of the box, look around at the defensive alignments and try and hit the ball where they ain't. He's never going to be a Gold Glove infielder but if possible he's even better than that, a player who makes the most of what he has, which is tremendous range, better than average hands and a average arm. He always managed to put himself in position to make all the plays, especially the tough ones. It's impossible to take him for granted because every time he steps into the batter's box or makes a play I remind myself I am watching one of those once-in-a-lifetime players and I don't want to miss a thing!
July 10, 2009
Watching Chase Utley lately I reminded myself for the umpteenth time to never take him for granted. I don't want to look back ten years from now and not have a clear image of him doing what he does better than virtually any other player of his generation -- play the game in every facet with astonishing determination, concentration, commitment and achievement.
They say the great players never take an at-bat off. I recall this notion every time he comes to the plate.
Utley arrived in the big leagues with an excellent reputation for his bat but a lot of question marks about his fielding. No one knew this better than he did so, naturally, he set out to make himself a fine fielder. While he may never be the most graceful or acrobatic fielder, he will always be a smart one who makes every play.
We are very lucky to see him play every day.
I am not about to write the baseball obituary of a player as determined and dedicated as Utley, but I am forcibly reminded with his latest injury how fleeting the presence of greatness can be.
Among the many times I've written about Utley, these snippets stand out:
May 11, 2010
How many times over the last few seasons has Chase Utley flipped the ball with his glove to the shortstop or first baseman? It's getting to be a routine thing with Chase and it ain't an easy thing to do, especially when you are falling down or diving as is frequently the case with the Phils' second baseman. The guy just goes hard on every play. Remind yourselves not to take him for granted for one play. Be grateful you are watching one of the great players of this or any era.
April 22, 2010
As for Utley, one cannot get enough of him. It is pure pleasure to watch him step out of the box, look around at the defensive alignments and try and hit the ball where they ain't. He's never going to be a Gold Glove infielder but if possible he's even better than that, a player who makes the most of what he has, which is tremendous range, better than average hands and a average arm. He always managed to put himself in position to make all the plays, especially the tough ones. It's impossible to take him for granted because every time he steps into the batter's box or makes a play I remind myself I am watching one of those once-in-a-lifetime players and I don't want to miss a thing!
July 10, 2009
Watching Chase Utley lately I reminded myself for the umpteenth time to never take him for granted. I don't want to look back ten years from now and not have a clear image of him doing what he does better than virtually any other player of his generation -- play the game in every facet with astonishing determination, concentration, commitment and achievement.
They say the great players never take an at-bat off. I recall this notion every time he comes to the plate.
Utley arrived in the big leagues with an excellent reputation for his bat but a lot of question marks about his fielding. No one knew this better than he did so, naturally, he set out to make himself a fine fielder. While he may never be the most graceful or acrobatic fielder, he will always be a smart one who makes every play.
We are very lucky to see him play every day.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Odds & Ends
In its inimitable fashion the Phillies' front office is preparing us for more bad news on Chase Utley. "Normal soreness" gave way to resting him which in turn gave way to a cortisone shot which in turn gave way to suggestions of "other concerns" that might require surgery. The only professional sport that is more evasive in describing injuries is the entire NHL which loves the phrase "lower body injury" for anything below the waist. A hockey player could have a compound fracture with bones protruding in six directions and the league would call it a "lower body injury"!
By comparison, the NFL publishes nearly daily updates for all manner of injuries and ailments with buzzwords like "probable" or "questionable" attached. Of course, the betting on NFL games is such big business, condoned, no make that encouraged and supported by the league, that the impact of individual players on the betting line is deemed too financially critical to withhold information.
Back to the Phillies, any prolonged absence of Utley would be disastrous in an of itself, and the hand injury to Domonic Brown in yesterday's pre-season game doesn't help matters. Brown's struggles thus far this March strongly suggested he would not be the starting right-fielder, but the prospect of surgery and a 3-6 week recovery precludes his availability at a time when the Phils' offense remains the most suspect facet of their overall game, the bullpen being a close second. (As a side note, the rush to judgment on Brown's long-term prospects has no place in legitimate discussions but surely would find a place in Las Vegas.)
Now management is faced with looking for as many as two replacements. The good news is the games don't count yet; the bad news is they will soon enough and there aren't a lot of top-quality players out there to fill the gap(s). There will be some movement of players at the end of Spring Training. The odds that Joe Blanton will be one of them are increasing daily.
By comparison, the NFL publishes nearly daily updates for all manner of injuries and ailments with buzzwords like "probable" or "questionable" attached. Of course, the betting on NFL games is such big business, condoned, no make that encouraged and supported by the league, that the impact of individual players on the betting line is deemed too financially critical to withhold information.
Back to the Phillies, any prolonged absence of Utley would be disastrous in an of itself, and the hand injury to Domonic Brown in yesterday's pre-season game doesn't help matters. Brown's struggles thus far this March strongly suggested he would not be the starting right-fielder, but the prospect of surgery and a 3-6 week recovery precludes his availability at a time when the Phils' offense remains the most suspect facet of their overall game, the bullpen being a close second. (As a side note, the rush to judgment on Brown's long-term prospects has no place in legitimate discussions but surely would find a place in Las Vegas.)
Now management is faced with looking for as many as two replacements. The good news is the games don't count yet; the bad news is they will soon enough and there aren't a lot of top-quality players out there to fill the gap(s). There will be some movement of players at the end of Spring Training. The odds that Joe Blanton will be one of them are increasing daily.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Finger Poised Above The Speed Dial Buttons
Let's not kid ourselves, the "news" about Chase Utley isn't good and management's customary tight-lipped approach to any further information is worse.
The Phils offense had a huge number of question marks before the Utley announcement. If he begins the season on the Disabled List, or worse, if he requires surgery, the Phils will have to go out and get another bat and glove. No one in camp, Wilson Valdez included, can fill that hole. The bet here is Polanco will be moved to second and the Phils will seek a third baseman.
Here's hoping Joe Blanton has a monster Spring.
The Phils offense had a huge number of question marks before the Utley announcement. If he begins the season on the Disabled List, or worse, if he requires surgery, the Phils will have to go out and get another bat and glove. No one in camp, Wilson Valdez included, can fill that hole. The bet here is Polanco will be moved to second and the Phils will seek a third baseman.
Here's hoping Joe Blanton has a monster Spring.
Monday, February 28, 2011
New Chink In Dented Armor
Chase Utley has a knee problem and Phillies fans everywhere buckled at the news.
By now everyone who follows the Phillies knows Utley cannot be relied on to reveal the truth about his health; nor, for that matter, can the Phillies, who routinely obfuscate whenever suggestions let alone rumors surface that one of their players is hurting.
The Utley injury, confirmed as patella tendinitis by an MRI, is no small matter given how important his presence in the lineup is and how much the Phils are counting on him to rebound from last season's injury-plagued year. Wilson Valdez did an admirable job last year, but he ain't no Utley, hurt or otherwise.
If tincture of time proves ineffective in Utley's case, the Phils could move Placido Polanco to second, his more natural position. They'd still have to solve the problem of who plays third, however.
What we do know is there is no margin of error for the Phils' offense.
By now everyone who follows the Phillies knows Utley cannot be relied on to reveal the truth about his health; nor, for that matter, can the Phillies, who routinely obfuscate whenever suggestions let alone rumors surface that one of their players is hurting.
The Utley injury, confirmed as patella tendinitis by an MRI, is no small matter given how important his presence in the lineup is and how much the Phils are counting on him to rebound from last season's injury-plagued year. Wilson Valdez did an admirable job last year, but he ain't no Utley, hurt or otherwise.
If tincture of time proves ineffective in Utley's case, the Phils could move Placido Polanco to second, his more natural position. They'd still have to solve the problem of who plays third, however.
What we do know is there is no margin of error for the Phils' offense.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
This Has To Be The Year
One of the most anticipated seasons in their long and mostly tortuous history gets underway this afternoon when the Phillies take on the NY Yankees in the first Spring Training game against a major league opponent. (The Phils played Florida State last week.)
For the phaithful that long history has been far less tortuous of late. The Phils have won the NL East title four years running and have advanced to two World Series, winning one, and one NLCS in the process.
As the pundits are quick to point out, today's game is largely meaningless other than to give some prime players live competition and some fringe players a chance to show they belong. It is interesting to look over the announced starting lineups and note the Yankees will send out what is expected to be their starting day lineup while the Phils will be without several certain starters including most of their infield.
Last season the Phils faltered when their vaunted offense could not keep pace with their pitching, which was supposed to play the supporting role. True, the offense was beset by injuries to all of the starting infield, but the overall feeling was the Phils did not perform well at the plate, taking too passive an approach. Hitting coach Milt Thompson was the sacrificial lamb at mid-season, the usual response when "something must be done", but his replacement, Greg Gross, didn't have any better success convincing players to go up their hacking.
It isn't exactly comforting to read Chase Utley won't be in the lineup today because of "body soreness". Utley missed 49 games last year and never looked sharp at the plate or in the field. The Phils are counting on him to rebound this season. Jimmy Rollins, who was excused for a few days, is also out of the lineup, apparently running late getting back to camp. Rollins missed a huge amount of last season due to injury (and was the center of a mild controversy the year before for arriving late for a game). Both players must come back if the Phils expect to contend.
In truth the Phils are clearly built to win now. Many of their starters are advancing in years (Utley, Howard, Rollins, Oswalt, Ibanez, Lidge, Polanco) and more importantly many are being counted on to bounce back from sub-par seasons in 2010. If a few of them fail to rebound, there won't be any parades in the Fall of 2011 nor will there be one in 2012, when even more holes will have to be filled.
So, this year has to be it. Everything gets underway this afternoon.
For the phaithful that long history has been far less tortuous of late. The Phils have won the NL East title four years running and have advanced to two World Series, winning one, and one NLCS in the process.
As the pundits are quick to point out, today's game is largely meaningless other than to give some prime players live competition and some fringe players a chance to show they belong. It is interesting to look over the announced starting lineups and note the Yankees will send out what is expected to be their starting day lineup while the Phils will be without several certain starters including most of their infield.
Last season the Phils faltered when their vaunted offense could not keep pace with their pitching, which was supposed to play the supporting role. True, the offense was beset by injuries to all of the starting infield, but the overall feeling was the Phils did not perform well at the plate, taking too passive an approach. Hitting coach Milt Thompson was the sacrificial lamb at mid-season, the usual response when "something must be done", but his replacement, Greg Gross, didn't have any better success convincing players to go up their hacking.
It isn't exactly comforting to read Chase Utley won't be in the lineup today because of "body soreness". Utley missed 49 games last year and never looked sharp at the plate or in the field. The Phils are counting on him to rebound this season. Jimmy Rollins, who was excused for a few days, is also out of the lineup, apparently running late getting back to camp. Rollins missed a huge amount of last season due to injury (and was the center of a mild controversy the year before for arriving late for a game). Both players must come back if the Phils expect to contend.
In truth the Phils are clearly built to win now. Many of their starters are advancing in years (Utley, Howard, Rollins, Oswalt, Ibanez, Lidge, Polanco) and more importantly many are being counted on to bounce back from sub-par seasons in 2010. If a few of them fail to rebound, there won't be any parades in the Fall of 2011 nor will there be one in 2012, when even more holes will have to be filled.
So, this year has to be it. Everything gets underway this afternoon.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Spring Notes On And Off The Diamond
Trying to stay calm amidst the hype surrounding the 2011 edition of the Phillies isn't going to be easy. Publicly, Cliff Lee seems to be taking things in stride, pointing out the Fab Four, Four Aces or whatever this magnificent rotation is eventually nicknamed, hasn't thrown a single pitch yet and have already been anointed one of the best starting quartets ever!
One real sign of the times is that Chase Utley has already reported, early naturally, along with the pitchers and catchers. Infielders weren't due for another week, but Utley is a man on a mission, hoping to improve on last year's injury-plagued performance. Anyone hoping the intense second baseman might learn to take things in at a more measured pace, you know, the old marathon vs. sprint metaphor, would have to view his early arrival as a sign it's business as usual for Utley.
As marvelous as the pitching staff is, the Phillies have far too many players deemed in comeback mode to start planning any parades down Broad Street. One thing is certain: this is a team that must win this year. A few of its key ingredients will be free agents after the season. Several of its key players will be on the other side of baseball middle age at the conclusion of the season. Many are predicting the Phillies will hoist the World Series trophy late next Autumn, but before they get there a lot of troubling questions must be answered satisfactorily.
This is no sure thing.
* * * * * * * *
Were the Phillies inclined to look across Pattison Avenue for some inspiration, both the Flyers and Sixers are having fine seasons. The Fly Boys will certainly make the playoffs with many predicting they will go deep into them if not all the way. They don't really have a Bernie Parent-level goaltender, but they do have remarkable overall balance and skill.
The Sixers might not make the playoffs, but already they have had a marvelous season under new head coach Doug Collins. Collins will certainly be a candidate for coach of the year, but he may find himself a finalist for an even bigger honor, The Most Patient Man In Professional Sports.
Collins is being given much of the credit for the Sixers' turnaround from a moribund, underachieving team lacking a personality to a bunch of mid-level players working together on both ends of the court at maximum capacity and effort. The Sixers lack a true big star as well as a top-notch man in the middle, but they manage to cobble together the talent they have into a very cohesive defensive unit that on any given night can play with nearly all of the best in the NBA. To have come so far in half a season under Collins is a tribute to how well they've bought into his system and his personality.
* * * * * * * *
How far has Tiger Woods fallen? He was fined for spitting on the 12th green in a tournament over the weekend in the process of shooting a final round of 75 that dropped him way out of contention. Egads! Fined for spitting! Tournament officials claimed it was the height of unsportsman-like conduct. Paraphrasing one indignant official, "Someone putting on that green might have to deal with his ball and Woods' saliva. Disgraceful."
Imagine the ruckus is pitchers throughout MLB started complaining about their opposite numbers spitting on the mound. On second thought, who could possible monitor major league baseball players' expectorant rate?
One real sign of the times is that Chase Utley has already reported, early naturally, along with the pitchers and catchers. Infielders weren't due for another week, but Utley is a man on a mission, hoping to improve on last year's injury-plagued performance. Anyone hoping the intense second baseman might learn to take things in at a more measured pace, you know, the old marathon vs. sprint metaphor, would have to view his early arrival as a sign it's business as usual for Utley.
As marvelous as the pitching staff is, the Phillies have far too many players deemed in comeback mode to start planning any parades down Broad Street. One thing is certain: this is a team that must win this year. A few of its key ingredients will be free agents after the season. Several of its key players will be on the other side of baseball middle age at the conclusion of the season. Many are predicting the Phillies will hoist the World Series trophy late next Autumn, but before they get there a lot of troubling questions must be answered satisfactorily.
This is no sure thing.
* * * * * * * *
Were the Phillies inclined to look across Pattison Avenue for some inspiration, both the Flyers and Sixers are having fine seasons. The Fly Boys will certainly make the playoffs with many predicting they will go deep into them if not all the way. They don't really have a Bernie Parent-level goaltender, but they do have remarkable overall balance and skill.
The Sixers might not make the playoffs, but already they have had a marvelous season under new head coach Doug Collins. Collins will certainly be a candidate for coach of the year, but he may find himself a finalist for an even bigger honor, The Most Patient Man In Professional Sports.
Collins is being given much of the credit for the Sixers' turnaround from a moribund, underachieving team lacking a personality to a bunch of mid-level players working together on both ends of the court at maximum capacity and effort. The Sixers lack a true big star as well as a top-notch man in the middle, but they manage to cobble together the talent they have into a very cohesive defensive unit that on any given night can play with nearly all of the best in the NBA. To have come so far in half a season under Collins is a tribute to how well they've bought into his system and his personality.
* * * * * * * *
How far has Tiger Woods fallen? He was fined for spitting on the 12th green in a tournament over the weekend in the process of shooting a final round of 75 that dropped him way out of contention. Egads! Fined for spitting! Tournament officials claimed it was the height of unsportsman-like conduct. Paraphrasing one indignant official, "Someone putting on that green might have to deal with his ball and Woods' saliva. Disgraceful."
Imagine the ruckus is pitchers throughout MLB started complaining about their opposite numbers spitting on the mound. On second thought, who could possible monitor major league baseball players' expectorant rate?
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Hypocrisy
The Hall of Fame vote yesterday gave us a little of everything but especially hypocrisy.
Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven deserved election. So, too, did Edgar Martinez, who is being punished for assuming the role of DH and performing it better than anyone else in the history of the game. He was a feared and admired hitter for a very long time. Now, he is considered unworthy because MLB cannot decide whether or not the DH is a legitimate position for both leagues or none. In the meantime, they keep trotting out DH's in the American League without compunction. Hypocrites!
Jeff Bagwell case is also noteworthy. The incredibly low vote he received based solely on innuendo is the height of hypocrisy by the writers, many of whom gladly looked the other way during the Steroid Era when players left in the Fall looking like Olyve Oil and returned in the Spring bearing a striking resemblance to her boyfriend. The holier-than-thou writers who worked the beats in those days, covered him if only occasionally, and left him off their ballots when casting their votes yesterday deserved to be drummed out of the corps. Voters should be required to disclose their ballots.
Lee Smith also deserved serious consideration but it appears likely he is never going to get it. A great closer is deemed crucial to winning a World Series but seems less significant when considering Hall worthiness.
Then there is the case of Rafael Palmeiro. For a long time I have championed his candidacy because his use of PED's was hardly the exception. His testing positively may have been, but anyone intimately connected to baseball during that era knows in his or her heart that Palmeiro was a great player without benefit of PED's. He tested positive late in his career, no excuse, but likely due to injury or a desperate attempt to stave off decline, making him one of hundreds of players who sought an edge through pharmacology. But the holier-than-thou crowd always wants its scapegoats, especially when these can divert attention from the hypocrites' own complicity.
Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven deserved election. So, too, did Edgar Martinez, who is being punished for assuming the role of DH and performing it better than anyone else in the history of the game. He was a feared and admired hitter for a very long time. Now, he is considered unworthy because MLB cannot decide whether or not the DH is a legitimate position for both leagues or none. In the meantime, they keep trotting out DH's in the American League without compunction. Hypocrites!
Jeff Bagwell case is also noteworthy. The incredibly low vote he received based solely on innuendo is the height of hypocrisy by the writers, many of whom gladly looked the other way during the Steroid Era when players left in the Fall looking like Olyve Oil and returned in the Spring bearing a striking resemblance to her boyfriend. The holier-than-thou writers who worked the beats in those days, covered him if only occasionally, and left him off their ballots when casting their votes yesterday deserved to be drummed out of the corps. Voters should be required to disclose their ballots.
Lee Smith also deserved serious consideration but it appears likely he is never going to get it. A great closer is deemed crucial to winning a World Series but seems less significant when considering Hall worthiness.
Then there is the case of Rafael Palmeiro. For a long time I have championed his candidacy because his use of PED's was hardly the exception. His testing positively may have been, but anyone intimately connected to baseball during that era knows in his or her heart that Palmeiro was a great player without benefit of PED's. He tested positive late in his career, no excuse, but likely due to injury or a desperate attempt to stave off decline, making him one of hundreds of players who sought an edge through pharmacology. But the holier-than-thou crowd always wants its scapegoats, especially when these can divert attention from the hypocrites' own complicity.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
I Digress...Again
The most remarkable aspect of UConn's 89-game win streak is that every team playing the Huskies since the streak approached record territory has looked at the schedule and circled the date as it's championship game.
* * * * * * * *
The Eagles astonishing comeback last Sunday vs. the Giants was probably watched at home by far fewer fans than are willing to acknowledge it now. As the game wound down to its final eight minutes I'll bet a lot of people reached for the remote and said, "OK, I'd better do that last minute shopping or finally hang the lights outside or clean up the garage or walk the dog or...." Thanks to replays ad nauseum, however, everyone can claim they saw it all live.
* * * * * * * *
As much of the baseball world and all of the Delaware Valley proclaimed the Phillies' starting rotation among the best ever and started planning for the post-season parade it is worth noting the Phillies lost last year because of hitting not pitching. Nothing they have done this off-season has improved their offense; indeed, it is weaker with Jayson Werth's departure. So, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, especially since the Phillies are counting on Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and, yes, Chase Utley all to rebound from last year's performances. And, of course, there are the matters of Ryan Howard's power drop off and the hope that Domonic Brown is the real deal.
* * * * * * * *
Just when everyone is ready to pronounce the Sixers a vastly improved, playoff-bound team, they play a game like last night in Chicago in which they were, charitably putting it, slaughtered.
* * * * * * * *
And just when the Flyers were celebrating their number one power ranking on ESPN, they go out and lay one big fat egg vs. the lowly Florida Panthers, getting shut out at home 5-0.
* * * * * * * *
The Eagles astonishing comeback last Sunday vs. the Giants was probably watched at home by far fewer fans than are willing to acknowledge it now. As the game wound down to its final eight minutes I'll bet a lot of people reached for the remote and said, "OK, I'd better do that last minute shopping or finally hang the lights outside or clean up the garage or walk the dog or...." Thanks to replays ad nauseum, however, everyone can claim they saw it all live.
* * * * * * * *
As much of the baseball world and all of the Delaware Valley proclaimed the Phillies' starting rotation among the best ever and started planning for the post-season parade it is worth noting the Phillies lost last year because of hitting not pitching. Nothing they have done this off-season has improved their offense; indeed, it is weaker with Jayson Werth's departure. So, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, especially since the Phillies are counting on Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and, yes, Chase Utley all to rebound from last year's performances. And, of course, there are the matters of Ryan Howard's power drop off and the hope that Domonic Brown is the real deal.
* * * * * * * *
Just when everyone is ready to pronounce the Sixers a vastly improved, playoff-bound team, they play a game like last night in Chicago in which they were, charitably putting it, slaughtered.
* * * * * * * *
And just when the Flyers were celebrating their number one power ranking on ESPN, they go out and lay one big fat egg vs. the lowly Florida Panthers, getting shut out at home 5-0.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Among Other Things....
The Cliff Lee signing completes the transformation of the perception of Philadelphia's by major league baseball players. It wasn't that long ago, prior to December, 2002, to be exact, when free agents shuddered at the prospect of playing in Philadelphia.
Bad stadium (the Vet), tough fans and, oh yes, a tradition of losing. Not an attractive picture.
Just prior to the start of the 2003 season, Jim Thome signed a six-year deal with the Phillies, who were about to move into a new stadium one year later. Thome's arrival broke the ice, at least among top-rated position players, who soon discovered what a hitters' park Citizens Bank Park was. Starting pitchers, on the other hand, deplored the short fences of the Bank and continued to avoid Philadelphia like the plague.
Following Thome's signing, the Phillies' home grown nucleus of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels combined with the shrewd talent evaluation of Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth and the acquisitions of Brad Lidge, Cliff Lee (albeit briefly) and Placido Polanco produced winning baseball on an annual basis.
The Roy Halladay signing a year ago finally broke the boycott by front line starting pitchers. His arrival was followed in mid-season by Roy Oswalt, who waived his no-trade clause to come to Philadelphia, further banishing the old stereotypes about Citizens Bank Park and the City Of Brotherly Love. Today, Cliff Lee buried these issues for good.
Not only did Lee want to return to Philadelphia, a city both he and his wife liked, he signed for less money than the two other suitors were offering. The chance to win surely influenced his decision. So, too, did the memories of playing here before.
Bad stadium (the Vet), tough fans and, oh yes, a tradition of losing. Not an attractive picture.
Just prior to the start of the 2003 season, Jim Thome signed a six-year deal with the Phillies, who were about to move into a new stadium one year later. Thome's arrival broke the ice, at least among top-rated position players, who soon discovered what a hitters' park Citizens Bank Park was. Starting pitchers, on the other hand, deplored the short fences of the Bank and continued to avoid Philadelphia like the plague.
Following Thome's signing, the Phillies' home grown nucleus of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels combined with the shrewd talent evaluation of Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth and the acquisitions of Brad Lidge, Cliff Lee (albeit briefly) and Placido Polanco produced winning baseball on an annual basis.
The Roy Halladay signing a year ago finally broke the boycott by front line starting pitchers. His arrival was followed in mid-season by Roy Oswalt, who waived his no-trade clause to come to Philadelphia, further banishing the old stereotypes about Citizens Bank Park and the City Of Brotherly Love. Today, Cliff Lee buried these issues for good.
Not only did Lee want to return to Philadelphia, a city both he and his wife liked, he signed for less money than the two other suitors were offering. The chance to win surely influenced his decision. So, too, did the memories of playing here before.
While We Were Asleep
Say what you will, when Ruben Amaro seeks redemption, he doesn't hold back!
The Phillies stunned everyone in baseball, especially the pundits, by snatching Cliff Lee, the prized free agent pitcher of the season, from the richer claws of the NY Yankees and the favored grasp of the Texas Rangers. In doing so, they reacquired a player who expressed deep disappointment and surprise at his original departure a year earlier.
Bloggers and posters throughout the Delaware Valley had had a field day with Amaro's poor decision last off-season to trade the popular and successful Lee for three prospects whose prospects aren't very bright. Now, they're going to have to start singing Amaro's praises all over again.
The Phillies already had the second highest overall team salary prior to the signing of Lee which only goes to show that 123 straight sellouts has produced sufficient cash flow.
Lee reportedly turned down bigger money and longer terms to come back to Philadelphia, where he clearly enjoyed his half season stay. Already, the Phils' starting rotation is being called the best and/or compared to the great starting rotations of the past. It certainly does look formidable. Here's a comparison to one great rotation that lasted two seasons (1971 and '72). (Three of the four Orioles pitchers were together in Baltimore for many years)
Cliff Lee 102-61
Cole Hamels 60-45
Roy Halladay 169-86
Roy Oswalt 150-83
Jim Palmer 268-152
Dave McNally 184-119
Mike Cuellar 185-130
Pat Dobson 122-129
Readers of this space know me for the glass half-empty guy I am, so here is my take on the signing:
The Phils indeed possess the most formidable starting rotation in the baseball with this signing. What they do NOT possess is a reliable bullpen, sufficient right-handed hitting nor a stable outfield. Good pitching beats good hitting (or at least in last season's post-season, hitting that has stopped hitting altogether), but it cannot overcome all deficiencies. The other jokers in the deck for the Phillies are the rebound of Jimmy Rollins, the elbow of Placido Polanco, the full recovery of his batting eye by Chase Utley and the emegence of Domonic Brown. This is not a team without question marks.
Oh, and one more thing about this signing: I wouldn't put it past Amaro to be thinking about trading a starter not named Blanton for a hitter.
All that said, welcome back Cliff!
The Phillies stunned everyone in baseball, especially the pundits, by snatching Cliff Lee, the prized free agent pitcher of the season, from the richer claws of the NY Yankees and the favored grasp of the Texas Rangers. In doing so, they reacquired a player who expressed deep disappointment and surprise at his original departure a year earlier.
Bloggers and posters throughout the Delaware Valley had had a field day with Amaro's poor decision last off-season to trade the popular and successful Lee for three prospects whose prospects aren't very bright. Now, they're going to have to start singing Amaro's praises all over again.
The Phillies already had the second highest overall team salary prior to the signing of Lee which only goes to show that 123 straight sellouts has produced sufficient cash flow.
Lee reportedly turned down bigger money and longer terms to come back to Philadelphia, where he clearly enjoyed his half season stay. Already, the Phils' starting rotation is being called the best and/or compared to the great starting rotations of the past. It certainly does look formidable. Here's a comparison to one great rotation that lasted two seasons (1971 and '72). (Three of the four Orioles pitchers were together in Baltimore for many years)
Cliff Lee 102-61
Cole Hamels 60-45
Roy Halladay 169-86
Roy Oswalt 150-83
Jim Palmer 268-152
Dave McNally 184-119
Mike Cuellar 185-130
Pat Dobson 122-129
Readers of this space know me for the glass half-empty guy I am, so here is my take on the signing:
The Phils indeed possess the most formidable starting rotation in the baseball with this signing. What they do NOT possess is a reliable bullpen, sufficient right-handed hitting nor a stable outfield. Good pitching beats good hitting (or at least in last season's post-season, hitting that has stopped hitting altogether), but it cannot overcome all deficiencies. The other jokers in the deck for the Phillies are the rebound of Jimmy Rollins, the elbow of Placido Polanco, the full recovery of his batting eye by Chase Utley and the emegence of Domonic Brown. This is not a team without question marks.
Oh, and one more thing about this signing: I wouldn't put it past Amaro to be thinking about trading a starter not named Blanton for a hitter.
All that said, welcome back Cliff!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Predictable
I just finished reading in the Inky where Jayson Werth was quoted as saying he was "unwanted" in Philadelphia and now has "found a home" in Washington. Readers of this space know I've never held Werth in high intellectual regard. Indeed, let's hope his new contract in Washington calls for him to be watered regularly.
I guess having been reclaimed from the scrap heap, having been brought along patiently, then been handed the starting job and finally been offered $15 million a year for three or four years all added up to the Phillies not wanting Jayson. Well, here's hoping the 19 Nationals fans, 211 ushers and 153 vendors who regularly show up for games in DC make Werth feel right at home. If they cannot, the Phillies fans who regularly outnumber locals by two or three to one at Nationals home games can always make him feel "unwanted".
Meanwhile, where can I sign up to feel as "unwanted" as Werth?
I guess having been reclaimed from the scrap heap, having been brought along patiently, then been handed the starting job and finally been offered $15 million a year for three or four years all added up to the Phillies not wanting Jayson. Well, here's hoping the 19 Nationals fans, 211 ushers and 153 vendors who regularly show up for games in DC make Werth feel right at home. If they cannot, the Phillies fans who regularly outnumber locals by two or three to one at Nationals home games can always make him feel "unwanted".
Meanwhile, where can I sign up to feel as "unwanted" as Werth?
Monday, December 06, 2010
Not Werth It
OK, I'll admit the headline is a bit cheesy, but I couldn't resist.
Readers of this space (the five of you know who you are) are well aware I have mixed feelings about Jayson Werth. He is a streaky hitter who can be productive but rarely in the clutch, a very good outfielder who can be erratic (especially his arm) and a fast base runner who can be caught napping (too often). Werth will never make Phi Beta Kappa, but, then, MLB isn't interested in college board scores.
Werth's so-far irreplaceable value to the Phils had to do as much with his handedness as anything else. Simply put, he was the only productive position player with power who batted from the right side. Will his bat and glove be missed? Depends entirely on who replaces him. For now, the bigger question is whether or not he is worth the seven-year $126 million contract he just signed with the Washington Nationals.
Of course, the answer remains to be seen but there is no time limit or restriction on speculating about the deal. Most observers who have one if not two feet planted in reality were stunned by the deal on every conceivable front. The Nationals don't appear to be the sort of team that can afford such a contract, but having offered it to Werth the only conclusions to draw are: 1)like most baseball teams, they have more money than they let on; or, 2)they are gambling.
For those who thought Werth would sign with the Red Sox or some other front runner, the clear message is he doesn't need another World Series ring. Good thing, too, because he isn't likely to get one in DC.
Seven years for a fellow who turns 32 at the beginning of next season seems like a long time but we have to remember salary and number-of-years inflation is the rule in most big league contracts today for type A as well as B players.
Washington is generally thought of as a team destined to continue losing, especially since they just lost their biggest power threat, Adam Dunn. Nevertheless, they do have some a pesky lineup. Where they seem most vulnerable is on the mound, especially with phenom Stephen Strasburg lost for all of next year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Nats aren't as bad as some say nor as good as their ownership appears to believe...at least not now. They may be on the rise and the people who write the checks hope Werth will nudge them forward in that direction a little faster.
Is Jayson Werth the missing piece for the Nationals? Almost certainly not. He's going from the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park to a stadium where home runs are harder to come by. He isn't going to be surrounded by comparably talented players and isn't likely to have as many people on base in front of him, either.
But if Washington thinks he's worth all that money, Jayson isn't about to contradict them. You don't need a Phi Betta Kappa key to know that!
Readers of this space (the five of you know who you are) are well aware I have mixed feelings about Jayson Werth. He is a streaky hitter who can be productive but rarely in the clutch, a very good outfielder who can be erratic (especially his arm) and a fast base runner who can be caught napping (too often). Werth will never make Phi Beta Kappa, but, then, MLB isn't interested in college board scores.
Werth's so-far irreplaceable value to the Phils had to do as much with his handedness as anything else. Simply put, he was the only productive position player with power who batted from the right side. Will his bat and glove be missed? Depends entirely on who replaces him. For now, the bigger question is whether or not he is worth the seven-year $126 million contract he just signed with the Washington Nationals.
Of course, the answer remains to be seen but there is no time limit or restriction on speculating about the deal. Most observers who have one if not two feet planted in reality were stunned by the deal on every conceivable front. The Nationals don't appear to be the sort of team that can afford such a contract, but having offered it to Werth the only conclusions to draw are: 1)like most baseball teams, they have more money than they let on; or, 2)they are gambling.
For those who thought Werth would sign with the Red Sox or some other front runner, the clear message is he doesn't need another World Series ring. Good thing, too, because he isn't likely to get one in DC.
Seven years for a fellow who turns 32 at the beginning of next season seems like a long time but we have to remember salary and number-of-years inflation is the rule in most big league contracts today for type A as well as B players.
Washington is generally thought of as a team destined to continue losing, especially since they just lost their biggest power threat, Adam Dunn. Nevertheless, they do have some a pesky lineup. Where they seem most vulnerable is on the mound, especially with phenom Stephen Strasburg lost for all of next year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Nats aren't as bad as some say nor as good as their ownership appears to believe...at least not now. They may be on the rise and the people who write the checks hope Werth will nudge them forward in that direction a little faster.
Is Jayson Werth the missing piece for the Nationals? Almost certainly not. He's going from the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park to a stadium where home runs are harder to come by. He isn't going to be surrounded by comparably talented players and isn't likely to have as many people on base in front of him, either.
But if Washington thinks he's worth all that money, Jayson isn't about to contradict them. You don't need a Phi Betta Kappa key to know that!
Monday, November 29, 2010
HOF Time
One non-voter's HOF ballot:
Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Rafael Palmeiro and Lee Smith.
The complete ballot: Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Jeff Bagwell, Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Bret Boone, Kevin Brown, John Franco, Juan Gonzalez, Marquis Grissom, Lenny Harris, Bobby Higginson, Charles Johnson, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Raul Mondesi, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Kirk Rueter, Benito Santiago, Lee Smith, B.J. Surhoff, Alan Trammell, Larry Walker.
Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Rafael Palmeiro and Lee Smith.
The complete ballot: Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Jeff Bagwell, Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Bret Boone, Kevin Brown, John Franco, Juan Gonzalez, Marquis Grissom, Lenny Harris, Bobby Higginson, Charles Johnson, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Raul Mondesi, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Kirk Rueter, Benito Santiago, Lee Smith, B.J. Surhoff, Alan Trammell, Larry Walker.
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