PhillyTalk: Ask the Writers and Experts

Hi Mike!

If the "next level" means making the playoffs, absolutely yes.

If "next level" means winning the Cup, we shall see. 

The manager of Yi's team in China said on Wednesday that his priority is getting players ready for the Chinese National Team and the Beijing Olympics in 2008, not helping the NBA.  He said he wants Yi with a team where he will play everyday and develop. 

Milwaukee has two active big men, including former No. 1 pick Andrew Boghut. Yi won't play there. However, Philadelphia has NO big inside players who would block Yi from playing time here.  So stay tuned.

I have said that consistently for at least a year, both on the radio and in the sunday paper.  Unfortunately the hatred of Manuel is so fanatical and so pervasive I have found few (if any) who agree with you.  One national publication said Manuel should be the manager of the year.  While I assign Manuel no particular credit (I think the team would be at .500 with or without him) I also assign him no particular blame.  Unfortunately, that's a minority position.  thanx, dm

Hi Gimme:

Pat Croce is one of the outstanding motivators and practioners of positive thinking in recent history, and he married himself to the Philadelphia fans with his outstanding, "fan friendly" stewardship of the 76ers in the late 1990s.  He would be a marvelous addition to any ownership group in any sport for exactly that reason -- the fans would believe in him.

But once he assumed stewardship, he would have the same problem as the current ownership -- a lack of pitching in a sport that depends almost totally on pitching.  Whether he could acquire that priceless commodity and whether the pitchers would perform when they got here is another question. 

thanx, dm

Hi Mike:

Here's a theory that hasn't been considered yet, which I'm gonna write about soon.  Since the Phillies have virtually nothing to trade in the non-star category, how about trading some of the stars?  If you traded Aaron Rowand for a good reliever, that would be a plus. If you traded one of the star infielders for two pitchers, that would be another plus.

Then you would have (presumably) Hamels, the two new guys, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton in the rotation.  You would have the new reliever as a setup man and Myers as the closer.   You could keep Kyle Kendrick for spot starts and as the long guy if the closer blows the save. If one or two of the guys like Geary, Alfonseca, Madson, Castro, etc., pitches well in spring training, keep him.  If not, release the whole bunch. 

You'll also have the possible return of Mathieson, who was okay last year and might still develop. There also are a few other young arms out there like Zagurski and two kids from Reading named Carrasco and Maloney. 

THAT would be a good pitching staff, and all you'd have to give up is a player you'll lose anyway (Rowand) and one infielder.

thanx,dm

Hi Mary:

Keep this in mind:  any move by any manager is held hostage to the performance of the player.  If the manager inserts a reliever and he does the job, it's a good move.  If he fails, fans consider it a poor move.  The manager's move is identical:  what changes is the performance of the player.  The Phillies relievers can't do the job.  That's not the fault of the manager.

I thought Manuel was terrible for two seasons because he did what Bowa and Francona did:  use the so-called "book" and use pitchers as the situation dictates, without regard to reality.  At least this season he has tried to take into account the players' abilities or lack of them.

The Phillies bullpen is SOOOOOOOO incredibly bad (among the absolute worst in recent major league history) there really is no good move. 

All of that said, I expect the team to let Manuel go at the end of the season.  And if they keep this same pitching staff, the results will be the same. 

thanx, dm

I'm not nearly so optimistic as the rest of the fans, who are talking 13-3.  I think it might be 10-6, which still should win the NFC East and get you to the playoffs.   One of the best indications will be opening day in Green Bay.  If the Birds win that one, they could get off to a good start.  If they drop it, they might be 2-2 before their week off and scrambling to make the playoffs.

Most knowledgable football people expect Kolb to be the starter in 2008.  He was drafted to become the starter. So it's only a matter of time.

thanx, dm