Phillies: Pitching is Job 1
What Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to do.
Phillies: Pitching is Job 1
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
In a world of competing resources, it's just the way to go. It is the lesson of the Phillies' run to the world championship. We have become very comfortable with the fact that this was a team built to hit. It is the notion we have carried for several years, mostly because it was true. In 2005-6-7, this was beer-league softball in a homer-heavy ballpark. That is what they were.
But not in 2008, even if we all were a little slow to recognize it. They won with pitching. We all know it now. They had the best bullpen in the National League -- that is why they won the NL East and the Mets didn't. They had Cole Hamels all year and an outrageous second half of the season by Brett Myers -- that is why they won. And in the post-season, well, they played 14 games and I think 12 of them would qualify as well-pitched by the starters. That is why there was a parade.
The hitting contributions came from all over -- yes they did. They were a clutch team more than consistent. At the plate, in October, the Phillies were the kings of cojones, and we will never forget.
But pitching built the platform upon which they all stood and received the trophy. Amaro knows that -- we all do. It is where they need to continue to shift resources. If you are willing to say that Joe Blanton is for real -- and why wouldn't you say it at this point, given the available evidence? -- then this team is set up very well 1-2-3. After that, Jamie Moyer makes perfect sense for another year (plus a reasonable option for 2010). Either Kyle Kendrick or Jay Happ or a combination of the two give perfectly sane possibilities for your fifth starter -- and Carlos Carrasco has to be out there somewhere as a possibility, if not immediately then fairly soon, no?
As for the bullpen, as long as Brad Lidge is around, well, let's just say that is a great comfort. You have two potential setup guys in Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero. You have two guys before them in Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre (who is definitely worth re-signing). You are likely to need more at some point because guys get hurt and guys have off-years -- it is the nature of the bullpen business. But that is more about being nimble later on than right now.
But Moyer and Eyre make sense here as priorities. Failure to re-sign either would require an outside move, in my mind. Which leaves Pat Burrell. I like him as a run-producer, and you can never take that away from him -- but they are dying for a more-consistent righthanded bat in that lineup: higher average, fewer strikeouts, not Burrell's power but decent power.
I think it's the transition they need to continue making. We never thought it would be possible to see a team in Citizens Bank Park that thrived because of pitching -- but now we have. Amaro's challenge is to maintain that pitching, even to bolster it, while re-shaping the Phillies' lineup into one that isn't so reliant on home runs to score runs.
Milton Bradley. Hey, he is not perfect. But he did a great job last year, and he has toned down his act quite a bit. He can be had cheaply because of his reputation. Let's face it, you get what you pay for. You know the Phillies will not break the bank. Bradley represents a good risk/reward player. I believe Manuel would know about Bradley during their days in Cleveland. When is head is on straight, he is a fantastic switch hitter. He is a former CF, who is a good LF with excellent range.— glennboe- Haven't seen anyone ever mention this yet, so maybe I'll be the first. The guy to consider trading, if you can get real value in return, is Rollins. They won without any real production from him. He almost was a cancer in the clubhouse...almost. I think there's a backup in the minors, if they position him for sure at SS. And I think he can bring a lot of value still in return. Another so-so year or two from him, and what can we get?— Gib
Comment removed.- i wonder if jason bay is a free agent? think boston would trade for holliday and we sign bay? may be out of our price range with all of the arbitration eligible players that need contracts but he is consistent.— wearethechampions
- Somehow Madson's turned himself into a different pitcher. His stuff is better and faster. He is relying less on his change-up to get guys out. It would be crazy tio trade him. If Lidge gets hurt he, is a perfect replacement. We know he can close effectively. Who else would you use- "Flash"?— carlton
- Can you say Matt Holliday? Absolutely!! He seems unhappy in Colorado & he would look awfully good in pinstripes in LF at CBP. Who do you give up for Matt?— BESTOFPHILLY
- Yes, pitching should be the focus - but we still need a legit #2 starter. You want to repeat? Sign Ben Sheats!— Westerly
- Gib, I have to respectfully disagree. Though I was frustrated with Jimmy at times this year, "cancer" is a little over the top. And are we not talking about a two-time Gold Glove SS? Gold Gloves are hard to come by, particularly at short. His bat was up and down for sure, but the ease with which he turns a double play with Utley and Howard (anyone else remember the 8th inning of Game 5, Part Deux) is what managers dream about. J-Roll is off the table, no matter the price.
- Magglio Ordonez is available, making $13 or $14m, but won't cost a ton to acquire due to age and Salary.— LCVET
- Lets trade Madson now that he is finally pitching to his potential. That's just ....nutburgers....nutburgers. I wonder now that he has found his fastball and his change up is so good, just how effective he would be as a starter. I know everyon is going to jump all over this but he has never been effective in any role before this year, but he has found himself now. Could he take this new found confidence and ability to the next level as a starter? Myers was a starter then a cloesr and back to a starter and found himself....anything is possible.— rockinrob
- What a joy and relief to see the focus on starting pitching. Yes we should re-sign Moyer to a one-year deal. But that's not enough. We need a top of the rotation guy to slot in between Hamels and Myers. If either one of them goes down, we won't have enough to compete. Blanton was a good pickup but he's a low-end #3 or a high-end #4, especially after the league sees him a few times. After Cole, an ace's ace, it really is all about securing favorable match-ups with opposing pitchers. Blanton and Moyer will win much more often against an opponents #4 and #5 than against their #3. Happ, Carrasco and Kendrick should compete as backup options but if all three are in the rotation at the same time next season the Phillies won't repeat. Rookie pitchers often take a few years to jell. Or like Kendrick the league adjusts to them. Also, in general, a team usually needs 10 or more starters. The Phillies depth wasn't really tested as much as usual last season, using only 7 starters including 4 with over 30 starts. The Mets had 3 with over 30 starts and used 11 overall. The Dodgers had 4 with over 30 but used 12 overall. Brewers had 2 with over 30 (2 more with 29) and used 8 overall. As you look around the league it's more of the same. The Phillies were ahead of the injury curve and need to plan around greater depth for 2009. Why wait until you're forced to find a quick fix? Aim high from a position of strength. Hamels, #2, Myers, Blanton, Moyer as your opening rotation leaves them with excellent depth at AAA or in the pen. The offense will take care of itself as long as we keep them in games. Let's not just talk about pitching, let's stack the rotation and shock the league. If Sheets can be had and his injuries check out he could be the guy. No doubt there are limited options (CC wants too many years and Peavy isn't interested) but Mr. Amaro needs to pursue every angle before counting on Happ, Kendrick and/or Carrasco to deliver 30 starts.— xfactor
- First, the Phils should offer arbitration to Burrell to insure at the least they get a draft pick if he goes away by FA -- same for Moyer if they cant't do a deal before he files. Here's an outside the box option. 2 key # 5 slot RH hitting slot third basemen are free agents: Casey Blake & Joe Crede. Why not sign one to a reasonable 3 year deal and then use Feliz as trade bait along with Blanton & other spare parts (including dumping Adam Eaton by eating part or all of his salary) for a top notch outfielder. To keep the focus on pitching the Phils should use all the xtra money pit park $$$ that will come in next year to sign a sure fire #2-3 SP free agent. Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and even AJ Burnett come to mind as $10M/year 3 year deal FA get could get. Also, plenty of middle relief pitchers out there as free agents to shore up the bullpen. The Phils need to strike NOW while the iron is hot for players they can really afford to shore up weaknesses while locking in the 2 key cogs long-term -- Hamels & Howard. A $150M-$160M payroll for '09 is very doable with all the revenue they're guaranteed for next year.— jcovello
- Comment removed.
- I dont think getting rid of Madson is a good choice overall, Yes, right now would be the best time to do so, but what if hes clutch like he was in the post season? We would hate gettin rid of a guy whose maturing, a guy who basically will guarantee us a W if we hold a lead through 7, cmon now, we got him another year anyway, lets see how he does— Will.i.Am
- Anyone who wants to mess with the back end of the bullpen must be a Mets fan. The guys you now have have jelled into as much of a guarantee as is possible. Your starters know if they get you to the 8th then they are almost guaraanteed a win. You can always find a bat, but not always dependable pitching. Also Moyer needs 2 more years, it is like having a second pitching coach. When Hamels is pitching during the half inning off he and Moyer are constantly going over pitches thrown and the consequences.— philly_ies
