Phillies receive poor grades from Sports Illustrated
Those of us with far less optmistic worldviews had our fears confirmed when Sports Illustrated released the team's off-season report card.
Phillies receive poor grades from Sports Illustrated
Justin Klugh, Assistant Sports Producer
Some people have convinced themselves that Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Roy Halladay will bounce back and have healthy, productive years; that Michael and Delmon Young will provide cheap, adequate power in the middle of the order; that somehow, through a combination of willful ignorance and changing the channel, the Phillies' defense will work itself out.
Those of us with far less optmistic worldviews had our fears confirmed when Sports Illustrated released the team's off-season report card and saw a big red "D."
"Though the trade for Revere gives the Phillies a cost-controlled centerfielder to grow on, they’ve taken steps backward with most of their other moves," the article states. "[The Phillies] are more likely to repeat last year’s middling showing than contend in a division where the Nationals and Braves have upgraded in impressive fashion."
Sure, this was just one media outlet's opinion. But by using "information" and "facts" to back their arguments, SI painted an inarguably hideous picture of Amaro's winter tinkering.
On Delmon Young: "The money is inconsequential enough, but it looks like an overpay for a player who hit .267/.296/.411 with 18 homers last year with a −0.9 Wins Above Replacement Player mark even while being limited to just 31 games in the field, all of them in left."
On Michael Young: "He’ll take over third base in place of Polanco, who to be fair is a year older and about half as durable, but at least able to do something besides imitate a matador at the hot corner."
On Ben Revere: "Amaro did actually acquire some youth in the form of speedy 24-year-old center fielder Ben Revere, who stole 40 bases last year but hit a thin .294/.333/.342 with just 19 extra-base hits..."
Grim stuff.
Perhaps there are others in the media who took a more sympathetic angle, or were at least not paying as much attention.
"[The Phillies' defense] Could be comically bad. Howard? Michael Young? Delmon? Domonic Brown? My lord." [David Schoenfield, ESPN]
"I get why the Phillies think they can still compete. I don't get why they're punting half of their defense and adding more offensive question marks to a growing pile." [Grant Brisbee, Baseball Nation]
"Amaro might have been wise to pass up on overpaying for an outfielder, but unless Young bounces back into the player who led the American League in hits and finished eighth in MVP voting in 2011, a sizable hole remains in the middle of the lineup." [Ryan Lawrence, The Daily News]
"It has been a different kind of offseason for the Phillies, and it's impossible to say that they caught the Nationals and Braves based on where the teams finished last season and what they've done this offseason." [Bob Brookover, Inquirer]
"On paper, it seems the Phillies will once again be unable to contend with the two teams they finished behind in the standings last season. While the Braves and Nationals got better, it’s hard to argue that the Phils did the same." [Phillies Nation]
At least one man has both faith in the Phillies and the means to share his opinion with a large audience.
"I better not say a whole lot about it, but at the same time I know Ruben is really working hard and trying to improve our ballclub, and anything that goes down I think will help us." [Charlie Manuel]
Of course, that was back around Christmas. According to Sports Illustrated, the Phillies' GPA has taken a few hits since then.
- Good response, ryanrockzzz. And the difference between SI and some on this board is that SI doesn't write the same thing every day and they definitely don't hurl insults as if name calling is going to help them make a point. It actually accomplishes just the opposite.
What's gotten old are the same complaints over and over again and the nitpicking over inconsequential signings that will either result in a late roster spot or a minor league assignment or maybe just a release. All at a minor cost. Everyone wants RAJ to find that gem out there but they criticize any low cost, long shot acquisition. Well, that is exactly how you find a gem (if one exists) with the understanding it's likely not going to work out.
What's also gotten old is the constant harping on all the "great" prospects RAJ has given up for "nothing". Most of the prospects he's traded have done nothing. Yeah, how could he have let Drabek, Marson, Carrasco, Donald, Taylor, etc... go?— inky93 - No one can conclude the Phillies have a good team. I'm curious to learn why fans will attend games. Maybe to drink, maybe to sleep? Can't be for the game.— 4thand10
- Funny...why go to S.I when all you have to do is read the comments on Philly.com every day. We all know their off-season was a joke.— scootch
- I agree with SI's opinion. The Phillies made alot of moves but gained very little. They acquired and have, too many players with big question marks. I predict another 81-81 season and third place finish too.— Grapost
- SI, ESPN, etc. it doesn't matter. Just look at the moves RAJ has made on paper and any decent baseball mind will scratch his head and be touched by bewilderment.— Phillip Phan
- Have to agree with most on the lack of off season moves. Can't blame Amaro if he thought BJ was worth far less than the Braves did. I'm sure he made an offer for Justin and, in the end, didn't feel the DBacks counter was worth it. Ruben has a plan that he shares with his bosses and I'm sure it makes sense to them. Pretty sure that plan included a very good starting rotation, all star-caliber 1B, 2B and SS, decent bench, good arms in the pen and 2 promising rookies in the OF. I don't think Ruben had a whole lot of confidence that the available players were worth what was required. Pretty simple. Curiously, no mention of the Adams signing and locking up Cole. 2 of his more high profile moves. If I was giving grades it would be on the assembled roster, not the moves. Some of the best moves are when you don't make one. Flame away haters but I like the Phil's roster going into Spring Training and like the possibility of filling holes if they open later.— vafan
- I would say it is unfair to say Michael Young can't field at all. I think he won a Gold Glove at short a few years ago. Delmon Young had 16 outfield assist while playing right field in Tampa. He did only play 30 games or so in left field last year mostly because, his ankle was badly hurt which also caused him to gain some weight. All the experts can say these can or can't do these things we are talking about. The fact is the games aren't won on paper, just ask all the experts who said the Phillies would win the division last year and have the best record in the NL. I guess i am just more optimistic than most. I think M. Young is an upgrade at 3rd. I think D. Young gives you at the very least what Hunter Pence gave the Phillies. I remember Hunter Pence looking like he was completely clueless in right field the whole time he was here. He had a strong arm but, had no idea where the throw would end up and his routes to the ball were simply aweful. So I look at it like this. When Utley and Howard became healthy enough to play last year the Phillies were 14 games over .500 for the remainder of the season, I am assuming they will be healthier this year and i think the Youngs are upgrades. If everyone is healthy the Phillies will be there at the end for a playoff spot.— phillies09
- Biscuit would group me as an Amaro apologist but I am not:
1. We were hurt this off-season with big contracts to Halladay, Utley, Lee, Howard. No room to maneuver -- Amaro has said it -- and it was largely his fault. We had no choice but to go "low financial risk, high unlikely/potential reward."
2. But with Halladay, Utley, M.Young, Ruiz, Lannan, Kendrick, Nix and, remotely possibly, Lee, coming off the books next off-season, roughly 1/3rd of the entire team payroll is available next off-season. Which is why Amaro will endure two seasons (or more), to see if he can rebuild.
3. I am a FAN and have been since 1967, the first season I remember, at age 6. In 45 years, I've been blessed with two World Championships, a bunch of good seasons (most recently, 2011 -- not long ago) and a slew of pre-Amaro stinkers. I'll make the kind of prediction that the naysayers never get specific about: We will win 85-87 games this year. Not sure that will get us to the playoffs, but we'll be in the hunt.
ps. The Nats' imminent Gio Gonzalez controversy and likely suspension won't hurt.
— eman 
The Phillies filled the holes they wanted to fill with short term deals. Grade them any way you like.
But, Howard healthy compared to Howard last year is exactly the same as if they released him and signed a better player.
Same with Utley. Same with Halladay.
So add in those three with the Phillies moves and guess what ? ... pretty good offseason.— zubzub- OMG, it gets worse. Seriously - are you Mrs. Amaro? RA3? A Phillies PR staffer? IIs it really as if they released Howard and signed a better player?!? That would be great, but they didn't; Howard is still here. And he still can't hit lefties and he still can't hit breaking balls. He still is a terrible defensive first baseman. And he still has an un-trade-able contract. Please stop typing this drivel. It's embarrassing. Someone from another city might think you are a real Philadelphia sports fan. — Copper34
- Phillies have Hamels, Holiday and Lee. Best 3 in baseball. Kendrick shows signs of being ace. 5th starter will come. Bullpen should be strength with newly signed setup men Pap. Young at 3rd more than adequate. Howard still a force and Utley still can play. Corner outfielder can easily be added if needed (Dodgers will probably have surplus). Looking forward to great season - GM has done a great job but can't control injuries.— LoveBaseball
- Kendrick an ace: LOL. Michael Young at third was the one of the worst defensive players in baseball b/f being moved to DH in 2010. And, since then, he became one of the worst offensive players in baseball (in 2012). Good to know that corner outfielders can be "easily added." I wonder why the rest of the teams haven't figured out Rube's trick?!? The one where you leave huge holes on your team and then trade all your prospects to fill them later (like he did to pick up the last corner OFer he traded for - Hunter Pence). Amaro = Epic Fail — Copper34
- I really like the Michael Young move. Someone of his commitment and professionalism has a better then average chance to bounce back. I also like the Delmon Young move if he doesn't work out (there are enough strong character personalities to keep him in line) there isn't much lost. Chase, Ryan, Michael and Roy -- the odds are against all of them returning to form ... but those are high character players and likewise the odds are against all of them coming up short. If 2 have strong bounce back years and the other 2 are just a slight improvement over how they played at the end of 2012 then the Phillies are a .570ish team which makes the playoffs. I say this because the second half of 2012 with a fraction of Chase, Ryan and Roy they made up 14 games in the standings. I honestly don't understand the Durbin move - I would rather pocket the flexibility to make a move at the July 31 deadline (and in turn give our impressive young arms like Aumont and DeFratus) a chance in lower leverage situations.— PHILPHAN1
- I admit that it seems RA stopped short of going all-in. I feel that selling out the farm for Justin Upton and showing a willingness to exceed the cap would have shown more commitment. If they are going to blow the cap this is a good year to be year 1 where the penalty is small and with the new TV deal looming. Sure Upton would have cost us what's left of our farm - but so what? If I were to tell you that any one of those guys would end up like J Upton you'd be happy ... so give them up and take the somewhat proven commodity who is just entering his prime btw. The middle order of Young, Utley, Howard, Upton, Ruiz should be enough with our big 3 SP a strong back end BP of Adams/Paps. That really ought to have been enough. RA knows more than I but I can't see why he didn't do it.
Also to all the people saying our D is horrible - relax. We are excellent up the middle where it's far more important (Ruiz, Rollins, Utley and Revere). While we aren't very good on the corners a few well placed late inning D replacements like Galvis and Mayberry to go along with our excellent D up the middle is just fine.
If this team averages 4.7 rpg they will easily get in the playoffs.— PHILPHAN1 - I don't care. I'm still excited. On opening day spring will be in the air, and we'll be tied for first. And I'll remind myself that even the worst major league players do things -as a matter of routine- that 99.9% of the population will never be able to do in a million years. And even the worst major league team plays great at least a few times a month. If you miss a game, you might miss a good one. No, we probably won't contend. But imho, the best thing to do is relax and enjoy the good parts about what I can't control anyway.— altoonaaslan
