Amaro talks free agents, Utley, Howard and more
With less than two months until spring training, Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. updates status of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
Amaro talks free agents, Utley, Howard and more
Ryan Lawrence, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies introduced two new players on Tuesday - third baseman Michael Young and starting pitcher John Lannan.
Afterward, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. answered several questions that would make the gathering kind of qualify as his "State of the Offseason" as Christmas nears.
Here is some of what Amaro had to say:
His thoughts on Michael Young, third baseman: "As far as Mike playing third base, we had enough historical information. It wasn’t that long ago when we had these kinds of questions about Placido Polanco. He had been playing second base at a very high level. I know Michael at various parts of his career has been a Gold Glove caliber defender. For him to go back to third base, its not a great concern of ours. We feel like that he’s going to be able to do that and handle it fine.
On the state of finding another outfielder this winter: "We’re still trolling through the possibility of adding another piece there. And we’re also considering the possibility with a double platoon. That’s a possibility as well. We’ve done some things that have helped our club at a couple of different levels. I don’t think the process of trying to help improve our club stops until the end of the season."
On using the phrase "cautiously optimistic" regarding Chase Utley, and what that means: "When a guy is down for two years and doesn’t play full seasons in the two years prior you have to be a little concerned. But we think Chase has learned and we have learned to manage whatever he’s got going on in his knees pretty well. I think he has a pretty good understanding of it, we have a pretty good understanding of it and I think he’s going to be fine. But you just never know. Obviously he’s got knee issues. Hopefully he’ll be able to put himself in the position – we think he’s put himself in the position to be ready to go out of the chute this spring. But that remains to be seen. We’ll see what happens."
On Ryan Howard's progression from the Achilles injury: "I think Ryan right now, he’s been in the process of still getting 100 percent strength, he was never really at 100 percent, I don’t know how close he’ll be when spring starts. But typically it takes a full year to gain your full strength capacity with an injury like that, and I think he’s getting closer to that. From what Ryan was doing prior to his wedding and his honeymoon, he was doing well. I think he continued that program when he went on his honeymoon. We’ve been monitoring him and he’s seemed to be doing well. We’ll find out more once he gets back."
On whether draft pick compensation is a concern when scouring free agent market, as Phils hold 16th overall pick: "If we think it s the right guy to sign we ll sign him. I mean, a lot of it depends. First-round picks are important, but at the same time if we feel like short term, long term we should go that route we re still trying to figure it out."
- Hey EL Stooly are you upset that the Astros signed your love child Carlos Pena?
— DogBiscuitthedope - STOP looking for a right handed bat....he is right where you left him at the end of the 2012 season....playing left field with the name RUF on the back of his jersey. Why can't RAJ/Phans get a true taste of what his potential can/will be? Enough of the rhetorec. I read where RAJ is considering Vernon Wells if Anaheim eats most of the 2 year $42 million contract (I'd tell RAJ Anaheim better eat $45 million of that contract..lol). Wells hit .230. Definitely will NOT need that type of hitter on this team. Go with Ruf and MOVE ON.
— drhoffman - maybe because if he hits 18 HR's, in most years that would put him in the running for ROY. So if you project him as a legitimate Major Leaguer and he has solid but short of ROY season, he hits .280 with 15 HR's. You have to look because Ruf can still get at bats and play a part without you having to project him into outlier status like a Trout or Braun in their rookie years. — UncleStosh
- so what kind of baseball talk is this? take the extremest disaster position and then be pleasantly surprised when the team achieve more success than you forecast? you get to say "told you so" on anything that goes bad and enjoy the positives. weak. either that or yall just the nattering nabobs of negativity.
- Utley is shot. Let's face it and move on.— rustypop58
- to those who complain I just cut and paste -- and also wonder how i have the time... now think hard how those 2 questions may resolve this deep mystery....meanwhile so long as sportswriters every day cite Amaro as if he's a genuine g.m. with a brain...and so long as ignoramuses cite their "appreciation" for him once lucking into a good deal with Cleveland 4 years ago, I'll continue to re-post my summary of his complete record... note: I do try to edit every once in a while...— warbiscuit
- Well good for you, we're just so happy for that glimpse into your pathetic life
— DogBiscuitthedope - Ryan Howard has the league's worst batting average against lefthanders. He should be platooned with Ruf. Amaro knows he couldn't give Howard away for nothing if the other team had to pay his $25 million a year salary.— farley
- You guys serious want to dump the players (Howard, Rollins and Utley) most responsible for the best five year run in team history? How can you even call yourselves fans? Howard tried to play for half a season on one good leg, it obviously hampered him, and he still came close to leading the team in RBI. For that he gets disrespected daily on these boards? He should be thanked for all he has done. Amaro didn't break the bank for Hamilton or Grienke, so he did a bad job? How about how he added a good young defensive player to play CF? How about getting a 7 time All-Star to play 3B? Amaro also signed the best set-up man in baseball, and a fifth starter who was the gnats opening day starter a couple of times already. Now it looks like they may start the season with a guy in RF who just a few years ago was the most highly rated prospect in all of baseball, and you complain about that? You whine about the prospect of starting another guy in the outfield who just pounded the daylights out of the minors and the Venezuelan League? Oh no, say the smart posters here, lets give up our #1 pick and a boatload of cash for Nick Swisher? Seriously? The real fans of this great ballclub want to see them have at least one more shot at a title, and it is going to happen. It will be tough, it is never easy to win any Pro spots title. It will take all they have and some good fortune. It probably wouldn't hurt to have the fans behind them, cheering them on. That's what I plan on doing. Why don't you get on that bandwagon, it looks like there is plenty of room right now.— Paul SoTX
- Good call on the nattering nabobs, high water.— Paul SoTX
- Folks, despite all the negative chatter, let's not forget what a healthy Howard, Utley, and Halladay bring to this year's squad. Despite his usual enormous number of strikeouts, Howard can go 35/125/.264. Despite his gimpy knees, Utley can go 28/100/.282. I think a healthy Doc can go 16-8/1.10 WHIP/2.80 ERA. This team as currently constructed should win 90 games and could get as high as 94 wins, good enough to make the post season, where as you know anything can happen, and usually does.— joemotrucks
- Warbiscuit: I don't complain that you cut and paste but all you do is look backward and criticize past mistakes, without acknowledging good moves, which is both incredibly easy and disappointing. Here are some things looking forward:
-- Utley will be ready this year and will play well, in the final contract year of his career. Am I criticizing him indirectly? Yeah, although he's the best second baseman in Phillies' history (Morgan wasn't here long).
-- It's simply true that our 2013 hinges on Utley, Howard and Halladay, presuming guys like Hamels, Papelbon and the too-criticized Rollins can repeat 2012. With Howard, also the best player at his position in Phillie history, I don't like what Amaro said: He implies that Howard is REALLY enjoying his honeymoon this off-season. Let's hope Howard is strengthening that ankle, too. He's very well paid to be ready April 1.
-- Amaro talking about a platoon with current players is as transparent as Nick Swisher flying to Cleveland to 'visit' a stadium where he has played countless times before. He went to Cleveland to pressure a contending team -- probably the Yankees, maybe us. Amaro's saying we have Brown, Mayberry, Nix, Ruf -- so who needs Swisher or Ross? I still prefer Hairston to either of them but, reading between the lines, Amaro wants Ross or Swisher.
-- We will finish 85-77 in 2013, improved but narrowly out of the playoffs. Amaro will stay, Manuel will retire and we will have payroll flexibility to truly rebuild in 2014, when we make the playoffs again.
Warbiscuit: What are your predictions? What's your future advice? Be specific, name names and put your "name" to it, like I just did -- and many of us do.
— eman - It's hard to believe situations could play out badly as many times this year as last. Honestly! I don't think RAJ is infallible or even close, but I doubt things work out as poorly this year as last. Just my opinion, hope I'm correct. If I'm not I'll own that too. I don't see us competing for anything beyond a wild card but.. that's a strong possibility IMHO.— bentlip
- The double platoon system in the outfield !
Charlie Manuel will probably fight that too. He likes to send the same players out there every day. He also hates to pinch run or take a pitcher out before the eight inning. Hangups, hangups !
Other clubs have used platooning with very good success. Unless the Phillies sign or trade for a superstar outfielder, why not give it a try for the first 40 to 50 games. I would not like to see it employed all the time because I don't think the players involved are that suitable for doing it. Usually that system is better suited to veteran players who have established themselves in defined roles.
It may crimp the development of Brown and Ruf. These guys have been everyday players. Would be interesting to see how they handle it. It could make both of them platoon players for the rest of their careers - once you get the reputation of being a platoon player, it usually sticks to you. Ruf and Brown, at some point, should get the opportunity to show what they can do as everyday players.— candidly - @eman: you stole my thoughts 100%, boyo. now, get outta my head!— bubba church & granny hamner
