Amaro talks offense, Galvis, Hamels and more
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Amaro talks offense, Galvis, Hamels and more
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was a guest on WIP this morning to talk about the Home Runs for Heart event that benefits the American Heart Association. Amaro has been the honorary chair for a dozen years. The event is May 1-2 at Citizens Bank Park.
“It’s an important cause and it is something we hold very, very dear to our hearts with many of our fallen ex-Phils,” he said.
Today also is the third anniversary of the death of Harry Kalas.
“I remember that day like it was literally yesterday,” he said. I was having trouble getting to the ballpark that day because there was so much traffic. I was in a taxi when I got the call and was devastated. Absolutely devastated.”
Amaro also addressed some of the hot topics surrounding the Phillies.
On the offense: “I get concerned about it. I’ve been concerned about it since we knew we weren't going to have those two guys in middle of lineup. We've had those types of injury before and we've had to deal with it for several years. We’ve lost Utley in the past, we’ve lost Howard and Jimmy Rollins. We’ve lost key players on our club for significant amounts of times the last few years. The key is to keep plugging along. We have capable people that can create enough offense to win baseball games. Are we going to be an offensive juggernaut? No. The strength of our club continues to be pitching and hopefully we can do that until they come back. When those guys come back, it’s like making a couple of trades. They are impact-type players.”
On playing small ball: “We're trying to create some runs with our legs. Guys are trying to move around bases a little more and create scoring opportunities. We're not going to bomb them. We'll hit an occasional home run. The fact of the matter is we are going to have to produce runs in a lot of different ways … We're going to need to get some big base hits and drive in the runs when we have the opportunities … We've got to make sure we do that on consistent basis, score the runs we need to score.”
On Freddy Galvis and the fans chanting his name: “He's been a pretty special kid when it comes to defense. He's a young player .. He's going to get beat up a little bit offensively for a little while. He's good makes adjustments … That was a perfect testament to our fans and how they can impact the game. That was superb. It makes me proud to be a Philadelphian and the support we have from our fans. It's fantastic. It really helps .. This is a young player who is replacing one of the Phillies icons right now. There's been a lot of talk about whether he can handle it offensively. He's outstanding defensively. For him to go through that in that situation and our fans to put impetus on him to get it done in that situation was really cool.”
Is he concerned about the bullpen? “I like our bullpen. Chad Qualls has thrown really, really well and throw well all spring. Michael Stutes is back and throwing. We’re getting Contreras back in a couple of days. He has the second of his back to backs today. He's throwing well. I like our guys. We have a little concerned about Bastardo because he hasn't pitched a lot ... You can never have enough bullpen arms. One of the things we have in our minor leagues is bullpen arms – Aumont, DeFratus. There are reinforcements if we have breakdowns. We have coverage.”
On was there any hint that Ryan Madson was hurt when the Phillies decided to sign Jonathan Papelbon?
“None at all. We were fully committed to taking one of those guys. We would have been happy with either one of them. Ultimately, we got who we felt was the best guy. We hope he performs like the best guy. We had no inkling, nothing was alarming. The only little difference between Pap and Madson was Madson has a little bit of a funky arm action. It creates a lot of deception and contributes to his success. Any time a guy has funky delivery, it can put a guy at risk. We had no reason to think he wouldn't be fine. I feel terrible for Ryan and his family. I know he will come back and be a very, very good pitcher. We have a guy who is pitching right now and is healthy, but you never know when that can happen to us.”
On negotiations with Cole Hamels: "I always stay optimistic about it. The dialogue is open. We don't shut off negotiations. That's not our style. ... I think Cole knows what the goal is, to try to keep him in our uniform. There are going to be signings like that that will affect his situation. Matt Cain is a very direct one. You have to be cognizant of it and figure out what is the right thing for us."
Is Charlie Manuel the right type of manager for this style of team? "There's no question Charlie has always had a lot of bangers. Go several years back and he had Jason Michaels and Kenny Lofton platooning in centerfield and we were creating rus in a different way. Both of those guys had great yers. Charlie has got good instincts as far as moving guys in and out of the lineup. He did a nice job with Mayberry last year, moving him in and out. there. ... This is a different type of team. I think he's up to the challenge and a smart enough baseball man to handle it."
The Phils should not over pay for Hamels. I know people talk about his run support but since the 08 season I don't think he is anywhere near as good as Lee or Halliday. He can be replaced. Let him skip off to LA like we keep hearing he's going to do.— mbutley- Overpay? What is overpay?
The Phils have not 'overpaid' for any of their players - they have paid 'market rate' which is what they will pay for Hamels. Whether he takes it is another story.
Just look at the last 10 contracts signed in the past two to three weeks by players throughout MLB, and the whiners and complainers, and the Tea Partying baseball fans will find that this economy, the sports economy, the baseball economy is totally different than the economy you, or I work in. Further, it is nothing any of you or I know anything about. So I suggest when 'over pay' comes off the keyboard you stop and think about what you are saying.
The bottom line: sign him.— 24sDad - Have to disagree with mbutley. You don't give up on a lefty with Hamels stuff. Lock him up and he'll be here long after Doc and Lee are gone.— oldlion
- I tend to agree, and frankly get tired of greedy ballplayers. In the early 70's clearly management had the upper hand on players, but now players have too much power, and it's not good for baseball. If it means nothing to Hamels that the Phillies signed him, developed him, gave him an opportunity to flourish on a competitive ball club in a sports crazed city, to hell with him. He's not as good as Halladay or Lee, and he's more fragile. I could see spending a fortune on him and seeing him need elbow surgery thus wasting a few years. His delivery is very stressful on his shoulder and elbow, whereas Halladay and Lee display better mechanics. He's a great pitcher, but if the Phillies could get a stud everyday player for him, I'd support that.— retzlaff
- Dont need to remind anyone good pitching is a necessity. There also the question can he stay healthy and how many years do you have to commit yourself to? Hamels one of 10 best in NL capable of winning 16-18 games. Lee and Halladay getting older and will hit wall at some point.— Don w
- lol.. you commenters crack me up... "not as good as Lee or Halladay... well compared to Lee and Halladay..." blah blah blah...there are VERY VERY few pitchers who you can even put in the same sentence as either Lee or Halladay... and Hamels is one of them... is he right at their level? no... but he is in the neighborhood.. and he's a lefty... so no.. he can't be replaced.. at least not with the same performance... and its a testament to Amaro that he was able to assemble and go get his guy with both Lee and Halladay to make you believe that its like that all the time.. this isn't fantasy.. just because you want a player doesn't mean you get them..— JMick1215
- Here is something nobody ever considered: If Joe Blanton continues to pitch as he has all spring and last night, the Phils may have the pleasant quandary of how to resign him. His pitches just look...different. I can't explain it but they seem to be moving more and better and have more zip on them.
Don't look now but Freddie Galvis has a modest 3 game hitting streak going with 2 doubles, four RBIs and the best bunt I have seen since Richie Ashburn was using the third base line as his ticket to the Hall of Fame. I know--three games is too small a sample to count but with his glove, any offensive contribution is a plus.— gotedge - If we let Hamels walk for nothing this run is over...— kwasi2323
"That was a perfect testament to our fans and how they can impact the game. That was superb. It makes me proud to be a Philadelphian and the support we have from our fans. It's fantastic. It really helps .... as for Wastebasket or Warbisquit or whatever he calls himself, people in our business hear from all types and tend to ignore the , how should I put it, wacko fringe elements. In every endeavor there are always a few people of dubious character and motivation and who can never satisfied and it is easy to separate and ignore them with the overwhelming positive feedback we get from the majority of our fans.
— DUDESKINS- @butley, I agree with you 100%...been saying it for 3 years now and continue to be villified for it....
@Don...yes, Hamels is capable.....but with the best, most dominant dynasty this city has ever seen, and 5 straight NL East titles, Hamels has somehow found a way to never win more than 14 games/season.....and now he's coming off elbow surgery. It's early, but so far he's been the least effective of our starters. Not worth anywhere near $20 mil/per and not for anywhere near more than 3 seasons at best. IMH(medical)O.— Mark1npt - @retzlaff - So you want Hamels to leave money on the table because the Phillies signed him and developed him? If you were in his situation, how much of a discount would you give the Phillies?— P Even
- @Dudeskins = wise man........— Mark1npt
- its Rubens job to find out by July if Hamels is going after money or wants to stay here. If he wants $$ only, somebody will over pay in the offseason. Numbers dont lie. Hes not as good as Lee, Hallady, or Sabathia. He has to be traded if not signed by July. Cards won the WS with Westbrook Edwin Jackson and Kyle Loshe. The Phils can surely win with Doc Lee Worley and Blanton, with prospects from a Hamels trade.— FABER
- Agreed that the Phillies will look to trade Hamels if he will not sign a new contract before the deadline. But, if they keep him and he walks, we do get a couple 1st round draft picks as compensation and they can spend that money on the soon to be F.A. third-baseman currently plaing for the Muts.
— Copper34 - Hamels should be resigned and is in the same class as Lee. I really like Lee and all, but I would not put him in the same class as Halladay. Hamels deserves his money, and is in the same playing field as Lee, and is younger. While Lee and Halladay are getting older, Hamels will still be in his prime, we would be foolish to let a talent like Hamels go...If he goes, so does the dynasty...— PhilliefaninAZ
