Bourn, Brown, Polanco and fielding practice
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Bourn, Brown, Polanco and fielding practice
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Citizens Bank Park sprung to life a little earlier than normal today as Charlie Manuel scheduled a rare fielding session prior to batting practice, with outfielders and infielders practicing cutoffs and relays. No doubt it was a response to the sloppy play the team has showed as of late, including last night, when there were several fielding miscues during a 6-1 loss to the Braves.
-There isn't much else going on at the moment. I briefly caught up with Placido Polanco, who gave little indication that he is close to returning. Polanco said he has been doing some light running, and that the next step is to field ground balls. But there are no immediate plans to start that fielding work. The only real intrigue about the situation is that Polanco could be a player who another team would take as a veteran glove for the stretch run. Even then, though, the Phillies would not get much for him besides salary relief, and the salary relief would likely be minimal.
-There has been plenty of speculation that the Phillies will target Michael Bourn this offseason, particularly in light of Ruben Amaro Jr.'s confident proclamation that the team is in position to make a run at one or more impact free agents. Yesterday, Bourn spoke briefly to Ryan Lawrence, who will be joining the staff of the Daily News in a couple of weeks after four-plus years at the Delaware County Times. He obviously wasn't interested in delving too deeply into his impending free agency. At this point, I think Bourn and Scott Boras will be looking for a huge contract, so big that any team that signs him will end up overpaying, and I don't think the Phillies are in a position where they can afford to overpay.
-Domonic Brown is batting second again tonight. He went 1-for-3 with a single and a hit-by-pitch last night out of the two-hole.
Charlie was told to make it look like he was managing so he's allowed to come back next year and finish out his contract. Even though he would still be paid if he was fired, he loves all the attention he gets in the "big city" that he doesn't get on his Southern farm.— sonnybuoy01- Why on earth would Michael Bourn come to the Phillies when there is jimmy Rollins who refuses to relinquish his lead-off position? I hear the Oakland A's are in need of a shortstop. During the off-season, it's time the Phillies eat some of Rollins contract, send him to the A's, let Galvis play shortstop, and then you can think about signing a Bourn. Not before Rollins is gone.— RunningTheBases
- It's about time. When's hitting practice? Bourn is wanted by just about every team. His price will be high and as much as I kind of like him, it'll be too high.— AvoidSundanceVacations
Michael Bourn strikes out more than Hunter Pence. Plus he is a Boras client. IMO he's not worth it. And I don't think the Phils will pursue him at all.— zubzub- David: Do you think Manuel will be gone after this year? I suspect he will be retired in the offseason and I think Manuel has a feeling or has been told by the team that this is his last season. He sounds like he's given up and can only look back at the last 5 years.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- This team generally does not fire a manager with time left on his contract and pay two managers at the same time. Only time I remember is 1983 when they fired Pat Corrales and when they fired Nick Leyva early in a season. Plus, Charlie's salary isn't one of the lowest. I think he starts his last season in 2013 and they'll see how the team plays over the first few months. — sonnybuoy01
- Sonny: Generally I agree but the boos could get louder next year and it would be unlike the Phillies to let go of such a loyal company man and accomplished manager on his way down and in the middle of a season.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- No client of Scott Boras will ever be signed by the Phillies.
— bobmc - Chuck scheduled extra fielding practice? On August the 7th?
Patience is indeed a virtue.— PhightinPhil - Agree with the "don't sign Bourn" crowd. His major skill set is based on his speed and right now it's still great but how many more seasons will that last? Maybe 3 at most? It doesn't take long into a players 30's before they start losing a step or 3. Michael Bourn is the classic case where some team is going to pay for what he has already done as opposed to whats still ahead for him.— Sewellmatt
test- Hey did Charlie show his first baseman how to throw the ball in play to the person covering second and not to the guy in left field? Maybe they can call my grandson little league coach, he would show him.— cahris
- Is there some reason to think about bringing Polanco and his weak bat back? Only Martinez has a slugging percentage lower. The dude is cooked. Old age will do that.— wo_fat
- Thanks expantinva, for pointing that out about that Mayberry play. Somehow, JMJ is the whipping boy of Philly.com and Comcast. Not only he kept the ball in front of him there were at least 3 bad plays that should have been pointed out. Howard and Brown throws and the RF dropping the ball that resulted in a run. Mayberry also was responsible for the only run the Phillies score, his HR.— EL Zorro
- Schneider, Polanco, Wiggy, all need to be DFA'd.— wo_fat
