Manuel on Werth, Contract, and the World Series
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Manuel on Werth, Contract, and the World Series
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
If I had told you a year ago that you'd be watching Cliff Lee pitch in the World Series tonight, I'm sure you would have been ecstatic. Well, as Charlie Manuel likes to say: Funny game, this baseball.
Manuel said a lot of other stuff today in an appearance on 610-WIP, where he appears on a weekly radio show during the season. Not a lot of it was newsworthy. Most of it was interesting.
Here is the Cliffs Notes version:
1) Manuel's outlook on the Jayson Werth situation jibes with all the indications we've received from the organization over the past few months.
"From what I hear Ruben (Amaro Jr.) saying and my conversations with him, I think we definitely have some money to spend," Manuel said. "But at the same time, the problem is, length-wise of a contract, and also what direction we want to go in. From my point of view, to me, right now, I look at our core players, I'm a hitting guy, and I think we can develop a hitter before we can get a top notch pitcher or a top bullpen piece. If you look at our infield, take our catcher, and our pieces in the outfield, I think we definitely already have a good offense. It definitely has to hit better, which I'm planning on it doing, but at the same time, I think we can get production from the corner guys if we have to platoon or we have to go out and get a lesser big name piece."
Manuel did say later that he expects RAJ to negotiate with Scott Boras. But clearly, the Phillies have an alternate plan if, as everybody seems to expect, Werth's asking price (most specifically, the length of the deal) is out of their desired price range.
2) We floated this scenario the other day in our coverage in the Daily News, and Manuel mentioned it today: A platoon in right field to replace Werth. Keep in mind the Phillies had an outfield rotation in 2007 and 2008. Ross Gload played well this season and can play the corner outfield spots. I do not get the impression that the Phillies see using Domonic Brown in a platoon situation as ideal. A lot of the development he needs to do might not happen as quickly if he isn't playing every day. But it could happen. Don't be surprised though, if the Phillies target a lesser-named guy (think Jeff Francoeur or Matt Diaz) to provide some right-handed outfield depth to pair with a guy like Brown or Ross Gload. Depending on how Raul Ibanez starts next season, the platoon could also come with him in left field, enabling Brown to get regular playing time in right. Also, Ben Francisco hit well against lefties this season, so he could be an internal option.
"I think Ruben's got a lot on his plate as far as which way he wants to go in getting it done," Manuel said. "But I think he can. Evidently he definitely still wants to negotiate with Werth. It sounds like he's going to talk to Scott Boras, his agent, and things. That's definitely the first priority. And then that will lead us into which way he wants to take our team.
"I like young players. If something happens and we don't keep Jayson. (Domonic) Brown, that intrigues me. I'm really interested in that. We need a blend, a balance, a different look. We need to get back to what I call energy. We've got established big league players and they are good big league players, outstanding. Some of them are great. And they have their own way of playing. It's not like they don't hustle and things like that, but we could use a little different mixture."
3) Manuel didn't have much to say on his contract, which ends after next season, except to say he wants to continue to manage here.
"Ruben said something about that he would be talking to me sometime this fall, probably before Christmas," he said. "I'm sure he will. We'll see what develops."
4) And, of course, Manuel is still trying to get over the disappointing end to the season.
The other night when I talked to our guys after the game, that might have been one of the toughest talks that I've had since I've been a manager," Manuel said, "because you could tell that they were down, and they were hurt."
Well if you told us Cliff Lee would have given up 8 runs in 4 innings we would have been suicidal— davi- I wonder what lonewolf will say tomorrow? Oh that's right-- probably nothing.— everydayguy
- and Cliff, we philly fans enjoyed watching each and every painful run..— zdog
- Francisco is just an "internal option"?? His numbers mirror Jayson Werth's through age 28.— Steveo31
- WAAAAHHHHHH! We shoulda kept Cwiff Wee! Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!! Cliff Lee gave up 6 runs in 4 and 2/3 innings tonight, against a team Halladay beat with a groin pull and even Joe Blanton only gave up 3 runs to.— BillHicksLives!
- Cliff Lee pitched tonight? Hmm I must've missed it.— UncleEddie
You know, I kinda, sorta didn't mind Cliff Lee losing tonight, what with him being sorta, kinda happy the Phillies lost. Doc is the man.- I had no problem rooting for Cliff Lee in the WS...UNTIL....he opened his big mouth yesterday. He cursed himself and it showed tonight. Brash and mouth wide open, he wanted so bad to face the Phillies to beat them, but he like the Phillies loosing since they got rid of him. He is still a clutch pitcher, a money guy, who got eat a huge serving of humble pie this evening. Remember, whether you win a game 1-0 or 11-4, its just one win. Texas could still get on a run..or the Giants are a team of destiny. Either way, 113 days til pitchers and catchers report. Can't wait!— drhoffman
- I guess the Cliff Lee bandwagon just got lost. He got pounded.— simplefreedom
- What about trading Rollins to free up even more space to sign Werth and bench/bullpen help? He's getting 8.5 million, but would be attractive to a lot of teams. You could add some talent and salary flexibility. Plus Valdez hits as good as Rollins has lately, albeit poorly, but as good as. I love Jimmy, but I love the Phils more.— mikeyhigs
- I love Doc as much as the next guy, but while he was giving away home-field advantage in Game 1 of the NLCS, Lee was reclaiming home field for the Rangers in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.— PhightinPhil
- Phightin, If Ibañez doesn't misplayed Burrell's fly ball Doc gets out of the inning and we most likely win with Werth homer 3-2. — EL Zorro
- Zorro, so what you're saying is that Game 1 would've played out exactly as it did if Ibanez made that catch? - - - - - And Lincecum would've made the exact same pitch to Werth, in the exact same location with a one-run lead that he did with a three-run lead? - - - - - You know that for sure, huh? - - - - - I guess how that's how life looks in your bubble. — PhightinPhil
- Need a "new look." Need more "energy."
That can only be seen as a bit of a shot at Werth and/or possibly Ibanez.
Now I'm 100-percent sure Werth is gone.
PS to Steveo: Francisco does NOT have Werth's tools.— VicM - Got to let these guys have one more year. This team was built to contend through next year. After that????? Anyone's guess. But it has been a fun ride so far.— hawk18
