Offense or Oswalt?
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Offense or Oswalt?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The question is hypothetical, because we do not yet have an indication that the Phillies are serious players for Roy Oswalt, who is still back home in Mississippi gearing up to play some ball. But we know that the team has seen the veteran righthander pitch, and we know that Roy Halladay is headed for a doctor's appointment today, and we know that Roy Halladay does not tend to make doctor's appointments and leave games early for minor ailments. So there is plenty of reason to believe that Ruben Amaro Jr. might have interest in bringing Oswalt back for another go-around.
The tricky variable is the offense, which has shown some signs of life over the last month but still has yet to prove that it is anything more than a middling unit that does most of its damage against middling pitchers. And the two biggest variables for the future of the offense are Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, neither of whom are likely to have returned by the time Oswalt picks a team. All of that could be related if the Phillies have a limited amount of payroll that they can take on between now and the trade deadline.
Maybe the offense does not need any help. Maybe Utley gives you what he gave you after his return last season, and maybe Howard can at least get himself back to the point where he is the batting order's top power threat and RBI producer. And maybe Ty Wigginton rotates in at first base against left-handed pitchers and Laynce Nix and Juan Pierre rotate with John Mayberry Jr. in left field and all of it works to produce a cohesive unit. And maybe Jimmy Rollins breaks out of a funk that has been going on two months and maybe Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence get back to the levels they were playing at for the bulk of last season.
But that is a lot of maybes, very few of which will be sorted out before a decision on Oswalt is due. I don't get the sense that the Phillies will allow themselves to be hamstrung by finances at this point. But I don't know that for sure. Left field is the one clear opening where they can slot a potential difference-making bat -- think Josh Willingham of the Twins, although it is not certain that he will be available. Boston's Kevin Youkilis could also be available at third base. Point is, the Phillies need to have the flexibility to make such a move if July arrives and the jury is still out on the offense. Which is why I'm not sure that spending a sizeable chunk of money on Oswalt would be a prudent move.
Assuming we are contending for the playoffs at the trade deadline, look for Hamels to be dealt somewhere for prospects and Oswalt to sign for the remainder of the year... regardless of our playoff chances, look for the hamels deal to happen. i suspect that hamels has told the front office that he intends to test free agency no matter what.. i think hamels wants to get off of this sinking ship and would take less money to go with a team that has a legitimate shot for a world series title.— zwarte piet- Trot.....The greatest batting coach couldn't help this offense. They are so stubborn and will not wait out a walk. You can't teach patience to a batter if all he is thinking is swinging, swinging and swinging. An opposing pitcher can walk three batters in a row and the next batter will swing at the first pitch. These batters have been around long enough to know not to swing at the first pitch if a pitcher is wild. But they are so hell bent on swinging because that's just the way they are. They don't think that getting a walk with the bases loaded will bring in a run. They think it's more glamerous to swing which is stupid thinking. And mostly i'm talking about Rollins and Victorino. I feel that some of these players must go after the season if not before. My feeling is that if we can get pitching that can stop the other team from scoring then with this offense we should go for the pitching. Not sure oswalt is the answer but maybe it's worth a try. His salary would be pro rated at 7.5 million so it won't cost that much to get him. Just my opinion.— associate
- You can't ask this question without throwing out some offensive options. Is there a legitimate power hitter available to plut into left field? I don't think adding another Wigginton/Nix type of player will make much difference.— mvp15
- Here comes this guy again with LF is the problem. How about SS and 3B? Polly's number look relatively good, but he's not different make. Rollisn is stealling money at SS. I guess Murph got tired of all the lobbying for Dom Brown, then he signaled Freddy's low OPB and ignoring his overall value. Now he came full circle to LF.— EL Zorro
- 1. Sign Oswalt if Halladay is out for significant time.
2. Trade Utley so he can DH in American League and promptly retire his number.
3. No more trades involving top notch minor league talent; Phillies need to reload system for a few years.
4. Ryan Howard will give this team all the offense it needs to win the division that is....if Halladay is not seriously hurt....— feudal_nobility09 - Utley needs to be playing 1B or LF right now. Leave Galvis at 2nd. Plus less injury risk to Utley. Anything to get Mayberry's pathetic bat out of there....— kilo_005
- All decent comments, but until the Doc sees the Doc and a REALISTIC medical report is known, stand pat. Last week, I noticed a change in Wiggington's swing, and it has made a HUGE difference. His swing looks shorter and more compact..staying on pitches better, yet getting his legs under the swing. Could be just a weeks worth of lightning, but worth seeing it play out over the coures of another week or so. Mayberry Jr. is coming out of his funk with regular playing time. His defense is great...he will hit better if he gets regular AB's. Howard won't be back anytime soon folks. The injury alone was tough to come back from in less than 9 months, not taking into consideration the infection 4 months post-surgery. If/When he does come back, he won't be in top form until next Spring. Utley is the inigma. He takes grounders, and won't head to Clearwater until "he" feels he is ready. Based on that, time to get him out of the dugout, into a full time rehab facitlity in AZ, take the grounders there, and head to Clearwater when "he" feels he is ready. But to hang in the dugout?...come on now...it only hurts the team thinking he will be back sooner than he really will be. As for Oswalt, its obvious no one is knockin' down the door on this guy. He wants big money to pitch for this year/next year. His back went out twice last season while he took 6 weeks off to help his Dad out after the really bad storm (for which I would too want to help my family, but when getting $16 million to pitch, maybe, just maybe, spend a week or two and PAY for professional assistance). I have always admired Oswalt for the professional pitcher he is, but he now has almost admitted he is a mercinary out there looking for the money. This team is about players who want to be part of a ball club, not just "show me the money" guys who could care less about the clubhouse. Personally, I'd pass on this guy at this point in his career...unless there is a clause about his back.— drhoffman
Anything would be better than resigning Roy Ozwalt who now is saying that money is the most important factor, but he also doesn't not want to be a major media storyline wherever he goes. How can you want to be on a winner of choice , get paid what you want, show up when you want and not be under the media spotlight ie. no pressure to perform. It is amazing any team is interested and shows the total lack of available pitching in MLB today. How about Ryan Dempster .214 ERA in 55 innings if you want a rental player. He is in the rumors of possible trade bait.— DUDESKINS- Anything would be better than resigning Roy Ozwalt who now is saying that money is the most important factor, but he also doesn't not want to be a major media storyline wherever he goes. How can you want to be on a winner of choice , get paid what you want, show up when you want and not be under the media spotlight ie. no pressure to perform. It is amazing any team is interested and shows the total lack of available pitching in MLB today. How about Ryan Dempster .214 ERA in 55 innings if you want a rental player. He is in the rumors of possible trade bait.— DUDESKINS
- There is no way to count on Utley or Howard producing anything this year. Take a flyer at a bat if one is available. Somehow the pitching will get by without Oswalt who is no an ace any longer even if Doc is shelved for a while. Two aces, Worley, Blanton and Kendrick are not bad and if Blanton stays hittable, bring up someone from AAA. But the need for another power bat is desperate. If nothing is available, I think when Nix gets back, at least they will have some options for a starting lineup. Fontenot, Luna and Orr sounds good for a group of divorce lawyers but not for a bench. Not a punch in the bunch. One slap hitter--Pierre is sufficient with Fontenot as the reserve infield glove.— gotedge
- We've seen the Oswalt movie and don't need a rerun. No trades of young talent make any sense. We should sit tight and see how things work out. This is a nightmare scenario but if we get Utley and Howard back in 2nd half or next year, we'll be right back. We just don't need RA to do something stupid.— casehop
- Oswalt is soft. If his experience when he left last year and did not return for his second scheduled start was not enough evidence his not wanting to pitch until the second half of the season should tell you enough. Retire already and enjoy your farm toys at home.— Earl J
- Last year I don't think Roy's head was in the game. I think he had one foot on the pitcher's rubber, and the other on his backhoe back on his farm. His high salary is means to an end and his toys back home.
— dogman5 - Oswalt is done...let the Cards have him so his back can go out on them...no brainer! Phils need youth in that lineup!!!— tralala
- Bring Bill Conlin back— stoky
