State of the Phillies
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State of the Phillies
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
In the paper today, we have a story on Phillies president David Montgomery, born and raised in Roxborough and currently entering his 39th season as a member of the organization. There has been a lot of focus this offseason on the team's World Series title, as well as their suddenly-robust payroll (expected to be around $132 million this season). But I was curious to get his vision on the franchise's future moving forward, and his philosophy on maintaining success. Of the seven organizations who have won World Series since 2000, six of them have dipped below .500 within three seasons of winning their title. The Cardinals did it the year after thier title, the Angels and White Sox did it two years after their title, and the Diamondbacks and Marlins did it the third season after their title.One thing is clear: the Phillies payroll likely won't climb much higher than $130 million in future seasons. Montgomery said the team is already generating as much revenue as it can expect to generate, which means its payroll has likely climbed as high as it can climb. In short, they'll never reach New York Yankees levels of spending, which means the emphasis will be on producing another crop of regulars who are ready to take over when the inevitable departure of players begins in a few years. The Boston Red Sox have had a lot of success in this area. While they are known as a big-spending club willing to throw dollars at a J.D. Drew or a Daisuke Matsuzaka, keep in mind that neither Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury or Jonathan Papelbon was a member of the team when they won in 2004, but were all key contributors when they won it again a couple of years ago.
Here's the story. . .
1) Charlie Manuel didn't sound entirely confident when asked if Pedro Feliz would be ready by Opening Day. That said, Feliz did say he thinks he'll be in there. But the fact of the matter is, Feliz is behind schedule. He is currently in the 13th-week of a rehab that was supposed to take a maximum of 12 weeks. It probably isn't a coincidence that the Phillies seem to be adding experienced major league infielders by the bucketful (most lately, Miguel Cairo). It's too early to be alarmed. But it is certainly a situation worth monitoring.
2) I didn't get this chart into the paper yesterday, but one would think that a healthy back would help Pedro Feliz's power numbers improve from one of the worst seasons in his career. Though his batting average (.249) was only three points below his career average and his on base percentage (.302) was the second-highest of his career, Feliz's home run production and slugging percentage were abysmal. Maybe the back had something to do with it. Maybe playing in a new park had something to do with it. Anyway, here are Feliz averaged a home run every 30.4 at-bats, by far the worst mark since he hit two home runs in 146 at-bats in 2002. Here his at-bats per home run year by year: 2007 - 27.85; 2006 - 27.4; 2005 - 28.45; 2004 - 14.7
3) The first official full squad workout is today.
More later.
Comments (27)
A few things happened to Feliz last year, in my opinion. First he came to a new team a wanted to prove himself and then he saw that short porch in left field, after playing in a no so hitting friendly park in San Francisco, and his eyes opened as big as a watermelon. He started to overswing and that probably lead to his back problems. I was surprised he didn’t hit for more power after averaging 20+ homers in Frisco. The same thing probably happened to Jenkins.— EL Zorro
Comment removed.- Dave, enjoy what is clearly going to be a great spring in Clearwater. Curious about Donald. Seems they are focusing on teaching him second, and not third (in camp at least). Third is hardest position to glove well, but transition should be easier for him from ss. Does he have range issues with his arm, or quickness issues? The footwork transition between ss and second is pretty complicated, but wondering which prospect they see as eventually replacing Feliz? I don't understand giving Donald camp time at second, then sending him to AAA to work on third? Whats up?— bigredmachinefan
- We would have read your comment even without the CAPS Philly. I agree that we have a great team in place for a few years. We need a 3B is seems to at leat open the season. I love Donald but we have to start asking if he's ready to be a MLB 3b yet? If not, we have giles and the gang of veteran utility guys. Dave, what's your take?— jeff gross
- I never understood getting feliz. He is not exactly a contact hitter. And in the lineup, he tends to be a K. And him, then Ruiz and the pitcher (except for Hamels) an easy inning. Or if men are on base a rally killer. Wake up, 3B is usually a hitters position. I would prefer Dobbs. Which presents other problems. It was interesting that Feliz chose to rehab in CA. There is the camp in Ariz. that many players attend to. And don't the Phillies run a camp in the phila. area. That maybe, the reason he is behind.— travellin
- If you play shorstop you can play either second or third. It's a matter of making a few adjustments. The shorstop, in most cases, is the best athlete on the team, with CF being an exception some times. Also is the most involved position in the field with more responsibilities other than catcher. So the transition to third for Donald should be easy. I'm also puzzled that they are not trying him at third so far, with all those weak hitting good glove infielders they keep inviting to camp that are more natural second basemen.— EL Zorro
- They played him at third in the Arizona league. They got Feliz for his defence. With SS and 2B being not big Offensive posistions traditionally, we were able to go for D on third thanks for Rolllins and Utely. Besides, if you look at his stats with SF he wasn't that bad a hitter. Remember, they projected him to hit 20 HR and drive in up to 60 RBIs. Not bad numbers from the 7 place.— jeff gross
- Too much importance is placed on the HRs. Feliz did an great defensive job at 3rd last year when he was healthy. That was the primary reason we went after him. The fact that he could hit a long ball every now & then was a nice addition but not necessary. His life time .250 BA left no illusions as to what kind of hit production we were going to get. So where is the problem? We already have talent on the bench and in the system to deal with his absence. How about a story on how Ryan Howards plans to turn around his lower the average performance and become the great hitter we know he can be.— Wally 24
- Howard has allnounced he's planning on using a Cricket bat this year to help him make more contact.......— jeff gross
- If you pay attention you'll notice he shuffles his feet in the batters box like a cricket player too. It depends on the pitch count ya see.— Wally 24
- I honestly believe this is gonna be a very important year for Ryan Howard career wise. He looks to be in great shape and ready to get down to business. If he gets the stroke going early the National league will have hell to pay for it. When Ryan is hitting the whole lineup around him improves. Ibanez .286 life time BA following him will make a difference big time. Is there any more left handers in the NL than the AL? It will be interesting to say the least.— Wally 24
- I also like how Howard came to spring training early and is working on his DEFENSE! I like he wants to be a more well-rounded player. Hopefully all his efforts will pay off.— KarenA
- I think the Phillies can resolve a number of their outstanding issues with one trade. Here is an example: Trade Joe Blanton and Eric Bruntlett to the Reds for Bill Bray and Jeff Keppinger. The Phillies get a good righthanded bat who can also back up all the infield positions; they also get a left-handed reliever and open up another starting pitching slot. The Reds get a good (Kentuckian) fifth starter and a good utilityman.— JayW
- Karen -- the willingness to get better is all we ever ask in Philly. Just try to be better. It looks like he is committed. As far as trades go there are a lot of trades we the fans would like to make but unfortunately we don't get a say in the real world. I'd like to see them trade Myers to the Marlins for Nolasco who is a up and coming star but that won't happen either.— Wally 24
- Here's who I will be watching this year to see if they are future prospects who will keep Monty and Giles at current budget levels in 2012 as they attempt to make the post season for the 6th consecutive season with a homegrown and younger team: Outfield Zack Collier, Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown; 3B Mattair/Hewitt; SS Freddy Galvis; 2B Jason Donald; 1B Chase Utley; catcher Marson/D'Arnaud. Starting Pitchers Carrasco, Knapp, Happ, Savery/Stutes and they are forced to let Howard walk after 2011 in order to resign Hamels with every last dollar they have.— Dull
- That payroll would be last in the bottom 5 of the league even with Hamels.— ktdb05
- I think that Dull was trying to say that we have smartly invested in a group of young prospects able to fill in for our current players as tehy either grow old and retire, or move on for money. Obviously not all of them will make it, at least not with the Phils, and not at the same time. Good research Dull, but what about Mayberry (of), Kendrick (P), Andrew Tracy (1B), Hewitt (3B) just to name a few of out other prospects— jeff gross
- Dull: No Victorino in 2012?— Nutburgers
- Eaton's contract comes off the books after this year, so that $8.5 mil for that stiff..... It's a start.— davekrieg
- I wonder why Michael Taylor is not a bigger prospect? Anybody know what the scouts say his flaws are? Lack of the power you would expect from a 6'6" guy, is the only thing I see.— ktdb05
- Dull. Galvis, Hewitt and Collier are still teenagers. I doubt they will be here in 2012. Even if they make it by then, there will be enough money to pay Howard, Utley and Hamels, becaue most of the young guns you mentioned won't even be elegible for arbitration.— EL Zorro
- I read last year that after signing Anthony Hewitt for $1.5 Million they had him report to Florida and he was to begin working out at 3rd base. Hewitt who had been a shortstop in high school was said to have some impressive pop in his bat but whether he could hit at the big league level was anyones guess. So while Donald played third in the AFL they are also working on Hewitt at 3rd down below. Makes you wonder who the organization sees as leaving in the next 3 yrs.— Wally 24
- Some publications have Taylor as high as the second best Phillie prospect after Carrasco. His numbers last year were off the charts. In 450 ABs he had a .346 BA, .412 OBP, .556 SLG, 19 HRS, 88 RBIs, 28 2B and 89 Ks. Howard’s numbers at the same level, age and same ABs: .280, .367 OBP, .469 SLG, 19 HR, 87 RBI, 20 2B and 145 Ks. Taylor is expected to be in AA Reading this year. One problem is that he is 22 yrs old already, same age as Howard when he started with Reading. Unless we trade Ibañez or Werth, don’t expect him in South Philly anytime soon unless as a 4th outfielder. But the Phillies don’t like to keep rookies or young players as reserves. I would say he is like two years and maybe three from calling CBP his home. By that time Ibañez will be in his last year or gone, and Howard will be approaching free agency.— EL Zorro
- Dull is— mick314
- It comes down to starting pitching as usual. The Phils pitched very well in the playoffs and barring injury they have four solid starters in the rotation. They didn't lose much in the offseason, so there is no reason to expect anything but another division title in 2009.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- I really did not have any idea of what kind of hitter he was in SF. I had high hopes he would do well at the park. To me Felix's swing did not look like a big league hitters swing. I was surprised he could even hit the ball out of the infield. Maybe it was hit back that preventing him to swing. He has one of the ugliest swings I have ever seen in the Majors. Going Old School: Well maybe Chris Short and Bobby Wine were worse.
- I really did not have any idea of what kind of hitter he was in SF. Even so, I had high hopes he would do well at the park. To me Felix's swing did not look like a big league hitter's swing. I was surprised that he could even hit the ball out of the infield. Maybe it was his injured back that prevented him to swing better. He has one of the ugliest swings I have ever seen in the Majors. Going Old School: Well maybe Chris Short and Bobby Wine were worse. Get well dude!
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High Cheese is your place for the best Phillies coverage from the Daily News.
David Murphy
Daily News Staff Writer
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