While the Phillies’ primary pursuit is the search for a third baseman, yesterday’s removal of Eric Bruntlett from the roster offered a reminder that the front office is also working to retool the bench. Here is a window into their thinking: 

Awards are dumb.  MVP and Rookie of the Year are particularly dumb.  At least the dumb Cy Young Award compares people who do the same job.  But in weighing J.A. Happ versus Chris Coghlan versus Tommy Hanson versus Garrett Jones versus Andrew McCutchen, how do you compare a talented outfielder to a talented pitcher, anyway? That is just one of many reasons why I do not, and will never, vote for athletic awards.

The news today is that Coghlan beat Happ (and the others) for N.L. ROY.  I don’t care, and I don’t recommend that you get bothered over it (caveat--the players care, and there is nothing wrong with that; it always feels good to be recognized, whether or not the award is dumb.  Philly.com could give me the Pointless Post of the Day Award, and I'd probably feel all good about myself for a few hours).

But here’s the only important thing for baseball fans: All of these players will likely be fun and interesting to watch for several years.  They are all talented, in different ways.  They are all fun to watch, and they all deserve praise for strong performances in 2009. Why this annual need to categorize people with fuzzily-defined awards?

***
The Phillies did some maneuvering of their 40-man roster today, removing utilityman Eric Bruntlett, RHP Tyler Walker, C Paul Hoover, INF Andy Tracy and RHP John Ennis. All are free agents.

If Bruntlett’s time in Philly is over—and he has seemed headed out of town for a while now--the Phillies Zone wishes him luck. A good guy, and scary smart (he holds a degree in economics from Stanford University, and scored a 1440 on his SATs), Bruntlett kept his on-field struggles in perspective this year, and always handled them with class. 

Now, the Phils continue their search for a upgrade at the utility position—something that is increasingly essential, as Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins settle into baseball middle age and require more rest. 












 

Poll: Should Happ have won the award? (1855 votes)

The Phillies are actively exploring options at third base other than Pedro Feliz, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today.

The team has until Monday to exercise a $5.5 million dollar contract option on Feliz for the 2010 season.   

“More than anything else, we want to see what options may be out there for us and decide whether picking his option up is best suited for this club to try to move forward,” Amaro said. “He had a solid year for us. I like the man personally. He’s a great person and a great teammate, but I also believe in trying to improve and sometimes change can be for the better. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to, but it’s just something that we’re thinking about.”

Feliz, 34, is a top defensive player, but subpar offensively. In 2009, he batted .266, with a.308 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage.

Amaro could pursue a trade to upgrade the position.  The general manager meetings begin on Monday in Chicago, so Amaro will gather with executives from other team’s before he needs to make a decision on Feliz’s option.

The GM could also replace Feliz with a free agent—though teams have a 15-day window to negotiate exclusively with free agents.  Of the potential third basemen on the market, three stick out as potential fits for the Phils: Seattle’s Adrian Beltre, Anaheim’s Chone Figgins, St. Louis’ Mark DeRosa.

Because the Angels figure to aggressively pursue Figgins, and DeRosa is also 34 years old, Beltre, 30, stands out.  A strong defender with a power bat, Beltre is coming off a five-year, $64 million contract.  Injuries limited Beltre in 2009 to 111 games and eight home runs—but that performance might have made him affordable to the Phils.  Amaro was vague yesterday when discussing payroll flexibility, but the team is unlikely to add significant money to a payroll that exceeded $130 million last season.

***

Closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have his right elbow examined today, said Amaro.  Lidge might have “loose bodies” in the elbow, the same issue that sidelined lefthander Scott Eyre in September.

 

Brett Myers was told today that his Phillies career is over, the Inquirer's Jim Salisbury reports.

``I officially won’t be a Phillie next year,’’ the 29-year-old pitcher told The Inquirer this afternoon.

In a meeting with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., today, Myers was told that the team will not attempt to negotiate a new contact with him this offseason. Myers contact expired after the World Series. He said he will file for free agency today.

``Actually I’m not as disappointed as I thought I’d be,’’ Myers said. ``I don’t know if it’s because other things are in front of me, blurring my vision. I’m packing and getting ready to drive home (to Jacksonville, Fla.) tomorrow.

``It just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. I kind of felt it coming.’’

Myers said Amaro gave him no reason for the decision not to attempt to extend the relationship between the team and the pitcher.

 ``I was just like, `OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),’ ‘’ Myers said. ``He thanked me and wished me and my family well.

 ``I’ll miss the guys on the team and the fans who have supported me. Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me.’’

Myers was the Phils’ top draft pick in 1999. He spent eight seasons with the club and was 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in 240 games.

The righthander had his ups and downs as a Phillie. He made three opening day starts and closed out a division championship clincher. In June 2006, Myers was charged with assaulting his wife in Boston. The charges were dropped. Myers missed several months this season with a hip injury that required surgery. He rehabbed aggressively and made it back for the postseason.

  ``The last two years, going to the World Series and all, have been exciting,’’ he said. ``Other than that, I’m disappointed with how I did the last few years. My last three years weren’t as productive as I would have liked.’’

 Myers is open to working as a starter or a reliever with a new team.

``I’ll just go out there on the market and see what happens, dude,’’ he said.
 

In tomorrow’s Inquirer, we’ll look at a lengthy list of the questions general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff must quickly discuss, as they plot a strategy for 2010.  Here is a preview of a few:

Is it a good idea to pursue a contract extension with Cliff Lee?

The lefthander became the Phils ace after he arrived from Cleveland in late July, and enjoyed a dominant postseason.  Those very factors make this a risky time to award Lee with a long-term contract.  Rather than paying a pitcher for what he did this summer and fall, the Phils will have to consider what the 31-year-old Lee will be worth as he climbs into his mid-thirties.  The pitcher will likely seek a deal comparable to the seven-year, $161 million contract the New York Yankees offered his friend CC Sabathia last year.

The Phils will almost certainly exercise the $9 million option on Lee for 2010.  The pitcher would become a free agent after the season, if he and the club do not reach an agreement before then.  As good as Lee has been, the Phils might be better off enjoying an affordable year, then deciding what the pitcher is worth to them going forward.



Can Pedro Martinez pitch effectively for an entire season?

The old goat entertained Philadelphia fans this summer, and surprised some skeptics with his professionalism, mentoring of younger players, and deep intelligence.  But he did not prove that he could remain healthy for even half a season. 

One start after throwing 130 pitches on Sept. 13, Martinez injured his neck or rib swinging at a curveball.  He then missed most of the next month.  During the postseason, he re-asserted his ability to outthink hitters, but the 38-year-old did not address questions about his durability.  The Phils would likely be wary of any deal with the veteran that was not heavily laden with incentives based on performance and appearances.


What to do about Brett Myers?

Myers and the Phillies could use one another next season.  The 29-year-old pitcher is a free agent, but his value dropped because he missed most of this season with hip surgery and a muscle tear in his upper back.  The Phils enter the season with questions about their bullpen and closer, Brad Lidge.  A one-year contract for Myers, allowing the pitcher to prove he can be healthy and effective before becoming a free agent at 30, and giving the Phils a Plan B to close games, would make sense for both parties.


Is Matt Stairs worth one more season?

Stairs’ .194 batting average this season indicated that, at 41, he was no longer an effective player. Right? Not exactly.  The pinch-hitter was a tough out for good relief pitchers all season, maintaining a .357 on-base percentage. 

Stairs hopes to return for a final season, and would be willing to sign a bargain-rate contract.  With bench help hard to find, why not at least bring him to spring training?


Can they lure a super utility player to provide rest for Utley and Rollins?

You know that talented young core of players the Phils have?  Well, they are still talented, but it’s time to stop calling them young.  Infielders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are in their early 30s, and need more rest than manager has Charlie Manuel has provided in the past.

Manuel has been hesitant to remove either player from the lineup, he said recently, because he does not have a capable backup.  That was a tacit indictment of Eric Bruntlett, the versatile defender who struggles offensively.

Two members of this winter's free agent class would fit the need for an upgrade over Bruntlett, who will likely not return: Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals and Marco Scutaro of the Toronto Blue Jays. DeRosa could also spell Raul Ibanez in left field.
   
It is challenging, though, to sign free agents without promising a starting job, and the Phils would have to pay well lure a top role player.

Does Pedro Feliz’s defense and affordability make up for his offense?

Pedro Feliz is a defensive master and offensive liability.  His .720 OPS in 2009 was 18th among 20 qualifying third basemen, but his athleticism in the field provided rare value.  The Phils hold an affordable $5 million option on Feliz, and must decide within the next four days whether to exercise it.  One more season of Feliz appears the most likely outcome.

More for ya tomorrow.
 

While the Phillies reflected on their season last night after losing the World Series to the New York Yankees, two players spoke about the future.

Pitchers Brett Myers and Scott Eyre are now free agents, and neither knew last night if he would return to the Phils.

“Going to a new place would be different, but it would not be out of the question,” said Myers.  “I’d love to be back here.”

Myers, 29, has spent his entire eight-year career with the team, both as a starter and reliever.  He said last night that he could pitch in either role next year.  “It doesn’t matter to me, because I can do them both,” he said.  “Hopefully, the front office can make a decision rather quickly whether they need me or don’t need me.”

Eyre, 37, has said that he will retire if he does not return to the Phils. After a 13-year career, the lefthander wants to spend more time with his family.

“The decision is up in the air right now,” he said. “I’m not going to play anywhere else…It’s up to Ruben (Amaro, the general manager).”

Let the offseason begin.  My favorite quote from the locker room, where players were disappointed but proud, was from Brad Lidge: "Somewhere after New Year's, the juices get going, and you want to get back out there."

It'll be here before we know it.

Brett Myers and Cole Hamels are friends. They ride together to the ballpark nearly every day. And they did not have a confrontation last night, according to Myers and another team official who was present. 

Poll: Should Hamels start a potential Game 7? (4407 votes)

Good evening from the World Series, game 5 edition. Charlie Manuel said that he will not hold a team meeting today, but will speak to every player individually.  The Phillies obviously face a steep climb against an excellent team, but their best pitcher is ready to go.  And, as you know, this is not a team that rolls over.

Some interesting stuff from Manuel in his pregame meeting with the beat writers on Brad Lidge, Cole Hamels and that memorable Johnny Damon play.

The Phillies signed Lidge to a three-year, $37.5 million extension last season, a contract that Manuel said the pitcher deserved.

“There’s a reason why you’re a long man,” Manuel said.  “There’s a reason why you’re a sixth inning guy, a seventh inning guy and a closer. There’s a reason for that…Lidge was perfect last year.  Stuff-wise, when he’s on, he’s got two out pitches.  He’s our top pitcher down there.  He is out best pitcher, and that’s why he makes $13 million a year, and that’s what we signed him for. 

“How about those games we lose in the sixth and seventh inning, too? Nobody sees those games. They don’t’ remember this. Lidge is the closer.  He got signed to be the closer here for three years.”

Manuel did say that Lidge will need to work during spring training to improve his ability to hold runners on first base.  Many times this season before Damon’s steal, runners stole second against Lidge and later scored key runs.

“There are things he is going to improve on, and holding runners is one of them,” Manuel said.

Manuel made similar comments about starter Cole Hamels, who also endured a letdown season.

“There’s no reason why he can’t be the same player we project,” the manager said.

***

When Johnny Damon stole second and began running toward third base in an important play Sunday, Manuel looked first at catcher Carlos Ruiz.

Despite the fact that pitcher  Lidge was closer to the base than Ruiz, Manuel said today that he expected Ruiz to cover third.

“I’ll be very honest with you,” he said. “If we’re going to go over that and discuss it every day, in that situation, for me, [Carlos] Ruiz is going to cover third because he’s faster than Lidge and a better fielder and all that. He would be the guy that I would say to cover third base.”

“Let me tell you something: Every year we go to spring training, and when we go over our fundamentals and bunt plays, we might spend 10 minutes on that play,” Manuel said. “We might talk about it two times. That’s the first time I’ve seen that play happen against us. That play comes up sometime. I said there was a miscommunication. If you’re going to play the game in the right way, you talk about baseball from a fundamental standpoint. But what I’m saying is that play don’t come up that often. It’s kind of an instinct play. You’ve got to be heads-up in the game. You’ve got to know how you’ve got your defense set, and who’s going to cover third base.”
 

That ninth inning happened quickly, and contained a lot of weird stuff worth breaking down.  Johnny Damon’s smart baseball was the key.  With the inning nearly over, Damon fouled off five pitches, and guided the ninth pitch of a game-changing at-bat into left field for a single.

“The whole thing just came down to a really good at-bat by Damon,” said Brad Lidge.  “He fouled off some good sliders.”

After the single came a moment that will be long remembered, and long-maligned in Philadelphia.  With Mark Teixeira batting, Damon stole second.  Upon arriving there, he saw third baseman Feliz on the base, because the infield had shifted to defend against the lefthanded batter.  With no one covering third, Damon continued.

OK, let’s slow down on this play.  It seemed like Lidge should have covered, though no one would say it—except Damon.

Here are quotes from the relevant people.  “It’s the catcher or pitcher,” said Charlie Manuel  “Evidently, there was some miscommunication there….Usually it’s the catcher tries to get down there.”

Said Lidge: “To be honest, that’s not really something you go over a lot.  I don’t know who is supposed to cover on that.”

Neither did Feliz.  “That’s a play, we never got anybody to say, OK, you got to go out there, you got to go here.”

Damon expected to see Lidge on third.  “We have talked about it throughout the year, especially when Mark is up,” he said. “I was just trying to be aggressive and get into scoring position, and it just worked out where there was a throw. The third baseman covered (second), and the pitcher did not,” cover third.

Jimmy Rollins deflected blame from Lidge to himself. `”I take responsibility for it,'' Rollins said. ``I make sure the pitcher knows that he knows on a steal he has to cover third. At that time I didn’t really mention anything to Brad, so when he made the pitch in his mind it was just a regular steal. But with the way the defense is set up it’s my job he makes sure he knows to go to third. I’m the captain of the infield. That’s my job.”

Lidge unraveled after that.  He hit Teixeira, then allowed a double to Alex Rodriguez and a single to Jorge Posada.  And that, folks, was your ballgame.

Hey, the Phillies could not escape their issues the past two nights.  Two very talented pitchers, Lidge and Cole Hamels, had tough seasons.  It made sense that they would struggle at some point during the postseason.  It certainly doesn’t make sense to trade either one of them, as some agitated emailers have suggested.  You trade players when their value is high, not after they under-perform.  Those guys could very well help the Phillies in 2010.  This season, however, was apparently un-redeemable for the two pitchers.