A postmortem stream of consciousness
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A postmortem stream of consciousness
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The following is my attempt at decompressing from a stunning end to the 2011 season…
First you think about Ryan Howard. How could you not? I mean, he makes the last out of the season for the second straight October and you wonder what sort of mental state he's in. Then, he says he has likely torn his left Achilles tendon and it's the absolute worst-case scenario.
All of the fears of the massive five-year, $125 million deal are realized. Here is Howard, the bulking slugger reduced to the defining image of failure. He was hitless in his final 15 at-bats in the NLDS — a series that began so promising for the first baseman.
By no means was Howard the lone culprit in an offense's failure. But he's declining and it does not take much to see that. Sure, he finished with two more home runs (33) in 2011 than 2010 (31) but that was in nine more games. His slugging percentage dipped to .488. His isolated power (SLG minus AVG) improved from .229 to .235. But that's a fraction of the .292 ISO he had in 2009 and 2008 and nothing compared to the .316 of 2007 and .346 of 2006.
He still offers value to the Phillies. It's just less than before (or when he inked the contract in April 2010). Howard's power is what makes him valuable. That, typically, is a skill that diminishes rather quickly.
Now we're talking about a guy who was a very durable player — one of the best in baseball — with significant knee, ankle and foot issues. Howard has taken great care of his body in recent years. But he went on the disabled list last season with a severe left ankle sprain. He played through bursitis in his left ankle for the final month of the season until his Achilles tendon popped in the ninth inning of Game 5.
"I think it might have been one of those freak things," Howard said.
Was there risk in playing on it?
"It's the playoffs, man," Howard said.
But now Howard faces surgery and could very well miss opening day — and perhaps much more. His $125 million contract begins April 9, 2012 and in all probability, he will not be on the field. That's a scary thought for the Phillies.
***
What if Howard doesn't swing with a 3-0 count in the seventh inning and draws a leadoff walk? Does Charlie Manuel pinch-run for him? Does he never injure his Achilles? Do the Phillies win?
***
So who replaces Howard? Obviously, a lot will depend on the severity of Howard's injury. If it's torn, as the Phillies expect, Howard could miss — and this is a rough estimate — anywhere from six months to a year. If he has surgery Monday, that puts a best-case scenario at April 10, 2012. And this is all hypothetical. Maybe he hasn't torn it. Maybe he'll be ready for spring training.
But if he's not, the person who figures to gain the most is Domonic Brown. Yes, him. If John Mayberry Jr. is forced to shift to first base to temporarily replace Howard, it opens a full-time job in left field for Brown, the much-maligned top prospect.
Even if Howard does return sooner, Brown is an important figure this winter. Do the Phillies have faith in him? Last fall, the day after the Phillies were eliminated, Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke of his team's need to get younger. Their age was visibly a weakness this October.
Brown turned 24 in September and the Phillies will have to make a decision on him. He hasn't spent a full season in one place since 2008 at single-A Lakewood. You get the sense the back-and-forth of the last two years had an effect on Brown. But I think, legitimately, the Phillies have no clue what Brown offers. A year ago, they were supremely confident in his ability. Now, there are those within the front office and major-league coaching staff that do not believe he can be an everyday player.
So is he a trade chip? Is he a starter? If the goal is to get younger, shouldn't a homegrown 24-year-old at least have a shot at a full-time job?
***
Raul Ibanez almost made this whole thing moot. The seventh pitch he saw from Chris Carpenter in the fourth inning of Game 5 was a cutter. And it was fat, right over the heart of the plate. The ball drove Lance Berkman to the fence in right and he snatched it there.
"I probably caught the bottom of the ball by a centimeter," Ibanez said. "Just caught the bottom. If catch a little more on top, I hit it enough to get it out."
Ibanez turns 40 next year and is a free agent. Is he worth investing a few million in for a reserve role? He posted a .419 slugging percentage in 2011 and in the last 20 years, only 16 players aged 39 or older have done that. They are: Dave Winfield, George Brett, Eddie Murray, Paul Molitor, Chili Davis, Rickey Henderson, Andres Galarraga, Edgar Martinez, Rafael Palmeiro, Barry Bonds, Steve Finley, Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent, Luis Gonzalez and Chipper Jones.
***
Think about this: The Phillies could have different opening day starters from Game 5 at first base, shortstop, third base and left field.
***
Yes, third base is very much in doubt. After 2011, it's hard to think Placido Polanco can make it through another season as an everyday player. He'll have surgery this winter to repair a sports hernia. He hit .398 in April and then .236 for the rest of the season. He's had elbow problems, back problems, and now the hernia. He was painfully horrendous in the NLDS.
The free agency options are limited to guys like Aramis Ramirez (too expensive), Wilson Betemit (maybe a slight upgrade) and … not much else. Trading for one could be just as hard. (Is this where Brown comes into play?)
Polanco will make $6.5 million in 2012. It's a lot to pay for a utility guy, but the Phillies' hand may be forced there.
***
What was more improbable: Ben Francisco hitting a pinch-hit, three-run home run to win Game 3 or Cliff Lee blowing a four-run lead in Game 2?
***
By my count, there are 10 players from the postseason roster who may not return in 2012. Their 2011 salary and reason why:
-- Roy Oswalt ($16 million): Club optioned can be declined
-- Raul Ibanez ($11.5 million): Free agent
-- Brad Lidge ($11.5 million): Club option can be declined
-- Jimmy Rollins ($8.5 million): Free agent
-- Ryan Madson ($4.5 million): Free agent
-- Brian Schneider ($2.75 million): Free agent
-- Ross Gload ($2.6 million): Free agent
-- Kyle Kendrick ($2.45 million): Arb 2, can be non-tendered
-- Ben Francisco ($1.175 million): Arb 2, can be non-tendered
-- Wilson Valdez ($560,000): Arb 1, can be non-tendered
That's $61.5 million in 2011 salary not on the books for 2012. But that's misleading.
Oswalt and Lidge are owed a combined $3.5 million for their options to be bought out. Then, Cliff Lee receives a $10 million raise in 2012 from his 2011 salary. Shane Victorino has a $2 million raise. Polanco has a $1 million raise. Carlos Ruiz has a $1 million raise.
Then you have undetermined raises for Hunter Pence and Cole Hamels. So there is roughly $40 million to replace those 10 players if the Phillies stay at the current payroll level. Nine players are currently under contract for a total of $106.95 million. It's tough to overhaul something when $76.5 million is invested in four players (Halladay, Lee, Howard, Utley).
***
We probably saw Roy Halladay in his most human state after Game 5. He pitched his guts out and still lost. He threw 126 pitches, most of them in high-stress situations, and kept the Cardinals from scoring after the second batter. He made, probably, two mistakes and the Phillies lost because of that.
He sat at his locker, facing the inside of it, for a good 25 to 30 minutes after the final out. He was still in his full uniform but with a jacket on. After a while, he took off his shoes and stood. But he never faced the room. Then he sat again before removing his jacket and pants. Then he stared into space for a few more minutes before heading to the shower.
"I know exactly how he feels," Cole Hamels said. "It has to hurt."
Halladay came to Philadelphia to win a World Series. He's 34 and has at least two — most likely three — seasons remaining with the Phillies. He knows his chances at a ring dwindle by the year. Is there regret for picking Philadelphia as the place to go for it?
"I’ll be right back here," Halladay said. "Honestly, I don't care where you go, there is no team where you’re guaranteed to win anything. We have an unbelievable team here. Winning the World Series is always going to be the goal, but when I came over here, I didn’t think it was going to be easy. I knew it was going to be hard. I knew it is not something you do every year. I really enjoy the process of going after it, playing the games and getting to this point in the season."
***
Victorino didn't speak after the game, but he might have had as great of an effect as anyone on Game 5. On Rafael Furcal's leadoff triple, Victorino missed the cutoff man Chase Utley. The ball bounced to Rollins, who fired to Polanco at third and still made it a relatively close play.
If Victorino hits the cutoff man, there's a good chance Furcal isn't standing on third.
"I know exactly what you're talking about," Manuel said. "It would have been a close play."
***
The way everything shakes, Jimmy Rollins could be the great referendum this winter. Sometime this week, Ruben Amaro Jr. will express his desire (again) for the Phillies to get younger. He will say the offense must improve and that an infusion of new talent may be necessary.
It's hard to tell if the NLDS helped or hurt Rollins' chances of staying.
On one hand, he was quite good offensively. Yes, he went hitless in Game 5. But until then, he was having the best series of anyone with nine hits in 16 at-bats and six runs scored. He remains an above-average defensive shortstop. His offense and health both rebounded from a poor 2010.
Conversely, shortstop offers a spot for change. If the main critique will be the Phillies are too old, then is it wise to sign a player who turns 33 next month to a four-year deal? Would Rollins even accept a three-year deal? Are there teams willing to overpay for his services?
If the Phillies have three positions at which they can make changes — third base, shortstop and left field — maybe the money can be invested more logically than Rollins. No one is convinced 21-year-old Freddy Galvis can hit in the majors, but if offense is sacrificed for defense at shortstop, it can be made up at third base and left field. The Rollins money can be spent elsewhere in that scenario.
Either way, his contract negotiations figure to set the tone for the entire winter.
***
And there's so much we didn't even mention: The closer, Joe Blanton's health, Oswalt's option, Jose Contreras' readiness, Utley's knees and decline, reconstructing an entire bench, Hamels' arbitration case, the soon-to-be-hired farm director, etc.
We would be remiss if we did not take one moment to thank everyone for following The Inquirer's coverage during an eventful season. Hang around for what should be a wild offseason.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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Thanks very much for a great season of coverage. I've followed here and via the various writers' twitter accounts. It was top notch. I'm @patsully. To next year...— patsully- HaHaHa— phillysucks999
- Hey Matt excellent column this year. As for the Phils, yes it is disappointing but that is the way the cookie crumbles do to speak. If I were GM (wish I was salary is great) I would let Rollins walk and bring up the kid. It has to be done sooner or later and it might as well be sooner. Bring back Oswalt for a year, trade Kendrick and Blanton, find an replacement for Polanco (love the guy but that was painful), sign Hamels and Madson to a good deals and hope for the best. This team has too much inherent talent and direction to let this series define them. Yeah they choked but so did the Yanks, Red Sox and a host of other should of teams.— ned folk
- Great column -- one of your best. Now the Phillies can't even trade Howard. I hoped they'd sign Pujols and trade Howard to StL, his hometown. He'd accept a trade there if he has a no-trade clause. But not now. The Phils are stuck with this $25M-a-year albatross for the next 5 years. No team would pay $25M for a $12M player.— Xyzzyx
- Good summary. The Phillies need change so Rollins can't return. Epic failure by the team and Ruben has work to do. Ryan Howard = McNabb = LOSERS— Joe Banner - Eagles President
- Very good column. Fair criticisms. My opinion: The Phils are still favorites to win it next year because of pitching staff.— drlopezmdfacc
Most of the team failed in the playoffs and Ryan Howard proved once again that he is an overrated piece of garbage— shawnmac- Well, you would be the resident expert on GARBAGE! — BEMiller
- why would amaro ignore rollins' atrocious OBP, offensive stats that have declined every year since he last signed, attitude at being moved out of leadoff spot, failure to play small ball in leadoff spot, ALL because of an uncharacteristicly high postseason BA (.237 was his best in previous 4 years) in a year that he is headed to free agency. thats ridiculous, gelb. also, third base is not as much of an issue as you make it out to be. polanco still has a couple more years in him and he is one of the few players on this team who can perform adequately even when hampered by injuries.— zwarte piet
- I guess Howard is the only philly who's suspose to hit,the other 7 just wait for him to hit. What a sad and dumb article. Why not UTELY ,great white hope PENCE the missing piece. The phillies are overrated the pitching staff is over rated.? the best pitcher in baseball allowed the losing run.He's so great he should have won. The phils were out managed out pitched out hit. Carpender looked like baseball's best pitcher.— tobyjoe
- You sound like a racist idiot. 125 million man Howard was futile. No way around it. — hipdaddy
- No, he's right. It's a team sport and everyone is responsible. — pizzzmoe
- No need to confuse matters with race. Thats just noise. Ryan Howard gets paid to be "the man". He's the cleanup hitter. He's in that position to deliver. Expectations (and salary) are higher. He's fallen shorter than anyone else of expectations. Doc met expectations. J-roll met/exceeded expectations. Cliff Lee fell very short. Ryan fell very short. It doesn't matter if a man is white, black, green, or purple. Same rules apply. — ekurilla
Comment removed.- Phillies did't choke, they're offense is just not what it used to be. Changes need to be made in personnel and maybe even in the way Charlie Manuel thinks. When they won the World Series their offense made up for poor pitching. They can no longer do that. Obviously if they had their 2007/08 offense with their current pitching staff they would never lose. Charlie refused to play small ball because he believes that his hitters can still come through with the clutch hits. that isn't happening with the frequency it used to, especially in the playoffs. Let's hope they make the right changes and don't turn into the Atlanta Braves of the 90's - great during the regular season and collapse in the playoffs.— rjw817
- Matt, if they save 61.5 million by getting rid of all those players, and only pay 17.5 million with options and increased salaries to other players, how is saving 44 million "negligible"? Even with signing Hamels to an extension, resigning Madson, Howard's increasing salary, and other changes, they can entirely retool the offense with no increase in payroll, and probably save money to boot.
And I understand why Howard gets blamed, because he has the biggest contract. But the whole team has had offensive issues for the past two years. They just don't approach their at bats like they should. Halladay- 126 pitches in 8 innings; Carpenter- 110 pitches in 9 innings. And it happens every game. That HAS to stop. The Cardinals have a bad bullpen, and the Phillies played right into their hands by allowing the Cardinals' starters to pitch deep into games.— mjc1 - That's the way I look at it too. Also note that the salaries of Baez and Romero come off the books. That's about 4 million.
— s - Galvis IS ready. You should have checked with me.— NewMick314
- Thanks for some clarity on a subject that is difficult to think about right now. Hopefully, the need for some younger talent will be high on RAJ's list. I am agreeing with nedfolk on the needs list.Thanks for some fun coverage.
— eicholson - It's been a good season, record setting. The lost in the postseason because of the higher level of competition they faced. Take a look at the Cardinals lineup and you will see a consistent group of great hitters. They played good defense too, which was a factor.
The Phillies are aging, and past their peak. This great article raises the questions, but what are the answers? Shortstop is really a problem. There are few good ones available, and Rollins can still play, perhaps not in the leadoff position. Maybe you need to keep him for some stability if he will agree to a reasonable contract. Others will likely be willing to overpay, and maybe by a lot (see Jason Werth). There is a real problem if Howard has a torn achilles, but the franchise made a huge bet on the guy and he isn't going anywhere.
A final comment. Look at the 3 and 4 position on successful teams around the league. Pence and Howard are pretty good. But would you rather have Pujols and Berkman or Braun and Fielder? And if Howard is out next year, are the Phillies even competitive?— jerseyshorefan - Please try not to settle for Mediocrity.
Let me help you a bit:
The Phillies had their chance to keep the Cards out of the playoffs. The dumbest fan knew the highest risk thing to do was play all-out against the Braves. So dumb-ole chollie did it.
But of course, that would have not been necessary if chollie did his job from the all-star break and not burned up starting pitching. Lets not get into his baffling choices for the playoff roster like Lidge who at this point couldn't make it on a minor league roster.
And Howard came up small. Again. You'd think the man would learn to hit consistently. Like Sarge said on the radio 3 months ago "Howard will not be a good hitter until he really understands the strike zone better". You know if Sarge is saying it, that he must be a laughing stock in the league. Yet you buy into it because he gets a lot of hits when they don't mean that much.
The team is done. Smart fans will stop showing up and paying money until they fix what's wrong with this team.— fmMD - Yeah sure - intentionally LOSE to the Braves so you can take the easy way to the WS. Pure winner's mentality there buddy. Manuel has said it many times while quoting Rick Flair - you got to beat the best to be the best. — michael2_19030
- There's no such thing as the easy way to winning the world series.
So let me ask you.... what feels better.... winning the World Series or one-and-done, but you played "the right way"?
If you win the World Series, nobody asks how you got there, you're simply in the record books.
Unfortunately, this Phillies team is in the embarrassment book.— fmMD - Great column. Spot on. Howard is McNabb in a Phillie uniform. He can even start matching up leg injury for leg injury. Swinging at a high fastball on a 3-0 count when you're hitting .133 is D-U-M-B. You swing ONLY when you get a pitch in your wheelhouse. Too many all-or-nothing hitters in the line-up. Must have decent contact hitters.— farside37
- unfortunately Howard has already won a championship and McNabb hasn't. How does Howard equate to McNabb? Howard - Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, Playoff MVP, won a world championship. What did McNabb ever do? — michael2_19030
- unfortunately Howard has already won a championship and McNabb hasn't. How does Howard equate to McNabb? Howard - Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, Playoff MVP, won a world championship. What did McNabb ever do? — michael2_19030
I did not need to read this morning that Mr. Ground Ball to shortstop gets a $1million raise next year.— potus- Howard is using the same old trick a kid does that gets beat on a football play, or makes an error in baseball....he faking an injury for sympathy...a pure fragasse'......what a choke artist!— STEPHEN1988
- best team in baseball? you guys looked like deer in the headlights,like you didnt belong,choking on those red and white ropes around your necks. The tv exects are sad today no east coast teams left boo hoo! Talk is cheap Cardinals and Brewers will get after it,to bad you guys wont be watching.— stltom
- That was such a depressing and dramatic end to the season. The injury to Howard just makes the off-season a lot more intriguing. I actually would like to see them keep Ibanez at a much lower salary and have him available off the bench. I know he's never been a major league starter, but I want to give a lot of props to Wilson Valdez. He played a really super season at various positions and started getting a lot of clutch hits. Yes he does hit into DPs more than we'd like, but is that any worse than Polanco who grounds out to SS at nearly every at-bat? Personally I am sick of Chase Utley. He is not the same player he was a few years ago, but the danger is that he thinks he is. He ball hogs regularly jeopardizing fielding plays, his thoughtless attempt to get to 3B on an infield hit the other night could have cost us the game and then he runs last night against Molina. You are old Chase. Give up the ghost. I say keep Valdez and plug him in at 3B or 2B, sign Rollins & Madson & Ibanez. Let Oswalt, Lidge, Gloadd walk. Try Mini Mart in LF or even Francisco. DO NOT BRING BROWN UP YET!!!!— bingbangbong
- If Howard is not on the field for the playoffs, the Phillies would have been no worse off, and in all likelihood would have been better off.
That is incontrovertible.— fmMD - He took a few cortisone shots in that area this year. That might have contributed to the tear.— bobcitydoc
- Sorry all - but Cliff Lee is MY loser before Ryan Howard - at least Howard played a big part in the Phils winning Game #1. All Cliff Lee did was blow a 4-0 lead in Game #2 and give up 12 hits in 6 innings. Not exactly what +$20 plus million is supposed to get you in a post season game.
If Cliff Lee did what he was supposed to do, doesn't choke and lose Game #2 we aren't even talking about all this— michael2_19030 - Anyone who thinks a 102 win team that lost at home in the first round with the best guy on the hill didn't choke is a fool. We choked, again.— foment3
- Could it just be a simple as LOSERDELPHIA FREEDOM!?!— quadgator
- Offer Howard, Brown for Werth!? Eat some salary if need be.— pedge
- The NATS don't need your leftovers, and Werth wouldn't wanna return anyway...NATS are young and have hitting, pitching, and Davy! Plus THE NATS got the best of the phils THIS year. Watch & learn from the NATS! — havercat
- Regrettably, the Phillies were built for a 162 game season, not a 5 game series. We faced the hottest team in the playoffs and frankly they outplayed and out managed us. I'm especially frustrated and annoyed by the no change line up employed through out the playoffs. While LaRusso played numerous at bats and match ups like is was the last out in the final game of a world series, Charlie disregarded current hitting trends and simply stayed with his guys as if each game of this series was another night game in May.
I feel really bad for Ryan Howard and while he looked simply broken, he was not the only problem. This was an offensive team failure!
We still have GREAT starting pitching, even if Oswald does not return. We will be competitive with a real chance to win again next year without any changes, but I for one hope that management aggressively begins the process of getting younger and with the exception of the Doc, Cole and Cliff, everyone else should be on the table. Hope the Philly fans do not turn away from the team, without their emotional and financial support, we will be in real trouble!
- Wilson Valdez is a great fielder with above average arm who can maybe hit 250-270 who would come cheap. Mayberry at first will actually be an upgrade (believe it or not). bring up Brown for left and spend on a power hitting third baseman and bench. Sign madsen and Blanton and let go Oswalt, Jroll , Polly and Ibanez. See you next year— Trot
- This is an excellent, thoughtful column. The Phillies are not going to be as talent-laden next season, but should become a younger team. John Mayberry obviously could fill the void at first base, opening a fielding opportunity for Domonic Brown in place of Raul Ibanez, who may have value as a bat off of the bench, but who is no longer and every day player. It is time to trade Roy Oswalt for some prospects, and let Doc, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick and Joe Blanton (backed, in case of injury, by a new pitcher from the farm system) carry the pitching burden. If Jose Reyes can be brought on board in place of J Roll, and Brown snaps out of his funk and begins to use his great potential, the offense could improve substantially, in terms of batting average and in terms of team speed, though power may decline. Next year's Phillies will be hard pressed to dominate (or even win) the division, with the young and improving Braves and Nats at their heels, but pitching should keep them in the chase, and make the season enjoyable.— hillgs
- Comment removed.
- The Phillies simply have to have a younger and better everyday lineup. Do not bring back Oswalt, Lidge, Ibanez, or Rollins. Let Rollins go and bring up Galvis (worst that can happen is you have to use Valdez more than planned, and that worked out ok before). Or bring back Jason Donald. He had a pretty good run for Cleveland the second half of 2011. For that to work, you have to get a decent bat at 3rd Base. Who is that? Not sure, maybe Brandon Phillips will end up being a free agent and can play 3rd? Maybe you can get Alex Gordon from KC? Consider other options at closer. Money will have to be saved somewhere because you have to extend Cole.
As I'm writing this, it seems like there are no easy answers. Ruben definitely has his work cut out because no matter what, the Phils need some changes for the better in their lineup. It is certainly too bad Ruben signed Howard for another five years and $125 million. That is money that, whether Ryan is hurt or not, is not well spent, especially when you will have so many holes to fill.— MrPhillie - If this team decides that it isn't going to go above the payroll that they set, they will not be able to fix the lineup. They don't have anyone in the minors who will make an impact, which means free agency and trades are their only hope. The cardinals proved that a good lineup can battle any good pitcher by making them throw pitches until they make mistakes. Utley, Worth, and Ruiz used to serve that function in the Phillies lineup. Now Worth is gone and Utley is washed up. And Ruiz isn't good enough a hitter to serve that function by himself. It seems, too, that Pence only adds to the problem because he has absolutely no patience at the plate. It's fine to have one or two guys like that if they are hitting homeruns, but if you have an entire batting order full of those guys, you will struggle to score runs when you are not hitting the ball out of the park.— Hemingway
- Yeah Mayberry is an upgrade over the biggest run producer in the game. What do you people smoke?— seaonasdad
- Don't cry, dry your eye....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA— NewYAAAKmets
- Not a Metropolitans fan. NO REASON TO CRY! — BEMiller
- You whiners are all a bunch of front-runners. Thank you Ryan Howard for another PRODUCTIVE season with 30+ HRs and 100+ RBIs. Thank you for being a friendly, humble athlete that I am proud to have on MY TEAM! Thank you for playing through pain the past few months to help as best you could. Thank you for being one of the many reasons that I am proud to call the Phillies my favorite sports team. Thank you for taking the abuse heaped upon you by a bunch of whiney fans who are lamenting your lack of production for a few games - the same fans that were praising you a few days ago for your huge HR and RBI single. I truly hope the MRI reveals a minor injury that can be remedied quickly. I hope you are back to form in spring training and until then, I WILL be wearing your uniform shirt with pride and gratitude.
- Phillies just an overrated team.— Stlbaseball
- It's just not adding and subtracting players. Team chemistry is a major concern. I think the 'chemistry' of this team was studied complacency. "Well turn it on once the playoffs start." Obviously that was self-delusion. The hungrier, scrappier team won. Concerning Manuel: loyalty to your players is noble, loyalty to the team and the city that supports the Phillies should trump all other considerations.— DameB
- Yes, Howard's contract is an albatross but it's here and won't be going away. So let's start from there and accept that and take it for what it is. he does have value for his power. The key is to change what is around him so he doesn't have to be the main focus. Let Rollins go. Use that money elsewhere. Dom Brown may be a bust but outfielders are easiest to come by so it's not a disaster. Polanco will still be the primary 3rd baseman but you can limit him to maybe 120 games during they year to keep him fresh. It should be interesting.— Sewellmatt
- Is there another team in baseball where the #3 hitter is walked to get to the cleanup hitter? Ryan Howard is overrated and overpaid, and seems to be regressing. Carpenter was laughing at him or Manuel or the whole team for allowing Howard to swing with the count 3-0 and down by one run when he flew out to right field. This team depends on the HR way too much, to the point where they are incapable of playing any other way and incapable of producing a run. They simply just don't know how. Anyway, thank you Matt for a great season of coverage.— billro33
- As a Giant's fan, I've enjoyed reading your stuff all year Matt. Great work, with a great deal of honest insight. The Phillies are a very good team, and wondering about last nights loss and poor hitting just ignores how terrific a game Carpenter pitched last night. Halladay was good, but Carpenter was great. Them's the breaks in playoff baseball. By the way, Cody Ross is a FA this year and Howard will never learn to hit an inside cutter or slider, it's just not in his DNA.— channelclemente
- Comment removed.
- Welcome to our world.
Sincerely,
The Fans of the Atlanta Braves— odelljones - TRADES TRADES TRADES!!!!! Dom Brown will NEVER be a star player, too many holes no matter what anyone says, trade him! Polanco was a mistake by Amaro, who should have signed Beltre! Howards contract was stupidity personified! He was/is fading and he gives that deal? STUPID! Do the math, aging/falling apart players at SS,1st base,2nd base,3rd base,LF and who does amaro go after in the off season? CLIFF LEE? Lee is a good pitcher but was he needed at that tiome with the apparent holes this team has currently AND in the future? HE11 NO! Amaro raped the farm system so nobody to step up there and no salary flexibility because of idiotic contracts. Manual has to go, give him a job in the front office and let Sandberg manage, i'm so tired of his butchering a pitching staff.— twpman
- The Phils have had the best record in baseball over the last two years. We should not forget the statistical nature of the came. ANY TEAM can win a 5-game series. If you play poker--and make the correct statistical move EVERY TIME, you will not win every pot.— doc35
- ROFL, this stuff was apparent as long as two years ago. Utley stinks (granted injuries played a big part, but he's still a fraction of the player he was 3 years ago) but has a monster contract, Victorino and Rollins refuse to play like speed guys and instead pretend they are 30 hr a year guys, Howard cant hit decent pitching. Our idiot coach needs to go, let Mayberry play full time, see if Brown can handle every day ABs. Bring in some guys who play the right way, work the count, and dont think they are too good to fill a role.— lazyboy
- I can't believe people are still using the words..."Stunned", "surprised", "shocked". Why?
Cards won the season series for a reason. The Phillies had a losing record against playoff teams for a reason. I tried to warn you but I guess nobody was listening. The only surprise of the entire series is that lee blew a 4 run lead. Otherwise, series went as predicted.— scootch - Paging Dr Heimlich!
Biggest choke job in the city's history.
So much was said about the team was built to win the world series.
It's sad watching an OLD BROKEN down team with no YOUTH infusion.
Hunter Pence is only started under 30 and his approach to hitting in the playoff was BRUTAL. Pence is such a WILD SWINGER and the Cardinal pitchers noticed by throwing pitches OFF THE PLATE knowing that Pence would stumble to pull outside pitches and WEAKLY ground out 4 times.
Carpenter was able to pitch a complete game with a low pitch count with WILD swingers like Pence & Howard & Rollins & Victorino.
Utley, despite his deterioting skills is the only hitter in their lineup that will grind-out at bat's. But their wild swinging hitting approach will never change.
Zebras don't change their stripes - they are who they are - and the results stay the same year after year.
Expect the same letdown next year if this same core of players remain.
Paging Dr Heimlich - who will be presiding over Howard's upcoming surgery in the offseason.
And you thought the NY Mutts were in bad shape!!
Also, expect the CBP consecutive sellouts to end next April - take that to the BANK!— johnpaulcpa - Hey what can i say, they did the best they could. Even if i got to eat hot dogs all month(smiles) They gave us hope,more so then that other philly team .O! whats that name again,I think it starts with a E!!!!!O! well better luck next year.— franceshorsey
- Ironic...Lee blows a 4 run lead in the playoffs and gets a 10 million $$ raise. That's funny.— scootch
- Bring up Galvis (with a decent veteran backup), give Dom a shot everyday in LF (Mayberry at 1B), and build up the bench. With its stellar 1-4 starters they should still win 90 games - same amount the Cardinals won. Scrappy is clearly the way to go.— cea
- Lets not get crazy. With the big three this team will win the division for the next three years, but they wont go anywhere with the lineup Amaro has kept/assembled and a manager who is afraid of asking his players to play the right way. The fact Halladay, Lee and Hamels all had ERAs in the mid 2s and none won 20 games tells you this lineup sucks. Please fire dip stick immediately and bring in a guy who will make them take a 3-0 pitch and not swing first pitch ever ab, oh unless someone is stealing then Pence stands there like a statute. Crappy fundamentals are a coaching issue.— lazyboy
- Last night the Phillies became the first team in baseball history to have the best record in baseball 2 consecutive years and failed to make the World Series.
— VitoCorleone - Can someone tell me, why was pence batting third. Why is Raul still starting? Maybe it's charlie we need to look at. Can someone also tell me what was Charlie's best playoff move the last two years? Hummmm— Jazz
- 1984 is upon us folks...the beginning of a dismal stretch of baseball for the Phillies was 1984. 2012 will usher in that era. Aging stars, a crippling contract to a crippled falling star and a bungling manager who's lost this team. Changes MUST be made, but not enough can be done to prevent the retreat into mediocrity and worse over the next few years. It would be nice if Howard, Polanco, Utley would retire, but it won't happen. Manuel needs to be canned. Some of these steps might prevent a decade long collapse like we witnessed in 1984.— Repubrebirth
- Is it true the Phillies won't sell you a ticket in the lower bowl next season unless you're fat, over 40, wearing a Phillies jesey and cap, and promise to wave a hankie every inning like some fruitcake looking to get picked up on South Street around midnight?— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Matt you forget! The manager is the one resposible to get the team ready.
Kick Charlie upstairs. Bring on Sandberg! He knows the the young guys and will be a much better motivator, disciplinarian and game situation manager. We cant lose him again. - Comment removed.
- Hard to believe a starting rotation of Hamels, Blanton, Myers, Happ and Moyer win a World Series and this years rotation cannot even win the Division Series.— Rutgers82
- Howard/McNabb comparisons are silly. I know expectations are high, but let's not forget this core group of players DELIVERED in 2008. I will always hold them near and dear to my heart for that. Yes the last few seasons have been disappointing, but I'll never lose sight of what these players brought to this town in ending that 25 year drought. McNabb never did it, so there is no comparison.— vvvmetallicavvv
- I still can't even speak...— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- stuck w/howard's ridiculous contract and he's not a top 5 1st baseman. this team is old and are going down. shame we can't trade howard. utley is fading but pitching will keep them competitive— mike64
- stuck w/howard's ridiculous contract and he's not a top 5 1st baseman. this team is old and are going down. shame we can't trade howard. utley is fading but pitching will keep them competitive— mike64
- Apparently, Philadelphia sports teams never learned from McNabb and Lindross— JamesJ
- I'd say the biggest concern is the choking when they should be getting clutch hits... oh that, and Howard's HUGE contract, which will drag the franchise down. believe me, as a Giants fan, I know all about big contracts (Zito) that can really cause problems... but the Giants managed to win the WS in spite of that. I don't see the Phils doing the same. not unless they get some guys who don't choke at the plate when the game is on the line.— SFManInSantaClara
- We had great teams in the 70s and 80s, and we won 1 World Series. We've had a great team this decade too. It's real hard to keep winning it all. No team has been super dominant since the 50s Yankees, and baseball was different then.— eman
- I wouldn't be afraid to add Charlie to the outta here list. What moves did he make in the series; 4 pitchers in one inning and sent up a couple pinch hitters. How many did LaRussa make? The players have become too comfortable playing under him, and he's like Reid, not the world's greatest game day manager. Since '08, Phils have gone down a step each year. That might be the best place to start to get younger. Sandberg? Anybody could win the Division with this talent, but a fire has to be lit NOW!!— cuyatm
- So what was it that got my comment disallowed? The reference to possible performance enhancing drug usage? The reference to the sign stealing? The suggestion that it was actually a nicely performed double-cut? It was the most insightful and substantial comment of the day, and it was not allowed because.....
What is this, Communist Russia?— CornerPretzelGuy - If,if, if.Baseball's outcome is never assured.
But....if Only Howard had a batting stance that would work.— Lew Klein - So long as the stupidity of the wild card persists, such as this will continue to happen. The wild card, as much as the disabled hitter and turf fields ruins the integrity of the game. All the hack baseball writers and common taters go on about marathons, but so long as the wild card goes on teams can play one month of the year and still make the playoffs--it happens nearly every year.— BEMiller
- Of course they choked. Good enough to "win" the regular season. Disappear in the playoffs. They enjoy looking at there rings and telling us how "confident" they are. But they shrink from then biggest moments and fail. Doesn't help anyone to let them make excuses for themselves.— ekurilla
Hate to break the news to all the "glass is half full" optimists out there but this team's run is over. They don't have the ability to restock with the ridiculously millstone contracts owed to Howard and Utley over the next several years. They gambled with Lee's contract and lost. His failure to hold a four run lead in Game 2 in my opinion was the key reason they lost the series. Now they get to pay him $20M a year for the next five years. It feels similiar to what happened after '93 when they gave those big contracts to Dutch and Dykstra and then fell into the sh*tcan for over a dozen years. I fully expect the same thing to happen again. It was great while it lasted but nothing lasts forever and what goes up must always come down.— Sam Crow- Hate to break the news to all the "glass is half full" optimists out there but this team's run is over. They don't have the ability to restock with the ridiculously millstone contracts owed to Howard and Utley over the next several years. They gambled with Lee's contract and lost. His failure to hold a four run lead in Game 2 in my opinion was the key reason they lost the series. Now they get to pay him $20M a year for the next five years. It feels similiar to what happened after '93 when they gave those big contracts to Dutch and Dykstra and then fell into the sh*tcan for over a dozen years. I fully expect the same thing to happen again. It was great while it lasted but nothing lasts forever and what goes up must always come down.— Sam Crow
- yeah let's not mention Utley's knees and decline. why spotlight his selfish boneheaded plays plus his ineffectiveness. let's keep the focus on Howard and Rollins instead.— brucemines
- For all the Howard haters watch what this now Powerless team does next season while his achilles heals. And they have insurance to cover his lost season. This team had plenty of talent, but some of the older guys need to be replaced. Obviously Ibanez is gone, Polanco is gone,and giving Rollins 4 years more is idiotic. Do we still have a minor league system? Bring up Galvis and move on. This is why you develop YOUNG guys with potential. The pitching staff also needs a few changes and I believe Amaro will find the right replacements. Until that last game this was the best baseball season we have seen in many years, forgetting 2008. And just as an aside, Carpenter is a Cy Young winner and every bit as accomplished as Halliday.— docnat
