Brown still here; batting second
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Brown still here; batting second
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Yes, everyone's least favorite baseball player ever is still here. And not only is Domonic Brown here, he is batting second for the Phillies as they open a three-game series against Pittsburgh.
Brown is the subject of rampant trade rumors from numerous media outlets, some of which may be true, and some of which may not be. It's important to remember this time of year that a well-planted smoke screen can be a team's best friend.
So for now, Brown is batting second for the fifth time in his career. He did it four times earlier this season. In 19 July games, Brown is hitting .303 with a .789 OPS.
This also could be the last hurrah for Wilson Valdez, who starts for the first time in two weeks. He could find himself out of a major-league job this weekend when Placido Polanco is activated from the disabled list.
It's Roy Halladay vs. Mini Roy Halladay (Charlie Morton).
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Domonic Brown 9
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Raul Ibanez 7
7. Carlos Ruiz 2
8. Wilson Valdez 5
9. Roy Halladay 1
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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I wouldn't trade Brown for Pence. Pence is good but he doesn't walk, not much power, lucky with balls in play so far. Dom Brown has little experience on all levels. Give him a chance!— FightinPhil- Wouldn't really want to trade much of anyone for Hunter Pence! The worst of that deal is that we'd be stuck with him for two more years! — BEMiller
- Phils didn't trade Brown for Halladay or Oswalt. Why would someone consider trading him for Pence?!?
Keep DomBrown in Philly!— Souled0ut1 
brown hasn't done $hit. do we want to win the world series this year or wait 2-4 years for dom brown to emerge????
— jamarder- I just know you would have dumped that third baseman who hit .196 with 18 home runs and 52 RBI! — BEMiller
Comment removed.- I don't see why trade desires should have to be packaged with a dislike for Brown. I think he'll end up being a good player. It may still be best to trade him to win now but we don't have to hate on the kid. In an ideal world we get some offensive help and hang on to Brown (my opinion).
I like Valdez as a defensive bench player. I guess the recent play of Martinez may make him expendable though. We'll be sorry when it's tied in the 19th though.
— s - Check. You are in Philly, the city of brotherly boo boo birdies, not to mention PANIC! — BEMiller
- only an amateur would want to get rid of brown for anything other than a superstar— bobbyd24
- The same boo boo birdies who want to dump Dom Brown would have dumped Mike Schmidt following his exceptional rookie year! — BEMiller
- Does anyone remember when the Phillies wanted Brown to spend the year in triple A this year. So they call him up before he is ready and now everyone is down on him. You can't tell how good a player is going to be from 200 AB's. Pence is overrated, I would raterh give up less for BJ Upton or Melky Cabrera
- I was also thinking that Cabrera may be a better option for the price. The Astros are over-valuing Pence. That could work in our favor though. Some reports are making it sound like they've scared off everyone but the Phillies so maybe his price will come down.
Too much scrutiny on Brown on a team that wants to win now. I look at him and I feel like he's trying too hard some days.
— s - Do any of you remember Chase Utley or Ryan Howard's first 200 Abs? Nahh probably not, because it wasnt during a pennant race. They struggled quite a bit and didnt take those AB's during a pennant race. You didnt trade Dom for Doc, Cliff, or Roy Oswalt and you want to trade him for Hunter Pence? Look at his numbers. No 100RBI season, 1 .300+ season in his rookie year, and no 30 HR seasons.
Give the kid a break...— FABER - Chase Utley was fairly awful, but when you take a look at Ryan Howard's first 400 AB's, you find that in many ways they were better than his most recent 400 AB's. In all honesty, I think Ryan Howard has struggled since that stupid home run hitting contest he won. Yes, I know, it didn't have that effect on others. If Ryan Howard were others, however, he'd be someone else!
By the bye, that third baseman, in his rookie year of 1973, had a .196 BA, 18 HR, and 52 RBI. Not saying Dom Brown IS a future star, but how would you like to be remembered as the GM who dumped Michael Jack Schmidt?— BEMiller - that is an immature coomment to say Brown is the most disliked player.
Just because trades need to happen and try to win the Phillies another WS does not mean he is disliked or a monster like your tweet states. You are a very silly person Gelb— Bob65S
