Game 102: Hunter Pence sits
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Game 102: Hunter Pence sits
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
ATLANTA — No, Hunter Pence was not traded. He is not in Charlie Manuel's lineup for only the second time this season and first time since April 23. The manager wants Pence to rest for a day, and it just so happens to come with the trade deadline 48 hours away.
Pence arrived early to Turner Field and took some hacks in the cage. He sat at his locker and smiled as Juan Pierre talked about how he'd coach the U.S. basketball team.
While his name has surfaced in rumors, the Phillies are not willing to deal him unless blown away by a package of top prospects. Remember, they surrendered three top 10 prospects to fetch Pence a year ago. Settling for a much smaller return would be an embarrassing admission of failure.
Pence is 9 for his last 59 (.153) with 18 strikeouts and one extra-base hit.
The rest of the lineup against Tim Hudson:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Shane Victorino 8
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Carlos Ruiz 2
6. Laynce Nix 9
7. Juan Pierre 7
8. Kevin Frandsen 5
9. Roy Halladay 1
Frandsen will be the 40th player used by the Phillies in 2012. They used 42 during all of 2011 and five were merely September call-ups.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
i have to believe the ghostofozark is just being funny because anyone with any knowledge of the the game or the phils roster could make a serious comment like that.— deatheater- Losing two to atlanta has pretty much sealed the fate of the 2012 underachievers. They better start to worry about all the money they have invested in two partially over the hill starters and an overpaid closer. Not to mention the gaping holes in leftfield and 3rd base. Good Luck in 2013 guys.— Trot
- Game 102: Still in Last Place.— Seegs
- As long as chuckles is manager, Rollins will top the order. Sandburg is a quick call away.— palm_goodness
- I really like Pence. I hope he stays a phillie. I think we gave up way too much to get Pence in the trade so I have mixed feelings. It seems the phillies need to trade someone and get a great young prospect. The team needs to get younger and everyone recognizes it. Where is Gillick....i think Amaro tried his best = it just isn't working.— feudal_nobility09
- 36-26, the likely record of the last wild card contender.
Phillies would need to be 46-16 to make the playoffs. Let us say the Dodgers and Braves both go mediocre, which won't happen, 33-29, the phillies would need to be 43-19.........it seems plausible but a huge stretch given our bullpen and lack of consistency from the starting pitching.......but then again, you are counting on both the Braves and Dodgers playing mediocre baseball, no way. Sell.— feudal_nobility09 - Thanks @deatheater. Everybody else that responded needs to up his prozac dosage by at least 5 mg.— ghostofozark
- the goal is to get "under" the luxury tax threshold this season. If that happens, they can go over next season knowing how much is coming off the books after the 2013 season. Halladay looks like a mere mortal. Something is definitley wrong with his shoulder (his velocity is terrible). No one is hitting..NO ONE. I think its time to move Charlie upstairs (Sandberg is ready). The guys need another voice. Charlies is a good manager, but his voice is on deaf ears. I'd also bring Bowa back to coach 3rd and get Samuel down to AA/AAA to learn how to coach.— drhoffman
- Pence isn't going anywhere. Blanton & Shane should be moved just to get something for them. Pierre might be a good pickup for a few teams, but nobody would pay anything of value. We're finishing this year with this team.— yobill626
- Even if they got a true lead off hitter like Bourne, Charlie would still bat Rollins "Pop Up" first.— jicook
- If you want to change the Phillies, you get rid of pop - up Jimmy, his salary and lack of heart at this stage of his career. No one is dumb enough to take on his salary, so the Phils may wind up eating some pop-ups. That sends a message. Re-loading on fat cats is a short and long term losing strategy. This is no longer a team a piece or two away. You have to keep Howard to put fannies in the seats. You have to keep Utley one more year, unless some AL team is waiting to grab him. They are dangling Kratz as a back up catcher. Pence is Ok but not great on defense or plate discipline. If i were a GM for a day, the pecking order for change would be. 1. Rollins. 2. Lee. 3. Utley 4. Victorino 5. Blanton 6. Worley 7. Wiggy/Nix (either). 8. Pierre 9. Mayberry. Put D. Brown in CF or LF time for him to fish or cut bait.— oldBird
- Rest? Didn't everyone just get a rest 3 days ago?
Either Manuel is a clueless boob (nah, is that possible?)who can't fill out a lineup without Jimy Williams sitting next to him, or a Pence trade is on the works.— jman - Thought of exactly same thing as mumf86. Trade Hunter sign Bourne move Victorino to RF. This weakens Atlanta eases payroll and you can move Rollins down in lineup. The last item would please some fans which is not why I would consider it. You might be able to get that bullpen arm for Hunter (Axford). Axford is having a bad year but has great arm. I have no idea if he's available. I actualy like Pence but it might solve some problems. Bourne, Victorino, Utley, Ruiz, Howard, Youkilis, Brown and Rollins. An improved lineup.— Don w
- Don't be surprised if Pence is dealt and they keep Victorino. They can get him cheaper than Pence. Also, if they go after Bourn and Victorino stays, they can move Victorino to RF. Dump Pierre and play Mayberry/Brown in a LF platoon.— alihajishank
- "BAD GAME, LETS TRADE"!— cooperhawk
