Help wanted: Manuel thinks Phils need a righthanded bat
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Help wanted: Manuel thinks Phils need a righthanded bat
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Charlie Manuel verbally posted a help wanted sign Wednesday afternoon.
The Phillies manager made it clear that he believes his team needs a right-handed bat to improve the lineup.
"We could use a hitter in our lineup -- at least one," Manuel said. "We could definitely use a solid right-handed hitter."
The follow-up question was whether Manuel felt he needed that right-handed bat to win the World Series, the only acceptable goal for a team that has stockpiled aces in its starting rotation.
"I'll put it to you like this: Our odds get better if we have one," Manuel said.
Ben Francisco, a right-handed hitter, was back in the lineup Wednesday after delivering a pinch-hit single that provided the game-winning run Tuesday. Manuel, however, is looking for something more than Francisco, who is hitting .222 with six home runs and 26 RBIs.
Francisco and John Mayberry Jr. were both given shots to nail down spots in the lineup, but both failed to do so. Now rookie right fielder Domonic Brown is also in the midst of a prolonged slump, hitting .148 (9-for-61) in June.
Manuel's No. 5 hitters have batted .207 this season and his right fielders have hit .221.
Recently, Manuel has tried third baseman Placido Polanco in the five hole, but he has hit just .115 (3-for-26) from that position. Polanco was back in that spot Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game when he was hit in the left pinky by a pitch from St. Louis' Jason Motte.
Given all the above facts, it's easy to understand why Manuel would want something more.
"I don't want something that we got," Manuel said. "I want something better. I want a hitter. I want a consistent, consistent hitter. But when you ask somebody, those are hard to find."
Some names have been thrown around with Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer, Oakland's Josh Willingham and San Diego's Ryan Ludwick among them.
With the Twins riding a 9-game winning streak and within 6 1/2 games of first place in the A.L. Central, they may be unwilling to part with Cuddyer. Oakland, which will be in Philadelphia for a three-game series this weekend, has won six in a row and remains in contention in a weak A.L. West.
There is no sign that the Padres will get back in the N.L. West race, which could mean Ludwick is the most available of the three players listed above. He has nine home runs and 45 RBIs playing most of his games in pitcher friendly Petco Park.
Ibanez sits
After recovering from a terrible April by hitting .315 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in May, Raul Ibanez has batted .221 with no home runs and three RBIs in June. His overall average is down to .240 and he has hit just .168 for the season on the road.
Manuel sat Ibanez Wednesday in favor of Francisco.
"I think in the course of a 162-game season, somewhere down the line a guy can get tired," Manuel said. "I think when I look at Raul right now, he just needs a blow. That's the way I used to feel about Pat Burrell. I'd get him off his feet for a couple days and I'd get him back in the game and see how he goes. From a mental aspect, too, I want to get him away from the game for a while."
Manuel would not say if he plans to sit Ibanez again in the series finale with St. Louis Thursday night.
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Dull, you are not wrong.....while Mayberry Jr had trouble getting busted inside and was pulling balls too much, he represents a definite upgrade to Martinez,has power potential, and fields well as well a a plus baserunner...He got screwed.— bearsfriend- He hit 220 and is right around there at LV. — Ssteve115
- JEFF F, HUNTER PENCE OR ANDREW MCCUTCHEON— DONDEN31
- What would be terrific...Howard hitting a little more? Rollins batting average going up a tad? Ibanez doing some more? That would be swell.
— Jeffritoe - Yup, time to fleece Ed Wade again.— Jeffritoe
Comment removed.- Hunter Pence is the answer. Pence can field, run, hit for power and has a gun for an arm. He plays the game the way Utley plays, and I think he would fit in very well with the clubhouse and fans.
Deal Domonic Brown & a prospect and make it happen.— PhilsBirdsFlys - Who mentioned Matt Holliday? And who said a chair or bag of balls for anyone? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.— P Even
- Hunter Pence would be great...The problem is, every at bat Brown has I think his stock will lower...that swing is waaaaaayyyy too long.— bearsfriend
- CHRIS HEISEY is a future star..has two homers tonight..the price will go up!!!...The Reds are loaded in the outfield...Bruce,Stubbs,Gomes, Fred Lewis (Dusty Baker loves him) and they want to bring up Yonder Alonso, who was the 7th pick in 2008 (another power hitter)...They need pitching (JC Ramirez,Aumont,Cozart,who cares)...— bearsfriend
- Chris Heisey, given the chance, could replace Ibanez...be another Werth type find...and he's from Lancaster.— bearsfriend
- If I were Rube or Monty I would duct tape Chollys mouth closed.
The manager announcing that his team is desperate for a bat:
1. Hinders Rubes bargaining position.
2. Undermines and disrepects all the hard work that his current hitters have put in.
Just STHU and let Big Game Rube do his thing.— argonne - PSSST, PSSST, Whisper whisper. shhhhush. Phils need a right hand bat but keep it under your hat guys so the other teams don't know we are looking. GEEEZ . Sorry argonne but your post is just silly. It is not like Paul , Ben and Dom don't know that they have been given a great shot at staying with the club and it isn't disrespect to tell the truth.
— DUDESKINS - Hunter Pence would look good in a phils uniform— 658012
- Who has the best record in MLB? Settle down.— HorshamGuy
