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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CM is on the right track here, finally...— M60tanker- I would wait and see what happens between now and the trade deadline. I once felt that we could solve this problem internally but no one is looking like they want right field OR the right handed power spot. If the rest of the regulars can't step up we will need to trade for a power bat from the right side. Josh Willingham looks the best to me so far.— JamesSeitz
- Josh Whillingham 32 yrs old, avg. 231, 10 hr, 42 rbi. in 62 games with Oakland and currently placed on DL as of Thursday with achilies tendon injury. Not expected back until at least mid to late July.
— DUDESKINS - Good job Matt / Bob, whichever of you got these quotes on the record. We've already known for weeks from guys like Olney and Rosenthal that Phils have been shopping.... Now finally one of Phils mgmt is on record. let's see how Ruben deals.— ExiledinFla
- Nolan Reimold. Orioles are out of it and he is cheap.— UncleEddie
- Cuddyer would be my choice from those three names. He's also played some infield positions, making him more versatile defensively. But he seems like he may be the hardest of the three to get. It's sounding like getting a guy like Hunter Pence is becoming less and less likely.— s
Comment removed.- All three of the players mentioned could be traded. All are in the last year of their contracts. If their teams are out of contention, why wouldn't those teams try getting something for these guys before they walk? So I don't see what's so outlandish about the idea of a trade other than the cost. Cuddyer would demand the most in return and he's got the highest salary which is why he seems like the least likely of the three. No one's suggesting we get any of these guys for bags of balls or chairs other than you from the posts I've read.
Charlie is correct: The odds are worse for the Phillies in the post-season if they continue to hit as they've been hitting. They're asking about players for a reason.
— s - I don't blame Cholly for asking but I also find it amusing that he always asks for a team that is so filled with talent that no skill or strategy are required to manage it.— pgcd3
- seems like there s no one available at this time and they should thought about this at the off season to pick up some right batters and get rid of raul,,francisco,,but it s too late and we re stuck with those low average batters,,,brown and mayberry aren t top of the line hitters,,brown cannot hit lefties and mayberry strikes out too much..so we got to depend on our pitching on their low era s,,— hardball
- I dont see anyone mentioning Matt Kemp...I would have to think his is the most available best option...the Dodgers are not gonna be in contention...they have serious financial troubles...and Kemp is a free agent at seasons end...— danielboyer
- Why can't John Mayberry Jr. be the righthanded bat against lefthanded pitching for the Phils? After tonight's three run homer for the IronPigs Mayberry Jr. has two doubles, two homers and 7 RBIs in 16 at bats against lefthanded piching since being sent to AAA. And he has a heck of arm and can play all three outfield positions.— Dull
- Dull, please start watching the games. Mayberry can't hit a major league breaking ball.— hey buddy
- CHRIS HEISEY of the Reds, 26, power and speed..RH leftfielder who has been a great pinch hitter and is ready to play more...Reds want to bring up another prized prospect and need relief pitching...we have many young prospects to offer...Nolan Reimold is not a bad choice, streaky , but lots of power...At this point Mayberry should be with the big club, don't understand why he wouldn't get a similar opportunity to Brown, platooning them both.— bearsfriend
- 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
- the Phillies have the best record...that does not mean stand pat. They do need a righthanded bat.— bearsfriend
- Change that....Heisey just hit his third HR tonight, now the price goes up more...lokks like that trade won't happen...maybe we can get Drew Stubbs of Johnny Gomes now.— bearsfriend
- i agree with several others. let's get hunter pence. i'd trade domonic brown for him. He's young and a proven major league talent. like others, i think with his work ethic and talent, he would fit in great with the phils.— igglephan
- Heisey just hit 3hr tonight. No way he comes here. And Raul should not only be sat down, but traded in a huge blockbuster of 5-6 guys for one of the RH batters . Dump as much as you can Rube before Charlie plays Raul and Martinez all the time and lets Joe B and Brad back to foul the staff up.— Koons
- Of course Hunter Pence would look great on this team but it's probably not happening. Are you willing to give up Brown, Cosart & Stutes?
Stop with the trading Raul too. He has a no trade clause and has little value on the market anyway at his salary.— pgcd3 - Wow. That's as close as Charlie would ever get to throwing a player under the bus, and I like it. I'll bet at least part of the reason he said it was to try to light a fire under Francisco. But I don't think it will work. BF is just not an everyday player. And he's a terrible outfielder, with another great example tonight.— VicM
- I havent read any of the comments. I just want to thank Charlie for finally saying what most of us have been ranting about for months. The offense needs a serious upgrade!!! And please dont counter with the lazy and simple-minded "dude, but we have the best record in the league!". Who cares how much we beat up on the weak sisters of the poor, padding the record. They had the best record last year too and when the playoffs came against all good teams they went down in flames. Ask the Chicago Bulls what the best record meant to them once they met superior talent. Word has it that they dont get trophies for having the best regular season record. Thank you Charlie!!!— Sewellmatt
- Why would Houston trade Pence, a 300 hitter for Brown and a prospect.
Brown is struggling and the dollars don't work.
Pence is making 6.9 million and Brown just 414K.
We'd have to give up more to get Pence.
— Fan74 - News for you pgcd3; Hardest thing to do is manage a team full of Super Stars, it takes a combination of special talents to do it and from what I understand Charlie Manuel has those skills.
— phillboyinhawaii - Josh Whillingham 32 yrs old, avg. 231, 10 hr, 42 rbi. in 62 games with Oakland and currently placed on DL as of Thursday with achillies tendon injury. Not expected back untill at least mid to late July.— DUDESKINS
- I agree with "Dull" Mayberry has been playing well for the IronPigs. Another point, this article states that "
Francisco and John Mayberry Jr. were both given shots to nail down spots in the lineup". But Mayberry played in only 45 games with only 104 bats - not too much of a "shot". However, he did hit 3 homers and 5 doubles displaying power while stealing 5 bases. If given a more consistent shot he could show his true potential for speed and power. He played good defense and drew 11 walks as well
— catdog53
