Leftovers from a dramatic day
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Leftovers from a dramatic day
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The loudest noise coming from the visiting clubhouse Tuesday afternoon was a TV blasting MLB Network's coverage of the trade deadline. There wasn't much chatter among the players, who entered a room missing two of their most popular teammates.
"There was a lot of talk," Charlie Manuel said, "but until you do things it seems like every day there is a story, every day is kind of like the world is coming to an end or something."
It's easy to say Tuesday marked the end of an era, but it's far more complicated than that. Only six players from the 2008 World Series remain, and it will be whittled to five by opening day 2013.
But fate was determined long before Tuesday.
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It was a day with repercussions across all levels of the organization. The most notable was the ascension of Domonic Brown from triple-A to everyday player in the majors.
Ruben Amaro Jr. was asked if he is operating under the assumption he must fill three outfield spots for 2013.
"Not really," Amaro said. "One right now is going to be occupied by Brownie. Obviously we’re hopeful he can go ahead and do that. I think he’s ready. We all think he’s ready to get that opportunity. We’ll see how it goes."
Brown will play every day. He could see time at all three outfield positions. Is it a make-or-break chance at a career with the Phillies?
"I don't look at it that way," Manuel said. "It gives us a chance to see him. It gives us a chance to really see him and keep him in the lineup on a regular basis."
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Amaro believes the Phillies shed enough salary to dip under the $178 million threshold for luxury tax purposes. That has a direct effect on 2013 spending.
Had the Phillies eclipsed the barrier in 2012, they would have been subject to a 17.5 percent tax and loss of revenue sharing money. If they became repeat offenders in 2013, the penalties are harsher; 30 percent tax and even fewer revenue sharing rebates.
"I think it was a part of it," Amaro said. "It wasn’t the end-all, really. But it certainly played a little part of it because the tax is what it is. This puts us a little underneath it right now. It was an element in the decisions that we made, but not the ultimate decision."
The Phillies have committed $132 million (using luxury tax calculations) to nine players in 2013. Add about $14 million for additional expenses counted for luxury tax and that puts the Phillies some $32 million shy of the threshold needing to fill 16 roster spots.
As we've explained before, the timing is right to pay luxury tax in 2013. The threshold stays at $178 million in 2013 and increases to $189 million in 2014. That way, if the Phillies go over in 2013, it is easier to avoid repeating the offense in 2014.
Michael Bourn, anyone?
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The Reading Phillies were in Richmond, Va., Tuesday night which made life easier for Tommy Joseph. He simply changed dugouts.
Joseph instantly becomes the top position player prospect in the Phillies' system. That's less about Joseph and more about the dearth of talent.
There was potential for a log jam at catcher because Sebastian Valle, the top position player prospect before Joseph arrived, was also at Reading. The Phillies decided to promote him to triple-A Lehigh Valley. They also sent second baseman Cesar Hernandez to triple A.
An aside: Hernandez, to me, is one of the most interesting names to watch right now. The 22-year-old projects as a better hitter than Freddy Galvis and only a notch below as a fielder. He simply dominated the Eastern League. It was an impressive 103 games at Reading in which Hernandez hit .304 with a .781 OPS. Sure, he could use a more patient approach at the plate, but talent is there. Consider:
Hernandez at AA: .304/.345/.436 in 450 PA
Galvis at AA: .248/.294/.345 in 1072 PA
The two Venezuelans are good friends. Could they form the double-play combo of the future with Jimmy Rollins at third base? Oh wow, we just got way ahead of ourselves.
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The bullpen underwent a shakeup late Tuesday night. Lefties Jake Diekman and Joe Savery were optioned to triple A. Josh Lindblom will join the Phillies on Wednesday and likely become the top righthanded setup option.
The moves mean Jeremy Horst has leapfrogged some of the other arms. He has struck out 12 in 10 innings, although most of them have been in lower-leverage situations. It'll be interesting to see if they test him more in the final two months.
Diekman, meanwhile, showed there is a lot of improving required. He walked 6.3 batters per nine innings, which should come as no surprise given he walked 6.1 per nine at double-A Reading in 2011. He had limited the walks in a dynamite spring training and then posted a 22-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15 innings at triple A. The stuff is there, but it needs work.
So the current depth chart looks as such:
CL: Jonathan Papelbon
RHSU: Josh Lindblom
LHSU: Antonio Bastardo
RHMI: Michael Schwimer
LHMI: Jeremy Horst
RHMI: Kyle Kendrick
For 2013, throw in names like Mike Stutes, Justin De Fratus, Jake Diekman, Phillippe Aumont, B.J. Rosenberg, Joe Savery, David Herndon. Again, there is a lot of promise and depth there. It didn't work in 2012, but perhaps learning on the fly in a lost season will ultimately reap benefits.
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A parting question of curiosity: Why will you watch the final 59 games?
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
There are 7 players left over from 2008, not 6. Kenrick, Blanton, Hamels, Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Chooch.— bwillie- 6 players left from the World Series, Kendrick was not on WS roster — DogBiscuitthedope
- Vic was not a "bonehead"! He was a two-time All-Star and won three gold gloves; he had no attitude and was a team player. And, thank you, REAL Phillies fans for standing by our team!— Peas & Carrots
- Good column, I like the bit about Hernandez and the bullpen. I wouldn't add anyone to the 'pen. A lot of these guys are going to start coming in to their own. I'll watch more than I have. Watching undisciplined players get fooled repeatedly drives me nuts. So far tonight Brown has been up twice and the only pitches he swung at were fastballs in the zone, which is what I like to see. I think the old guys are more or less done in their careers so there wasn't much to watch there.— jtj06
- I think Mayberry will ulimately be the Phils best outfielder going forward. His offense is still developing, just as Ruiz was never our go to guy for offense like he is now. His defense is fantastic already and if Brown is allowed to stay this time, I see them both doing real well.
Go Phils!— gmr18901 - The last 59 games will be the arena to test the bullpen. Last night's game was an example of how Charlie is going to treat the crew. Put them in the situation that maximizes the possibility of success. If it takes five relievers to get through the eighth, it is no problem as long s the starter gives you a strong seven! In the last two nights, the starters and relievers gave up a total of zero earned runs in 18 innings. That is a throwback to 2011. Papelbon, used properly is once again lights out. The bullpen, used selectively, is learning and growing. Don't write off the Phillies for 2013. Much can happen between now and then.— gotedge
- I'll watch because I have no life, but I'll turn off the volume. Somewhere in baseball heaven he's singing High Hopes, Harry Kalas you R the men..............— Rumrunner11
- Whitey do you think he'll steal on this pitch? Harry you can bet your house on it. Glad I'm not a betting man, I'd be homeless. Hey boys Thanks for the memories.— Rumrunner11
- I love how Rube went on a PR campaign yesterday trying to CHA to all the sports radio stations and tv circuits. He basically repeated the same nonsense in an effort to do damage control. I do not believe he said anything to calm the angry masses.— NoSpitZone
- Still the biggest detriment to this team's success is Manuel. Unless they load up with free agents and he doesn't have to do anything but put the same line-up out there (providing everyone stays healthy)they will remain mediocre. This team despite the bullpen woes would be better than the record shows with a competent manager.— Phillip Phan
