Looking for the Big Four
Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell are key to the Phillies offense. They simply haven't done the job the past 10 weeks.
Looking for the Big Four
Todd Zolecki
The Phillies offense is Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.
That's not to disparage other players in the lineup like Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and Chris Coste. It's just that those four are the MVPs, the all-stars, the big money men.
They're the reason the Phillies have led the league in scoring each of the previous two seasons.
But the Big Four hasn't produced in months, which is why the Phillies have fallen 2 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the National League East -- their largest deficit in the standings since April 23.
Here's a look at how the Big Four have performed since the team's notorious 20-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 13:
Jimmy Rollins
Through June 13: .278 (50 for 180) with five homers and 22 RBIs.
Since June 13: .248 (59 for 238) with three homers and 20 RBIs.
In August: .211 (16 for 76) with two RBIs.
Chase Utley
Through June 13: .317 (83 for 262) with 22 homers and 61 RBIs.
Since June 13: .248 (54 for 218) with eight homers and 23 RBIs.
In August: .243 (17 for 70) with three homers and nine RBIs.
Ryan Howard
Through June 13: .212 (54 for 255) with 17 homers and 54 RBIs.
Since June 13: .248 (56 for 226) with 16 homers and 50 RBIs.
In August: .164 (11 for 67) with three homers and nine RBIs.
Pat Burrell
Through June 13: .284 (62 for 218) with 17 homers and 43 RBIs.
Since June 13: .240 (48 for 200) with 12 homers and 27 RBIs.
In August: .167 (10 for 60) with three homers and six RBIs.
Coincidental or not, Rollins is hitting .091 (3 for 33) since he called Phillies fans front-runners in Los Angeles on Aug. 13. Howard is hitting .086 (3 for 25) since Aug. 11. Burrell is hitting .149 (7 for 47) since Aug. 5. Utley is hitting .214 (6 for 28) since Aug. 12.
If not for Victorino and Werth and a few others stepping up with the occasional big hit, the Phillies would be further back.
“We’re definitely capable of hitting,” Charlie Manuel said after last night's 4-3 loss to the Nationals. “We’ve hit for the last three and a half years. We have a lot of the same guys. I know they can hit, but I can’t exactly tell you when we’re going to get going.”
Time is running out. If they don't start hitting, this could get ugly fast.
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In the Phillies Notebook: the Phillies have a ridiculously tough schedule coming up. They play 20 of their next 23 games against the Dodgers, Mets, Cubs, Brewers and Marlins. The Phillies also don't think they'll be getting any bench help before the end of the season.
Truth, you always use numbers when they are in your favor. If you know anything about sports, you'll realize nubers often lie. Real baseball people will tell you the same. There's no one on this team even close to Utley. The moment you pick a bat, even in little league, the worst thing a baseball player at bat can do is KKKKKKKK. Truth, that means strike out...Baseball 101..I do believe they offer that course on line..I'll pay your tuition...— pat h- bski: There are some who want to trade Howard simply because they don't like him, which I disagree with. If you want to trade him because you know you cannot sign him, then he needs to restore his value first. He actually has 3 arbitration years left, but with his declining production, his value will not increase much, and if his demands keep rising proportionally, the Phillies will start winning those cases, which may be a good thing... that should make a point to Howard that he is no longer worth what he once was, and if he wants that huge deal, he must make more of an effort to improve his all-around game. My concern with letting Burrell walk is that the free agent market for any outfielder is really thin this year. LF there is Manny, who, let's face it, won't be a Phillie, there's Adam Dunn, who would only exacerbate the issues in the lineup, and then there's a bunch of guys who are not better than Burrell. In center, there's Rocco Baldelli, who is always injured, Mike Cameron and Corey Patterson, and that's about it. In right, there's Griffey, and Brad Wilkerson, and that's about it. A new OF via free agency really just is not an option this off-season. What would be great is if they moved Victorino back to right, left him batting 6th, and traded for Willy Taveras of Colorado to bat 2nd, or, if Jimmy is struggling, hit leadoff. That would solve a lot of your On-Base issues with the big hitters coming up. But the middle of the lineup still needs to develop substantially more plate discipline, which Milt Thompson has clearly not been able to teach.— RollinsWasRight
- Here's an idea for tonight's game; a wild, crazy, drastic idea that they should consider, in a desperate attempt to jump-start the offense...............................................................................................................................................................................................................ready?............................................................................................................................................................................................................wait for it..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................SWING AT THE PITCHES IN THE STRIKE ZONE, TAKE THE PITCHES OUT OF THE STRIKE ZONE.— RollinsWasRight
- Pat H-the worse thing a hitter can do is hit into a double play-be truthful.— Truth
- Free agency is not the only avenue for this club to take care of its problems. Trades during the off season can be very benifical to both clubs involved. We just need to be willing to deal and I'm not talking about giving away the farm. Money helps too but with the owners group the way thay are I wouldn't count on that, which bring us to Burrell. Does anyone actually believe he will settle for less money then what he is currently making? If they won't pay Howard what he is worth then why in Gods name would they pay Pat. I say trade him & maybe a pitcher for another contact type hitter like Ludwick who hits for average and dingers. Then move Howard down to 5th Utley to 2nd where he hits for average, Rollins to 6th, Victorino to 1st and Werth to 3rd and play him in LF. Seperating Howard & Utley forces the opposition to make multiple pitching changes late in the game.— Wally 24
- One guy on here suggested everyone show up tonight and just CHEER. Great idea, but make sure you bring your pom-poms, Barney dolls and wear a pink schunchee. That should fix everything. Aint free speech grand ?? YEA— mick314
- I am tired of watching the opposing teams bring in a left-hander to pitch only to Utley and Howard (also tired of watching Howard wave at pitches out of the strike zone). Why not move Burrell up to #4 and drop Howard to #5. That way at least the lefty would have to face at least one right handed hitter.— darryam
- RollinsWasRight...I'm with you. That's the difficult spot we are in with Howard. Most likely, in order for us to keep him, his production will have to stay down so that he'd be willing, or have no other choice but, to accept a lesser deal, because if his performance improves, he will price himself out of here. The duration of the deal is the bigger issue for me over the dollars per year. I would rather overpay in dollars on a shorter term deal, because it is most unlikely that we would get a consistent, high level of production for the duration of a long contract. The same goes for Burrell. I would love to see him stay, but I have to imagine someone is going to make him a better offer, either in years or dollars or both. I was thinking more along the lines of a trade rather than free agency to get a replacement for Burrell. I guess I wasn't to clear on that. That's where I was going with the Howard business. That is, if we determine that trading him is the best (or only) route, we could fill a need (a replacement for Burrell being just one of several) that way.— bski
- Wally24: The Phils won't pay Howard what he's worth? How much is Howard worth exactly? Do you think he is worth the 8yr $150+million contract he is seeking?— bski
- bski if you are talking about Howard's ability to put up good enough numbers with 30 some games left it ain't happening. He's already in the hole as far as using this season as a bargining chip and I don't care if he hits 40 + home runs. He's gonna break his own strike out record with a much lower BA and more errors than anytime in his carrer. If last springs arbitration was tough on him wait till the next one. We'll get to see what he's made of then.— Wally 24
- bski! I never said they wouldn't pay Howard what he was worth. I said that unless Burrell was willing to play for less he will be going free agent!— Wally 24
- Wally24: Sorry if I misread your post. When you said, "If they won't pay Howard what he is worth then why in Gods name would they pay Pat.", I took that to mean you feel that Howard is underpaid. As far as Burrell, like I said before, I'd love to see him stay. I would rather overpay in dollars per year and do short term deals. Unfortunately a lot of guys want and get long term deals along with the money. I think Burrell, at this stage in his career, will certainly be looking for years. I expect that Howard, considering he is entering his prime earning years a bit on the old side, is most likely figuring this is his one shot at a mega-contract, and is looking for years as well. We offered Rowand a 3 year deal, but he took a 5 year deal with the Giants. Santana got an 8 year deal with the Mets. Sabathia will be looking for an 8 year deal. Teixiera wants a 10 year deal. Yes the money is a big deal, but I still think that the bigger issue for the Phils regarding these deals is the years.— bski
- mick314- it wasn't "some guy" who said everyone should show up tonight and cheer, it was me. I said it because we're coming down the homestretch, the Phils are struggling but not out of it and need every bit of help they can get, starting with those of us that support the team. Fans can make a difference, I firmly believe the Phils would not have won the division last year without the amazing fan support in September. Let's start the next run TONIGHT. GO PHILS!!!!!— KMG
- KMG: I kind of agree with you. Not only did the fans turn out last year, but the atmosphere at the ballpark was electric. I still keep waiting to see a game this year at which the crowd creates a playoff atmosphere. Everyone seems to be waiting for the Phillies to give them a reason to cheer, rather than cheering for what they WANT to see happen, like we all were last year. It is a bit depressing.— RollinsWasRight
- Wally: You and I are looking at this from the exact opposite perspectives. You are convinced Burrell won't be here next year unless the Phillies break the bank for him (which we all know they won't do for anybody). I am convinced that Burrell will be back unless the Phillies absolutely low-ball him. If they make an offer even remotely competitive with whatever else he gets on the market, I believe he will take less to stay in Philly. He has indicated several times that the only teams he would play for other than the Phillies are the Red Sox and the Yankees, neither of which will be in the market for a LF or a DH.— RollinsWasRight
