Mailbag: Bullpen, Blanton and Galvis
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Mailbag: Bullpen, Blanton and Galvis
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
We're back with another edition of the winter mailbag. There are less than two weeks to spring training, and even though nothing is happening in Phillies Land, there is a clear desire for baseball now that the Super Bowl is over and done with. (And how bad were those commercials? Don Draper fired everyone this morning.)
If you want a question answered in this space, fill out this entry form. Or you can ask me a question on Twitter (@magelb) and it may be included here.
To the queries...
How do you see the last couple of roster spots in the bullpen shaking out?
Kyle from Gilbertsville
Expect to hear a lot about Jose Contreras in spring training because his health will greatly affect the construction of the bullpen. Contreras has yet to throw off a mound in his recovery from elbow surgery last September. The Phillies plan to limit Contreras in spring training; think six appearances instead of 10. Most likely, they will find out how healthy Contreras is sometime in April or May — if he makes it to that point. Publicly, the team has expressed optimism in the 40-year-old's recovery, but the signing of Chad Qualls tells you enough about how they really feel.
The big arms of Phillippe Aumont and Justin De Fratus will be tossed around a lot in spring training, but don't forget about David Herndon. This is a guy who finished with a lower ERA (3.22 to 3.63) than Mike Stutes in almost the same number of innings. He had a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings after the All-Star break. Yes, he was prone to blowups like those consecutive nights in Florida, but he's demonstrated effectiveness.
Also, remember that Dontrelle Willis' spot is not guaranteed. The Phillies can pay only a small portion of his $850,000 contract if they cut him at the end of spring training. Willis' numbers against lefties were great in 2011, but he's never been a full-time reliever. And if someone else like Jake Diekman, Joe Savery, Raul Valdes, Jeremy Horst or David Purcey has a dynamite spring, they could win the job. Again, it should speak volumes to the quantity of competition the Phillies have invited to spring training.
Who do you think the fifth starter will be?
D.J. from Bowling Green, Ind.
Well, on paper, Joe Blanton is the guy. Phillies officials maintain he's in good health and ready to pitch more than 41 innings after a mystery elbow injury derailed much of 2011.
But as Jayson Stark of ESPN.com posited last week, Blanton could be trade bait for the second consecutive spring. Why? Well the Phillies are almost certainly above the luxury tax limit as it currently stands. Major League Baseball does not do its final tabulations until after the World Series, so there is time for flexibility.
Ruben Amaro Jr. has claimed the luxury tax threshold of $178 million is a limit for his payroll. So if the team is already over, does that limit them at the July 31 trade deadline?
Moving some of Blanton's salary would be the most logical way to clear headroom. He'll make $8.5 million in 2012, so even if the Phillies only pick up half, they could squeeze under the tax limit (for now). Of course, there are problems with this idea: 1. Blanton must prove he has value in the spring by demonstrating his health. 2. The Phillies must feel comfortable with either Kyle Kendrick, Joel Pineiro, Dave Bush, Austin Hyatt or Pat Misch combining to make 30-odd starts in 2012.
What happens to Freddy Galvis now that Jimmy Rollins is locked up?
Josh from North Wales
Well, firstly, he can spend a full season in Triple-A. Galvis is still only 22 and played just 33 games for the IronPigs in 2011. There is still development with the bat that must happen.
For now, Galvis projects as a utility middle infielder for the Phillies. If Rollins is out for an extended period of time, Galvis (not Michael Martinez) would probably be the one to replace him. A bigger question is how the Phillies would replace Chase Utley if he were to be sidelined again. Galvis has played only shortstop in the minors, but would theoretically be able to switch to second if needed. Still, that's a lot to ask a 22-year-old while making his first trip to the majors. I'll be curious to see if the Phillies give Galvis any time at second during Grapefruit League play or at the minor-league level.
And there's always the possibility that Galvis becomes a trade chip.
I've never been to Clearwater, but everyone keeps telling me Lenny's is the real deal. True?
Bill from Mount Ephraim
Yes. Never question the danish basket. Never.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
I don't think anyone would argue about Oswalt vs Blanton. However, of the two, only one has a World Series ring...Blanton. Oswalt did not seem interested in being part of the Phillies team last season as he was distracted by his father's farm dissaster. With a committment from Roy AND the contract based on innings pitched (bad back folks), maybe he would fit in. If you look at Blanton's record, especially in the 2nd half of 2008/09/10, his numbers are very respectible. Moving Blanton and his contract may prove NOT to be easy. Time will tell, but Oswalt snubbed Philly last year by taking his "leave of absense".— drhoffman- over past qtr century, Giants, Cowboys and Patriots continue to win SBs; Yankeees, RedSox and Cards continue to win WS; RedWings, Canadiens and Devils continue to win Stanley Cups; Celtics, Lakers and Bulls continue to win championships -- and loser Philly fans act grateful that after inheriting a WS-winning team, Phlllies clueless g.m. has largest budget in league and trades away best prospects just to field a team that can win its division...— warbiscuit
- Redux:
PeaceMuffin...you are in mid season form...Herr Wilhelm Von Humbug the old philosopher himself couldn't have said it better ...:)
— stan the man too 
Has everyone forgotten that Polanco is a Gold Glove 2nd baseman? There is no question who would replace Utley there. Wigginton would then be likely to play 3rd.- Polanco can't bend over to tie his shoes let alone play second. — blaqjaq
- @warbiscuit. YOU are a fool, and your absurd comment does not even justify me elaborating.— CosmoK
- Pity of it is that Laynce Nix is guaranteed a roster spot. BAD signing!
Laynce Nix? GOOD GRIEF!
— BEMiller - I Guess No Postings From King of the World this Spring— Kevinmac
- Really would like to see Ruben go young for a change. Give Dom Brown a shot in left from the get go in spring training. Let Mayberry play first until Howard comes back. Pay some of Blanton's salary to move him to Boston for Luxury tax relief. Give Hyatt or Kendrick a chance to win the fifth starter spot. And then use old Pierre as a pinch runner if he can still run, unlike last season when he was thrown out almost 40% of the time. And he can still do the late inning sac bunter off the bench role. Send Nix to Lehigh Valley and release old Pods to give some young guys a chance to play in the outfield at AAA.— Dull
- BEMiller, while repeatedly saying "Laynce Nix? GOOD GRIEF!" is an interesting schtick, Nix is virtually guaranteed to be better than Raul Ibanez was last year (as much as I like Raul). Both offensively and, especially, defensively.— schmenkman
- WARBISCUIT:You are the only guyon these post who knows anything about baseball.— tobyjoe
Comment removed.- See Saw, the last time Lee was close to .500 was in 2009 (14-13), when he was on the last-place Indians for 2/3 of the season.
The Phillies averaged 3.9 runs in Hamels' starts. They averaged 5.6 in Worley's. He's been one of the best pitchers in baseball for the last two years, and you're complaining that he's not getting the wins?
Halladay will undoubtedly show his age one day. But he was arguably the best pitcher in the NL last yaer (and many non-Philly analysts did argue that), so he's got a lot of aging to go before he's anywhere near mortal.— schmenkman - the phils will again win their division, but it will be much closer that last year. they have the very best in pitching; four quality starters and one that if healthy can win 12 or 15 games namely joe blanton. the phils are not getting any younger and injuries will play a big part on how successful they will be.— f3408cooky
- Best post ever! Cooky says Blanton could win up to 15 games in 2012! He'd need like 8 runs a game average to do that which, by the way, he has NEVER friggin' done. Blanton by far has been the worst signing Amaro made. $24 million over 3 years for squat?! OK, OK, Cooky. Good one! My sides hurt.
— eman
