Phillies can still finish first during the season
The Phillies may have finished third in the National League East last season and again this offseason, but that doesn't mean they have to finish anywhere other than first once the season begins.
Phillies can still finish first during the season
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
The Phillies may have finished third in the National League East last season and again this offseason, but that doesn't mean they have to finish anywhere other than first once the season begins.
At a dinner banquet in Allentown Thursday night, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. explained why this offseason has been different in terms of the team's moves.
Instead of one big splash -- a trade for Roy Halladay, the signing of free agents Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon -- that grabs the attention of the entire baseball world, the Phillies have made a series of smaller moves, dealing for center fielder Ben Revere and third baseman Michael Young while signing setup man Mike Adams, fifth starter John Lannan and right fielder Delmon Young.
As detailed in Friday's newspaper column, the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves have made the sexiest moves among the National League East teams this offseason.
"We had a lot more to fill this offseason and a lot less dollars to play with," Amaro said. "Our big moves were made when we got Doc (Halladay) and we got Cliff and we signed Ryan (Howard) and we signed Chase (Utley) and also Jimmy (Rollins) as well. Those were our moves."
Therein lies the Phillies' hope and possibly despair.
Add Cole Hamels to Amaro's list and those are the six players that will determine whether the 2013 Phillies can contend with the Nationals and Braves in the National League East.
It is interesting to view the national perception of the Phillies. Richard Justice, a columnist for MLB.com, lauded Atlanta's trade acquisition of outfielder Justin Upton Thursday and declared that the Braves joined the Nationals, Giants, Dodgers, Cardinals and Reds in the discussion about the "Best Team in the NL."
The Phillies are only one season removed from putting up the best record in baseball for the second straight year and they did go 35-24 after dealing Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence at the all-star break.
"With Howard and Utley being back, we made up 14 games," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We were 14 under .500 and we played good in the second half as far as winning games and we can play a lot better."
Because of the way the Phillies have gone about their business, they should have payroll flexibility at the trade deadline if they're looking to upgrade in the outfield or at some other position.
"We're leaving ourselves a little flexibility ... in the hope that at some point if we need to, we can maybe add," Amaro said.
That will heavily depend on whether Howard, Halladay and Utley are better and, at this point, the Phillies are encouraged about all of them. Howard is among the regulars already working out down in Clearwater, Fla. and the medical reports on Halladay and Utley have been encouraging.
Amaro said Halladay, who missed nearly two months last season with a shoulder injury, threw off a mound for the first time Tuesday and was scheduled to do so again Friday. Utley has been sending Manuel e-mails that has the manager upbeat.
"He sent me a couple e-mails and the last one right at Christmas said, 'It looks like you're going to have a healthy second baseman,' " Manuel said. "The other day (trainer) Scott Sheridan had a DVD of him working out and he really looked good. He looked really strong in his legs. You can tell he's been doing something all winter."
A baseball scout was asked what he thought of the Phillies' offseason moves compared to what the Nationals and Braves have done.
"The Braves and Nats did better, but the Phillies did a nice job, too," he said. "The Phillies did well with adding the two Youngs and Revere and Lannan will be a solid fifth starter. Roy Halladay is far and away the most important player in the division this coming season. Which guy we see will determine the Phillies' fate."
Medical MJ has made its way to Allentown. I'll have what Rube's having.— GreenWing- This comment has been deleted.— FishtownFitz
- You ARE way to kind to the dungbizkit! — BEMiller
- Thank you Bob for the bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, etc...........— Phillip Phan
- Bob, RAJ called and said you will now be eligible for all post game buffets! Eat up!— Phillip Phan
- NO WAY IN H$LL PHILS WIN DIVISION OR WILD CARD THIS SEASON.NOT WITH WHAT THEY HAVE ON THIER ROSTER.NEVER HAPPEN CAPT'N— tobyjoe
- Eman...W H A T I F? This team is what if at every position.That equals losers— tobyjoe
- philly a holes trying to out a hole each other. go read the eagles articles.
- Wilcowaits...Halladay (best pitcher in baseball)LOL has no value.Broke down Utley has no value.The rest of the OLD men will not bring young players in trades.Dumb Rube has this team up the river without a paddle.In other words SUNK.— tobyjoe
- mwcnabb your a coolaid drinker and if you knew anything I would give you the courtesy of a response. That said the later part of your name here says it all ....— d1955h
- You do have to play the games and injuries are the great equalizer. These days it's all about staying in it to the trade deadline, making some timely moves, and having a good second half. So what you have to hope for is that the Phillies are in contention for the wildcard in July. This is possible. I probably will not be making any Vegas bets on it but it's possible.— s
- Unfortunately, Howard is no longer a superstar, and Utley is no longer a star. Howard will hit about .250 with 33 home runs. Utley will hit about .260 with about 18 home runs. Unless Doc bounces back and their rookie left fielder hits 35-40 home runs, this team is going nowhere.— Bartleby
- its a relief to know in january that the phils can still finish first during the season. thank you bob and matt for pointing that out. enjoy your priority access to the executive pre-game buffet. smh— zwarte piet
Hey, just for grins. I know Ruben gets ripped for every move he makes and doesn't make. And Gillick is spoken of as a God. Personally, I have an easier time believing that a veteran, HOF bound GM is given greater authority to make decisions than Rube is. So here's a few doosies from the Gillick era. Wonder what some of you would say to similar moves if made by RAJ today.
2005
Signed Free Agent Alex Gonzales … Gonzales retired after one year
Traded Jim Thome for Aaron Rowand, Daniel Haigwood, and Gio Gonzales … plus paid 22 million dollars to Whitesox
Signed Sal Fasano
Signed Abraham Nunez to two year deal
Signed Tom Gordon three years $17 Million
2006
Traded Jason Michaels to Cleveland for Arthur Rhodes one year $3.7 Million
Traded Andrew Bard and Andy Baldwin for 43 year old Jamie Moyer (two years $12.5 Million)
Traded away Gio Gonzales and Gavin Floyd to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia. Paid Garcia $10 million dollars.
Traded David Bell to Brewers for Wilfrido Laureano (remember him !?)
Traded 31 year-old Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle – Mid Season-to Yankees for nothing ..CJ Henry, Jesus Sanches, Carlos Monasterios and Matt Smith (remember them ?)
Purchased Randall Simon (remember him) from the Texas Rangers
Signed free agent Adam Eaton three years $24 million. Released after two years.
Signed free agent Wes Helms two years $4.7 Million
Signed Rod Barajas one year$ 2.5 Million
Traded minor leaguer Angel Chavez to Baltimore for 40 year old Jeff Conine
Traded Jeff Conine to the Reds for Brad Key and Javon Moran (remember them?)
Traded Sal Fasano to the Yankees for Hector Made (?)
Traded Jake Blalock and Rob Tejeda(active) to Texas for David Delucci … released him after the season
Yup. Pure instinct and genius. Oh, but I'm sure this was all a part of the plan. :)
— zubzub- Nice research.Baseball is probably the toughest sport for evaulating talent and projecting young players ceiling.All Gm's would have similar skeletons. — honomugym
