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."
Negadelphians! And I thought you only inhabited the Eagles comments page. Seriously, there are some folks here who definitely...definitely...need a life. The Phillies, more than any other franchise in Philadelphia, have provided highlights and excitement...even a championship...for half a decade; just enjoy the ride folks and let's see how they do this season. In the meantime, kiss your wife, hug your kids, pet your dog, eat a great cheesesteak, whatever...enjoy that you're alive.— chesapeake- smfree31 and all you pablum eaters this team will not win the East. Your too old around the bases and your #1 starter is showing wear . Oh and Mr. Subway eater strikes out faster than King Kong Kingman. The fact is Rube is only part of the problem because the Phils hold on too long to players whose better days are behind them. We are consistently selling off what decent talent in the minors we have and then deal from weakness. Have we fixed our weak outfield NO, have we addressed the rotation not really. We are old in the infield and are hopeful at all positions for past glories to return. You can spin this group all you want but this dog won't hunt period .— d1955h
- Who is our #1 starter? we have three of them. Which regular is over 35? Which prospect that was traded has made an impact since Gio Gonzalez...Kyle Drabek? ...Jason Donald? How old was Jamie Moyer when he pitched in Game 3 of the World Series? 29? Are you spitting mad we resigned Cole Hamels? The Royals and Astros are young around the bases...is that what you want?
— mwcnabb - @mwcnabb -- that is some warped logic. What impact would you expect a 19 year old prospect to make?? If we had some of those kids in the system, it could have been us trading for Upton. I have to wonder if the D-Backs wouldn't have taken Worley, May (and maybe a 3rd prospect) for Upton. Instead, we have a slap-hitting, no arm leadoff guy that Uncle Charlie will be afraid to hit leadoff ... — Copper34
- Of course, Utley in healthy. It's a contract year. Now if the Phillies can keep Howard and D. Young away from the post-game buffet table, they might have a shot at something. Sshh, nobody give D. Young directions to Pat's or Geno's.— joeygolf
- Any kid who collects baseball cards could have made the big money moves RAJ has made. It's the clever moves that Gillick made (Werth, Victorino) that win titles. Not the utility-laden trash that RAJ has brought in the past two seasons.— DoctorLoads
- Yaaaaawn. Wake me when the Phillies are relevant again. Better yet, wake me when ANY Philly team is relevant again. Every pro team in this city will be lucky to be a .500 team. Pathetic.— scootch
- And if they are out of it on July 31? Goodbye Mr. Lee and possibly Halladay. If this year blows up, a major overhall is coming. Last contract years for Halladay and Utley. If no playoffs, time to get what you can for what value is left in high priced players and then build around Cole for the future. Outfield is now young, the staff and infield have to be next.— wilcowaits
- No, there isn't enough power in the lineup and pitching can only take you so far. Howard strikes out too much and Utley's knees are shot.— fanup
- Wow you are optimistic. You really think we're gonna win the division? Wow— ifRipVanWinklewakesupwillwegitsomemore Championships boohoo
- Is it possible they will win ,yes. But in order for them to return to the top a lot of things must happen. First several older injury prone players making major comebacks. Howard, Utley , Delmon Young and Halladay must rebound from their injuries. Secondly a number of younger players need to make a major step forward like Brown and Ruf. Then older players like Lee and young need to show that last year was an aberration .Finally the Nats and Braves need to have less successful seasons. The whole thing is based on everything going just right and we all know how often that works.— HTBNM#
- Yea is the sky falling— 658012
- All we have are retreads— 658012
- Phils will be lucky to stay within 20 games of Wash and Atl.— farley
