Should the Phils extend Lee? Bring back Stairs and Myers? Time to fire up the hot stove.
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Should the Phils extend Lee? Bring back Stairs and Myers? Time to fire up the hot stove.
Andy Martino
In tomorrow’s Inquirer, we’ll look at a lengthy list of the questions general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff must quickly discuss, as they plot a strategy for 2010. Here is a preview of a few:
Is it a good idea to pursue a contract extension with Cliff Lee?
The lefthander became the Phils ace after he arrived from Cleveland in late July, and enjoyed a dominant postseason. Those very factors make this a risky time to award Lee with a long-term contract. Rather than paying a pitcher for what he did this summer and fall, the Phils will have to consider what the 31-year-old Lee will be worth as he climbs into his mid-thirties. The pitcher will likely seek a deal comparable to the seven-year, $161 million contract the New York Yankees offered his friend CC Sabathia last year.
The Phils will almost certainly exercise the $9 million option on Lee for 2010. The pitcher would become a free agent after the season, if he and the club do not reach an agreement before then. As good as Lee has been, the Phils might be better off enjoying an affordable year, then deciding what the pitcher is worth to them going forward.
Can Pedro Martinez pitch effectively for an entire season?
The old goat entertained Philadelphia fans this summer, and surprised some skeptics with his professionalism, mentoring of younger players, and deep intelligence. But he did not prove that he could remain healthy for even half a season.
One start after throwing 130 pitches on Sept. 13, Martinez injured his neck or rib swinging at a curveball. He then missed most of the next month. During the postseason, he re-asserted his ability to outthink hitters, but the 38-year-old did not address questions about his durability. The Phils would likely be wary of any deal with the veteran that was not heavily laden with incentives based on performance and appearances.
What to do about Brett Myers?
Myers and the Phillies could use one another next season. The 29-year-old pitcher is a free agent, but his value dropped because he missed most of this season with hip surgery and a muscle tear in his upper back. The Phils enter the season with questions about their bullpen and closer, Brad Lidge. A one-year contract for Myers, allowing the pitcher to prove he can be healthy and effective before becoming a free agent at 30, and giving the Phils a Plan B to close games, would make sense for both parties.
Is Matt Stairs worth one more season?
Stairs’ .194 batting average this season indicated that, at 41, he was no longer an effective player. Right? Not exactly. The pinch-hitter was a tough out for good relief pitchers all season, maintaining a .357 on-base percentage.
Stairs hopes to return for a final season, and would be willing to sign a bargain-rate contract. With bench help hard to find, why not at least bring him to spring training?
Can they lure a super utility player to provide rest for Utley and Rollins?
You know that talented young core of players the Phils have? Well, they are still talented, but it’s time to stop calling them young. Infielders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are in their early 30s, and need more rest than manager has Charlie Manuel has provided in the past.
Manuel has been hesitant to remove either player from the lineup, he said recently, because he does not have a capable backup. That was a tacit indictment of Eric Bruntlett, the versatile defender who struggles offensively.
Two members of this winter's free agent class would fit the need for an upgrade over Bruntlett, who will likely not return: Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals and Marco Scutaro of the Toronto Blue Jays. DeRosa could also spell Raul Ibanez in left field.
It is challenging, though, to sign free agents without promising a starting job, and the Phils would have to pay well lure a top role player.
Does Pedro Feliz’s defense and affordability make up for his offense?
Pedro Feliz is a defensive master and offensive liability. His .720 OPS in 2009 was 18th among 20 qualifying third basemen, but his athleticism in the field provided rare value. The Phils hold an affordable $5 million option on Feliz, and must decide within the next four days whether to exercise it. One more season of Feliz appears the most likely outcome.
More for ya tomorrow.
Audio: Utley, Howard, Manuel reflect on loss
It's time to go after the biggest bargain pitcher out there....BEN SHEETS!!!! This is the next high upside/low risk signing to make for the rotation. Worst case scenario is you get Kris Benson again. BEN SHEETS for #5 spot in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These loud, annoying ads on the right-side of the page gotta go!— jimbo712- Agreed Greg. Keep Feliz for $5 million through next year, then upgrade. The guy bats 7th (maybe 8th next year), people expect too much and tend to compare him to the rest of the lineup. He's still one of the best 3B fielders in NL.— Tacklebury
- 1. Keep Myers, pitchers seem to mature and get better in their 30's (Petite, Koufax, Short, Lefty - I could go on) 2. If Charlie can force Feliz to be patient at the plate - which he was in his last year with SF - he might reach that level again. 3. Anybody but Bruntlett. 4. Pedro is not too old and is very smart. If he can become more like Moyers he might just have as many years left. He may not want to play however. 5. Bring up some of the kids from the minors. Remember how long it took for Utley & Victorino to mature into stars while they contributed part time? Not long.— jjk3
putz may not find a closer's role after a year of being injured...— dpcoz- Yes on Lee extension, No on Pedro Martinez. Mark De Rosa is the man the phillies wanted last year and Polanco is a free agent also. Either would be more versatile than Feliz and would help the line up more than Feliz. Yes on Myers if he agrees to bull pen duty (Chan ho replacement). No on Stairs, Bruntless and maybe the ned for Dobbs too. Time to see Taylor and or Brown in the bigs. We should not give up on Roy Halladay either, maybe with less time pressure we could find the right trade for him in the off season. Its only money, right?— bamaphillyfan
- Sign Myers to be your 4th or 5th pitcher in the rotation. People forget that he was on the cusp of stardom a few years back before the Phillies screwed him up Joba-style by moving him back and forth from bullpen to starter. A rotation of Lee, Hamels, Happ, Myers and maybe Drabek depending on spring training looks pretty good to me.— lefty1117
Why on earth would these folks say no to a Lee extension? It isn't there money.- Lee's price tag is high yes, but where are the playoff wins going to come from? If our existing staff was adequate, we wouldn't have needed him in the first place. It seems we are headed for that no man's land of where the Yankees live...higher than high salaries for the best players in their prime. If we can't live there, at least partially, then we're headed for mediocrity. BTW, 2008 is over. The rest of the league has caught up. Heart can go so far, but eventually need talent to get over the hump.— Danno
Comment removed.- Why isn't "Getting a Lead Off Hitter" part of this list? I'm not saying get rid of Jimmy, we just need someone to lead off that can do better than Jimmy's .293 OBP and .250 average. Utley and Howard need baserunners when they come up.— n62
- hamels will not make a living as a starter with just two pitches. a not- so- fast- fast ball and a change up. he's no sandy koufax or nolan ryan. if he can't put a lot of strain on his previously broken arm than he should learn to throw the knucle ball. it's easy on the arm and these hitters never see it anymore. other option? find another way to make a living.— dino_2
- Comment removed.
- Here is my Yankee-centric perspective on what the Phillies need: (1) the old Cole Hamels; (2) more faith in the young arms that Charlie Manuel wasted in this series; (3) another third baseman; (4) a better bullpen. That's really not much. You don't need to get Hallady or some other pricey free agent pitcher.— Yanksin4
- they have ryan's number. low and outside. so why didn't he do what utley does? hug the plate. either hit it down the third base line, wait for a strike or take the pitch. god people this is baseball not rocket science!!!— dino_2
