Should the Phils extend Lee? Bring back Stairs and Myers? Time to fire up the hot stove.
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
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
By Pedro remarks after the game, i think he will formally retire. i am not a fan of bringing Matt Stairs back, unless no one is available. Ibanez will need more rest. We do need a no 4 starter, after Lee, Hamels, Haap, Blanton is good no 5 only— brianf89- Feliz failed offensively and defensivly in this series. Ruben must move him the same way Burrell was moved out last year. DeRosa, might be the right move here. Also, not sure at this time but the closer spot MUST be solidified. It changed the entire scope of the pitching staff this year, and certainly in the post season. If we had the same Lidge from last year, the WS victor would have been different.— itpSD
- Can we trade Chris Wheeler?— Manor2009
- Why not look into what they can get for Hamels? Surely they can find a top-flight 3rd baseman with some right-handed pop plus a couple super-subs.— jimmyeagles
- So many to get OUTA' HERE: - Myers - Martinez - Feliz - Stairs - Dobbs - Condrey - Durbin - Eyre - Romero - Walker - Zagurski - Bako - Hoover - Bruntlett - Cairo - Tracy - Francisco - Mayberry - Carpenter - Ennis - Escalona - Naylor Did I miss anyone?— Liberty4All
Comment removed.- Phillies always sign journeymen players at the end of their career, obviously they work cheap. Phils have bigger holes to fill than what first meets the eye: the bullpen is the most obvious -- it has to be rebuilt from scratch. Bench is also problematic. After his antics, I do question whether Hamels has a future in Philly. I would take a chance and see what he could fetch. Drabek is about ready.— Manor2009
- I would seriously consider getting rid of Hamels for a better hitting 3rd baseman and a bench bat or 2. Hamels' comments show a lack of character - he said what he said, and there's not going back from that position. The season is over, let some other club deal with his psyche - remember all the efforts put into Myers? We don't need to go that route again. Good bye Cole.— Liberty4All
- Lidge should be given a chance in spring training, but if he doesn't improve - get rid of him before the season starts and find another closer.— Liberty4All
- Keep LEE!— Liberty4All
- Get CARL CRAWFORD from the RAYS he plays left field and is younger than RAAAUUULLLL!!!! He is a gamer he is in the last year of his deal and will be dealt!!!! Also, go finally get Halladay too!!! If the Yanks can buy one why cant we!!!!! Last but not least give CLIFTON PHIFER LEE whatever the hell he wants!!!!— fly4philly
- keep myers, keep eyres, dump pedro, dump stairs, dump bruntlett... replace feliz (need more production from 3rd), feel free to keep feliz as bench player... i'd drop moyer too, but i don't see that happening since he's signed. hypnotize rollins and teach him what a REAL lead-off hitter does....if he had any brains he would have watched and learned what jeter and damon meant to the yankees during the series; but alas i'm sure he learned nothing. teach howard what a fastball looks like and what a slider looks like; then tell him to swing at the fastball.
- Why not think big. Let's go get Doc Halladay. I'd give up Happ for him. Lee, Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, Drabek. Seriously why not. I realize this is going to cost money, but the club's revenue's must be at an all time high considering their recent success. Let's get Doc, Let's get Doc, Let's get Doc!!!— milkwatson
- They need to sign Lee long term. Aces do not grow on trees, and aces who perform well in the postseason are worth every penny. Even if it means Hamels is expendable. Myers should be gone, as well as Stairs. They need to get dependable LH and RH hitters off the bench, whether it is from the farm or elsewhere.— arrowamy
- The series proved that the Phils need upgrading at various positions. Third base good fielder but an automatic out. No bench. Feliz, Bruntlet, Stairs,Francisco cannot be counted on- no clutch hitting - no spark - Nada! Also, Myers has run his course here -might be able bto get something for him in trade. Need another quality starter, obviouslt bull pen help and please a quality third basenan.— Temple Fan
