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Still loving Ibanez
Editor's note: These excerpts are not edited for grammar or spelling.
Still loving Ibanez
David Swanson/Staff Photographer
Raul Ibanez is forced out at second base in the fourth inning.
In the first inning of [Monday] night's game, it looked like the Phillies of old . . . were about to creep up on us. After Jimmy Rollins lined a leadoff single to center and Shane Victorino ripped a double down the third base line, the Phillies had runners on second and third with no one out. Then Chase hit a sinking bullet right at Derek Lee for a groundout, hit way too hard to even attempt to score. Then Ryan Howard struck out at a pitch near his eyes. Second and third with no one out became second and third with two outs, score still tied at 0-0.
It looked as though the Phils were about to get nothing after having two runners in scoring position with no one out. I should have known better than to doubt Raul.
The best free agent signing ever this year did it again, cranking a 3-run home run to straightaway centerfield, giving the Phils a 3-0 lead. That's all they'd need in the 10-1 pounding they gave Ted Lilly and the Cubs.
Happ or Halladay?
There has been much excitement surrounding the idea that the Phillies may trade for All-Star Pitcher Roy Halladay, but the reality of giving away JA Happ has become less attractive.
What will we have to give up to get Halladay? Some prospects? Maybe, but whatever it is, a trade would most likely include JA Happ. Happ, who failed to make the starting roster out of spring training, has all of a sudden become the Phillies ace! Are we willing to give away this young pitcher that shows so much promise?
Generally, when you have a guy like that, you don't want to see him go. Frankly, I would hate to see him leave at this point, however, I am open-minded about it when it has Roy Halladay, perhaps the best pitcher in baseball, coming to the Phillies.
Dearth to surplus
The Phillies went from having a pitching dearth to pitching surplus. Just as June was coming to an end, the front office was scrambling for a 5th starter and bullpen help. Since then Brad Lidge, Scott Eyre, and Clay Condrey have gotten healthy and are back to producing in their roles. Rodrigo Lopez has taken the reigns as the 5th starter and performed beautifully. Pedro Martinez has been added to the fold, and is set to begin competitive pitching again. Brett Myers may be back by the end of August. In the minors, Triple-A starters Carlos Carrasco and Andrew Carpenter lend some depth, and Sergio Escalona remains just a phone call away for relief. Then of course there's the possibility of adding all-world pitcher Roy Halladay to the mix. It's about to be like a cornucopia of pitching up in here. Damn it feels good to be a Phillies fan!
