Phillies GM Amaro says he's ready to 'make some changes'

MILWAUKEE - At some point in the next week, Grady Sizemore could get a chance to win regular at-bats in the Phillies outfield.

At some point this month, Darin Ruf could do the same. Carlos Ruiz could return from the disabled list, too, and even Freddy Galvis and third-base prospect Maikel Franco could receive consideration in the major league lineup, too.

Those were the words general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke yesterday afternoon in Milwaukee, a day removed from watching his underachieving, last-place team get swept in Pittsburgh over the holiday weekend.

The Phillies scored six runs in three games in Pittsburgh.

When they arrived in Milwaukee, the Phillies' offense ranked 29th (out of 30 big-league teams) with a .661 OPS. The Phils ranked 27th in runs scored (330), hitting (.237) and OBP (.300); only the San Diego Padres have fewer extra-base hits than the Phils (222).

"I didn't anticipate our guys being this poor," Amaro said. "Because they are. They are this poor. We think that they're better. But they haven't shown it. So at some point, we're going to have to make some changes. Some guys, once they are ready to play, may be factors for us."

Ruf, who has been limited to 27 games this season after oblique and wrist injuries, returned to the field at Triple A Lehigh Valley this weekend. He could supplant Domonic Brown (.222, .590 OPS) in leftfield.

Sizemore, the former three-time All-Star attempting a comeback after battling numerous injuries, also could be a candidate to get more than a couple of starts a week in leftfield or center. Sizemore, 31, hit safely in each of his first seven games at Lehigh Valley, where he has started all three outfield positions (three in center).

Sizemore can opt out of his contract later this month if he's not added to the big-league roster.

"We have to let him know some time during the All-Star break," Amaro said.

Could a promotion be imminent?

"We're considering it," Amaro said. "He's playing pretty good, moving pretty well."

Amaro is considering everything, give the state of his team's offense. Even Franco, the organization's 21-year-old top hitting prospect, could make his way down the turnpike despite his poor numbers with the IronPigs (.223, .624 OPS, six home runs in 82 games) and lack of an open position with the Phillies (Cody Asche is entrenched at third base).

"He could play first base, too," Amaro said. "He's swinging the bat well [in the last week]. Hey, listen, I'm looking for people who can swing the bat. Because we're not doing it here. If he gets to the point where he starts swinging the bat consistently, he's a guy who could be in play, too."

The Phillies arrived in Milwaukee with 37 wins in 88 games; only the Houston Astros had fewer wins entering play yesterday.

Amaro realizes he cannot simply ride out his current lineup after it has been largely ineffective and inconsistent for more than 3 months. Of course, the trade deadline (3 weeks from Thursday) could certainly bring some changes within the Phillies roster, too.

"I think that we would be [active before the deadline]," Amaro said. "Being active and actually getting something done are two different things. We've been active already. We'll be active, whether we'll actually get it done or if there is something that can improve us, it depends on how our club is being evaluated."

Do contending teams see winning pieces on the Phillies' flawed roster, though?

"There's still interest in our guys," Amaro said.