For the past several weeks, Matthew Pouliot has run a series of articles at NBCSports.com called "Restoring the Rosters". Mr. Pouliot's excellent work shows what every Major League team would look like if players stayed with the team who originally signed them (for example, the Phillies' roster wouldn't include J.D. Drew since he never signed with the Phillies but would include Carlos Carrasco since he originally signed with the Phillies before he was traded to the Indians). Mr. Pouliot has been revealing one team a day and has five teams yet to reveal (the Phillies, Braves, Mariners, Yankees and Dodgers). I will restore the Phillies' roster and see how it compares to Mr. Pouliot's when he posts his Phillies' roster.
STARTING ROTATION
Cole Hamels
Randy Wolf
Gavin Floyd
J.A. Happ
Brett Myers
BULLPEN
Ryan Madson
Josh Outman
Taylor Buchholz
Geoff Geary
Carlos Silva
Sergio Escalona
Robinson Tejeda
That is an excellent starting rotation with no weak links. I still believe that Hamels will be a bona fide ace and he is complemented by four #2-#3 starters. Outman could slide into the rotation if there is an injury to one of the starting pitchers. Silva could also move into the rotation, but that should be a last resort. When healthy, the bullpen would be decent but this season injuries to Outman and Buchholz would force the Phillies to rely on too many innings from Geary (who is currently struggling in AAA after having a great season for Houston last year), Escalona and Tejeda. Adam Eaton fails to make the cut. Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, Antonio Bastardo or Kyle Drabek could make the roster in a year or two.
LINEUP
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Michael Bourn
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
LF Pat Burrell
3B Scott Rolen
RF Marlon Byrd
C Carlos Ruiz
BENCH
C Jason Jaramillo
IF Nick Punto
UTIL Marlon Anderson
OF Jason Michaels
OF Greg Golson
The Phillies' lineup looks very solid. Bourn could be dropped down in the batting order, Utley could moved to the second slot in the lineup and Rolen or Byrd could bat third to break up the three lefties in a row. Their infield defense is excellent and while Byrd is a stretch to play right field, he would certainly be an improvement over having Burrell play right. The Phillies could stand to have an improvement at catcher but both Mike Lieberthal and Johnny Estrada are out of baseball. The bench is rather weak, though Punto could be used to spell the oft-injured Rolen at third. Michaels would be okay as a right-handed pinch hitter. Anderson is currently playing for the independent Newark Bears but if he doesn't qualify, Indians' minor leaguer Jason Donald would get the final bench spot.
If the Phillies' starting roster were to stay healthy, they would be a very dangerous team. However, the only real depth on this team is provided by Outman, Silva and Punto so staying injury-free would be a must.
What changes would you make to my restored roster? Post them in the comments section and we will see in a couple of days how my roster compares to Matthew Pouliot's roster.
Friday, September 4, 2009
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I can't think of anybody whom you've missed. That is a nice, strong front line, weak backups in field and on the mound. That bullpen is a little weak.
ReplyDeleteI would bat Bourn before Rollins because Rollins drives the ball better and would likely drive in Bourn more than Bourn drives in Rollins. But that would be a minor point.
I think Byrd would be okay in RF, as he is still faking CF, right?