If you are like me, you are probably sick of hearing the names Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, Placido Polanco, Brandon Lyon, Jose Valverde and Fernando Rodney. We still have the entire offseason of discussing these players, so let's take a diversion and look at five trades and free agent signings that probably won't happen but could make sense for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Braves trade SP Derek Lowe to Phillies for RP Brad Lidge
Why it could work: Brad Lidge is a player who needs a change of scenery every few years. He struggled with the Houston Astros prior to his trade to the Phillies so another trade could help Lidge become a quality closer again. The Braves' top two relievers from 2009, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, are both free agents. Lowe struggled in his first year with the Braves but as a sinker ball pitcher, could see a rebound with the Phillies' excellent infield defense. The Braves have six starting pitchers under contract next year and are expected to trade Lowe or Javier Vazquez.
Potential problems: Both players have large contracts, with Lidge owed $36 million over the next three seasons and Lowe owed $45 million for the next three seasons. The Braves may not have confidence in Lidge to return to elite status and the Phillies may be reluctant to have a 37-year-old pitcher with declining numbers for the next three years. The Phillies have a full rotation already, although there is room to improve.
Nationals trade 3B Ryan Zimmerman to Phillies for SP J.A. Happ, SP Jamie Moyer, SP Antonio Bastardo, OF Michael Taylor and cash
Why it could work: The Phillies need a third baseman (preferrably a defensive standout) and Zimmerman fits that description perfectly and is an offesnive juggernaut as well. Zimmerman is only 25 and under contract through 2014. The Phillies have the pitching depth to give up three starting pitchers while the Nationals have a huge need for pitching as they currently have only one Major League-caliber starter (John Lannan). The Nationals have expressed an interest in acquiring a veteran starter to mentor the young pitching and Moyer is a perfect fit for them. Happ could be the Nationals' ace for next season and it would make sense for the Phillies to trade him now. Bastardo and Taylor are Major League ready but there may not be room for them on the Phillies roster so they could be expendable.
Potential Problems: Zimmerman is the face of the Nationals' franchise and by far their best player so the Nationals would be very reluctant to trade him. Happ, Bastardo and Taylor are not yet arbitration-eligible but Moyer is owed $6.5 million for next year (while Zimmerman is only owed $5 million) so the Nationals may require the Phillies to eat some of Moyer's salary.
White Sox trade RP Bobby Jenks and cash to Phillies for 3B Pedro Feliz
Why it could work: The Phillies need another reliever and the White Sox need a third baseman. Jenks will get a small arbitration raise over his $5.6 million salary from next year and Feliz has a $5 million option for 2010.
Potential problems: This trade was plausible a couple of weeks ago but since then the White Sox have traded for Mark Teahen to play third base and the Phillies have declined Pedro Feliz's option for 2010. This trade will not happen.
Phillies sign Brad Penny
Why it could work: Last season, Penny had success in the National League with the San Francisco Giants after a disastrous stint in the American League with the Boston Red Sox. However, the Phillies could look to use Penny in the bullpen. Throughout his career, Penny has much better numbers against hitters the first time through the lineup than the second time. The Phillies could shift Penny to a starter if there is a vacancy in the rotation. Penny is a highly emotional pitcher who can start or relieve similar to Brett Myers, who will not be returning to the Phillies next year. Penny may also be motivated to pitch for the Phillies to defeat his former team, the Florida Marlins.
Potential Problems: As a career starter, Penny may have trouble or may be reluctant to shift to the bullpen. Penny will probably have contract offers to be a starter from other teams that were similar to the 1 year, $5 million contract that Penny signed with the Red Sox this season. To sign Penny, the Phillies would need to beat that offer and the Phillies may not want to commit that much money to a reliever.
Phillies sign Eric Hinske
Why it could work: With Matt Stairs unlikely to return for next season, the Phillies could use a left-handed hitting reserve outfielder and Hinske would fit in perfectly. He would also be a defensive improvement over Stairs. Hinske should be affordable and could also fill in at third base in a pinch. Hinske has also played on the last three American League champion teams, winning World Series titles with the Red Sox in 2007 and the New York Yankees in 2009. Hinske also struck out to record the final out for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Phillies in the 2008 World Series.
Potential Problems: There doesn't seem to be any drawbacks here though Hinske may prefer the American League or will look for more playing time.
Read more!
Showing posts with label matt stairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matt stairs. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Offseason Report
Yesterday, I looked a what the offseason would bring for the individual Phillies and today let's take a look at what lies ahead for the team.
As of today, the Phillies roster for 2010 is as follows:
C: Carlos Ruiz*
C:
1B: Ryan Howard
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Pedro Feliz#
IF: Greg Dobbs
IF: Eric Bruntlett*
LF: Raul Ibanez
CF: Shane Victorino
RF: Jayson Werth
OF: Ben Francisco
OF:
Others of note: John Mayberry
SP: Cliff Lee#
SP: Cole Hamels
SP: Joe Blanton*
SP: J.A. Happ
SP: Jamie Moyer
RP:
RP: Tyler Walker*
RP: Clay Condrey*
RP: Chad Durbin
RP: J.C. Romero
RP: Ryan Madson
RP: Brad Lidge
Others of note: Kyle Kendrick, Antonio Bastardo, Sergio Escalona, Jack Taschner
*=The player is arbitration-eligible
#=Club option
Let's take a look at each position opening:
BACKUP CATCHER
If Paul Bako chooses not to retire, the Phillies could easily bring him back. Should Bako retire, the Phillies do not have an internal replacement so they will have to look elsewhere. The Phillies could reunite with Chris Coste or Sal Fasano. Other cheap options for the backup catcher include Henry Blanco, Josh Bard, Jose Molina or Miguel Olivo.
THIRD BASE
The Phillies need to decide by Monday on whether or not they will pick up Pedro Feliz's $5 million option for next year. As covered here, the decision to exercise the option is a tough decision. Free agent options include Adrian Beltre and Chone Figgins while possible trade targets include Ryan Zimmerman, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Casey Blake. If the Phillies feel they can get one of these players for a reasonable price, they should decline Feliz's option and make the deal, otherwise it would be wise to bring back Feliz.
UTILITY INFIELDER
The Phillies do have Eric Bruntlett under team control for another year but the Phillies would probably want to sign someone more prolific offensively. While the top utility infielders such as Marco Scutaro, Felipe Lopez and Mark DeRosa may seek a starting role and be too expensive for the Phillies, they can sign a less costly option such as Rich Aurilia, Adam Kennedy or Craig Counsell. The Phillies could also opt to re-sign Miguel Cairo.
FIFTH OUTFIELDER
The Phillies could use a left-handed bat off of the bench to compliment Greg Dobbs and could use a fifth outfielder. The Phillies could choose to bring back Matt Stairs but may be reluctant to do so after his atrocious second half to the season. Other targets could include Eric Hinske, Randy Winn or Frank Catalanatto.
STARTING PITCHING
As expected, the Phillies exercised Cliff Lee's option today which gives the Phillies a five-man rotation for next year. However, there is still room for improvement in the rotation with Jamie Moyer coming off of an unproductive season and offseason surgery. To increase starting pitching depth, the Phillies could sign a pitcher coming off of injury such as Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard or Justin Duchscherer. Although the Phillies will not re-sign Brett Myers, they could re-sign Pedro Martinez. The Phillies could also trade Happ in an attempt to sign a more veteran starter, such as Javier Vazquez, Roy Halladay or Bronson Arroyo.
BULLPEN
The biggest question mark in the bullpen is obviously the closer's role. Brad Lidge was untrustworthy in 2009 and Ryan Madson struggled when asked to close. The Phillies could use another good reliever and Jose Valverde and Bobby Jenks could be available via trade while intriguing free agent options include J.J. Putz, Rafael Betancourt and LaTroy Hawkins. The Phillies could also choose to bring back Chan Ho Park and/or Tyler Walker. Additionally, the club needs a left-handed reliever to complement J.C. Romero but may stay internal for the position (Scott Eyre (if he returns), Sergio Escalona or Antonio Bastardo).
Read more!
As of today, the Phillies roster for 2010 is as follows:
C: Carlos Ruiz*
C:
1B: Ryan Howard
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Pedro Feliz#
IF: Greg Dobbs
IF: Eric Bruntlett*
LF: Raul Ibanez
CF: Shane Victorino
RF: Jayson Werth
OF: Ben Francisco
OF:
Others of note: John Mayberry
SP: Cliff Lee#
SP: Cole Hamels
SP: Joe Blanton*
SP: J.A. Happ
SP: Jamie Moyer
RP:
RP: Tyler Walker*
RP: Clay Condrey*
RP: Chad Durbin
RP: J.C. Romero
RP: Ryan Madson
RP: Brad Lidge
Others of note: Kyle Kendrick, Antonio Bastardo, Sergio Escalona, Jack Taschner
*=The player is arbitration-eligible
#=Club option
Let's take a look at each position opening:
BACKUP CATCHER
If Paul Bako chooses not to retire, the Phillies could easily bring him back. Should Bako retire, the Phillies do not have an internal replacement so they will have to look elsewhere. The Phillies could reunite with Chris Coste or Sal Fasano. Other cheap options for the backup catcher include Henry Blanco, Josh Bard, Jose Molina or Miguel Olivo.
THIRD BASE
The Phillies need to decide by Monday on whether or not they will pick up Pedro Feliz's $5 million option for next year. As covered here, the decision to exercise the option is a tough decision. Free agent options include Adrian Beltre and Chone Figgins while possible trade targets include Ryan Zimmerman, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Casey Blake. If the Phillies feel they can get one of these players for a reasonable price, they should decline Feliz's option and make the deal, otherwise it would be wise to bring back Feliz.
UTILITY INFIELDER
The Phillies do have Eric Bruntlett under team control for another year but the Phillies would probably want to sign someone more prolific offensively. While the top utility infielders such as Marco Scutaro, Felipe Lopez and Mark DeRosa may seek a starting role and be too expensive for the Phillies, they can sign a less costly option such as Rich Aurilia, Adam Kennedy or Craig Counsell. The Phillies could also opt to re-sign Miguel Cairo.
FIFTH OUTFIELDER
The Phillies could use a left-handed bat off of the bench to compliment Greg Dobbs and could use a fifth outfielder. The Phillies could choose to bring back Matt Stairs but may be reluctant to do so after his atrocious second half to the season. Other targets could include Eric Hinske, Randy Winn or Frank Catalanatto.
STARTING PITCHING
As expected, the Phillies exercised Cliff Lee's option today which gives the Phillies a five-man rotation for next year. However, there is still room for improvement in the rotation with Jamie Moyer coming off of an unproductive season and offseason surgery. To increase starting pitching depth, the Phillies could sign a pitcher coming off of injury such as Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard or Justin Duchscherer. Although the Phillies will not re-sign Brett Myers, they could re-sign Pedro Martinez. The Phillies could also trade Happ in an attempt to sign a more veteran starter, such as Javier Vazquez, Roy Halladay or Bronson Arroyo.
BULLPEN
The biggest question mark in the bullpen is obviously the closer's role. Brad Lidge was untrustworthy in 2009 and Ryan Madson struggled when asked to close. The Phillies could use another good reliever and Jose Valverde and Bobby Jenks could be available via trade while intriguing free agent options include J.J. Putz, Rafael Betancourt and LaTroy Hawkins. The Phillies could also choose to bring back Chan Ho Park and/or Tyler Walker. Additionally, the club needs a left-handed reliever to complement J.C. Romero but may stay internal for the position (Scott Eyre (if he returns), Sergio Escalona or Antonio Bastardo).
Read more!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Why I admire Chase Utley
Chase Utley is a badass. Of course you already knew that, but last night's game confirmed it. By now, the play in the ninth inning of yesterday's game has been shown over and over again where Utley hit an infield single to put runners on first and third with one out. Utley's hit set up Ryan Howard's game winning sacrifice fly. The instant replay clearly shows that the ball hit off of Chase Utley's leg and should have been ruled a foul ball. Moreover, it was very questionable whether Utley sohld have been called safe at first base.
While Rockies fans rightfully complain about the poor umpiring on that play (although the umpiring was also very poor on several pitches to Matt Stairs in the eighth), Utley deserves a lot of credit for making that play happen. When the ball bounced off of Utley's leg, he didn't recoil or stop and kept running as if the ball was in play. This caused the umpire to miss the fact that the ball should have been ruled foul. Then, since Utley was running hard to first base Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba needed to hurry the throw to first base which caused Todd Helton to come off the bag at first. Had Utley stopped running or cringed when the ball hit his leg, this key play would not have happened and the Phillies might not have won the ballgame. Read more!
While Rockies fans rightfully complain about the poor umpiring on that play (although the umpiring was also very poor on several pitches to Matt Stairs in the eighth), Utley deserves a lot of credit for making that play happen. When the ball bounced off of Utley's leg, he didn't recoil or stop and kept running as if the ball was in play. This caused the umpire to miss the fact that the ball should have been ruled foul. Then, since Utley was running hard to first base Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba needed to hurry the throw to first base which caused Todd Helton to come off the bag at first. Had Utley stopped running or cringed when the ball hit his leg, this key play would not have happened and the Phillies might not have won the ballgame. Read more!
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