Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Trade Targets To Shore Up Feeble Outfield

Despite a hot start by the Phillies this season, all good things come with flaws.

After Philadelphia gave up their starting right fielder Jayson Werth, they have lost a solid, everyday outfielder.

Ben Francisco has stepped in and so has Dominic Brown. Francisco has done a good job and I really like him, but maybe he is just not the right guy to have be that everyday starter. Brown is also hurt and still very young.

Plus, Raul Ibanez’s time is starting to come to an end.

When trade talk starts to come around, the Phillies always seem to put their foot in the door for someone and we never know what Ruben Amaro has in store for this season.

So the following players on this list are possible targets that the Phillies may go after. Some are much more likely than others while some have extremely little chance.

Begin Slideshow

MLB Power Rankings: Halladay/Lee and the Seven Best 1-2 Pitching Combos in MLB

Nothing makes a baseball team great like a 1-2 punch at the top of the starting rotation.  More often than not, the team that wins the World Series has this valuable weapon.  The 2009 New York Yankees had CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and last season the San Francisco Giants had Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain.

While a 1-2 pitching combo is certainly valuable in the playoffs, it is even more so over the course of the regular season.  As a fan, it’s always something of a relief to know that twice a week, my team’s starting pitchers will go out and get the job done 90 percent of the time.

Given how last year was deemed the “Year of the Pitcher” and we are just two days removed from Francisco Liriano’s no-hitter, let’s look at and analyze the seven best 1-2 pitching combos in the MLB today.

Begin Slideshow

Philadelphia Phillies: The Call To the Bullpen — From Upstairs?

When the Phillies’ season began with Brade Lidge on the disabled list, many fans were left scratching their heads with the announcement that Jose Contreras, not Ryan Madson, would be taking the ball in the ninth inning and handling closing duties.  The reason Charlie Manual and Ruben Amaro gave was that Madson had been given a fair chance to close and proved he was not up to the task, so the eighth inning suited him best.

I’m sorry, but I don’t buy that, not the reason nor that it’s true.  Madson has failed to convert a good percentage of the save opportunities he’s been given, but it’s not as if he’s been given all that many opportunities.  The only way you go with Contreras to be your closer is if you are 100 percent sure that Ryan Madson will never close effectively in the major leagues.  If there was any question–which I believe there is–than Madson would have begun the season as the team’s closer.  Worst case scenario, he proves them right, blows a few saves in April and goes back to the eighth inning role he has flourished in for several seasons .  While it’s possible that a team can lose a pennant in April (but not win one) no matter how poorly they left April, the Phillies were not going to be out of contention.

So it begs the question, why was Madson passed over?  And who made the decision?

My feelings are that the choice to promote Contreras over Madson was a decision made upstairs, perhaps even above Amaro’s head and that it was financial.  Charlie Manual, by his own admission, manages by his gut and has never shown reluctance to bring Madson in in a tough spot.  He’s been the Phillies best reliever for several years and most in the organization should hope he’s here many more years.

However, Ryan Madson having another good year as a setup man sets his asking price at one level, and Ryan Madson having a good season as a closer on a dominant team sets his asking price much higher–especially with Scott Boras representing him.  Heath Bell will probably be the No. 1 closer on the market next year, but if Madson has a good season as closer, he might jump ahead of him, considering his nasty stuffy (which is slightly better than Bell’s, thanks to his changeup) and the fact that he’s three years younger.

With tens of millions of dollars commented to the likes of Cliff Lee, Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay and Chase Utley over the next several seasons, it would not be totally unwise to try to limit the amount of dollars Madson could theoretically ask for by limiting his role.  Rafael Soriano signed a three-year, $35 million dollar contract to be a setup man with the Yankees.   But no other team is going to be willing to spend that much on an eighth inning guy.  As a closer, Madson could command at least that–and probably a lot more–on the open market.  

Three years ago, Francisco Rodriguez received a contract in the same neighborhood (three-years, $37.5 million) from the Mets.  While he was coming off a record-setting saves season, many scouts and baseball executives agreed that Rodriguez had lost some zip on his fastball and bite on his breaking ball and was not the same pitcher who helped the Angels win the World Series nearly a decade before.  While three years and $35 million would be striking gold for a setup man, it would only be the starting place in negotiations for an elite closer.

Ryan Madson is the best option to close for the Phillies–now and in the future.  He’s got the stuff, demeanor and experience for the Phillies to take a chance on him now.  However, I doubt they will use him, no matter how well he does filling in for the injured Jose Contreras or Brad Lidge.  The Phillies will go back to them once they are healthy in hopes to save a few dollars in the future. 

It’s not a bad business decision, but it’s not a good baseball one.  And if someone wants to pay Ryan Madson to close next year without seeing a significant sample, then so be it.  The Phillies could exercise Brad Lidge’s $12.5 million option or just hand the closing duties to Jose Contreras again, who’s signed for $3 million (including his buyout).

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Why Vance Worley Should Remain the 5th Starter for the Philadelphia Phillies

For anyone who watched the Phillies-Nationals game last night, they saw 23-year-old Vance Worley pitch another great game, going six innings and only giving up one run.

Vance has pitched six innings in each of his two starts, with an ERA of 0.75 and 12 strikeouts. Although fans may be quick to point out that Vance did start against the Mets and Nationals, let’s compare him to the two other people who were competing for the Phillies’ last spot in the rotation.

Joe Blanton, who is the current fifth starter, is 0-1 in four starts with a 5.92 ERA. But what is even bigger is against those very same Nationals and Mets he is 0-1 with a 10.45 ERA and has only 10 strikeouts. Add in the fact that he is 30 years old and doesn’t seem to be good trade bait for any team and it adds up to Blanton possibly having a longer stay on the disabled list than expected.

Going into the season, the other person expected to compete for the fifth spot was Kyle Kendrick. He’s pitched eight games this year out of the bullpen and has a 2.08 ERA but is 1-2 in those 13 innings pitched.

Also, manager Charlie Manuel seems to lack confidence in Kendrick, which would explain why guys like Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo and David Herndon have made more appearances than Kendrick. With a bullpen that is in need of as many reliable arms as it can get, you would think Charlie would be able to call on someone who has been with the ballclub for five years to get three outs for him.

One of the biggest reasons why Vance Worley should at least stay on the major league team—either as the fifth starter or the bullpen—is for trade value.

It is no secret that the Phillies need a bat to help the team out (unless you believe Raul Ibanez will continue the tear he has gone on the last two games for the rest of the year). A lot of teams with available bats could use a 23-year-old starter in their rotation.

If Vance has another great game on Monday in Florida against the Marlins, I think Vance will have secured his spot in the majors for the rest of the year—either with the Phillies or another team.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: 8 Reasons Ryan Madson Will Close After Brad Lidge Returns

For at least the time being, Ryan Madson appears to be Charlie Manuel’s choice as the closer of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The ninth-year veteran has picked up two of the Phillies‘ three saves since interim closer Jose Contreras hit the disabled list on April 22 with an elbow strain.

The third save was picked up by Antonio Bastardo on what would have been Madson’s third consecutive day of work.

Madson’s ascension to the closer role has always seemed inevitable. The 6’6″ righty has never found a real niche in the Phillies staff since his true rookie year in 2004. 

He’s been used in every role, from setup to long man to starting pitcher (17 starts in 2006). But Madson hasn’t ever been given an extended shake in the ninth inning.

With Brad Lidge expected back from the disabled list soon from his partially torn rotator cuff, the time for Madson to capitalize is right now.

What follows is a list of eight reasons why Madson will fend off Lidge (and Jose Contreras) and remain the Phillies closer moving forward.

 

Data courtesy of www.fangraphs.com.

Begin Slideshow

MLB Trade Rumors: Who the Phillies Might Trade for to Help the Offense

Although the Phillies have the best record in the National League and are only one game back from having the best record in baseball, Phillie Phandom still has a lot of worry—especially about the offense. A team that was once known for its amazing hitting ability has now been known to do a disappearing act for games at a time. So, many Phillies fans are now calling on GM Ruben Amaro Jr. to make a trade to help the team.

Although the farm system isn’t as rich as it was two years ago, and the payroll is very high, I’ve been able to come up with five possible players the Phillies might be able to acquire.

Begin Slideshow

MLB Trade Speculation: What Could Phillies Get in Return for Joe Blanton?

The Philadelphia Phillies rotation can boast all they want about how it’s about the five starters and not just about the top four, but the fact is that Joe Blanton could be put to better use on the trade market.

I have been a Blanton supporter ever since he came over to the club in 2008, but I think it is time for a change. Again, I like Blanton and I like what he brings to the club every fifth day. What I do not like about him is that he is making $17 million over the next two seasons.

The Phillies have one of the best rotations in baseball, and a guy like Kyle Kendrick or Vance Worley could be a good starter to throw out every fifth day instead. They also come at a much cheaper price.

Blanton can be used as trade bait to get another much-needed hitter in the Phillies lineup. After starting the year on fire, the Phillies offense has been dreadful as of late.

It will be tough for someone to take on Blanton’s contract, but here are some names that the Phillies could possibly get in return for him.

Begin Slideshow

U-S-A! Last Weekend Illustrated Patriotism Is One Thing We All Cheer For

It was the bottom of the ninth inning in a hotly contested game between two of the bigger rivals in Major League Baseball on a clear night in Philadelphia.

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies were in the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 game as the Mets Daniel Murphy batted against relief pitcher Ryan Madson. 

It was a game coming down to the wire, which was unique in its own right, given the Mets futile play in recent years.  But what occurred during this inning was one of the more electric moments in recent sports history.

Though there was plenty of drama on the field, fans started to receive text messages, emails and Facebook updates on their smart phones.  Fans of the red and white and blue and orange started to talk amongst themselves of the news that was starting to travel like the speed of light.

In a matter of moments, a 1-1 baseball game became a secondary thought for the tens of thousands at Citizens Bank Park.  Osama Bin Laden, the architect of the darkest day in American history, was dead. 

For so many around the world, there was obvious skepticism.  After nearly a decade of searching for the man that brought terrorism to our shores, most of us had given up the hope of bringing the mass murderer to justice.

Yet there it was, for everyone to see on their phones.  Bin Laden was killed in a special ops mission by our Navy Seals. 

Ten minutes earlier, Phillies and Mets fans were watching their teams go at it, with unruly fans surely at each others throats.  After all, when these two teams play, you know some tomfoolery will ensue.  These same fans, though, which hate each other, began to celebrate in unison.  For those in attendance, there was an instant transformation, and boy, was it great to see. 

No longer were there Mets or Phillies fans.  No, when they had learned of Bin Laden’s demise, it was a gathering of 46,000 Americans celebrating together.  The chant of “U-S-A!  U-S-A!” permeated the night air as both teams on the field and in the dugout did not know what was going on. 

What they did not realize is they were taking part in a moment that will be shown in inspirational commercials years from now. 

In a time where divisiveness is an escalating issue between sports fans and also opposing political parties, it was an important moment such as the one in Philadelphia to remind us that no matter who we root for on a field or in an election booth, we are all Americans.

Today we see tragedies of violence on both fronts, where Dodger fans nearly killed a rival Giants fan last month.  Additionally, the partisanship in our political landscape has led to more hostilities amongst citizens nationwide.  The last few years have been quite ugly on both fronts, and it has battered and frustrated the general American who just wants to cheer for his team and make sure that his and her political leaders are treating them fairly.

It is times like the magical moments in Philadelphia on Sunday that reminds us of what is truly important in life.  While we root for our teams, at times to a truly fanatical level, there are those fighting and at times dying to make sure we can enjoy cheering our squads on.  Sure, we all take our caps off for a moment before a sporting game to honor the flag and the nation, but lately, it’s become as much of a spectacle to see who will heckle or whistle the loudest.

There was none of that Sunday, just like there wasn’t any nearly a decade ago, when MLB and NFL teams had the unenviable task of taking the field while a nation still recovering from a senseless act of terror that killed over 3,000 Americans.  Those players who took their respective fields in the days following 9/11 were able to do something much more important though than merely play a game. 

It was a time where all of us, no matter what team we cheered for, could gather together and remember those we lost and the heroism exhibited by thousands more.  And the Mets and Phillies players gave fans that forum again on Sunday night.

The tragedies of September 11 touched all of us in some way or another, but especially for those in New York and Pennsylvania.  Over 2,500 people died at ground zero, while 37 more on United Airlines Flight 93 perished in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers gave their lives to prevent four terrorists from wreaking even more havoc on our nation.  

It seemed only fitting that on the night that the man responsible for these acts was finally brought to justice, two of the three areas most directly affected by his attacks got to enjoy the moment so publicly. 

As we move forward from the joyous celebrations of Sunday night, our society will return to normalcy.  Phillies fans will undoubtedly pile on their hated rivals for being a cellar dweller, while Democrats and Republicans will just as surely try to convince you of who can better run this country as the 2012 election draws closer.

But for those special moments during the ninth inning in Philadelphia, we were reminded of facts that far too often we take for granted.  We live in the United States of America, land of the free and home of the brave. 

It’s a great nation that is protected by those such as the Navy Seals that dispatched a man of pure evil. Those brave men are reasons why we enjoy squabbling over immaterial things like which baseball team is better.

The men and women in uniform are the real heroes.  They are the ones that should be cheered for every day.  For one night, though, they at least received the praise and gratitude that is so richly deserved. 

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: As Team Heals, Roster Decisions Become Focal Point

The Philadelphia Phillies are a team built around pitching. We knew that the moment they signed Cliff Lee over the offseason and paired him up with the trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

However, we also expected an offense that was injured for much of last season to rebound in a big way, and to date, that hasn’t exactly been the case.

While the majority of the lineup has been healthy, the results aren’t there in grand fashion. Who would have thought that heading into the month of May, Placido Polanco would have been the team’s best hitter?

As the beef of the team’s order continues to struggle, many wonder if there is help on the horizon, and the good news is, reinforcements may be on the way.

The Phils’ disabled list has become crowded. On the offensive side of the ball, the major blows were to Chase Utley and Domonic Brown. The team could take solace in knowing that the best staff in the game is going to keep them in the game, however, and they’ve been able to play to a well above average level, despite missing All-Star talent.

The amount of pitchers on the disabled list, however, has become a bit of a concern. Brad Lidge opened the season on the bench, and he was quickly joined by JC Romero, Jose Contreras and Joe Blanton.

Luckily for the Phils, they’ve had players that were able to step right in and contribute do just that. Of course, that creates a number of difficult roster decisions when the big boys are ready to return.

The closest return seems to be Romero, who pitched in a rehab game last night in Lakewood. He threw a scoreless inning for the Blue Claws on Tuesday and reported no pain in his strained calf. He threw all of his pitches, which was a good sign and should be ready for Major League action within the week.

Now the Phils’ have to make a decision about their roster. Right now, the team is carrying 11 pitchers, and with the way that Halladay, Lee and Hamels have gone about their business lately, that may be enough.

However, the obvious roster move is to send back up catcher Dane Sardinha back to AAA, making room for Romero as the 12th pitcher on the staff.

Of course, the Phillies are not going to option Sardinha back to the minors unless they are certain that Carlos Ruiz can at least be used off of the bench. He’s been sidelined with back problems over the last week or so, and sending Sardinha to AAA would leave Brian Schneider as the only completely healthy catcher on the staff.

While Charlie Manuel was hopeful that Ruiz could be ready for game action in this series against the Washington Nationals, the extent of his condition hasn’t been made completely apparent. If I had to guess, (and we all know that I’ve been completely wrong in the past), I’d say that Ruiz is healthy enough to allow the Phils’ to option Sardinha, making room for Romero.

One guy that doesn’t stand much of a chance here is Vance Worley. While he’s been great every time the Phillies have called on him, Joe Blanton is expected to return when his stint on the disabled list is finished.

While I’m all for keeping Worley around in the Major League bullpen, my baseball sense is overwhelming my brain by telling me that keeping him stretched out in AAA is the best thing for him. You have to wonder though, if Worley hurls another good game tonight, is he making it easier for the Phils’ to move Blanton?

That, however, was the easy part of the upcoming roster decisions. While these big league ball players like to take things one day at a time, I’m far too impatient for that. Let’s get a bit ahead of ourselves.

Because he offers no real information on the state of his rehab, it’s tough to determine exactly how close Utley is to a return to a Major League field. About a week ago, Ryan Lawerence of the Delco Times told me that a mid-May return was a possibility, and that coincided with a few reports from injury specialists around baseball.

Assuming that is the truth, Utley may be just two weeks away from a return to baseball. After playing in a couple of simulated games, the collective spirit of Phils’ fans is high. On the other hand, I’ll tell you who may not exactly be thrilled about Utley’s apparent return—one of two guys on the Phils’ bench, Pete Orr or Michael Martinez.

While Orr hasn’t exactly been awe inspiring with the stick, he has been productive. He’s appeared in 14 games for the Phils’, collecting 10 hits and scoring four runs while playing above average defense at second base.

While he played in the outfield during spring training, he doesn’t have the versatility that Martinez has, and could be in some trouble when Utley is ready to return, since he does have a minor league option.

But that doesn’t tell the entire story because if Charlie Manuel had his way, it would be Martinez who was the odd man out. The switch-hitter has appeared in 12 games for the Phils’, collecting just three hits and making most of his appearances as a late-inning pinch-runner or defensive replacement.

He’s scored just one run and hasn’t given the team much of a reason to keep him around, aside from his Rule 5 status, which may make it hard to let him go.

If the Phils had seen enough of him but wanted to keep him around, they’d either have to work out a trade with the Washington Nationals to send him to AAA or offer him back all together, and it’s highly unlikely that the Nats’ would give a division rival a player without something special in return.

So Utley’s return also creates a bit of a roster debate. Would the Phillies be better off keeping the veteran Pete Orr around, or the young Martinez, who has made an impression on the club but has yet to produce?

If I was a betting man (and I’m not because it’s bad for my health), I’d say that the Phils keep Orr. He’s been getting more starts lately, thanks in large part to Wilson Valdez’s own slump, but makes the most of his opportunities.

He’s the gritty, hard working player that we love here in Philadelphia, and at a glance, Martinez simply isn’t ready to help this team, despite his versatility.

Finally, let’s chalk up one more hypothetical return, since he could be ready for action right around the same time as Utley. Jose Contreras hit the disabled list a couple of weeks ago, and Ruben Amaro first reported that he would be out for roughly three to four weeks.

That puts a timeline for his return from around the mid to end of May. When the Phils placed Contreras on the DL, they called up Mike Stutes, who honestly has been too good to let go so far.

It’s a small sample size, but in 2.1 innings of work for the big league club thus far, Stutes hasn’t even allowed a hit. He’s faced a total of eight batters and just one wasn’t retired—he reached base via the walk.

That said, anyone who has seen Stutes pitch knows that this kid has potential. The coaches were infatuated with him during spring training, and I honestly thought he would get the call over David Herndon, who now with the emergence of Stutes, could be on his way out.

Herndon, of course, was the Phils Rule 5 selection from last season and after making it through the entire 2010 season on the big league roster, is property of the Phillies. However, I don’t know how to explain his performance this season other than he just hasn’t been good.

In 10.2 innings for the Phillies this season, Herndon has been tagged, surrendering 14 hits while facing just 49 batters. He’s walked seven and struck out just three, all the while allowing three home runs out of the bullpen.

As his ERA hovers around nine (and his FIP around eight), you have to wonder whether or not it will be Herndon who is sent packing when Contreras is ready to return, as opposed to Stutes, who has been rather impressive.

So while things seemed dark and dreary for the Phils once upon a time, the skyline is clearing. Once upon a time, we wondered whether Chase Utley would even step on the field this season. We questioned the bullpen as both Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras hit the DL and wondered whether or not Antonio Bastardo could handle being the go-to lefty.

But that is what is most fascinating about baseball. While those injuries creates a whole slew of questions in the past, the return of those exact same players give use something more to question.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

The Phillies, Marlins, Rockies and Cards: Only National Teams Above .500

There are 16 teams in the National League.

Only the Philadelphia Phillies (19-9), the Florida Marlins (18-10), the Colorado Rockies (17-10) and the St. Louis Cardinals (17-13) are above .500.

Seventy-five percent of National League teams have not won more than one-half of their games.

The 2011 National League may be one of the weakest leagues or it may be one of the most unbalanced leagues in history.

There were several seasons during the 1950s when only three of the eight National League teams finished above .500, but that could be explained by the fact that the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves usually had powerful teams.

In 1969, the first season of divisional play as well as the year that New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets won the World Series. Only three of the 12 teams (the Philadelphia Phillies, the expansion Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres) were below the .500 mark.

The Philadelphia Phillies have the best record in the National League, but they are far from a team without major problems. The Phillies are averaging 4.46 runs a game, batting .260, have a .330 on base average and are slugging .386, which is 10th in the league.

Due to a severe injury to second base great Chase Utley, journey man Wilson Valdez is the regular second baseman. The departure of Jason Werth has forced manager Charlie Manuel to use Ben Francisco and John Mayberry in right field.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz, after a great 2010 season, is hitting only .226 and an aging Raul Ibanez is struggling to reach the .170 mark.

Closer Brad Lidge, who has had meteoric highs and lows in his checkered career, has yet to throw a pitch this season. Replacement Jose Contreras is also on the disabled list.

Still, the Phillies are the “class” of the Eastern Division and are a serious contender for the World Championship, thanks to four outstanding starters.

Roy Halladay may be as great as any pitcher in the last 40 years. Cliff Lee is more inconsistent than Halladay, but the left-hander is a major force. Roy Oswalt has been solid for years when he isn’t hurt and Cole Hamels is back on track.

The Florida Marlins offense is worse than that of the Phillies, but the Marlins have a deep pitching staff that rivals any in the league. Starters Josh Johnson, Rickey Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez will keep the Marlins in the race until the very end. The bullpen appears decent.

The Marlins are averaging 4.61 runs a game, batting .254, have a .327 on base average, and are slugging .401.

Jorge de la Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin have been the Rockies‘ best pitchers, which is not good because Ubaldo Jiminez, who faltered near the end of last season, is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA. The Rockies lack strong starting pitching, but the bullpen, led by Huston Street, is fairly solid.

The offense, led by Troy Tulowitski, who is this decade’s Derek Jeter and a seemingly resurgent Todd Helton, averages 4.67 runs a game. The team is hitting an anemic .238, has a .324 on base average and is slugging .387.

Finally, we come to the Cardinals. They lead the league in scoring (5.37 runs a game) and are hitting .293. They have a great .363 on base average and are slugging .446.

Led by the greatest player in the game, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday, the Cardinals will continue to score.

Pujols is hitting only .231, while Holliday (.409) and Lance Berkman (.402) led the team in average. Both figure to cool off, but Pujols should pick up much of the slack.

The Cards’ pitching is above average, allowing 4.10 runs a game with a 3.43 ERA. The Pythagorean indicates that the Cards should be 19-11 instead of 17-13.

Something is wrong when 75 percent of the league is below .500.

Of course, it is early in May and things will change.

The Atlanta Braves have split 28 games and the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and defending World Champion San Francisco Giants should win more games than they lose.

In 1973, the Mets won a mere 82 games and were National League Champions. In 2006, the Cardinals won 83 games and won the World Series.

A team with a similar number of wins in 2011 could win the World Series.

To paraphrase Chester A. Riley: “What a revoltin’ development that would be.”

Reference:

Baseball Reference

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

« Previous Page — Next Page »