2012 MLB Draft: Grading the Philadelphia Phillies’ Last 25 First-Round Picks

The MLB draft has come a long way in recent years.

During its first year in 1965, the amateur draft was a crapshoot, and in a lot of ways, it still is. But that hasn’t stopped every front office around the game from trying to turn it into a science—a methodology that helps them choose the best player available.

It’s a lot of work. From scouting young players in high school or college across the country, to doing homework on every player available, to attempting to figure out how each of a club’s potential draft picks would fit into the budget and finally selecting a guy on draft day.

It can make a team’s collective and proverbial head spin.

As far as the Philadelphia Phillies are concerned, the amateur draft has been both a blessing and a curse. It has rewarded them with some of the greatest players in franchise history and some of the biggest draft busts of all time.

So with another draft right around the corner in 2012, it’s time to look back on the last 25 drafts in Phillies history in an attempt to find out what went right, and what went horribly wrong.

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Cole Hamels: 7 Massive Effects of Not Re-Signing with Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies and Cole Hamels began contract negotiations before the season began, and they have not been able to come to an agreement about a new deal for Hamels as he gets closer and closer to becoming a free agent.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports now believes that it would be an “upset” if Hamels wound up in a Phillies jersey next season. The Phillies are likely going to continue working to re-sign Hamels, but they may end up seeing him sign somewhere else.

Losing a pitcher of Hamels’ caliber always has major implications. The Phillies will certainly be affected, and there will also be a ripple effect throughout the National League East. Whichever team signs Hamels will immediately improve and could turn themselves into division or World Series favorites. 

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MLB Trade Deadline: One Trade to Fix the Philadelphia Phillies

In trying to stretch the consecutive division titles streak to six, the Phillies will likely be looking for a deadline upgrade. 

Among other problems, the glaring issues with this team are in mid-to-late relief and power hitting. 

As of right now, the only reliable relievers appear to be Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo, with guys like Chad Qualls and Jose Contreras becoming more and more obsolete in late innings of close games.  A quality eighth-inning guy could allow Bastardo to go back to a lefty specialist role and go a long way toward preserving leads.

The only two positions which could see an upgrade, really, are third base and left field, as all other positions have guys already entrenched. 

Placido Polanco is still a great defensive player, and the lack of a market for good every day third baseman–Chase Headley is probably the best option available–probably crosses third base off the list.

Left field, on the other hand, is being occupied on most nights by Juan Pierre or John Mayberry Jr.  Pierre is a nightmare defensively, mostly because of his laughable arm strength. On offense, he lacks any semblance of power.  A role as a pinch hitter or runner is more suitable for his talents. 

Mayberry Jr., meanwhile, is an average-fielding power guy who hasn’t hit for power this season (.324 SLG 1 HR).  He has shown the skills in the past to be a quality right-handed bat, but with no options left to send him to the minors, he has little chance of getting the playing time to figure it out if it still exists. 

While improvements appear more pressing than in years past, one call to a familiar foe—along with the eventual returns of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard—might be enough to get the club back to the playoffs.

That foe, of course, is the Houston Astros. 

While Ed Wade—the former Phillies general manager turned Astros GM and architect of the previous deals—is no longer employed by the club, the pieces still fit. 

When Ruben Amaro Jr. calls current Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, the two names that should be discussed from Houston’s end are Carlos Lee and former Phillie Brett Myers, both of whom are scheduled to be free agents at season’s end.

Lee is an accomplished power hitting left fielder. He had 60 extra-base hits last season and is hitting .296 with 11 extra base hits so far in 2012.  Even as a rental, acquiring the 35-year-old slugger would go a long way toward increasing run production for the Phillies up and down offense. 

Upon the returns of “Chyan Howtley”—writing both of their names every time has grown tiresome—the lineup would go Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Pence, Lee, Ruiz, Polanco and pitcher. 

That looks pretty forceful.

It would also allot additional time for Domonic Brown to get ready in Triple-A.  The floundering offense from left fielders has increased pressure on Amaro to call up Brown from Lehigh Valley, but that is something he clearly isn’t ready for. 

With El Caballo entrenched and producing, the former top prospect could improve at his own pace and then—hopefully—take over for Opening Day 2013.

Adding the man who closed the game that clinched the first division title in this streak (and starting Opening Day the next season) might do more to help the team.

Myers has become a pretty lights-out closer in Houston, with 11 saves and a 1.80 ERA.  He could immediately become the primary setup man for the Phillies, a position currently being juggled by Bastardo and Qualls. 

While Qualls was strong in April, he has fallen apart to a degree in May, when opponents have hit .400 against him.  With Myers on board, the journeyman could go back to a role of pitching in lower leverage situations—a role which he has shown to be more comfortable with throughout his career.

The package the Phillies would have to put together for these two soon-to-be free agents wouldn’t need to be crippling to the farm system for that reason. 

The Astros seem to be a team on the rise with the hope to compete for a wild card as early as 2013 perhaps. 

Two Major League ready guys—like Mayberry Jr. and Phillippe Aumont, who could take the roster spots vacated by Lee and Myers—and a project with upside like Harold Martinez would almost certainly get the trade done.

The trade of Lee and Myers for Mayberry Jr., Aumont and Martinez would seem to be mutually beneficial. 

For the Astros, it would allow them to get pretty good compensation for two players they will likely lose at the end of the season anyway. 

For the Phillies, acquiring Lee and Myers would keep their window open with this core just a bit longer, while not depleting the system the way they’ve done in the past. 

Trade talks are about to heat up real quick, and talented players on the block won’t last long. 

Good thing Amaro has the Astros front office on speed dial.

 

Follow Ben on Twitter for more on all things Phillies @Ben_Larivee

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Bryce Harper vs. Cole Hamels: What to Expect After Controversial Beanball

Just 17 days after Cole Hamels tried to make a statement by hitting Bryce Harper in the back with a pitch, they will be reunited on Wednesday night as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Washington Nationals. 

Hamels said after he plunked Harper that he was doing it to “continue the old baseball” that he grew up watching. 

Now that a little time has passed, it is time to look ahead to what Hamels, Harper and the other 48 players on the field and in the dugout will have in store for each other tonight. 

 

Hamels vs. Harper

While there will likely be a lot made about Harper’s first appearance in the batter’s box tonight against the Phillies lefty, don’t expect too many fireworks unless a breaking ball gets away from Hamels or Harper crushes a pitch 450 feet. 

Everything that happened in that Sunday night game is in the past. Harper didn’t have any issue with it, and it’s not like he suffered an injury, besides maybe a little bruise on his back. 

It is a fun story to talk about, but this is not the matchup that you need to be paying attention to when the first pitch is thrown. 

 

Edwin Jackson vs. the Phillies’ Lineup

Here is where you might see something brewing. Jackson has never been the best control pitcher in baseball, though that hasn’t been the case this year. In 51.2 innings pitched, Jackson has walked just 10 batters. 

If Jackson decides that he wants to get some semblance of revenge for Hamels hitting one of his teammates, don’t be surprised if it happens in the first or second inning against one of the Phillies’ best hitters. 

Names that immediately come to mind for Jackson to plunk are Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz. 

Victorino is likely going to be hitting third, so he will be the first of the three Phillies players to bat. He could get a fastball somewhat close to his body right away. 

 

Aftermath

Once the first two innings are over, I would say we will have our answer about what, if anything, the Nationals and Jackson are looking to do. I don’t want to see either team do anything, because it would just come off as childish. Hamels plunking Harper was idiotic, and trying to get “revenge” would be even more so. 

But on the off-chance something does go down, I imagine that the umpire will warn both benches, and that will be the end of it. These two teams have strong personalities in the dugout, led by managers Charlie Manuel and Davey Johnson. They aren’t going to do anything that will jeopardize the outcome of the game, which is really all that matters. 

 

Final Predictions For Hamels and Harper

Hamels: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 1 BB (W)

Harper: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB, SB

Phillies win, 4-2

For more analysis on the Battle of the Century and other great mysteries of baseball, be sure to check me out on Twitter. 

Follow @adamwells1985

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Cole Hamels Shows Why Pitching Suspensions Are a Joke

Today, Cole Hamels will be on he mound for the Philadelphia Phillies where he will face Bryce Harper for the first time since May 6. 

For those who don’t remember, Hamels intentionally hit Harper with a pitch and received a five game suspension from the MLB.

I have no problem with the MLB giving the suspension. It was completely warranted. You shouldn’t bean a guy just for being a rookie. But what I do have a problem with is the five games. 

Five games would be fine for a standard player. They would sit on the bench for five games completely ineffective. Players that get five game suspensions hurt their team, especially big name players like Hamels. 

But pitchers get a luxury that position players don’t. Pitchers typically pitch every five games. So a five game suspension really becomes a one start suspension. If a manager is smart, he will play the pitcher in the sixth game, and have a guy start on short rest for said pitcher’s regular scheduled game. And the rotation continues as usual.

How is that fair? Players have to sit games they would normally play, but pitchers sit on the bullpen bench like they would any other game they don’t start.

I propose a new suspension specifically for starting pitchers. Instead of being suspended games, have them suspended starts. 

This makes the suspension a true one, and it doesn’t inflate the numbers. Cole Hamels was suspended for five games, and that would translate to a one-start suspension. 

Back in 2010, Johnny Cueto was suspended seven games for kicking Cardinal players in a brawl, which would be a one-start suspension. I would have given him at least a two-game suspension because he ended Jason LaRue’s career and kicking is more than a one-start offense.

Pitchers get off easy because they only play once every five games. So five-game suspensions turn into a one-game suspension because they are already sitting the other four. I believe creating start suspensions for pitchers would even the playing field because it immobilizes the players for games ensuring that they are not just riding the pine pony.  

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Nationals-Phillies Might Be the Best and Worst Rivalry in Major League Baseball

Ticket to Wednesday’s series finale between the Phillies and Nationals? Check. Money for cheesesteaks and beer? Check. 2008 World Series Champions t-shirt? Check. Value pack of D-batteries to throw at the right fielder? Wait, what?!

Before the much-ballyhooed series between the Phillies and Nationals began this week, rookie phenom Bryce Harper made a joke to reporters that he hoped to get a few boos and, “I’m excited to get up there and play and hopefully they don’t throw any batteries or whatnot at me.”

Har. Har. Or whatnot.

Harper was six years old when some idiots in the outfield of Veterans Stadium hurled batteries at former Phillies first-round pick J.D. Drew, but the story has been told and retold so many times as part of the lore of Philly fandom (yes, up there with the lazy booing Santa references) that a 19-year-old kid can use the story to stoke the flames of a budding baseball rivalry. 

Harper’s comments were the latest in a long line of yapping coming from our nation’s capital this season, most of which has been directed at the Phillies and their fans.

Whatever they have done in Washington is working.

The ridiculous “Take Back the Park” promotion in D.C. not only got the Washington fanbase to chirp up the disdain for Philly fans this season, but it actually managed to ignite the players into creating a full-fledged rivalry with the five-time defending division champs.

Now, it’s the Nationals who sit atop the NL East, with the Phillies floundering in the basement, five and a half games out of first place in a division they’ve dominated for half a decade. 

Not only have the Nationals won four of the five meetings this season against the Phillies, but Washington won nine of the final 12 meetings last season, putting Philadelphia at 4-13 against the Nationals over the last calendar year heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

This really has the potential to be a great division rivalry in baseball—perhaps one of Major League Baseball’s best given the teams’ proximity and penchant for signing each other’s former players—if only one side would hold up its end of the bargain on the field.

Yes, while the Phillies have been dominating the division, it’s been the Nationals who have not so quietly started dominating the rivalry.

Roy Halladay headed into Tuesday’s game with a commanding record against the Nats at 11-1 in 16 games, allowing just 28 earned runs in 110.2 innings pitched. Since coming to Philly, Halladay has owned the Nationals. Only nobody told that to Harper. The rookie smashed a two-run triple to right center field in the third inning, sparking a four-run rally from which the Nationals never looked back. 

Phillies fans shouldn’t boo Harper just for being really good at baseball. If fans bring foreign projectiles to the game on Wednesday, it shouldn’t be Harper who is worrying about getting hit. It should be the Phillies’ own players. (Note: We do not condone throwing anything at anyone ever.) 

The Phillies had so many chances to get back into the game on Tuesday, but left nine men on base, going just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Tuesday’s numbers were inexplicably better than Monday’s, as the Phillies left 10 men on base, batting 1-for-10 with RISP to open the series. 

The last hope for Philadelphia to keep any reasonable pace in the NL East may be the guy who helped inflame the rivalry to what it has become: Cole Hamels.

Hamels is by far the Phillies’ best pitcher this season, putting himself in the early conversation for the NL Cy Young Award. 

Sadly, most of the national headlines for Hamels haven’t been about how incredibly well he has pitched with all the pressure of keeping a floundering team afloat while worrying about his pending free agency. No, all anyone can talk about when Hamels’ name comes up is how he plunked Harper, admitted he did it on purpose and got suspended for it.

Hamels is totally to blame for creating this situation, and so far, it seems to have backfired quite fabulously (though part of me thinks he was sending a bigger message to the rest of his team than to Harper). 

One plunk in a teenager’s back, and the ridiculous aftermath it created, has turned the Philly-D.C. games into must-see. Unless you root for the Phillies, whereby watching this rivalry unfold has become a rather dreadful experience. 

Hamels didn’t start this rivalry, by the way. Things really got started when Jayson Werth took the money and ran to D.C.—a move any sensible Phillies fan can’t blame him for doing.

It was escalated when Brad Lidge, likely upset at not getting an offer from Philly after doing nothing for the franchise since his record-setting season in 2008, proclaimed the 2012 Nationals the most talented teams he’s ever been a part of. Lidge not only played a huge part in the 2008 World Series championship season, but took up space in the bullpen for a team that won 102 games (and should have won 108) last season. 

To call this year’s Nationals team the most talented was a direct shot at Philadelphia, pouring gasoline on the blaze for no reason. The subtle irony is that Werth—who has been mostly mediocre in his games against Philly (and broke his wrist in a game earlier this season)—and Lidge haven’t done nearly as much on the field as the rest of the upstart Nationals have in making this rivalry so one-sided. Really, though, the Phillies are doing a lot of this to themselves.

There is a silver lining for Philadelphia. If Hamels can help Philly win the final game of this series, the Phils will be just 4.5 back in the division and, at worst, 3.5 back in the wild-card race. The season isn’t over for Philadelphia, which clearly seems to be just treading water until Ryan Howard and Chase Utley eventually come back.

At some point, the rivalry with Washington will tilt back north. The Phillies have been too good for too long to let these upstart Nationals just take over without a fight (Note: The Braves are loving this, by the way). 

The Phillies will get their part of this on-field rivalry going. They just better hope it’s not too late to make a difference this season.

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Why Cole Hamels’ Exit Would Mean End of Halladay, Lee’s World Series Dreams

Last season’s playoff exit not only ended the Philadelphia Phillies’ season, but also Cliff Lee’s streak of two-consecutive World Series appearances.

However, in a rotation that also features the likes of Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, Lee may have a good chance of pitching in the World Series once again.

Halladay and Lee’s combined win total of over 300-career games gives the Phils one of the major league’s strongest starting rotations, and one that is currently leading the National League in strikeouts and ranked third in ERA.

But could the chances of Lee reaching another World Series and Halladay reaching his first take a hit this offseason?

For as dominant as the two pitchers have been since joining the Phillies and throughout their careers, Halladay and Lee’s World Series dreams could be dealt a major blow if Hamels does not re-sign with the team.

From 1999-2009, the seasons in which Halladay made more than 10 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays, the team finished in second place in the American League East once and never made the playoffs.

Since joining the Phillies prior to the 2010 season, Halladay has made five starts, including a no-hitter in his first ever playoff game, and has a 2.37 ERA.

From 2004 to midway through the 2009 season, the seasons in which Lee made more than 10 starts for the Cleveland Indians, the team made the playoffs once, although Lee did not appear in the postseason.

In two stints with the Phillies, Lee is 4-1 with 42 strikeouts in six postseason starts, including two complete games.

However, neither of these pitchers has won a World Series yet.

Hamels, who has a 3.09 ERA in 13 postseason starts for the Phils, has been a part of a World Series title, and has also won World Series MVP honors.

The three pitchers have appeared in multiple postseason games for the Phillies, although in different seasons, since 2009.  Apart from each other, only Hamels has a World Series title.

And if Hamels doesn’t re-sign with the team, Halladay and Lee’s chances of appearing in a World Series may become even more difficult.

While Hamels will not turn 29 until after the season, Halladay and Lee will be 35 and 34 years old, respectively, by season’s end.  Halladay has also pitched over twice as many innings as Hamels.

With Joe Blanton also set to become a free agent, the Phillies could have two spots in their rotation to fill.  Which means the team may have difficulty putting together another starting rotation capable of posting a 3.15 ERA and 250 strikeouts through 43 games.

Meanwhile, the Phillies’ highest ranked pitching prospects are currently pitching in Double-A or lower levels in the minor leagues.  By the time these prospects reach the major league level and start finding success, Halladay and Lee may be impending free agents whose ages put them closer to 40. 

Hamels’ exit could force the Phillies to find either free agents or minor league prospects to place into the starting rotation with Halladay and Lee, which may be no easy task.

The team may also be forced to upgrade areas besides the starting rotation.  The Phillies’ lineup has received its share of criticism this season after getting off to a slow start, and Halladay and Lee have witnessed firsthand the team’s early season lack of run support. 

Halladay is currently 4-4 with 56 strikeouts and a 3.58 ERA.  However, after beginning the season 3-0, the Phillies lost Halladay’s next five starts.  In 10 starts by Halladay this season, the Phillies have scored two runs or fewer six times.  Although Lee is currently winless this season, the team has scored two runs or fewer in four of his six starts.  Lee has still posted a 2.66 ERA while striking out 40 batters.

If the Phillies’ offense continues to struggle once Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return, the team could be forced to find upgrades to their lineup in addition to replacing Hamels.  Which means the chances of Halladay and Lee appearing in a World Series could be tied to how quickly the Phillies can replenish their roster.

In addition to possibly having to replace 40 percent of their starting rotation this offseason, the Phillies could feel the effects of losing Hamels in the postseason.  In a best-of-five series, a pitcher such as Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick, or an offseason acquisition may have to pitch the third game of the series.  Although the Phils would still be competitive, their chances of advancing in a postseason series would not be as high without Hamels in the picture following starts by Halladay and Lee.

Of course, if Hamels does return, the Phillies’ starting rotation could remain as the consistent backbone of the team going forward. 

Since joining the Phillies and a rotation that includes Hamels, Halladay has struck out over 215 batters in each of his two full seasons with the team.  Prior to pitching in a rotation that also includes Hamels, Halladay’s season high for strikeouts was 208.  He had also only eclipsed the 200 strikeout mark in a season three times before joining the Phillies.

Halladay had one season while with the Blue Jays in which he had an ERA under 2.75 while making at least 10 starts in a season.  While pitching for the Phillies, Halladay has never had an ERA over 2.45.

Lee’s lowest ERA with the Indians was a 2.54 mark during his Cy Young award winning season in 2008.  Last season in his first full season with the Phillies, Lee posted a 2.40 mark.

Although both Halladay and Lee have won Cy Young awards with teams other than the Phillies, both pitchers have seen some of their best seasons take place with the team and in a rotation that also includes Hamels.

With Hamels in the rotation, both Halladay and Lee may have their best chances of reaching a World Series.

Without Hamels, Halladay and Lee’s World Series dreams may vanish.

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Playing Rough in Modern Baseball: Beanballs, Collisions and Charging the Mound

Playing Rough

Something you hear a lot about from fans is the lack of an “old-school” mentality in the modern game of baseball.

While many of the proponents of the so-called “old-school” are too young to know anything about it, there is some truth to the idea that the game was more hard-nosed in days gone by. Whether this is a good or bad thing is open to debate (that’s what we’re here for, after all). With injury concerns and millions of dollars at stake, with careers and long-term health on the line, we have seen less and less of the violent action that, in our sepia-toned memories, once punctuated the game with much greater frequency.

Collisions at Home Plate

Recently, the focal point of these debates has been collisions at home plate.

Talented young catcher Buster Posey broke his leg blocking the plate and missed all but a few weeks of the 2011 season after a Rookie-of-the-Year season in 2010. Perhaps more famously, in the 1970 All-Star game, Pete Rose ran over catcher Ray Fosse, causing Fosse to suffer a separated shoulder, which many fans attribute to the decline of Fosse’s career. In fairness, Fosse played 42 more games that season and hit .297, and the collision with Rose was just one of many injuries Fosse suffered through the years.

The question here is was it worth it?

Fosse has been quoted many times saying it’s “part of the game”, and Rose maintains he was just trying to win. The problem here is that this was an exhibition game, with nothing on the line. In general, the catcher can possibly try for a sweep tag or even attempt to catch the runner further up the line. The runner isn’t always forced to hit the catcher; he can opt instead to slide around him or go for the plate with his hands.

While I don’t believe collisions are a thing of the past, I do think players on either side will be less likely to hit each other going forward because of the possibility of injury. Nobody will tell them explicitly not to do it, but the unwritten rules of baseball are legion.

My view: sometimes the team needs that run, or needs to prevent that run, more than anything. If it is going to give them the best chance at the result they want, then a collision is going to happen. These decisions are made in split seconds. So unless it’s unnecessarily aggressive, then it’s just part of the game.

Charging the Mound

Here’s something you rarely see, and likely with good reason.

While a pitcher can easily enrage a batter by hitting him or brushing him back one time too many, it’s probably not a great idea to rush at him from the batter’s box. If the batter is holding onto the bat and threatens the pitcher, he is looking at a suspension or even the possibility of criminal charges.

If the batter is a little bit smarter than that and drops the bat first, he just made the mistake of approaching a guy standing on raised ground who is, in all likelihood, quite a large man. Pitchers are big, often bigger than many sluggers. They have eight other guys on the field ready to back them up, including one wearing protective gear located right behind the batter.

Still, this is such a rarity that I only included it in this article so I could show the picture of Nolan Ryan beating up Robin Ventura. Ryan, already an old man and not long from retirement, famously got the upper hand when a young Robin Ventura came steaming towards the mount. Ryan was ready for him, and he grabbed Ventura in a headlock (a side headlock for you wrestling fans) and pounded his fist into his head until other players intervened. Do a Google Image Search for Robin Ventura, and you will see this in the first five pictures.

My view: if you’re stupid enough to do it, then go ahead. Fun for everybody!

Playing Dirty

There are countless examples or ‘dirty’ plays in every major sport that are nevertheless a part of the game. Then there are some things that just don’t jive well with most fans or players. I think the two most extreme examples of these types of behaviors are throwing at a batter and spiking the baseman.

Firstly, spiking the baseman.

You’re going from first to second on a sharp grounder off the bat of your teammate, and you see the second baseman running to cover the bag. The game is tied with one out in the seventh and the pitcher is tiring; you need to break up this double play. So you slide right at the second baseman, hoping to cause him to throw wide.

Breaking up the double play is always the right choice, but the line is drawn when you decide to stick your front foot up a bit and aim for the legs.

This is a dangerous and mean-spirited play and if obvious enough would result in an ejection. This wasn’t always the case, though.Ty Cobb, one of the greatest of his time – all-time leader in batting average, second all-time in hits, and all-time leader in being a psychotic bastard – was infamous for sharpening his spikes and aiming them at the defenders’ vulnerable legs. Cobb, being the demon in human form that he was, did this even on the most routine plays. While this was met with scorn and criticism even in his day, in Cobb’s mind every play was the most important one of the game.

Throwing at a batter; this is what prompted this whole article.

More specifically, Cole Hamels hitting Bryce Harper is what prompted this article.

Pitchers have hit batters for over a hundred years, and they’ll keep on doing it. While it’s dangerous and often a prelude to run-scoring retribution, I can’t say it doesn’t have its place in the game. It’s the situation it takes place in that makes all the difference.

Hall of Famer Don Drysdale was infamous for hitting batters, and quite hated for it, but it was a part of his strategy (which he put down to not wanting to waste four pitches on an intentional walk when he could throw one and plunk him).

On the flip side, you have the recent plunking of super-prospect and media magnet Bryce Harper by popular-only-in-Philadelphia Cole Hamels, who claims he hit Harper to “teach him a lesson”. While most pitchers will agree that sometimes throwing at a guy is acceptable, this is an example where it’s just a scummy thing to do.

Nowadays hitting a batter is taken pretty seriously by umpires, and hitting a guy who had never faced him before in the first inning of a scoreless game is a stupid move for a pitcher. Since it was both unprovoked and obviously on purpose, Hamels could have easily been ejected.

Where would that leave his team?

Now you’re asking another starter to pitch on the wrong day. Or you’re asking the bullpen, which hadn’t even begun to think about warming up, to patch together nine innings and screw up the next few games because all your relievers’ arms are tired.

For that matter, what lesson was Hamels teaching Harper, except one about Hamels’ obvious jealousy of Harper’s new-found fame?

Being a rookie isn’t a punishable offense, nor should it be (although Harper got the last laugh, stealing home on a pickoff attempt after Hamels put him on base by hitting him). One further point on Hamels and Harper; Cole Hamels is a National League pitcher, and one thing that is rarely tolerated in baseball is unprovoked throwing at a pitcher. Pitchers don’t throw at each other sometimes out of respect, but generally because it’s considered a high crime in the baseball world to do it. So when Cole Hamels was a rookie in Philly, who threw at him?

My view: Situational. Pitchers shouldn’t throw at a guy for nothing, or because they can’t get a guy out, or any other cowardly, selfish reason. However, there are times it’s justified. I cheered when Shaun Estes threw at Roger Clemens (although he didn’t hit him). I crossed my fingers during his every at-bat that Barry Bonds would take one in the head. Even though this isn’t something that should be common, in retaliation for an unjust plunking or as part of a rough game between rival teams, it has its place. That will never change.

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Dissecting Ruben Amaro Jr.s’ Job as the Phillies G.M.

In 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series, their second in the history of the franchise. Following that historic run Pat Gillick, the general manager, retired. This decision opened the door for Ruben Amaro Jr. to become the Phillies current general manager.

Based on simply on-the-field success, it appears that Amaro Jr. has done a fine job in his first three-plus seasons in the position. The Phillies went back to the World Series in 2009, went to the NLCS in 2010, and went back to the playoffs again last season. This has been the golden era of the franchise and Amaro Jr. has been right in the middle of it. 

However, Amaro Jr. has also made many questionable decisions that have put this lucrative franchise in a bit of a financial bind. 

With Cole Hamels set to become a free-agent following this season, many of Amaro Jr.s’ trades and contract extensions need to be closely examined.

One move that has greatly benefited this team was the acquisition of Roy Halladay. Nobody can question the decision to bring in the games best pitcher to Philadelphia. He has been simply brilliant in the past three seasons and has shown little signs of decline.

On the other hand, the Cliff Lee trade must be more closely examined. Bringing him into the fold in 2009 was a great success and helped the team get back to the World Series. Following the acquisition of Roy Halladay, Amaro Jr. traded Lee to Seattle. This was a massive failure and the team received average minor league talent in return for one of the game’s best pitchers.

Many of Amaro Jr.’s contract extensions are more than questionable moves. Joe Blanton signed a three -year extension under Amaro Jr. for close to $8.5 million per season. Quite frankly, this move was a head scratcher from the start and Blanton has been no better than a number four starter for this team during that time.

 

Shane Victorino has been extremely inconsistent since signing his extension. Brad Lidge signed a three year extension and was absolutely terrible during that time period. He was paid as one of the games top closers.

Above all, the Ryan Howard contract deserves the most criticism. Amaro Jr. extended Howard for reasons unknown. He was already 30 at the time, had shown signs of decline and had two seasons left on his current contract. Ruben Amaro Jr. decided this was an appropriate time to make Howard the second highest-paid first basemen in professional baseball.

According to Howard Eskin of 94WIP, Cole Hamels agent, John Boggs, is asking for a seven-year contract. A contract of this length could demand anywhere between $150-$175 million dollars on the open market. This would make him one of the highest paid pitchers in the game. One must wonder if the Phillies can afford to have another player on their roster that makes $20-plus million per season. (Spike Eskin, CBSphilly.com)

Teams in a major market don’t let their stars walk away. Especially if he’s a home-grown talent in the prime of his career. Not to mention that Hamels won the Phillies a World Series championship.

If Amaro Jr. can’t find a way to resign Hamels, he will have to do a lot more than explain it to Phillies fans; he will be explaining it to his bosses. It could cost him his job.

 

 

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Landing Kevin Youkilis Would Be Perfect Move for Philly

Even when Chase Utley and Ryan Howard return to the lineup, there is no question that the Philadelphia Phillies could use some more pop in the batting order.

Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox would provide some. And according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the team has put eyes on him:

#Indians and #Phillies are among the teams monitoring Kevin Youkilis in his minor league rehab, says a BB source. #RedSox

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) May 20, 2012

It isn’t so crazy to think that the Red Sox could move Youkilis. He was already publicly called out by manager Bobby Valentine earlier in this season, which didn’t play well in the locker room. He’ll be a free agent after this season. Rookie Will Middlebrooks has played well (.297, five home runs, 16 RBI) this season.

A move wouldn’t be shocking.

Sure, the Phillies already have the aging Placido Polanco at third. But Youkilis could come in and play at both third and first base, and Polanco could play a bit of second base for the team as well. Youkilis could also provide relief for the Phillies’ first base platoon. If the Phillies have another playoff run in them, they’ll need to keep their veterans fresh.

Question number two: Would it make any sense for the Phillies to give up what little young talent they have left in the farm system for a potential rental?

It could if the Red Sox have interest in a player like pitcher Joe Blanton, as David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News pointed out:

What if the Red Sox proposed a straight Blanton-for-Youkilis swap? Two guys with similar salaries who will be free agents at the end of the season, both of whom fill holes for the other side (similar is relative, of course – Youkilis actually makes $4.5 million more than Blanton, along with a $1 million buyout next year). Just something to think about. 

Red Sox fans may think that is crazy, but the team needs pitching help and Blanton is having an excellent year (he’s 4-4 with 39 strikeouts, a 3.74 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP). It would be a quick and easy way for the team to get a bump in the rotation.

Obviously, all of this is a long shot at this point. But it’s an intriguing long shot, and one that could make each team better.

I know this much—the Phillies would be better off with Kevin Youkilis than they are without him. His bat would perfectly fit in the lineup, and could be just the spark this team needs to win its sixth-straight NL East title.

 

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets will gladly have another as well.

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