Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley’s Upcoming Contract Year a No-Win Situation

Chase Utley is in a no-win situation in 2013 because of his contract situation, his injury history and his lack of production in the past two seasons.

Utley is in the final year of a seven-year, $85 million contract. As so often happens with long-term deals, Utley’s production has waned precipitously over the past six seasons. From 2007-2010 (the first four years of the contract) Utley made the All-Star team every season. He earned MVP votes in each of those seasons but 2010, which was also the first year that Utley’s knees became a concern. 

When Utley missed 47 games in 2010, it was the team’s first real indication that maybe, just maybe, Utley’s body would not let him be the player he had been again, like, ever.

By spring training in 2011, it was apparent that Utley’s knees were degenerating, the sort of injury that often cannot be fixed by surgery. He missed 59 games in 2011; because he came back in time for the playoffs, his absence was noticeable, but ultimately easy to forget.

Less so in 2012, as the Phillies‘ five-year playoff run came to an end while Utley played only four more games (83) than he missed (79.) Perhaps more alarming was Utley’s nose-diving production. From 2005 through 2008, Utley drove in more than 100 runs every year, hit no fewer than 22 home runs, hit no worse than .291 and scored more than 100 runs three times, including a league-leading 131 runs scored in 2006.

So it is not just the games he is missing that now trouble the Phillies, it is what he is (not) doing when he plays: eleven home runs in each of the past two seasons, 44 and 45 runs batted in, batting averages of .259 and .256. Sure, he is consistent now. It is just consistent mediocrity.

And this is why Utley’s coming contract year is such a problem. Utley will no doubt be heavily motivated to “prove he is healthy” and post numbers sufficient to convince the Phillies, or some other team, to give him another multi-year deal. Maybe he can do it, too.

If he does it, though, the Phillies and their fans will almost certainly question openly why he was able to do it in 2013 when he was not able to do it in 2011 or 2012. Particularly this past season, when Ryan Howard missed so much time with his Achilles injury, the Phillies desperately missed Utley’s bat in the middle of the lineup. Have his numbers declined? Sure. But he is still miles better than Freddy Galvis, Michael Martinez, Mike Fontenot and Pete Orr.

Utley’s worst-case scenario, of course, is having a year productive enough to get him signed elsewhere but not good enough to convince the Phillies to keep him. Because at that point, the fanbase will almost certainly feel that Utley used two expensive seasons to keep himself healthy at the team’s expense—and at theirs.

The team and its fans have no choice but to hope that Utley comes back healthy, strong and reasonably like the player he has been for them in the past.

It will be interesting, though, to see what that ultimately means.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Freddy Galvis Showing Progress in Venezuela Fall League

In 2012, Freddy Galvis had a very interesting rookie season, to say the least. He found himself playing regularly trying to fill in for perennial All-Star Chase Utley.  That’s a daunting task for anyone, let alone a rookie.

Galvis played outstanding defense, unbelievable at times. He has the potential to be a Gold Glove caliber middle infielder at either position.

On the other side of the coin, Galvis struggled immensely at the plate. Posting a .226 average with three home runs and 24 RBI in 190 at-bats. He only walked seven times while striking out 29 times. His OPS was downright terrible .617.  

To end on a positive note, Galvis did have 15 doubles.

Fast forward several months, which included a 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs along with a pars fracture to the L45 vertebra in his lower back, and we find ourselves in the Venezuela Fall League.

Here, Galvis has been playing shortstop for the Aguilas del Zulia, who are managed by Luis Dorante.

Through 12 games, Galvis is hitting .375 with three home runs, five RBI, four walks and 12 runs scored all in 48 at-bat. His OPS currently stands at 1.069, which ranks third in the entire league.

Obviously the pitching in Venezuela isn’t nearly what it is in the major leagues, but any consistency at the plate from Galvis will be encouraging for the Phillies. 

Charlie Manuel has raved about the intangibles of Freddy Galvis and his knowledge of the game. Galvis will be 23 going into next season. If he can put the work in and improve his offensive game, he could be one of the top middle infielders in baseball. 

Galvis should play another important role for the Phillies in 2013; he will be the first to fill in for Jimmy Rollins or Chase Utley if need be and may be given regular time at third base if the Phillies do not address the position this offseason.

Keep it up Freddy, we’ll see you in Clearwater.

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Who Is the Most Irreplaceable Philadelphia Phillies Prospect?

Hailing from Germantown Friends High School, the Philadelphia Phillies had the privilege of seeing local-product Jesse Biddle on a weekly basis, heavily scouting each one of his starts in the spring of 2010. Therefore, it came as no surprise when they made the left-hander their first-round selection (27^th overall) in June. Despite his perceived strong commitment to the University of Oregon, the Phillies were able to lure him away with a $1.16 singing bonus.

Regarded as a highly projectable but unpolished high school senior, Biddle’s mediocre professional debut between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Short-Season New York-Penn League was somewhat expected. He ultimately made 12 starts in his age-18 season, registering a 3.92 ERA, 10.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 43.2 innings.

Assigned to Low-A Lakewood for his full-season debut in 2011, Biddle excelled as the third-youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League—but that’s not to say he didn’t endure his share of struggles. Overall, the 19-year-old was 7-8 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 133 innings spanning 24 starts.

Throughout the season, he struggled with the command of both his fastball and secondary pitches, but nothing out of the ordinary for a player his age. At the same time, Biddle also made strides in improving the overall quality of his arsenal, prioritizing a sharp curveball over his slider while developing a changeup.

The Phillies handed Biddle a well-deserved promotion to open the 2012 season, assigning the 20-year-old to High-A Clearwater in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Once again he responded favorably, emerging as one of the league’s top pitching prospects in what was a breakout campaign.

The left-hander finished the season with a 10-6 record, 3.22 ERA, 9.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 over 26 starts, and paced the Florida State League with 151 strikeouts in 142.2 innings. He also posted the third-best ERA among all qualified pitchers.

Biddle’s success as a younger player in an advanced league can be attributed to his vastly improved command and confidence in his full arsenal. For the first time in his career, Biddle consistently located his fastball throughout the strike zone, which, in turn, made his secondary offerings all the more effective.

With a tendency to spike his curveball in previous seasons, he demonstrated the ability to throw the pitch for a strike and locate it out of the zone to draw swing-and-misses. Additionally, his changeup emerged as a third potentially above-average pitch as he learned to throw it with a more convincing arm action.

At 6’4”, 225 pounds, Biddle has a durable frame that allows him to work deep into starts. Over the last two years, he’s smoothed out his mechanics by eliminating some jerky movement with his upper body. He still throws across his body but has become more comfortable with the delivery and repeats it with consistency.

Using his height to throw on a downward plane, Biddle’s two-seam fastball seemingly jumps on opposing hitters and is most effective in the 90 to 93 mph range with arm-side action. His curveball is of the 11-to-5, downer variety, and he throws it hard to achieve tight rotation. His changeup has also emerged as an effective weapon with late fading action.

More importantly, Biddle has drawn praise at every minor league stop for his competitiveness and overall demeanor on the mound. Combine that with his size and three-pitch mix of above-average pitches, and the left-hander has the makings of a No. 2 or 3 starter in the major leagues. Considering the age and related health concerns of the team’s big league starting rotation, Biddle is on pace to make his debut by the end of the 2014 season, if not sooner.

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Darin Ruf or Domonic Brown—For the Philadelphia Phillies, That Is the Question

Domonic Brown or Darin Ruf.

It seems obvious that at least one of them, and most likely only one, will be in the Phillies starting lineup in Atlanta come April.  The only question remaining is: which one?

Brown has been the Phillies’ highest rated, most untouchable prospect (at least in their eyes) since the day Mike Schmidt retired.  Okay, it hasn’t been that long, but sometimes it feels like it.  

In recent seasons the Phillies have traded away several minor leaguers to acquire the game’s top talent—Cliff Lee, Roys Halladay and Oswalt, Hunter Pence—and in every instance they have held on to Brown, believing he is the one “can’t miss” prospect.

However, Brown has done nothing at the major league level to warrant those beliefs.  In parts of three seasons, Brown’s performances across the board have been underwhelming to say the least.  He has shown absolutely no ability to be an impact hitter at the major league level, and looks defensively inept.

Which brings us to Darin Ruf, the Phillies’ minor league phenom of 2012.

Before this summer, hardly anyone in Philly had ever heard his named mentioned.  That’s the way of life for a 25-year-old beginning his first season in Double A.  

However, after breaking Ryan Howard’s single-season home run record at Reading, and then putting on a show for the big league club during the last week of the season, Darin Ruf is now a name everyone knows.  

He’s being talked about by fans everywhere, and is spending his offseason attempting to learn a new position.  With Howard—and his massive contract—firmly entrenched at first base, the only way Ruf cracks the Phillies lineup is in the outfield.  

Unfortunately for Ruf (and Brown), if the Phillies are going to spend any big free-agent dollars this winter it will likely be in the outfield.  And with several other major league outfielders either under contract or club control through at least 2013, there will be numerous bodies to fill positions on the field.

With three front-line starting pitchers, the highest paid reliever in the history of the game, and an aging roster, it’s doubtful the Phillies will enter next season with essentially two rookies in their outfield (Brown is not a rookie per se, but he’s as close to an unknown as one can get).  

One will play, one won’t.  It’s as simple as that.  And the choice between the two will logically come down to Domonic Brown playing and Darin Ruf heading to Lehigh Valley.

Based on what the two players have shown—both in the minor leagues and in brief auditions with the Phillies—some might argue that Ruf is the better player.  And he may very well be.  Ruf could turn into an adequate outfielder who slugs enough home runs to make up for any defensive laps, and Brown could be a complete major league bust.  

(Although a 20th round draft pick even reaching the major leagues should eliminate “complete bust” from his description; he’s already accomplished more than could realistically have been expected.)

However, if the Phillies are intent on starting one—and that seems to be the way they’re heading—giving Domonic Brown the opportunity makes the most sense.  He might not be the better player—not now, not ever—but the Phillies have a lot more invested in Brown than they do Ruf, and have reached the point of no return.

Brown is (or should be) out of minor league options.  Returning him to Triple A once more would require exposing him to waivers and risk losing him for nothing.  That is not the case with Darin Ruf, who can be optioned to the minor leagues without fear in both 2013 and 2014.

Even if the rules didn’t prevent the Phillies from sending Brown back to the minor leagues, doing so would make little sense.  His value—good or bad—will only be realized at the major league level.  The Phillies gain nothing from sending him to Triple A, and Brown would undoubtedly lose value with yet another minor league season.

Sending Darin Ruf to Lehigh Valley does not diminish his value.  In fact, going to Triple A and proving he can handle advanced pitching and playing the outfield might increase his worth within the organization and as a potential trade chip.  If Ruf continues his assault on minor league pitching he’ll be on his way to the majors soon enough.

Many fans—and possibly team officials—may be tired of waiting for Brown’s talent to emerge, and may be enamored with Darin Ruf’s potential, but for the long-term health of the franchise Domonic Brown needs one more chance.  It’s now or never for Brown.  Ruf will have another opportunity down the line—possibly as early as June or July.

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2012 MLB Offseason: Why the Phillies Should Pursue Twins Outfielder Denard Span

Once upon a time, the Philadelphia Phillies had a very good center fielder. (I begin with “once upon a time,” because it seems like it was forever ago.)

That man was Shane Victorino, who was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline in return for Josh Lindblom, Ethan Martin and “a player to be named later,” who would eventually turn out to be Stefan Jarrin, leaving the Phillies with a gaping hole in their outfield. 

With the World Series in full swing, teams are chomping at the bit to get their hands on some of the winter’s prime free agents, including B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn and even Victorino. But if the Phillies were smart, they’d turn their attention to the trade market. 

One team that has a lot of work to do this offseason and could spare a center fielder on the trade market is the Minnesota Twins, and Denard Span fits the Phillies’ needs in quite a few ways. 

According to Phil Mackey of ESPN, the Twins are prepared to make nearly their entire roster available this winter: “Aside from Joe Mauer, who has a full no-trade clause, nobody is considered off-limits in potential trade discussions.”

And there is a reason for that. The Twins need starting pitching in the worst way. The only starter currently penciled into their rotation for next season is former Rule 5 draft pick Scott Diamond. 

Would they be willing to part with Span? One would certainly believe so. The left-handed center fielder is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in which he hit .283/.342/.395, stole 17 bases and played one of the best defensive center fields in the game. 

But one of the biggest things that the Twins have working for them in any trade discussion involving Span is his team-friendly contract—a huge plus. He is signed through the 2014 season with an option for 2015 that, if picked up, would pay him $20.25 million. 

Compared against some of the contracts that guys like Upton and Bourn will receive this winter, the Phillies wouldn’t mind having Span on the payroll in the least bit—but what would it take to get him? 

Pitching. That’s the obvious answer. The Twins need starting pitching like a fish needs water, and when you look back over past rumors involving the Washington Nationals and their closer, Drew Storen, they are going to want a solid arm. 

When it comes to pitching, the Phillies could go in one of two ways. 

They have prospects to offer. Guys who would open the season in Triple-A for the Phillies would likely be the subject of many a discussion, including names like Tyler Cloyd, Jonathan Pettibone and Trevor May—likely in that order. 

But I don’t see the Phillies being overly eager to move prospects when they could just as easily throw money at a free-agent center fielder. They’d save money on Span, but they’d save talent on a free agent. 

Another conversation would be Vance Worley, and at that point, you have to wonder how much is too much for Denard Span. 

Worley could be equally as valuable. He is the Phillies’ most affordable starting pitcher penciled into the rotation for the 2013 season and isn’t even eligible for arbitration until the conclusion of the 2014 season. He’ll be a free agent following the 2018 campaign. 

If the conversation becomes a swap of Worley and Span, you have to ask yourself this: What’s more valuable? Would you rather have a young center fielder who could slide into the top of your batting order for three seasons or a starting pitcher with upside who won’t become a free agent for six seasons? 

I suppose the answer lies in how you feel about Worley. If you see him as a middle- to bottom-of-the-rotation starter, it’s a no-brainer. If you still believe he has a little more upside than that, it’s a different conversation. 

Personally, and this is just speculation, if the conversation came down to being a swap of Span and Worley, and I were the Phillies general manager, I wouldn’t even hesitate to pull the trigger.

Getting an affordable center fielder like Span would be a blessing for the Phillies, who would save money on a free-agent option and allow them to pursue other players in other areas, like a reliever and a third baseman. 

Trading Worley would likely require the club to pursue a free-agent pitcher as well, but it would be a worthwhile venture (unless, of course, the team is willing to turn the reins over to a guy like Cloyd or Pettibone, and I don’t think they will be). 

There is also a third, albeit less likely, option in a trade for the Phillies, which is that the Twins will be unpredictable and move Span for lower-level prospects, which I can’t see happening. 

At the very least, the Phillies should be doing their due diligence about this. Span could be a bargain for them over the next three seasons, as opposed to free agents like Upton or Bourn, so the question is simple. 

Would you pursue Span? 

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MLB Free Agency 2013: Teams Ready to Break the Bank

The 2013 offseason could be one of the biggest free agent-spending frenzies that the MLB has seen in years.

With the likes of Josh Hamilton, Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, Dan Haren and so many more big names possibly hitting the free agent market, you can bet general managers will be opening their wallets to bolster their roster heading into the 2013 season.

We saw the Los Angeles Dodgers—led by Magic Johnson—break the bank towards the latter portion of the 2012 season, and I think you can expect them to be buyers again this offseason.

Let’s examine which MLB clubs are ready to spend some cash this offseason.

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25 Reasons the Philadelphia Phillies Will Win Another World Series by 2015

The end of the 2012 regular season was the culmination of an eerie, disappointing trend for the Philadelphia Phillies. 

They won the World Series in 2008 and it has been all down hill from there. In 2009, they blew their chance at a repeat title run against the New York Yankees. A year later, they were dispatched by the red-hot San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. The Phillies were booted from the postseason early in 2011 by the St. Louis Cardinals and in 2012, they missed it all together. 

Sure, it’s just a coincidence, but it makes you raise an eyebrow nonetheless. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that the Phillies are going in the wrong direction. They’re an older team paying aging veterans a ton of money. 

But I believe that this team can win another World Series title before the 2015 season—and beyond. It almost sounds crazy because of the way this team has been heading, but it wouldn’t be the first time. 

So as baseball takes a breather in the month of October in the city of Philadelphia for the first time since 2006, allow me to explain why it should be back in full force over the next three seasons and into the foreseeable future. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Players Who Should Be Replaced This Offseason

With the Phillies cleaning house this past July, there are several players on their current roster who should be replaced this offseason. That is exactly what is going to happen.

Some action has already begun and rumors are flying around Philadelphia. Look for even more Phillies roster moves to happen following the World Series.

If the Phillies want to make a serious run at a World Series title in 2013, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and company are going to have to do a lot of shuffling to their roster. Players will be replaced, released and some will find themselves unsigned by the Phillies this winter.

Here are five Phillies who are going to find themselves replaced in 2013, one way or the other.

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15 Most Famous World Series Moments in Philadelphia Phillies History

There aren’t many moments in sports more rewarding than winning the World Series. 

Just think about it for a moment. We’re talking about 30 teams, each of whom play the longest regular season in sports—162 games. The regular season spans six months, but in all reality, baseball never ends. 

It is a year-long cycle of hard work and dedication, so when that one moment finally comes—when a team wins the World Series—it is just a jubilant experience. 

The Philadelphia Phillies have been fortunate enough to get seven shots at the World Series and win two titles. I say “fortunate” because there are still teams without that elusive trophy. 

But the point is a little more simple than that: When teams get to the World Series, they’ll do anything it takes to win. That’s why some of baseball’s greatest moments are made in the Fall Classic, and the Phillies are no exception to the rule. 

Here are the Phillies’ 15 greatest World Series moments.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Is Darin Ruf a Legitimate Option in Left Field for 2013?

We watched as Darin Ruf put up ridiculous numbers for the Double-A Reading Phillies: .317 batting average, 93 runs, 38 home runs, 104 RBI and a .408 on-base percentage before getting called up to the Philadelphia Phillies.  

The 26-year old made his Phillies debut on Sept. 14 as a pinch hitter, and he became an everyday player from Sept. 25 until the end of the season on Oct. 3. In 12 major league games, Ruf hit .333 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He also had an impressive .351 on-base percentage.  

As the Phillies prepare for the offseason, the outfield seems to be where the team needs the most help. Rumors have been flying around as to which free agents can come in and help the Phillies return to the postseason in 2013.

Maybe B.J. Upton or Michael Bourn can take over in center field? Or what about adding Nick Swisher or Cody Ross to play the corner outfield spots?  What about Mr. Ruf?

Ruf has shown the ability to hit major league pitching, even if he did only have 33 at-bats. He has quick hands and a great approach to hitting. He isn’t your typical power hitter; he understands the strike zone.

Ruf walked 65 times in Double-A, which contributed heavily to his .408 on-base percentage. The Phillies need players who can get on base, and that’s what Ruf offers.

Ruf can provide a shot of life in a clubhouse that has been together for a while and could use some change. Ruf‘s youth and energy can light a fire under veterans like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, who could both use some fire under them.

Filling the hole in left field with somebody already on the roster will benefit the Phillies in the offseason as well.  

If the team decides that Ruf can be the starting left fielder next season, that obviously eliminates the need to sign a high-priced free agent to put in left field.  

The team could use that money to sign a new center fielder, like B.J. Upton, and a setup man, like Mike Adams. Maybe the team could make a trade for a player like Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres. The options are out there, somebody just has to pull the trigger.

Darin Ruf has earned at least the opportunity to compete for the starting job in left field during spring training, and unless the Phillies sign or trade for a veteran, it could even be his job to lose.  

A young outfield of Darin Ruf, B.J. Upton and Domonic Brown sounds pretty intriguing.  

 

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