4 Ways the Phillies Can Replace Carlos Ruiz During His 25-Game Suspension

Carlos Ruiz apparently felt he needed a little pick-me-up. But since he tested positive for a banned stimulant, the Philadelphia Phillies catcher incurred a 25-game suspension from MLB.

Ruiz was flagged for using Adderall, an amphetamine typically used to control attention deficit disorder. It’s still a performance-enhancing drug. But since Ruiz was caught for using a stimulant, rather than a steroid, he draws the shorter suspension under MLB’s drug policy. 

So the Phillies don’t have their All-Star catcher and MVP candidate available for the regular season until April 28. That’s quite a blow, since Ruiz was the team’s best hitter this season, batting .325 with a .935 OPS, 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 114 games. He’s also currently Philadelphia’s only consistent right-handed bat.

How can the Phillies replace Ruiz while he’s absent for the first month of the season? Here are four possibilities for the team to try.

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Should the Philadelphia Phillies Trade Pitching to Fix Other Major Holes?

The Philadelphia Phillies have quite a few holes to fill on their roster before next season.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is looking for two outfielders—one of whom should be a center fielder, and probably a right-handed bat. The Phillies also need a third baseman and could use another reliever for their bullpen.

Amaro could address all of those needs on the free-agent market. Outfielders like Michael Bourn and B.J. Upton would fit well in the Philadelphia lineup. Kevin Youkilis would give the Phillies a suitable third baseman. And plenty of relievers are available to help shore up the corps of middle relievers. 

But that would get expensive. Big spending doesn’t fit into Amaro’s current plan, as he’s been quite public about getting the Phillies’ payroll underneath the $178 million luxury-tax threshold for 2013. Presumably, he wants the team under the $189 million luxury-tax limit for 2014 as well. 

To patch up every hole on his roster without incurring MLB‘s luxury tax, Amaro will probably have to make some trades to get what he needs. That would almost surely mean tapping into his team’s greatest strength: starting pitching. 

But does Amaro really want to do that? The trio of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels atop the Phillies rotation is what sets them apart from their NL East rivals. Starting pitching will likely be what pushes Philadelphia back into playoff and division-title contention next season. 

Though that part of the team is a strength, is there enough depth to use in trade? If the Phillies weaken their starting rotation yet bolster other parts of the roster, does that ultimately even out? Or would Amaro be making a mistake by undercutting the advantage he has over division and league rivals? 

The most tradeable commodity Amaro has is left-hander Cliff Lee. Plenty of teams checked in on him around the trade deadline this year, but it was never really clear whether or not the Phillies were looking to deal him away.

Amaro certainly had an opportunity to trade Lee to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early August. The Phillies put Lee on waivers, and the Dodgers won the claim for him.

Philadelphia could have either tried to work out a trade, though the Dodgers likely wouldn’t have given up much because they would have taken on up to $102.5 million remaining on Lee’s contract. Amaro could have also decided to just let Lee go on waivers, dumping his salary without getting anything in return. 

Instead, the Phillies held on to Lee. Perhaps Amaro never had an intention of trading Lee and wanted him to be a part of their rotation for 2013 and beyond. Or the Philadelphia GM figured he could find a far better deal with more time—and more teams—to negotiate with during the offseason. 

However, does that deal really exist?

Perhaps a trade with the Texas Rangers, built around third-base prospect Mike Olt and pitcher Martin Perez, would work for the Phillies. Then Amaro could get his outfielders in free agency. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks could be another possibility, with Justin Upton going to the Phillies and taking one of those corner outfield openings. But D-Backs owner Ken Kendrick was rather vocal about not wanting a pitcher on the wrong side of 30 years old who’s owed up to $100 million. 

Could the Colorado Rockies present another option? The Atlanta Braves have shown interest in center fielder Dexter Fowler. Why couldn’t the Phillies get in that mix, especially with the Rockies reportedly seeking pitching in return? The Braves probably have better arms to offer, however. 

Of course, the Dodgers are still out there. But does GM Ned Colletti really have anything the Phillies are looking for in return?

He dealt two of his best pitching prospects—Allen Webster and Nathan Eovaldi—in trades for Adrian Gonzalez (and others) and Hanley Ramirez. Would Colletti really want to trade any others when he can sign Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez or Ryu Hyun-jin? Andre Ethier could be included, but do the Phillies want another left-handed bat? 

The best argument for trading Lee to the Dodgers could be shedding his salary and using his $25 million salary for this season (and the next two, plus a team option) to help fill those holes in the outfield and at third base. 

Amaro also has some pitching prospects he could use in a deal. Trevor May, Jesse Biddle and Jonathan Pettibone are among the Phillies’ top four prospects, according to Baseball America. Could those young arms—along with pitchers with major league experience, like Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick—be used to get someone like Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres? 

But the Phillies need arms for the back end of their starting rotation as well. If Amaro deals away pitchers who could be the team’s fourth and fifth starters, who fills those roles next season? Isn’t trading talent for established veterans what got the Phillies into their current predicament?

Are such trades worth doing again if it gets Philadelphia back into playoff contention? Is dealing off some of the future the price that has to be paid for getting an outfielder or third baseman who could be a cornerstone player for years to come? 

What looks like a surplus can become a weakness quickly. The Phillies rotation doesn’t look nearly as imposing or competitive with the Braves or Washington Nationals in the NL East if they break up the Halladay-Lee-Hamels triumvirate. Amaro arguably has more holes to fill if he trades starting pitching away too.

Obviously, Amaro should explore every option available. But he is in the fortunate position of being able to take care of his team’s needs on the free-agent market this winter. The question is how much that might cost the Phillies. 

Another question might be how valuable a pitching staff is if the lineup can’t score any runs to help the team win. That’s the dilemma the Phillies and Amaro face this winter. 

 

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Josh Hamilton Phillies Rumors: Why Philly Is the Worst Possible Place to Sign

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has been outspoken about his offseason priority. He wants outfielders. Preferably a center fielder. A right-handed bat would be nice too. 

Fortunately for the Phillies, the best free agent available can play center field. Josh Hamilton started 84 games in center for the Texas Rangers this season. He also happened to hit a career-high 43 home runs with 128 RBI, which would provide a major boost to the middle of the Philadelphia lineup.

Hamilton’s best days in center field are probably behind him, unfortunately. According to FanGraphs‘ Ultimate Zone Rating, he allowed nearly 13 more runs than an average center fielder this season. He also cost his team 11 defensive runs saved. 

So the Phillies are better off sticking Hamilton in left field either right away or after a year or two, depending on how long of a contract he received from Philadelphia. Even if Amaro acquired Hamilton, he’d still need to get a center fielder.

That’s one reason why Philadelphia shouldn’t sign Hamilton. But here’s why it would be a bad idea for Josh to choose the Phillies as his next team. 

 

Those Philly Fans

Philadelphia sports fans get a terrible rap for throwing batteries at J.D Drew, cheering when Michael Irvin suffered a neck injury and booing Santa Claus. It’s a lazy shortcut to defining the fanbase of an entire city, much like those who make cracks about Detroit fans setting cars on fire.

Extreme incidents aside, however, Philadelphia is far tougher on its sports stars than Arlington, Texas. But Rangers fans booed Hamilton for his poor performance at the end of the season and he noticed it.

“Personally, myself, it never would matter how high I was — if I went to a sporting event, I would never boo somebody or I would never yell obscenities at somebody,” Hamilton said to ESPN Dallas’ Tim McMahon. “That’s just me.”

If he was bothered by home fans giving it to him, wait until he encounters the horde at Citizens Bank Park.

 

Home-Field Disadvantage

Hamilton might not find the fans friendly at the Phillies’ home ballpark, but the playing conditions may not agree with him either. 

Despite Citizens Bank Park’s reputation as a bandbox, it was actually more of a pitchers’ park in 2012, according to ESPN.com’s park factors. Compare that to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, which was the fourth-best stadium for hitters in MLB this season. 

But Hamilton would still be able to hit some home runs in Philadelphia. Citizens Bank Park was in the upper-third of homer-friendly parks this year. That probably doesn’t matter to Hamilton, however. His home-road splits for home runs were virtually even, as were all of his statistics across the board. 

The Phillies’ home park isn’t terribly suitable for doubles, however, playing fairly neutral. That could cut down on the number of extra-base hits Hamilton could accumulate. 

Perhaps it should be noted that Hamilton wouldn’t be facing Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels if he joined the Phillies. Those three pitchers surely have something to do with offense staying down at Citizens Bank Park.

 

The Wrong Side

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Phillies need a right-handed bat to complement lefties Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the middle of their lineup. 

In a previous piece, I wrote that the fear of having three consecutive left-handers in the middle of the order is probably overblown. Hamilton hits left-handed pitching well enough to make sure that the Phillies wouldn’t have three automatic outs against southpaws. 

But perhaps it’s worth asking if Hamilton benefits from having a strong right-handed bat hitting behind him, a luxury he’s enjoyed throughout his career.

In 2008, when Hamilton hit 32 homers with 130 RBI, he had Milton Bradley following him in the Rangers lineup. That season, Bradley had a slash average of .321/.436/.563 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI. He also led the league in on-base percentage and OPS. 

During his MVP season of 2010, Vladimir Guerrero had an excellent season batting cleanup behind Hamilton. He hit .300 with an .841 OPS, 29 homers and 115 RBI. 

For the past two seasons, Hamilton has had Adrian Beltre hitting behind him. Beltre’s averaged 34 homers and 104 RBI with the Rangers, and this year, he’s had one of the best seasons of his career, batting .321 with a .921 OPS, 36 home runs and 102 RBI. 

If there’s something to that—and it really could just be a coincidence or benefit of playing for a good team that knows how to put together a lineup—Hamilton should perhaps look elsewhere for a lineup that fits him better.

With the Milwaukee Brewers for instance, Hamilton could have Ryan Braun or Aramis Ramirez hitting behind him. Adam Jones or former teammate Chris Davis could protect him with the Baltimore Orioles. Even the Seattle Mariners could provide Jesus Montero or Justin Smoak, though those two aren’t the caliber of the other hitters mentioned.

Signing with the Phillies wouldn’t be the worst decision Hamilton has ever made. (After typing that sentence, I realize what an understatement it is.) He would play for one of the most enthusiastic fanbases in MLB, live in a great city, play in a nice ballpark and join a team that expects to compete for the playoffs every season. 

But would it be the best decision Hamilton ever made? It doesn’t look that way. 

 

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Josh Hamilton Phillies Rumors: Could Lefty-Dominated Lineup Survive in NL East?

Are the Philadelphia Phillies interested in free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton? 

A similar question such as “Is the Pope Catholic?” could be the response. Hamilton is the best available hitter on the free-agent market. The Phillies have a need for a power bat in their outfield. 

Besides, as CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury explains, Philadelphia’s front office does a thorough check on all available players. Even if the Phillies aren’t necessarily in on a particular player, the market could always swing in their favor. 

This might be the case with Hamilton. If teams decide to pass on him because of his reported desire for a seven-year, $175 million deal, the Phillies could seize an opportunity. ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted that Philadelphia doesn’t have a problem with a $25 million annual salary. Its issue would be the length of Hamilton’s contract. 

Paying Hamilton that much money would seem strange, given general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.’s stated intention to get the Phillies’ payroll below the $178 million luxury tax threshold for 2013. But perhaps the possibility of landing an MVP-caliber player like Hamilton has Amaro reconsidering that stance. 

Adding a hitter who slugged 43 home runs with 128 RBI would certainly make the Phillies lineup more formidable. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins led the team with 23 homers this year, though injuries to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard obviously reduced their season totals. 

However, there’s one problem that immediately comes to mind when talking about Utley, Howard and Hamilton possibly making up the middle of a lineup. All of them hit left-handed.

The preference, of course, is to mix it up in the middle of the batting order, if not through the entire lineup. A manager doesn’t want an opponent to bring in a left-handed relief specialist and shut down three or four hitters in a row. Even worse, what if the skipper had to sit a couple of his best hitters when facing a tough left-handed starting pitcher? 

But would this apply to the Phillies if they signed Hamilton? Would the middle of the lineup be easily handcuffed by left-handed pitching?

Against lefties during his career, Howard has hit .227 with a .739 OPS. That’s not very good. Unfortunately, it was even worse last season, as he hit .173 with a .604 OPS. 

Utley has hit lefties pretty well in his 10 major league seasons. He has a career .270 batting average with an .853 OPS; but southpaws hurt him this year. Utley hit .215 with a .679 OPS in such matchups.

Rollins is a bit of a different case, since he’s a switch-hitter and bats right-handed against lefty pitchers. Over his career, he has a .272 average and .752 OPS. But he was bitten by the same bug that got Howard and Utley, apparently. Rollins batted .218 with a .612 OPS against left-handers last year.

What about Hamilton? Would he improve this mix even though he bats left-handed? He’s a career .280 hitter versus lefties with an .808 OPS. This season, Hamilton was even better, batting .291 with an .853 OPS, 10 home runs and 41 RBI. 

How would this foursome fare against some of the tougher left-handers in the NL East? Fortunately, they wouldn’t have to face Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels, so that’s getting off to a good start. 

The Washington Nationals‘ Gio Gonzalez may have been the best lefty starter in the NL this year. Left-handed batters hit .232 with a .585 OPS against him this season. Howard went 0-for-5 against him, while Utley batted 2-for-6 (.333) and Rollins batted 3-for-7 (.429). 

Granted, those are very small samples to judge from, but Gonzalez only has one season in the NL. Hamilton, however, faced him regularly in the AL. He’s batted .353 (6-for-17) against him over his career with a 1.127 OPS, two homers and four RBI. 

Johan Santana is another tough left-hander the Phillies have to face regularly. Interestingly, he was worse against lefties than righties this season, giving up a .281 average and a .745 OPS.

Even more intriguing is that Howard has hit Santana well during his career. He’s 8-for-25 (.320) with four home runs, seven RBI and a 1.170 OPS. Utley has a .241 average (7-for-29) with four home runs and eight RBI, helping him toward a .980 OPS. Rollins is also 7-for-29 against Santana with two homers and three RBI.

Amaro hasn’t been afraid of putting three left-handed bats in the middle of his lineup. Shortly after becoming the Phillies GM, he signed Raul Ibanez to a three-year deal. That didn’t appear to make sense, as Philadelphia needed a right-hander to complement Utley and Howard.

Ibanez had three good seasons with the Phillies, and batted .254 with a .770 OPS against lefties. The Phillies also made it to the World Series (defending their 2008 championship) in his first season. 

If Phillies manager Charlie Manuel were to bat Hamilton fourth, between Utley and Howard, the lineup likely wouldn’t have three nearly automatic outs against left-handed pitching.

Hamilton doesn’t appear to be the best fit for the Phillies, but if the team had the opportunity to sign him, could Amaro resist the opportunity?

 

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Analyzing Shane Victorino’s Potential Impact in a Philadelphia Phillies Return

Adding an outfielder or two is an offseason priority for the Philadelphia Phillies and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. 

The Phillies outfield was wiped out at the trade deadline with Amaro trading Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed by dealing Hunter Pence to the San Francisco Giants. 

Now, as the offseason begins, Philadelphia is looking for a center fielder, and some big names are available. Josh Hamilton is the flashiest name, with Michael Bourn close behind him. Angel Pagan boosted his value with a strong postseason. And B.J. Upton might have the most upside of the bunch.

But there’s yet another center fielder available who plays good defense, has some pop in his bat and can provide a lineup with some speed. The Phillies need all of those things. So could they possibly bring back Victorino next season?

Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News posed that very question in a recent article. For the right price, he feels, bringing back Victorino is an option the Phillies should consider. 

Though Bourn might be the ideal fit in terms of giving the Phillies batting order a leadoff hitter with speed who also plays spectacular defense, he and agent Scott Boras may be looking for a more expensive deal than Philadelphia is willing to pay.

A high price tag would also take Hamilton out of consideration. He’ll be the most expensive center fielder on the market. Besides, the Phillies don’t need his left-handed bat when they already have Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. 

Personally, I feel like Upton is the best fit for the Phillies.

He’s right-handed and could slot in between Utley and Howard. He has the speed for the top of the order, though his low on-base percentage (.289 this season) might not suit him for that role. He has the power to bat in the middle of the lineup. And Upton’s defense is on par with each of the other center fielders mentioned here. 

But Victorino could be a very attractive option. The Phillies certainly already know what they have in him.

Trading Victorino at midseason wasn’t necessarily an indictment of his skills. It was more a concern that he was seeking a significant raise over the $9.5 million he made this season. Rather than risk losing him as a free agent, Amaro at least got a quality reliever in Josh Lindblom and a promising prospect with Ethan Martin. 

Though Victorino struggled this season, batting .255 overall with a .704 OPS, he did play better in Philadelphia than before he was traded to the Dodgers. In 101 games with the Phillies, he hit .267 with a .724 OPS, nine home runs, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases. 

More than any other team, the Phillies should be familiar with the numbers Victorino put up in 2011. He batted .279 with an .847 OPS, adding 16 triples, 17 homers, 61 RBI and 19 stolen bases in what was arguably his best season. 

Is he capable of providing that kind of production again? That’s the question hanging over Victorino during free agency.

Has he lost bat speed? Is he a step slower in center field? He stole a career-high 39 bases, which seems promising, but does he get on base enough to really utilize that speed?

Those are questions the Phillies would surely ask while judging Victorino against the other center fielders on the market. The team probably had the same concerns before trading him at midseason. 

Would the Phillies be willing to go into next season with an outfield of Domonic Brown in left, Victorino in center and Nate Schierholtz in right? That sentence just sent Phillies fans into fits of screaming, running around the house while knocking all of the books and picture frames off their shelves.

If Amaro is looking to upgrade his outfield, that collection of players won’t do it.

However, if Victorino is willing to accept a shorter contract for less money—perhaps because the market has determined his value for him—it seems plausible that the Phillies might be able to sign him in addition to another outfielder. 

Let’s say that Victorino can be had for a two-year, $20 million sort of deal. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick talked to four MLB executives about the contract Upton might attract in free agency. Estimates ranged from three years, $27 million to five years, $70 million. 

Even if Victorino wanted a three-year deal and the Phillies were willing to give it to him, while Upton ended up getting the five-year, $70 million contract one executive projected, would $100 million for two outfielders suit Philadelphia’s payroll? 

Amaro wants to keep the Phillies below the $178 million luxury tax threshold for 2013. But a combined salary of $24 million for Victorino and Upton—and that’s presuming they would even be paid that much—seems to fit under those constraints. 

But would that leave enough money to also address the Phillies’ needs at third base and in the bullpen? That’s the dilemma Amaro faces. 

The Phillies can’t build their offseason around Victorino. He’s just not that kind of player. Amaro surely knows that’s not good enough, and the Philadelphia fans wouldn’t stand for it. But Victorino could complement other moves Amaro might make, such as signing another outfielder and/or a third baseman. 

Both sides parted amicably in late July, so there’s no reason to think either Victorino or the Phillies have moved on and want to try something else. It would surely be a popular move among the fans and Victorino himself admitted to MLB.com’s Barry M. Bloom late in the season that he’d love to return to Philadelphia.

Bringing back Victorino is certainly not the worst move the Phillies could make this winter.

 

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5 Trades, Free Agents the Philadelphia Phillies Can Add to Retool for 2013

The Philadelphia Phillies were one of MLB‘s biggest disappointments through most of the 2012 season.

That led general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. to become a seller for the first time at the July 31 trade deadline. Hunter Pence was traded to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton were dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

But a late surge made them a surprise contender in the National League wild-card race. Had Amaro known that was possible, would he have made those midseason deals? Probably, as getting below the $178 million luxury tax threshold and gaining payroll flexibility were priorities for Amaro.

So what will the Phillies do with that wiggle room in their payroll? The team needs at least one outfielder, maybe two. Third base is another hole that needs to be filled. And a bullpen that cost Philadelphia far too many games needs another arm. 

Here are five signings or trades that the Phillies should pursue this offseason. Amaro won’t make all of these moves, but two or three of them could put his team back into the NL East race next year.

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How B.J. Upton Would Give Phillies’ Offense the Missing Element It Badly Needs

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has been rather public about his intention to upgrade the team’s outfield next season.

Amaro is placing a premium on getting a center fielder. Fortunately for him and the Phillies, the 2013 free-agent market has some big-ticket players who can provide some help. 

Michael Bourn will probably be the most popular target for teams needing a center fielder with speed who can bat leadoff. Those skills would certainly help the Phillies, but it appears that Amaro is looking for a player who can be more of a run-producer—and supply a right-handed bat. 

That would seem to make B.J. Upton the best fit. Upton hits right-handed, has 20-home-run power and is capable of stealing 40 bases. At 28 years old, any team that signs Upton will still get some prime seasons from him. 

As ESPN.com’s Jason Churchill points out, plenty of clubs will be in line for Upton’s services this winter.

The Phillies’ NL East rivals, the Washington Nationals, could also be in pursuit (though speculation is that they’re eying Bourn as their top target). Other teams chasing Upton could be the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.

Even the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds could join the bidding (according to the Miami Herald, however, the Marlins are planning to cut payroll, so going after Upton seems unlikely).

But if Amaro is serious about making the outfield a priority for the Phillies in the offseason, the guess here is that they’ll go after Upton the hardest, as they need a right-handed run producer to mix in with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. 

Upton has batted second the most over his career, so that’s where Charlie Manuel could stick him next season. A top of the order with Jimmy Rollins (if he stays at leadoff), and Upton would provide plenty of RBI opportunities for Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Howard.

Manuel could also bat Upton in the No. 4 spot between Utley and Howard. The presumption is the Phillies want a right-handed outfield bat to prevent Utley and Howard from batting back-to-back and providing a trickier matchup for opposing teams in later innings. 

Phillies center fielders have batted .269/.333/.418 this season with 16 home runs and 65 RBI. That includes the production that Shane Victorino provided before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the July 31 trade deadline.

Upton has averaged 19 home runs a season since becoming a full-time player in 2007. But over the past two seasons, his power has increased and he’s averaged 25 homers per year. With nine games remaining in the 2012 season, Upton has an outside shot at 30 home runs, though that doesn’t seem likely. 

A career triple-slash average of .256/.337/.422 doesn’t look terribly impressive for Upton, but the Phillies might be willing to bet that those numbers go up with a batter like Utley or Howard hitting behind him. Amaro and company might want to note that Upton has had Evan Longoria batting him in Tampa Bay, however. 

Defensively, FanGraphs‘ Ultimate Zone Rating says Upton is slightly below average this season (ranking seventh among qualifying center fielders).

But he has typically played better in center field during his eight-year career. Even with this year’s showing, he still plays better defense than the Phillies have been getting at that position (among the bottom third in MLB) this year. 

Amaro and Manuel surely don’t want a butcher out there playing center field, but Upton’s defense will surely be sufficient. It’s more important that Upton gives the Phillies some badly needed offense from the outfield. 

Bourn is a better defensive center fielder and a prototypical leadoff hitter. Josh Hamilton is obviously a superstar hitter who can add 35 homers and 120 RBI to any lineup.

But neither player fits what the Phillies apparently seek for their lineup. Both of them will also be too expensive for a team that’s hoping to avoid the $178 million luxury tax in 2013 (and $189 threshold in 2014). 

Of course, Upton isn’t going to be cheap—especially if seven teams bid for his services this winter. But I don’t think that many teams will be in the hunt. This really could be a battle between the Phillies and Braves for Upton. And Atlanta hasn’t made big free-agent signings under its Liberty Media ownership. 

All signs seem to be pointing toward Upton being the centerpiece of the Phillies’ offseason renewal plan. It would be the right decision for Amaro. 

 

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How MLB’s Worst Team Put an End to the Phillies’ Shocking Charge

The story of last week’s four-game series (Sept. 13-16) between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros was going to write itself. 

The Phillies came into the series as one of the hottest teams in MLB, winning 15 of their previous 19 games and playing themselves into contention for the second wild-card playoff spot in the NL. It was an amazing turnaround for a team that held last place in the NL East in early August.

The Astros welcomed the Phillies to Minute Maid Park having lost six of their past 11 games. That doesn’t sound so bad, but draw the schedule out a bit further and you see a team that went 5-10 in its past 15 games and 6-15 in its last 21. 

But that information probably wasn’t necessary to remind you that the Astros are the worst team in MLB. As of Sept. 13, Houston had a 46-98 record that put it 41 games behind the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. The Astros were 10 games behind the next-worst team, the Chicago Cubs. They will very likely surpass last year’s 106-loss season. 

Facing that matchup, the Phillies were sure to take at least three of four from the Astros, right? Maybe a four-game sweep was possible, given how well Philadelphia had been playing. At the very least, the two teams would split, which is how a four-game series often plays out. 

Instead, it was the Phillies who lost three out of four games to the Astros, screeching their momentum to a halt.

This was a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads. You could probably use at least five more metaphors to explain how bad this was for the Phillies, employing elements such as fire, explosions, implosions and potholes—don’t let me limit your creativity here.

It could be argued that the Phillies didn’t lose any ground. Before the series with Houston, Philadelphia was four games out in the wild-card race. After losing three of four, the Phillies are still four games behind with a record of 73-74 on Sept. 17. 

However, there are now four fewer games on the schedule in which to make up that four-game deficit. The Phillies have only 15 games remaining in the regular season to cover those four games. Even worse for them, the Milwaukee Brewers have continued to play well and are now 1.5 games ahead of Philadelphia in the standings. 

So, just how did things fall apart so badly for the Phillies against the worst team in baseball?

 

Hitters Didn’t Hit

Ryan Howard batted 4-for-16 in the four games versus the Astros. (Though he did drive in six runs.) Chase Utley went 3-for-12 with three RBI. Carlos Ruiz hit 1-for-10. 

Opponents don’t often intentionally walk the No. 3 in the batting order to face the cleanup hitter. That’s the big stick in the lineup, usually the most likely threat to crush the ball out of the park.

Yet on Sunday, as CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury noted, the Astros twice put Utley on base to face Howard. Houston manager Tony DeFrancesco saw how poorly Howard was swinging the bat and didn’t see a risk. 

As MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki pointed out, the Phillies hit .161 with runners in scoring position during the past four games. Yet they still averaged 5.5 runs per game, which should be enough to win most of the time. 

 

Where Was the Pitching?

Tyler Cloyd allowed three runs in three innings in the series opener. Cole Hamels gave up four runs (three earned) over seven innings in the second game.

Up next, Kyle Kendrick was touched up for four runs in five innings. Then in the series finale, Roy Halladay allowed three runs in six innings. 

Two of those starts gave the Phillies a chance to win (and they won one of those games), but how about their bullpen?

Phillippe Aumont allowed four runs in his two outings, covering 0.2 of an inning. Overall, as Zolecki mentioned, Phillies relievers compiled a 5.25 ERA during the four games against the Astros. They allowed 10 runs, 12 hits and seven walks in 12 innings of work, blowing two leads in the process. 

Did the Phillies just not take the Astros seriously, looking at the worst team in the majors and think a series win was assured? Perhaps they were looking ahead to a presumably more rugged series with the New York Mets and a three-game set with the Atlanta Braves after that. 

But maybe the Astros were just a bad matchup.

As the Houston Chronicle‘s Zachary Levine writes, the roster is versatile with several players that can play different positions and pinch-hit constantly to get the best left-right matchup late in the game. Halladay said to Salisbury that Phillies pitchers could never figure out what Astros hitters were trying to do. Going to the plate without a plan, if that was the case, seems to have helped.

The Phillies have put themselves in a tough position from this point on. They basically have to win every series remaining on the schedule. With the Mets, Braves and Nationals looming ahead, that won’t be an easy task. Their playoff chances may be finished. 

 

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Should the Phillies Make Ryne Sandberg MLB Manager in ’13 to Avoid Losing Him?

Could Ryne Sandberg be the Philadelphia Phillies‘ manager in 2013?

Probably not, because Charlie Manuel is under contract to be the Phillies’ skipper next season and the team likely doesn’t want to eat the reported $3.75 million he’s set to be paid in the final year of his contract. 

However, the fact that the Phillies haven’t offered Manuel a contract extension beyond next year could be a sign of the team’s future intentions. The typical move made in this situation is to offer a manager at least a one-year extension so that he doesn’t look like a “lame duck” whose job status gives him little authority.

Yet according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, Sandberg is highly regarded within the Phillies organization. The former Chicago Cubs second baseman is currently the skipper for Philadelphia’s Triple-A Lehigh Valley team and could be a popular candidate to fill some managerial openings around MLB next year. 

If the Phillies view Sandberg as their manager of the future, can they afford to leave him out there for another team to hire? 

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledges that there’s “nothing to be done” if Sandberg wants to take a big league managing job next year. But the hope in the organization seems to be for Sandberg to bide his time for one more season and take over in the Phillies dugout for 2014. 

Is Sandberg willing to wait one more year for his first major league managing job? He worked his way through the Cubs’ minor league organization for four years, showing that he was willing to pay his dues and prove his merit as a manager.

There was no payoff, however, as Sandberg was passed over for Mike Quade when Lou Piniella retired as Cubs manager in 2010. Disappointed at not getting a promotion and not seeing much of a future for himself with the Cubs, Sandberg took a job with the Phillies to be their Triple-A manager.

How many major league teams will be looking for new managers next year?

The Houston Astros will definitely have an opening after firing Brad Mills and finishing the season with interim manager Tony DeFrancesco. The Boston Red Sox will almost certainly fire Bobby Valentine when the regular season ends. 

Valentine’s firing could create a vacancy in Toronto if the Red Sox pursue Blue Jays manager John Farrell. The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo reports that Farrell, who was a pitching coach for four years under Terry Francona, is the Red Sox’s top choice to replace Valentine. 

If Manny Acta’s job status with the Cleveland Indians is shaky, as Heyman speculated earlier this week (Sept. 11), that could present another potential opportunity for a prospective manager. 

Sandberg would be a good candidate for any of those jobs. He might be especially appealing for the Astros since he has so much experience managing developing players in the minor leagues. 

Nothing has apparently been promised to Sandberg by the Phillies. Amaro‘s “nothing to be done” comment virtually confirms that. Sandberg‘s experience with the Cubs also surely taught him that there’s no such thing as a chain of succession when it comes to teams hiring managers. A “manager-in-waiting” is often left waiting. 

So if Sandberg has a chance at an opportunity elsewhere, he will almost certainly take it. There just aren’t that many major league managing jobs available. 

Yet Sandberg might also realize that the best job will open up for him in 2014 if Manuel retires after his contract runs out. If Sandberg is viewed as favorably within the Phillies organization as Heyman reports, waiting might be the best move for him. He’ll likely have a contending team to manage and a general manager behind him who wants to keep winning. 

But the Phillies shouldn’t panic and give Sandberg the job for 2013 because they’re worried about losing him. Manuel is a proven commodity who managed five consecutive first-place teams and led the Phillies to back-to-back World Series. 

Perhaps there was some thought that Manuel shouldn’t be back next season when the Phillies were one of the most disappointing teams in baseball. Now that the team has played itself into contention for an NL wild-card playoff spot, however, he’s shown that he can still manage capably with a healthy roster. 

Manuel has earned the right to finish out his contract. He’s arguably earned an extension, but perhaps views next season as his last. Letting Manuel go out on his terms and lead a Phillies team that should be improved and a contender in the NL East next year is the right move. 

If that means losing Sandberg, so be it. But the right move for him might be to stick around in the organization for just one more year.

Putting Sandberg on Manuel’s coaching staff next year might be a nice assurance for his future, however. Why not ensure a smooth transition?

 

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9 Options for the Philadelphia Phillies at Third Base Next Year

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. needs a third baseman for next season.

Amaro told the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Matt Gelb that he recently discussed how difficult the position is to fill with several of his fellow GMs. The Phillies have even considered the possibility of playing catcher Carlos Ruiz at third base for some games next season. It wouldn’t be a permanent switch. The intention would be to give Ruiz’s knees a rests while keeping his bat in the lineup. 

However, just the fact that the Phillies have discussed such a possibility speaks to their desperation. Quality third basemen are not easy to find. Those teams that have one aren’t very likely to trade him away. It’s a treasured commodity around baseball.

Yet Amaro should have plenty of options for next season if he casts a wide net. The question is whether he’ll pursue a long-term solution for third base during the offseason or perhaps look at a one-year, temporary stopgap at the position. 

If Amaro wants to go big, he may want to wait one year and see if the New York Mets sign David Wright to a contract extension. If the Mets decide they can’t give out that kind of contract, however, or if Wright decides he wants to play someplace else, the Phillies will surely be one of the teams ready to pounce.

Bringing in a placeholder will certainly be easier (and cheaper). But it seems increasingly apparent that Amaro is tired of worrying about third base and wants a reliable player who can man the position for multiple seasons. 

Here are nine players that Amaro should have on his shopping list when he begins calling his colleagues around baseball after the season. 

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