3 Creative Ways Ruben Amaro Can Fix Broken Phillies Bullpen
July 19, 2013 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
The Philadelphia Phillies suffered another setback on their way to winning the 2013 NL East crown, as relievers Mike Adams and Jeremy Horst are both done for the year.
According to Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer (via NBC Sports), Adams and Horst are both going to miss the remainder of the season.
Mike Adams did not respond to the conservative treatment for numerous tears in his shoulder. He will likely undergo surgery that could sideline him for the beginning of 2014. Adams is owed $7 million next season.
Lefthander Jeremy Horst’s season is likely over. Soreness in his elbow recurred during a rehab stint at triple-A Lehigh Valley. He visited noted orthopedist James Andrews for a second opinion and was injected with a platelet-rich plasma shot. He will not throw for at least six weeks.
These recent injuries come while Michael Stutes is still on the disabled list with a shoulder problem.
The Phillies now have a very weak bullpen after losing three key pieces, and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will have to get creative in order to fix the issue and work around expensive contracts like Ryan Howard’s.
Assuming that the Phillies are buyers at the deadline, here’s how Amaro can rebuild the bullpen.
Acquiring Jim Henderson and Brandon Kintzler
The Milwaukee Brewers have relievers, and they are looking to deal them.
According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford are both on the trading block. However, both of those guys are too expensive for the Phillies, and Amaro would have to give up serious prospects and have the Brewers eat some of the salary to acquire them.
There are cheaper options in Milwaukee, however, as the 30-year-old Henderson and the 28-year-old Kintzler are making a combined $983,000 this season.
The problem with this trade is that both Henderson and Kintzler are under team control until 2018 or later. The Brewers are not going to part with these guys easily, but the fact that they have such small salaries could entice Amaro into giving up high-level prospects to acquire them.
This won’t be a cheap trade. Elite prospects will have to be dealt in order to get this done, and even then, it still might not happen. However, this is exactly the move a desperate Philadelphia team could try to make if it runs out of options.
Cutting a Deal With the Marlins
It’s never easy to trade between divisional rivals, but the Miami Marlins have become such a joke that they should be trying to build for the future at all costs.
The Marlins have plenty of bullpen talent with minimal salaries (since they can’t afford to pay anyone well), which will certainly interest the Phillies.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has listed Steve Cishek, Mike Dunn and Ryan Webb as those who could be on the move. Amaro will likely inquire about all three of these guys, and depending on the prospects the Marlins are interested in, one or two could be headed to Philly.
None of those guys are free agents before 2016, however, which could drive up the price.
Another guy that could be dealt is Chad Qualls, who is making $1 million this year and is only under team control through 2014. His price could be much lower, and the Phillies wouldn’t mind bringing him back.
Trading for Nate Jones and Addison Reed
The Phillies don’t have the money and prospects to put together a package for the Chicago White Sox‘s top relievers like Jesse Crain, but the team can go after cheaper guys.
Nate Jones and Addison Reed are on the trading block, and Jon Heyman reported that everyone other than Chris Sale and Paul Konerko is available for the ChiSox.
Jones and Reed are owed a combined $1.3 million this year, which is cheap enough to interest Amaro. However, they are both under team control until 2018, which is long enough that Chicago will ask for some talented prospects.
The asking price won’t be cheap, but at this point, Amaro needs to do something. If he isn’t selling, then Jones and Reed might be his best bet.
Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com
5 Reasons the Phillies Are Right in Becoming Buyers at the Trade Deadline
July 11, 2013 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
It seems like Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Philadelphia Phillies should have been sellers all season, but things are changing in the City of Brotherly Love.
Ever since Amaro announced that Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon weren’t up for sale, fans and analysts (including myself) have questioned his decision. Not anymore.
The Phillies are starting to look like legitimate buyers who could make a late-season run to make the postseason, and here’s why.
Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Reaction
July 8, 2013 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
This year was a make-or-break season for the Philadelphia Phillies, and after seeing so many aging stars struggle it looks like it’s time for the Phils to blow it up.
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. repeatedly said that he has no intention of trading his biggest trade chips, including Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon. However, the team is well out of the playoff race and currently boasts one of the oldest rosters in the MLB.
The Phillies clearly look like sellers at the 2013 MLB Trade Deadline, and no matter what Amaro says, there are going to be tons of rumors floating around the City of Brotherly Love.
This is your rumor central for the Philadelphia Phillies, as we keep you updated on all the latest whispers, rumors and trades. Keep checking back, as this page will be constantly updated to bring you the most recent rumors about the Phillies.
Why Mike Adams’ Injury Will Have Phillies Selling at Trade Deadline
June 25, 2013 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
Mike Adams was the most recent member of the Philadelphia Phillies to hit the DL after tearing his shoulder in three places.
According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, Adams tore his labrum in two places and his rotator cuff in one. Adams was far from optimistic after receiving the news.
Not good. I’ve got some tears in there—rotator cuff and labrum…This season doesn’t look good—highly unlikely…This year almost probably a no.
Adams was one of the most reliable relievers in MLB from 2009 through 2011, posting ERAs of 0.73, 1.76 and 1.47, respectively. He could always be counted on to come in and shut the opposing team down for an inning or two.
The Phillies went out and acquired Adams at the end of last season, signing him to a two-year, $12 million deal.
According to Salisbury, Adams’ course of recovery has yet to be decided:
Adams said a course of remedy has not yet been established. He could have surgery or opt for a strength and rehab program that would require up to 12 weeks. Either way, he figures his season is over.
This injury is another tough blow to take for the Phillies. The bullpen is now without Michael Stutes, Jeremy Horst and Adams, leaving the team without much depth in the pen.
The Phillies need their bullpen to stay on top of its game, as the team isn’t exactly getting the starting pitching it was hoping for.
With Roy Halladay on the 60-day DL and Cole Hamels struggling, the only effective starting pitcher on the roster is Cliff Lee. The team is going to have a tough time overcoming its eight-game deficit in the NL East, and the wild card is even further out of reach.
As the season nears the halfway mark, the Phillies need to be considering putting their star players on the trading block and trying to rebuild after reaching this point of the season five games under .500 and falling further and further behind in the playoff race.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has said that he is not interested in being a seller at the trade deadline, as he told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports: “Yes. But I’m not trading anyone.” In regards to dealing Lee and Papelbon, Amaro said, “I never say never. But it’s our job to win, and these are guys who are hard to replace.”
Heyman proceeded to break down what the Phillies’ front office might be thinking as the trade deadline approaches:
The Phillies’ commitment to winning remains foremost, and even the high salaries of Lee, who has $76 million to go through 2015 (and $90 million through ’16, assuming he reaches his very makeable vesting requirements), and Papelbon, who has $33 million to go through ’15 (and $46 million through ’16 if his deal vests) won’t spur the team to deal them.
Much more likely to be dealt if the Phillies ultimately decide to trade would be veteran positional stars Chase Utley and Michael Young, who are in the last year of their long-term deals. Young has just over $8 million left on his $16 million 2013 salary, and Utley has about $8 million to go on his $15 million salary.
However, Amaro doesn’t have much of a choice when it comes to the trade deadline after the injury to Adams.
As far as playoff contention, the Phillies are most definitely on the outside looking in, as the injury-plagued team is sliding down the NL standings.
While Amaro is obviously reluctant to trade his elite players, he also doesn’t appear willing to make deals to replace the guys he has lost:
Amaro said likely to go with what they have in pen. Prices are high. He said wont mortgage future for sixth or seventh inn guy.
—Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) June 26, 2013
If the Phillies are unwilling to be buyers at the deadline it is unlikely that the team will be able to work its way into contention, and the front office undoubtedly knows that.
Jonah Keri of Grantland has noted that the Phillies should be looking to sell as July approaches:
GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. and his bosses are either delusional, in denial, terribly misguided, or all of the above. Sure, making drastic changes to a team that’s ascended to elite revenue-generating status thanks to big crowds and a pending TV megascore carries risk. But so too does clinging to a group of fading veterans and watching them limit the Phillies to a string of 75-win seasons.
Despite Amaro‘s comments about not wanting to trade, it’s obvious to just about everyone else, including the fans, that the Phillies should sell:
Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to grow some balls and trade some Phillies players like Paul Holmgren did with the Flyers.
—Steph M (@stephmuller_) June 25, 2013
With the team boasting one of the oldest rosters in MLB and having trade chips like Lee, Papelbon, Utley, Young and more, the team has to be in rebuilding mode and has to be among the sellers at the deadline.
Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com
Ruben Amaro Jr. Is Dead Wrong in Wanting to Build Around Phillies Ace Cliff Lee
June 14, 2013 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
Starting pitcher Cliff Lee and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. of the Philadelphia Phillies both want to win, but they might soon do it on different teams.
The Phillies have come to a fork in the road, and the club has to decide whether to blow up the remaining pieces from the last few years of success or build around aging stars.
On Thursday, Lee told Ryan Lawrence of the Daily News that he just wants to win and he doesn’t mind leaving Philly to do so:
“I definitely want to win—there’s no doubt about that,” Lee said when asked if he wanted to remain in Philly.
And what if the team is still going nowhere fast a month from now?
“I want to win,” Lee repeated. ‘I don’t know how else to say it besides that. I want to win.”
Lee has been rumored to be on the trade block all season. The Phillies aren’t contending for a playoff spot at 32-35, and he would be a valuable asset to a contending team.
Cliff Lee prefers Philly, but he just wants to win somewhere. http://t.co/53lSmgSy6o
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 14, 2013
In an article from ESPN’s Jayson Stark, Amaro responded to Lee’s comments on Friday, but he didn’t seem nearly as open to a trade as Lee is.
They’re all rumors, and we don’t comment on rumors. But I don’t see what the benefit would be to our organization to trade [Lee]. They’re players we’ve got who can help us win, and we’re better off with them than without them.
People would like us to improve our club, but at what cost? You have to have replacement pieces if you’re going to trade someone like that.
If we have [guys like Lee] at the top of our rotation, we’re a better club. … It starts and ends with pitching, as far as I’m concerned. So the more quality pitching you have, the better chance you have to build around that to win.
He doesn’t have a “trade-me” clause. So while I understand that he wants to play for a winner, I think we can provide that for him in Philadelphia.
Amaro and Lee are clearly not on the same page right now, and the Phillies GM is making a big mistake by not trading the 34-year-old ace.
Lee has been on fire this year, going 8-2 with a 2.55 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, despite getting just 3.57 runs of support per start this year. There is a market for Lee, but Amaro appears to be ignoring it.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports reported that the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest in Lee, and at least one of those clubs has to be willing to make an interesting offer.
However, as Axisa also said, Lee’s hefty contract will be weighing on the minds of those GMs interested in him and will limit the market:
The Phillies owe Lee roughly $17 million the rest of this year, and he’s under contract for another $62.5 million through 2015 if his option for 2016 doesn’t vest. If it does—he needs to throw 200 innings in 2015 or 400 total innings from 2014-2015 to lock it in—he’s owed $77.5 million from 2014-2016. That’s a lot of money for an aging pitcher who is showing at least small signs of decline. Now is as good a time as any to move him and kick-start a rebuild.
Despite the financial costs to bring in Lee, the benefit to a contender could outweigh the price.
With an ace like Lee, a team like the Red Sox or Cardinals would become the front-runner for the World Series. That could be worth an extra $40 million or so, depending on how much the Phillies kick in.
What’s the benefit to the Phillies? They could bring in a few top prospects for their bona fide ace.
If Lee goes to the Orioles, top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman might be part of the trade.
If the Red Sox pick up Lee, young pitchers such as Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa, Anthony Ranaudo and Matt Barnes might be up for grabs.
If Lee is traded to the Cardinals, Lance Lynn might wind up in Philly, or Michael Wacha and Tyler Lyons could join the pitching staff.
Any team interested in Lee would have to put together a substantial package that would bolster Philadelphia’s farm system and prepare the team for the future. Amaro’s only choice is to rebuild the Phillies by exchanging Lee for young prospects.
What’s the alternative? Building a team that is already 7.5 games out of a playoff spot around a 34-year-old pitcher who is declining? That’s insane. While Lee might have two good years left, fresh young talent could help the Phillies for the next decade.
The Phillies have an aging roster that needs to be blown up, and the team should be trying to rebuild around young guns like outfielders Domonic Brown and Ben Revere and ace Cole Hamels, who is five years younger than Lee.
Lee could be the biggest prize on the trade market, and he would warrant two, three or even four talented prospects in return. If Amaro passes up the chance to rebuild the Phillies with youth, he would be making a big mistake.
Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com
Philadelphia Phillies: Songs to Describe Each Star at the All-Star Break
July 9, 2012 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
Sometimes the best way to categorize things is through song, and this is one of those times.
To describe each star on the Philadelphia Phillies‘ roster for the 2012 season at the All-Star Break, I have chosen one song to epitomize how they have fared.
The Phillies have had a disappointing season, and the stars of the team have been all over the place. Some have emerged as studs, while others have flopped.
To be clear, stars can be players who had prior success and whom we expected to play well, or those who have come on during the season.
With that, these are the musical counterparts to the top players the Phillies have at the halfway mark of the season.
Ryan Howard Injury: Why Torn Achillies Will Doom 2012 Season
October 8, 2011 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
Ryan Howard‘s injury on the final play of the NLDS Game 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals could jeopardize his 2012 season. While Howard will play next year, he will not be at the same level as he usually is.
Friday night’s Game 5 could not have gone much worse for the Philadelphia Phillies. As Chris Carpenter completed his shutout for the St. Louis Cardinals to eliminate the Phillies, Howard injured himself running to first base on the last play.
The city of Philadelphia has experienced a lot of pain in the past month and a half, with the Eagles going 1-3, and the Phillies being eliminated. However, the fans may experience even more pain in 2012 if Howard’s injury is as serious as most expect.
The general consensus is that Howard tore his left Achilles tendon, but we will have to wait for the MRI later today to be sure. If it is a torn Achilles, then Howard will need surgery.
The typical post-surgery process of rehab for a torn Achilles is a difficult one, including wearing a cast for up to two months and then undergoing rehab that would take him into Spring Training.
The 31-year-old Howard has had a series of injuries over the past few years, including an injured left ankle that had been bothering him until the Achilles tore last night. I’m not saying that the two are necessarily related, but it would be a huge coincidence if they weren’t.
Howard has seen a decline in numbers over the last few seasons, especially since 2006, when he won the MVP. His batting average has dropped over 60 points in the last five seasons, and his home run total has been cut almost in half.
As if finishing the NLDS 0-for-15 wasn’t bad enough for Howard, he is seriously injured and will most likely have a poor start to the 2012 season. He usually struggles in the beginning of the season if he does not begin Spring Training earlier than his teammates, and starting later will lead to a devastating month of April.
After that, it will be difficult for Howard to work his way back into his old form, and that’s if he doesn’t aggravate this injury once more.
No longer a young player, Howard is not the feared hitter he once was, and now that he may miss most of Spring Training, his 2012 season could be a disappointing one.
Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com
Cliff Lee vs. Roy Halladay: Who Would You Start in a World Series Game 7?
September 8, 2011 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
It’s Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, and you have the choice: do you pitch Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay? They are both Cy Young pitchers who have been very successful in the postseason, but which would you hand the ball with your season on the line?
Charlie Manuel may have to make this decision during the postseason, and if the World Series goes to a Game 7, this looks like the choice he will have.
Lee is the pitcher that Manuel should choose, and these are the 10 reasons why.
Philadelphia Phillies: Ranking Citizens Bank Park’s Top 10 Moments of 2011
September 2, 2011 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
The Philadelphia Phillies are the best team in the MLB, and they have had some great moments at home in Citizens Bank Park. Whether it’s Hunter Pence or Cliff Lee making a debut, or it’s an exciting play, there have been a lot of great moments this year.
When a team is 83-46, and 46-22 at home, they are bound to not only be an excellent team but also be exciting to watch.
This Phillies team has battled through injuries and adversity to take over a healthy lead as the No. 1 team in baseball.
There have been many great moments this year, one of which was the best in baseball this season and perhaps beyond. If you want to know what I think could be the greatest moments in a stadium in AT LEAST a decade, keep reading.
MLB Free Agency: Why the Philadelphia Phillies Will Have a Big Offseason
August 19, 2011 by Josh Schoch
Filed under Fan News
The Philadelphia Phillies had a big offseason, signing Cliff Lee, which has helped them capture the best record in the MLB, and they are poised to have another big offseason.
The Phillies have relied upon big acquisitions to fuel their success over the past five seasons, and the 2011-12 offseason should provide them with at least one more big name.
These are the reasons why the Phillies could have a big offseason.