Philadelphia Phillies: Why Ben Revere Must Hit Leadoff in 2013

The Philadelphia Phillies made a couple moves this offseason, specifically trading away pitching to the Minnesota Twins for young, speedy outfielder Ben Revere.

Revere has much to prove at the major league level, yet the Phillies organization has great confidence in its young player.

The center fielder brings a much-needed speed presence in the club’s lineup, but he also must work on key elements of his game—specifically walks, on-base percentage and bunting. According to MLB.com, last season Revere struggled executing bunts and needed to improve this skill.

If Revere takes this offseason to focus on his weaknesses at the plate, he could do serious damage in the leadoff spot.

Here are four additional reasons why Ben Revere should bat leadoff for the Phils in 2013. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Why They Should Wait to Pursue Another Outfielder

The Philadelphia Phillies have an outfield full of talented yet inexperienced players, and many fans want to see the club sign or trade for a proven veteran in order to balance the roster.

But would this be a smart move?

First, let’s look at the talent still available in the market. According to MLBtraderumors, there are still a decent number of outfielders unsigned, but only a few could offer value to the Phillies.

Scott Hairston, Austin Kearns, Delmon Young and Kosuke Fukudome are left in the free-agent pool and might offer the team some limited help. But with this group of available talent, the Phillies should slowly tiptoe away from any deals.

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported Ruben Amaro Jr. is looking for a potential outfielder to sign in order to stir competition among players, much like restaurant owners who overstaff servers.  The better server earns more shifts.

Now this is not a bad theory, but it is an unnecessary one. Philadelphia has a nice foundation of young players in the outfield, who may be successful for many seasons.

The Phils should also stay away from trades before the season begins. Yes, there are big names  mentioned like Justin Upton, but the club would have to give up a lot of talent for a player of his caliber—talent the team cannot afford to lose.

The club could potentially look at another reliever, but overall, the roster should be set for spring training. It’s time to let the kids run out and enjoy a major league season at full speed. With the youth in the outfield and aging veterans manning the infield, the Phillies have a nice balance in the lineup.

Darin Ruf, Domonic Brown and newcomer Ben Revere all have potential to be big players in the league, but need to take their games to the next level and own their positions.

Now, if at midseason the Phillies are terrible, mediocre or pushing for the playoffs, that would be the time for a trade.  Under those circumstances, at least the youngsters would be given a chance to prove their abilities—and the club would be able to properly evaluate their talents. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Reasons They Will Win the NL East

The Philadelphia Phillies have one agenda next year: win. Last season was a disappointment and the club spent the offseason executing calculated moves to position the club as contenders in the NL East.

Ruben Amaro Jr. may a have a trick or two still up his sleeve, but the nucleus of the team is finally forming.

The club must also maintain pace with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, who each made the playoffs last season. Both teams have been extremely busy this offseason and are ready to battle in 2013.

Here are five reasons why the Phillies should overcome adversity and win the NL East.

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Philadelphia Phillies Strive to Strengthen Pitching Staff

The Philadelphia Phillies have potentially signed two key pitchers in recent days.  According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Phillies have likely reached a multi-year agreement with free-agent setup man Mike Adams. Then moments later, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported the Phillies have potentially signed free-agent starter John Lannan to a one-year deal, pending a physical.

In an instant, the Phillies have upgraded their starting rotation and bullpen.

After their trade for Michael Young, I wrote an article asking what positions the Phillies should focus on filling. The conclusion, starting and relief pitching.

The Phillies did just that.

With the possible addition of both pitchers, the club would be keeping pace with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves for supremacy in the NL East. 

Earlier in the week, Matt Gelb of Philly.com reported Ruben Amaro Jr. was looking for a low-risk, high-reward pitcher and Lannan fit the bill. The lefty starter would serve as a possible fourth or fifth starter with an ability to eat innings. Any major league team would benefit from this talent.

It was also no surprise the club pursued a reliever, specifically a setup man. Many Phillies’ fans expressed interest in Mike Adams and the organization delivered.  The former Texas Ranger had one of his worst seasons last year, but the Phillies saw potential to strengthen their pen. Adams and Phillies’ closer Jonathan Papelbon would be a filthy one-two combo.

The Phillies still have money to sign a veteran corner outfielder and should continue to pursue the spot, but we have to commend Amaro Jr. for filling holes in the lineup and not breaking the bank. All moves this offseason have been precise and indicate the team’s direction—chasing a championship next season and in the seasons to come. 

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Why the Philadelphia Phillies Should Not Pursue Alfonso Soriano

The Philadelphia Phillies still need a corner outfielder and Alfonso Soriano is not the answer.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports reported the Phillies have potentially discussed a deal with the Chicago Cubs sending Soriano to Philly in return for youngster Domonic Brown.

While the Phillies do need some right-handed pop in their lineup, this would be a step in the wrong direction.

The club recently traded for another aging veteran, Michael Young, who will serve as the Phillies’ everyday third baseman. In that case, shipping out youth for experience made sense. Young struggled last season, but he is an instant upgrade for the Phillies. The free agent market was limited at third and high-profile trades were nearly impossible to execute. Essentially, Young will serve as a stop-gap for prospect Cody Asche.

But the Phillies need to get younger and trading for Soriano is not the way to do that.

Now Soriano was productive last season and still might have some gas left in his tank, but trading away potential years of service out of Domonic Brown is not a wise investment. Even if the Cubs eat most of his salary, the Phils need to run from this deal.

Yes, Brown is unproven and fans are tired of waiting for him to live up to his potential, but trading him for another right-handed power hitter with league-leading strike out potential would be a mistake. The Phillies should give Brown a shot, or keep him and sign Cody Ross, Nick Swisher or Josh Hamilton.  Then let Brown and Darin Ruf battle for the remaining starting spot.

Soriano is also injury-prone and if the Phillies lose him during the season—the club will have no legitimate reserve player for the position. Jon Mayberry Jr. will have to fill the void, and not many want this scenario.

The Phillies have made some exciting moves this offseason, bringing in both youth and experience, but the club’s next moves must be smart and accurate. The team does not have to settle for its current needs, but concentrate on promising players for years to come with low risk.

Soriano’s enjoyed a very nice Major League career but it should not continue in Philadelphia.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Should the Club Target Hitters or Pitchers?

The Philadelphia Phillies have garnered mixed reviews from fans and experts regarding their offseason moves.

As the Baseball Winter Meetings come to an end, the Phillies are still left with unanswered questions.

Let’s review the latest offseason moves.

The Phillies sent starting pitcher Vance Worley and minor-league pitcher Trevor May to the Minnesota Twins for the young center fielder Ben Revere. I doubt anyone saw this move coming.

Also, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas, the Phils and Texas Rangers have a deal in place for the aging, yet versatile Michael Young—pending approval from the crafty veteran.

These two moves by Ruben Amaro Jr. are polar opposites.

One suggests that the team is saving money and investing for the future of the organization, while the other hints that the team is holding on to a “World Series or Bust” mentality.

Or maybe Amaro is simply trying to achieve both.

Whatever the case may be, the team is not ready to accomplish its main priority—win a championship.

The Phillies still lack a power hitter at a corner outfield spot, and are now down a starting pitcher.

So what are the Phillies’ next moves? Or to elaborate, will it take pitching or hitting to win?

When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, the team was ranked sixth in overall team pitching (based on ERA) and seventh in team batting (based on OPS), per ESPN.com. It’s nice to be in the upper echelon of both major categories.

In 2009, the club lost the World Series, but was ranked eighth in team pitching and sixth in batting, per ESPN.com. The two stats held parity, and were in the upper tier of the league, resulting in the club’s World Series contention.

Now, let’s look at last season. The Phillies ranked 11th in team pitching, with a respectable 3.83 ERA, and the team batting dropped to 16th, per ESPN.com. These middle of the road statistics will not cut it for the team, or for the fans.

If the Michael Young deal holds true, the Phillies will have answered questions about center field and third base.

Both Revere and Young have the potential to increase team batting stats and score runs for starting pitchers—a crucial problem last season. Additionally, both come relatively inexpensive.

The Phillies now need to find another starting pitcher and setup man. This should be the club’s main priority. Starters such as Joe Saunders, Jair Jurrjens or Shaun Marcum are still available, just to name a few.

Philadelphia currently has three solid starters—who are quite possibly the best threesome in the league—but will need a fourth. Kyle Kendrick can sufficiently serve as a fifth starter.

The club also has the need for a quality setup man. While the Phillies did attempt to acquire Wilton Lopez early in the offseason, the trade was soon squashed. Suitable relief pitchers are available via trade or the free-agent market, and the Phillies should act now.

Defense and pitching win championships. This ideal has remained through many years, and will forever remain a constant in baseball.  

The Phillies are setting up their offensive roster, whether you favor the moves or not.

Adding some key arms in 2013 will increase Philadelphia’s chances of another championship run.

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Michael Bourn: Would He Be a Desperate Signing for the Philadelphia Phillies?

As the free-agent market rapidly shrinks, the Philadelphia Phillies are still left empty handed in center field—the club’s No. 1 priority.  Lucky for them, Michael Bourn is still available.

But are the Phils lucky?

The Philadelphia Phillies have seen multiple, high-profile players sign with other teams this offseason and are still searching for their prize signing. Ruben Amaro Jr. has played it pretty cool through the winter meetings, but fans are growing impatient by the minute.

Michael Bourn and his super-agent, Scott Boras, are also scrambling for the right deal. Bill Shaikin of the LA Times tweeted that Boras recently labeled Bourn as “the best defensive CF in the game.” Needless to say, Boras believes in his clientele.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweeted the Phillies are potentially gauging a price for Bourn. Have the Phillies put themselves in a position to sign Bourn by default?

The Phillies could be in reactionary mode to fill their need in center, or the team simply held out to sign Bourn for lower money. Whatever the case, Ruben Amaro Jr. understands a player is needed to compete in the division and World Series.

Bourn may have to be that player.

The Washington Nationals are still the same team and the Atlanta Braves, who passed on re-signing Bourn, have upgraded this offseason.

The Phillies must now take action. Bourn is a good player. He’s an upgrade from the club’s current outfield situation and will fill a much-needed leadoff role in the lineup.

Yet he does not posses the “wow” factor.

Bourn is not the fan favorite and probably not the club’s favorite, but the Phillies may have to settle.

The Phanatics, on the other hand, will not settle for another losing season.

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Phillies Rumors: Pagan Reportedly Signs with Giants, Who Should the Club Pursue?

It appears the Philadelphia Phillies are losing another bidding war. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting Angel Pagan and the San Francisco Giants are potentially in agreement on a deal. Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, also reported the potential deal is worth $40M over four years.

The Phillies’ soap-opera offseason continues.

Losing Pagan will not shatter the team, but the free agent list is slowly thinning.

The Phillies have been linked to all major outfield free agents this offseason, but nothing has come to fruition.

It appears Ruben Amaro, Jr., is sticking to his guns and not offering more than a player’s worth—at least not yet. The facts still remain: The Phillies are in need of outfield help.

Lately, the Phillies have been mentioned to possible communications with Chicago Cubs regarding Alfonso Soriano and interests in free agent Ichiro Suzuki. Six years ago, this would have been blockbuster news, but it’s simply not enough to excite the Phillies’ fan base. Neither will Cody Ross.

If you break down the Phillies’ main objective this offseason, it’s to sign a right-handed power hitter or a dynamic leadoff hitter. The latter of the two seems to be the most attainable.

Michael Bourn is still available and will be very expensive. Jim Salisbury also reported the club is expressing interest in trade talks for Dexter Fowler or Peter Bourjos.

If the Phillies do capture any of these three players, it will be an upgrade at the position, but at what cost?

Do the Phillies unload veteran and young pitching via trade or spend more than wanted? Or will the team sign Josh Hamilton, ignoring the needs of a right-hander or leadoff batter, and shock the world?

Stay tuned, as the Phillies’ next offseason episode unfolds.

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Philadelphia Phillies Rumors: Phillies Reportedly Make a Push for Angel Pagan

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Philadelphia Phillies are believed to have made an offer to outfielder Angel Pagan. Sources claim the offer is a four-year deal. Rosenthal also reported it is believed the San Francisco Giants have made a four-year offer to Pagan.

Let the bidding begin.

This is a very important signing for the Philadelphia Phillies, especially after the brutal month the club had to endure. Losing out on B.J. Upton to the Atlanta Braves, halting a trade for relief pitcher Wilton Lopez and Chooch’s 25-game suspension would make any team miserable.

Needless to say, the Phillies are due for some good news.

Pagan would bring an interesting dynamic to the Phillies’ clubhouse. A switch-hitter with the ability to hit in multiple spots of the lineup—including leadoff. He is also extremely versatile at each outfield position. 

Now, Pagan had a great season last year and has been steady for the past three, but he is prone to injury. That’s a chief concern for the Phillies, but his potential outweighs the negative. 

Finally, the Phillies signing Pagan would allow the club to keep pace with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals—who both have made huge splashes in the offseason, specifically center field. 

Maybe December is the month of good fortune for the Phillies. More details to follow on Pagan’s decision.

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Philadelphia Phillies: How Should the Club Handle Center Field?

For weeks, it appeared that the Philadelphia Phillies had a sure bet in center field this offseason. B.J. Upton was the club’s favored free agent to fill voids in center as well as the club’s much-needed right-handed presence in the lineup.

Insert Philadelphia’s NL East rival, the Atlanta Braves.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Upton and the Braves have reached a multi-year deal, pending a physical.

But were the Phillies ever the favorites for Upton, or was it a smoke screen by Ruben Amaro Jr.?

In a recent interview with Jim Salisbury, Amaro stated, “We can’t put all our resources into one area and not address others.”

What are the Phillies’ plans exactly?

There are still viable free agents out there to fill the void in center field. Angel Pagan, Michael Bourn, Shane Victorino and even Josh Hamilton are just a few names being tossed around the rumor mill.

The Phillies could also upgrade the position via trade. B.J. Upton’s younger brother, Justin, has been mentioned along with Peter Bourjos, although the Diamondbacks and Angels will be looking for starting pitchers at the major and minor league levels in return.

Bourn now appears to be the front-runner for the Phillies’ center field spot, but is he the right fit for the club? The Phillies do need a natural leadoff hitter, but Bourn will come with a hefty price tag, leaving little wiggle room for other positions.

Pagan could be another free-agent option. He isn’t a better fit than Bourn, but he’s a different fit. Pagan is a switch-hitter with the ability to play multiple outfield positions.  The Phillies would also save some money in signing him, leaving enough funds for a third baseman.

Victorino and Hamilton are both longshots. It’s difficult seeing the Phillies bringing back Victorino, and Hamilton is just too expensive.

If the Phillies were to conjure a trade with the Diamondbacks and acquire Justin Upton, it would be the ideal situation, even if this means unloading Vance Worley or Kyle Kendrick.

This is wishful thinking.

The Phillies face an interesting dilemma since their division rivals just made a big splash for next season. Yet fans should not be surprised if Amaro executes a miraculous signing or trade as he has done in years past.

It just goes to show you that rumors are just that—rumors.

Don’t you just love the offseason?

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