Philadelphia Phillies Best All-Time Teams

With the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series in 2008 (Carlos Ruiz charges out to meet pitcher Brad Lidge) and going to two straight World Series, Phils fans minds go to where this team ranks among the all-time great teams in baseball.

Well, they have not made their mark … yet.

The Atlanta Braves of the 1990s and early 2000 won 14 straight National League Eastern Division championships and one World Series and the New York Yankees won three straight World Series in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

There is time for this current squad to mark its own history.

But in the meantime, for fun, I will rank my top 11 Phillies teams, ranked mostly by regular season, post season and what could have been.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Polanco’s Injury Worth Ransom Plan

When you are two-time National League champion, there is little room for non-roster players looking to make the squad.

As a Phillies fan, I am no longer looking hopefully as Ricky Ledee or John Wockenfuss are added to the squad, with past potential or successes leading to a promising Phillies season.

Nope. I am in baseball hog heaven. These are the gravy years.

So when the Phillies added six non-roster players to their squad over the winter, I was most impressed initially by DeWayne Wise, who made a game-saving catch in the White Sox Mark Buerhle’s perfect game last year.

Among the “invited” six was Cody Ransom, who filled in for the Yankees when Alex Rodriguez went down at third last year. In 79 at-bats, he hit just .190 with no homers.

He is hitting .294 this spring. For his career in 262 at-bats, he has a .233 career average with seven home runs and 34 RBI.

Obviously Juan Castro, late of the Dodgers with 2,484 Major League at bats, and Greg Dobbs with 926 at bats, are the primary backups at third.

But when Placido Polanco went down fielding a pop up on Monday and went off limping with an injured right knee, a slight panic of future trouble crept into my mind.

“Poly” as the Tigers grew to know him, turned out to be an iron man with a good bat as the everyday second baseman with the Tigers. He hovered around .300 with Detroit, hitting .341 in 2007 in 587 at bats.

With the Phillies, Polanco will play third and back up Chase Utley at second.

A long-term injury to Polanco, which fortunately did not happen, would be harmful to the Phillies on offense, in particular, and defense, secondarily.

My buddies and I agree that neither Dobbs or Castro thrill us as long-term solutions at third, which gives me hope that Ransom could be in the mix if a need arises where Polanco is hurt or Polanco has to play second base.

Philadelphia Daily News sportswriting icon Bill Conlin wrote earlier this winter that depth could be a trouble spot for the Phillies.

We all remember what happened to the Mets last year. Injury and lack of depth certainly hurt the Mets.

The year 2010 is a new beginning for all Eastern Division teams.

The Mets got Jason Bay to protect David Wright in the Mets offense. The Marlins kept a good young core, the Braves added offense and pitching depth, and Washington got a top line pitcher, Jason Marquis, among other moves to improve the club.

I am not saying Ransom is a world beater.

I am saying that in a long baseball season, Ransom could see major time with the club.

And that is fine with me.

Even though he is 34 years old, a club needs youth to grow, but also experience to fill the gaps of injury and a need to stay on top of the division.

Even though he will probably start the year in Triple A, Cody will provide needed insurance, and he does not ….

(drum roll)

cost a ransom.

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Cards’ Pujols For Phils’ Howard Lies Between Fantasy, Reality

An ESPN report over the weekend stated that the Philadelphia Phillies talked internally about the possibility of shipping first baseman Ryan Howard to the St. Louis Cardinals for first baseman Albert Pujols.

Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro told espn.com, “I don’t know who you’re talking to, but that’s a lie.”

Howard is hugely popular in Philadelphia, but Pujols is a God in St. Louis.

For baseball fans, it is a fun thing to consider. Fans in both cities, however, think the deal would be crazy. Especially in St. Louis.

The only way it makes sense is salary.

According to the ESPN report, said that some within the Phillies’ organization believed that Pujols may want a larger contract than the Cardinals can afford. Pujols is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season and talks on an extension so far have not been smooth.

The feeling in Philadelphia is that Pujols will not settle for anything that doesn’t exceed the record-setting 10-year, $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez signed with the Yankees in 2007.

The Phillies may be willing to offer it, especially since Pujols is both a Gold Glove-winning fielder, and as a righthander would balance a Phillies lineup seen as too lefthanded.

Howard is under contract for each of the next two seasons at $19 million and $20 million, which is more than Pujols will make, but he is expected to be less costly after that.

While Pujols may seek more than Howard, the Phillies slugger will also seek a huge contract.

But let’s look at this as a fantasy baseball trade. Where it makes the most sense.

On the surface, the scales would be pointed toward Pujols, who hit .327, with 47 home runs and 135 RBI and was named league MVP in 2009.

Howard, in 2009, hit .279 with 45 home runs and 141 RBI.

If you take the three year averages, however, a case could be made for Howard.

Over the past three years, Pujols averages .337, 38.6 and 118. Howard averages .266, 46.6 and 141.

Howard loses in average, but gains about eight home runs and 23 RBI.

I imagine Pujols goes for higher dollars in fantasy than Howard, also.

Back to reality, rarely does superstar get traded for superstar, so it is not likely to happen. It could happen, however, in fantasy camps, as anybody is up for trade.

As a Phillies fan, as much as it would hurt to lose Howard, here’s how the lineup would look with Pujols in pin stripes.

1. Rollins

2. Polonco/Victorino

3. Utley

4. Pujols

5. Werth

6. Ibanez

7. Victorino/Polonco

8. Ruiz

9. Pitcher

Pujols would be mighty scary in a Phillies uniform. Howard would eventually become popular in his hometown of St. Louis.

Rumor is what makes baseball fun.

 

 

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Phillies’ Halladay Sets Tone for Another Winning Season of Baseball

In 1972, the Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton went 27-10 and won the Cy Young Award on a bad Phillies team.

The team went 59-97, but on every fourth or fifth day when Carlton pitched, the Phillies were a different team and played like champions.

Fast forward to today, as another Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay took the hill against the Atlanta Braves in pre-season action Tuesday night. Halladay pitched three scoreless innings, giving up three hits, striking out five and walking none.

The Phillies won the game, 7-4.

Now this is preseason, but it ain’t 1972.

The Phillies are three-time National League Eastern Division champions, back-to-back National League champions, and have been in the last two World Series.

Their big offseason splash was the trade for Toronto ace Roy Halladay and the departure of another Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to Seattle.

This Phillies team is loaded, especially on offense and anything less than another NL East crown and a trip to the National League Championship Series would be considered an off season.

Halladay, for one, has not disappointed.

His cut fastball is nasty, approaching the plate like a fastball, only to befuddle the batter as the bottom drops out.

He made Braves’ catcher Brian McCann look like a double-A callup on a curveball that McCann was way out in front of.

Ouch.

The big question to me is what to do with Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth.

Werth’s two-run home run in the second inning should be a sign of what could be a monster season.

Domonic Brown is hitting .412 this preseason and John Mayberry Jr. hit a two-run single in the sixth to break the game open, 7-4.

Brown’s progression in particular could spell the fate of Werth, who could be playing out the final year of his contract.

If Werth has a monster first couple of months this season, the Phillies would have to make a serious offer to re-sign him for at least three years.

The All-Star break will be too late.

Werth turns 31 in May and three years might be too much for the Phils to commit to long term.

Werth, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, and newcomer Placido Polanco will pace the offense.

Roy Halladay will set the pace for the pitching staff.

The Braves, Nationals, and Mets all made off-season moves to strengthen their clubs.

The Marlins did little, but kept a young and talented nucleus intact.

Last night’s win against the Braves was great to watch on MLB Network and felt awfully familiar to Phils’ fans: take an early lead, fall behind by a run or two, then in the last four frames crack the game open and win going away.

Injury, luck, fading and rising stars always play a part in any baseball season.

It should be a fun ride for Phillies fans. Get your popcorn …

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Phillies’ Jayson Werth: What’s Behind All That Hair?

With all apologies, I am not Flattish Poe, or do not want to dis her man, but will offer some suggestions to what is behind Jayson Werth’s beard.

Werth, who is in the last year of his contract and may seek $16 million a year to parade around right field, came into spring training Monday sporting a big beard.

I can speculate a few reasons why the beard appeared, the repercussions of said facial hair, and how this might end for the talented right fielder.

What do expect from a multi-talented player who hit 36 home runs, drove in 99 RBI and stole 20 bases last season?

So that being said, I offer you several reasons why Jayson Werth grew a beard:

1) Athletes are superstitious by nature. If experiencing a hitting streak, athletes have been rumored to wear the same socks or underwear until the streak ended. If Werth does not shave until he signs a new deal, he could become the third-string catcher, with the elongated beard acting as a chest protector.

Remember Wrigley Field last year when Shane Victorino put his hands up in the air after the ball disappeared in the center field ivy? If a player does not play the ball and surrenders his right to field the ball in the Wrigley ivy, it becomes a ground-rule double. Same goes for a batted ball that gets stuck in Werth’s beard: ground-rule double.

2) Werth has a pen in his beard, so at all times, even between innings, if a new contract is given to him and he agrees to the terms, he can sign the deal.

3) Werth grew the beard to hide the fact that he is taking steroids (kidding). Reporters will continue to ask questions about the beard, while at the All-Star break, Werth has 31 homers.

4) Following the 2010 season, Werth will announce that on off days and when traveling, he lived in the woods, hunted, caught and cooked his own food for a reality show on TBS.

5) Werth could not attract Jeff Garcia or Mike Piazza’s wives, so he grew his own beard.

6) Werth does not give a flying **&&%^%^%%^ about all this hoopla over his beard and just wants to concentrate on this season and play the best baseball he can.

OK, that last one is serious.

I just wanted to have a little fun. Can you imagine the headline if Werth messes up with the beard in tow, like getting thrown out stealing home: “Phillies, Werth Lose By A Hair.”

Life is too short.

Baseball is one great game. And in Philadelphia, we got one great team.

 

*** Photo courtesy of Philly.com

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Phillies “Hollywood” Hamels Needs To Ring The Bell When Season Starts

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels experienced a serious drop in production in 2009, finishing a mediocre 10-11 during the regular season, and getting knocked out early in the World Series loss to the Yankees.

It was a far cry from the 2008 World Series MVP, when he went 2-0 and a 1.93 ERA vs. the Dodgers in the NLCS and 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in the World Series against Tampa Bay.

He likely could have gone 2-0 in the World Series if Commissioner Bud Selig halted Game 5 of the World Series with the Phillies leading, 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Nope, the commish had to wait until the game was tied in the top of the sixth, when during a heavy rainstorm, Hamels could throw only his fastball.

Anyway,I keep thinking about the Cliff Lee trade when the Phillies obtained Roy Halladay.

It was made because of the money and prospects. But it was also made because it is my belief that Cole Hamels could not take the perception of the being the No. 3 in the rotation.

In the forthcoming Sporting News cover story on Halladay, the ace gives high praise to Hamels. Charlie Manuel makes sure to mention Hamels will be a different pitcher from a year ago.

Hamels reportedly is adding a split fastball to go with his fastball, curve, and slider.

While fans would drool over a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Joe Blanton/J.A. Happ, a rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Blanton and Happ is one I could go to war with.

Ok, Hollywood, if you want to be the No. 2 on the staff, the pressure is on.

Imagine Halladay picking up 20 wins, Hamels 17, Blanton 16 and Happ 14. That’s 67 wins in a 162 game season. Madson with eight, Romero with five and Lidge with six would make 86 wins.

Hamels’ success would soften the Lee trade.

Following the 2008 season, Hamels, as the Series MVP, went on the banquet and television tour, appearing on shows like Letterman and Ellen.

This year the new father can focus on his family and baseball training.

It is a critical factor to getting back to the playoffs, league championship and World Series.

A week or two after the Lee trade happened, I thought and thought about the reason why the Phillies got rid of Lee in a separate deal from the Halladay trade.

And as I’ve stated before, I kept coming back to Cole Hamels.

Another sub .500 season could mean another National League East title, but a first or second-round outage in the playoffs.

A return to the 14-10 season of 2008 is a start. Or the 15-5 season in 2007.

A 17-win season would be even better.

Will he be “Hollywood” or hollow hope?

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Halladay for Lee Just Makes Cents for Phillies

After the Phillies made the blockbuster trade for All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay, it was posed to me why didn’t the Phillies go for broke and keep both Halladay and the Seattle-bound Cliff Lee?

It’s all about the P’s: Prospects and Payroll.

When the Phillies traded for Lee last July, they gave up pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, along with catcher Lou Marsdan and shortstop Jason Donald. That was four of the Phillies top minor league prospects.

Gone from the Pharm in the Roy Halladay deal were prized chip pitcher Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis D’Aranud.

Another three top chips in the Pharm, including the best chip, Drabek, the son of former major league pitcher Doug Drabek.

And payroll?

The Phillies have stated they wanted to keep the payroll at about $140 million.

To keep Lee, scheduled to make $9 million this year and Halladay, at roughly $20 million, the payroll would jump to about $160 million. And the Phillies would not have that.

In the deal, the Phillies get prospects Phillipe Aumont and Juan Ramirez, both pitchers and outfielder Tyson Gilles, all from Seattle.

They also get $6 million from Toronto in the deal.

Prospects and payroll out, prospects and money in.

Done.

They also felt they could sign Halladay to three years or more, while Lee strongly suggested he would go free agent after 2010.

I will tell you this: Halladay would not come to Philadelphia, if he could not get a long-term deal. It is reported he will get a five-year, $100 million contract. The first three years are at $20 million per year, with an option on the next one or two years.

The Phillies also could not see signing both Lee and Halladay long-term.

The Phillies generally go one year on high reward, low risk pitchers, like Pedro Martinez and perhaps John Smoltz.

Then why not keep Lee for this year and go for broke?

They would have to dump pitcher Joe Blanton, who should make $7 million this year to keep both Lee and Halladay.

Apparently, now you keep Blanton.

It could be possible to keep both Halladay and Lee, but it is not the way the Phillies do business.

What could have been.

But how can you argue with three straight National League East crowns, two World Series appearances and one World Series title in the past three years?

The Phillies are not done, I can feel it.

When you got the chance to get baseball’s best pitcher, you do what you have to do.

Makes cents to me.

 

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Halladay Nears Deal To Become Phillies’ Ace

Roy Halladay was in Philadelphia today with his agent, which likely will signify the former Toronto Blue Jays‘ ace arrival in Philadelphia and former ace Cliff Lee’s departure.

The report was cited on ESPN.com.

Cliff, we hardly knew ya.

Seattle is the third team involved.

Along with Lee, according to Sport Radio 610-WIP on the Howard Eskin show, prospect Dominic Brown will be part of the deal from the Phillies.

I am not sure who Seattle gives up, but they probably get Brown in the deal.

What this comes down to is that while Halladay wants a long-term deal, Lee wants to test the market when he becomes a free agent after the 2010 season.

Lee was 7-4 with the Phillies and was outstanding in the postseason and World Series.

Lee is scheduled to make $9 million this year, which will go a long way to pay Halladay’s scheduled $20 million a year as part of a five-year $100 million contract.

I have some disappointment in losing Lee, but realize that you couldn’t take on both salaries.

Joe Blanton could also be moved to clear out more salary.

That would potentially leave a rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Happ, and a yet-to-be-named fourth starter.

I would like it better if they kept Blanton for a rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, and Happ.

Lee, 31, was 14-13 last year with the Indians and Phillies with a 3.22 ERA. For his career he is 90-52.

Halladay, 32, was 17-10 last year with the Blue Jays, with a 2.79 ERA and a career record of 148-76.

If they Phillies and Halladay cannot agree on money, the deal will not get done.

It would be nice to have a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Blanton/Happ, but not likely.

Who do you think the Phillies are? The Yankees?

 

 

 

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Ruben Amaro Jr.’s Silence Speaks Volumes in Phillies’ Pursuit of Roy Halladay

It has been quiet at the winter baseball meetings for the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

They shored up their bench with the additions of left-handed hitting Ross Gload this week, to go along with previous signings of catcher Brian Schneider and utility man Juan Castro.

Their biggest signing has been third baseman Placido Polanco.

They are even waiting to see what to do with capable incumbent relievers Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre.

So when veteran hometown baseball writer Jim Salisbury hammered Phillies GM Amaro about the Roy Halladay rumors, at first glace, Amaro said little.

However, watching a second time, Amaro said he couldn’t talk about it because it involved players.

Players? We talkin’ ’bout players?

What Amaro means is major league players; otherwise he would have said prospects.

The general opinion is that the Phillies would package J.A. Happ along with prospect Domonic Brown or Michael Taylor.

So as much as the Phillies have pursued Halladay, the Blue Jays are sticking with Happ as the major league candidate.

What does that mean for a team already reaching the proposed $140 million budget?

The Phillies would have to trade Joe Blanton, who made $5.5 million last year and might make around $7 million this year.

Halladay would cost about $16 million for one year, as he is on the last year of his current deal.

That is still about $9 million to dump.

Would I do it?

Heck, yes. The price for Halladay has dropped. It is a one-year commitment, but with the Yankees getting Curtis Granderson, it is time to move.

Stay tuned.

Something big is brewing.

It might happen soon; if not now, then midseason if Halladay is still in Toronto and their season is awash.

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Placido Polanco Returns to Philadelphia Phillies to Play Third Base

As word starts to trickle in, it appears imminent that Placido Polanco will return to Philadelphia to play third base for the Phillies.

What has been reported for the past two days and was on the “verge” of happening, was verified when Philadelphia WCAU Channel 10 NBC sportscaster John Clark caught up with Polanco Thursday morning, as the former Detroit Tiger was in town to take a physical.

I first got word of the signing through a text from a friends of mine who works with Clark. 

I looked at every Web site I could think of and turned on WIP, all of which had the “imminent” status on the signing.

It was not until early this afternoon that Jayson Stark of ESPN reported the signing and having Clark speaking with Polanco, reportedly at the airport.

The terms of the deal are not finalized. Reports say it is a three-year, $18 million deal. My buddy said it was a two year deal, but I think it is being reported that way, because the third year would be at the club’s option.

Polanco is a Type-A free agent, so the decision by the Tigers not to offer him arbitration means the Phillies could sign him without losing their first-round draft pick.

Polanco is a career .303 hitter. Last year he hit .285 with the Tigers with 10 home runs and 72 RBI. He also does not strike out a lot: He had 46 strikeouts in 618 at-bats.

He also had a .997 fielding percentage with two errors in 731 chances.

Polanco played with the Phillies from 2002 to mid-season 2005. It is the familiarity with the two parties that helped seal the deal.

What does this mean for the Phillies?

They get a near .300 hitter who has a great glove. I remember him playing second and third for the Phillies.

Polanco played second for his time with the Tigers, but has experience at third.

All along I have wanted Angels‘ third baseman Chone Figgins, but he might cost too much in terms of years of contract in the free agent market.

Adrian Beltre of the Seattle Mariners was another option at third, but he can now be ruled out.

Polanco can also spell Utley at second base.

That would leave Greg Dobbs to play third.

That scenario might weaken the defending National League champions offense and defense.

Juan Castro also could fill in at third, but it might open the door to the Phillies getting Cardinal Mark DeRosa, if he could come at the right price.

With an infield of Howard, Polanco, Rollins, and DeRosa, on days when Utley is off, could be almost as solid as Howard, Utley, Rollins, and Polanco.

Either way, the Hot Stove has started in earnest.

Bring it on!

 

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