Did the Philadelphia Phillies Do Enough to Improve This Offseason?

Spring Training is now just a few days away, as pitchers and catchers are due to report to Clearwater, Fla. on Saturday.

The sour taste of the Philadelphia Phillies loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS probably still sits in the mouths of many fans. 

This offseason, Ruben Amaro Jr. went out and retooled with the addition of numerous players in an attempt to bolster their bench. 

But, was it enough?

Will the additions of Jim Thome, Laynce Nix, Ty Wiggington, Johnathan Papelbon, Dontrelle Willis and Chad Qualls be enough to get the team back to baseball’s promise land?

Papelbon will surely have an impact on this year’s team as the team’s primary closer at the price of $50 million; the opportunities will be available. He will just have to go out and prove his worth. Anywhere from 35-40 saves and an ERA in the low 2.00’s will be a good season. 

Providing he remains healthy, Ty Wiggington will see anywhere from 300-400 at-bat’s this season, due to his ability to play so many positions and due to the injury to Ryan Howard. Reasonable expectations for “Wiggy” at this stage in his career would be 15-20 home runs, 60 RBI’s and a batting average in the .260’s or better.     

Outside these two guys, things begin to get a little murky. 

Laynce Nix has never been a big numbers guy in his career. He has never had more than 371 at-bats, 16 home runs, 46 RBI’s and has only hit above .255 just once.

The question here is, how much can we really expect from Nix outside of the field? He has been an average baseball player for the duration of his career, and he will likely remain mediocre in spot-play with the Phillies. 

The best hope for Nix is that a line-up as good as the Phillies’ gives him good pitches to hit.    

At the age of 41, Jim Thome’s return to Philadelphia is a warm story.

But what will be bring to the team?

I’m sure Thome can still launch a ball out of the park in pinch-hitting situations, but can he provide anything at first base in Howard’s absence? This remains to be seen, but it will be good spot to keep an eye on this season. 

Chad Qualls may have been one of the best additions this offseason, although it did not receive the press others did. However, at only $1.15 million, the Phillies got one of baseball’s most durable pitchers since the middle of the last decade. He will surely have a chance to make positive contributions to the team. 

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis is a shell of the 23 year-old stud that won 22 games in 2005.

But for the Phillies, he will have a small role on the team, which will likely be situational. All he has to do is contribute positive innings for the Phils and keep his ERA low, as he won’t be asked to do too much.

In the end, the Phillies did a lot to patch up the team. But did they really improve enough to make it farther then they did last season? Band-aids do not cut it (no pun intended).

It is all or nothing for the 2012 Phillies, as it’s unsure how much more disappointment Phillies faithful can handle. 

Originally Published on Phillies101.com

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MLB: Will Ryan Howard’s Ankle Hinder the Philadelphia Phillies Going Forward?

The Philadelphia Phillies were without their biggest bat in Ryan Howard, just one day removed from capturing their fifth consecutive National League East Division title.

The three-time All-Star has been battling bursitis in his left ankle for the last few weeks, as matters only became more complicated Saturday. 

Howard fouled a ball off the big toe on his right foot in the division clincher, which seemed to be the final straw. He was already dealing with bursitis in his left ankle, which is a painful condition that affects the bursae sacs—that acts as cushions between bones and tendons in a particular body part. When those sacs become inflamed, the result is bursitis.

The bad news is bursitis typically takes a few weeks to fully heel and treatment normally involves good old fashioned rest and shielding the area from sustaining any further damage. However, the good news is that Howard will have a cortisone injection Monday, which should help with nursing the ankle back to a healthier condition.

As of now, the Phillies are saying Thursday is the projected day for Howard’s return to the lineup. 

In layman terms, it is unlikely Howard’s ankle will ever be back to 100 percent for the remainder of the season. Howard has already been running with a noticeable limp and the time is now to get some relief if he has a chance to be healthy by the start of the National League Division Series, commencing October 1.

This could not come at a worst time, as the Phillies are priming for another postseason run. Many are well aware of the postseason struggles Howard endured last postseason, in the National League Championship Series against the San Francisco Giants. I know, he batted .318 but had 0 RBIs for an entire six-game stretch. For a perennial 30 home run, 100 RBI guy like Howard, that is unacceptable.   

With other Phillies like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley dealing with health issues of their own, the Phillies need all the firepower and experience they can get if they plan on bringing a second World Series title to Philadelphia in four years.  

It is still too early to to tell if Howard will have long effects from his nagging ankle, but all Phillie fans can hope is that he continues to be a run-producing machine when he rejoins the team later in the week. 

Originally Published on Phillies 101

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Philadelphia Phillies to Play 33 Games in 31 Days; How Will They Fare?

The Philadelphia Phillies are about to embark on their most daunting stretch of the season. As a result of schedule rearrangement in preparation for Hurricane Irene, the Phillies were unable to play the final two games in the series against the Florida Marlins. Now, the best team in the majors is forced to play 33 games during a 31-day span.    

With a record of 83-46, the Phillies are nearing the century mark in victories with 33 attempts to win just 17 games. The journey will begin with a series against the Cincinnati Reds featuring a return to the mound for 13-game winner Cole Hamels. The Phillies will close their season with a series against the Atlanta Braves—in a series that could be pivotal in terms of the division race—who sit six games in back of the Phillies. 

The Phillies have been playing mediocre baseball as of late going 6-6 in the last 12 games, which include four series against the Diamondbacks, Nationals and Mets. If you exclude the series against the Diamondbacks, who is the only winning team of the three, the Phillies are just 4-5 against the Mets and Nationals during the 12-game span. Both teams are a combined 13 games under .500. 

The biggest challenge during the 33 games will come during a seven-day period, where the Phillies will play the National League’s second- and third-best teams. The Phillies will play back-to-back series against the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. The three-game Braves series will begin on Sept. 5, and the four-game Brewers series will follow beginning on Sept. 8. This will be a great test before the team goes into the playoffs. The Phillies need to come out the two series 4-3, anything worse may be a negative signal. Immediately after their tough test, the Phillies can catch a breather as they play a three-game series against the Houston Astros, who are the major league’s worst team. 

 

The end of the season will be filled with games against National League East opponents. The final three series of the season will be against the Washington Nationals, New York Mets and finally closing against the Atlanta Braves. The best scenario for the Phillies include already reaching the 100-game plateau and having the division wrapped up. That way the series against the Braves won’t have as much significance.

The more riding on the series naturally means more pressure and a season finale series with a playoff atmosphere. Having to much on the line at season’s end could result in the Phillies wearing out in the playoffs. The Phillies are not a young team and should go into the playoffs as refreshed as possible. 

The Phillies have played well the entire season, and there does not seem to be a reason to suspect they will not continue to do so.

Going out on a limb, I predict the Phillies will go 19-14 during the final 33 games, bringing their season win tally to 102 wins and 60 losses and win the NL East Division.

Also Published on Phillies 101

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Philadelphia Phillies: Utility Man John Mayberry Jr. the Next Jayson Werth?

“It’s better late than never” is a fitting cliche for Phillies utility man John Mayberry Jr. The late bloomer has been coming into his own as of late, developing into a key offensive weapon. His play is reminiscent of a former member of the team that had a similar rise to stardom, Jayson Werth. 

Mayberry, 27, is making the most of his opportunities and looking like the player worthy of being taken in the first round of the 2002 and 2005 drafts. He struggled early in the season, as he was sent down to Triple-A on two occasions.

However, his recent play will ensure he remains with the club for the duration of the season. 

Mayberry has put up impressive numbers in the limited time he has been with the big club. He is batting .275 with 13 doubles,12 home runs and 41 RBI in 76 games and just 193 at-bats. His 12 home runs are now fifth-most on the team.

To put that in perspective, All-Star Shane Victorino has hit two more homers than Mayberry in 192 more at-bats, or almost twice as many as Mayberry. 

Just four years ago, Werth was on the verge of turning into a good player for the Phillies. In 2007, Werth hit .298 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBI in 94 games and 255 at-bats. The next season Werth emerged as one of the Phillies best players batting .273 with 16 doubles, 24 home runs and 64 RBI in 134 games.

For what it’s worth (no pun intended), Mayberry is already having a better 2011 than Werth’s 2007 season.

Mayberry and Werth are very similar: Werth was the 22nd pick in the 1997 draft while Mayberry was the 19th pick in 2005. Werth did not make his debut until five years later, while it took four years for Mayberry to break into the big leagues. Both are about the same stature—Mayberry stands at 6’6” and 230 pounds compared to Werth, who is 6’5” and 220 pounds.

Mayberry will turn 28 in December and Werth turned 28 in 2007, right before he burst onto the scene. 

However, Domonic Brown, who is currently with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, is supposed to be the Phillies’ outfielder of the future. It is likely he will be called up to the majors for the Phillies’ presumed playoff run, but Mayberry has played the way many thought Brown would. 

Mayberry could pay big dividends if given the chance, especially with the protection provided by the Phillies’ loaded lineup.

The Phillies still have plenty of time to sort through their outfield dilemma, but Mayberry should be given serious consideration for the starting outfield position next season.  

Also on Phillies 101.

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Should the Philadelphia Phillies Make a Deal for Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence?

“I’m not talking about any trades.” These are the words uttered by Ruben Amaro Jr. on Friday night according to CSN reporter Jim Salisbury. In the end, this is probably just a defense mechanism for Amaro, but there is no secret the Phillies need to seriously consider a deal prior to the trade deadline, if they want to parade down broad street in November. 

So the question is, who should the Phillies target? The team has already been linked to numerous players such as San Diego Padres reliever Heath Bell, New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and Houston Astros right fielder Hunter Pence. 

The Phillies’ most glaring problem is their offense and that is why their priority should be acquiring a bat. They have managed quite fine with Antonio Bastardo filling in for Ryan Madsen, not to mention rookie Michael Stutes who has performed well going 4-1 with a 3.42 ERA while Brad Lidge was activated on July 22 prior to the Phillies game against the Padres. Therefore, a trade for Heath Bell may not be needed. 

However, the bats of either Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence could provide an upgrade to the Phillies lineup and give Ryan Howard the protection he has been lacking since the departure of Jayson Werth. 

Beltran, age 34, has underachieved in New York after he signed a seven-year, $119 million contract which ends after this season. The career .282 hitter has turned in a good season thus far, hitting .289 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI. What makes Beltran so enticing is that the Mets will reportedly pay the $6 million remaining on his contract this season. This almost guarantees that some team will make a deal for Beltran even if it is only a rental for this season.

Hunter Pence is a four-year pro who has already made two all-star appearances (2009, 2011). The 2004 second-round draft pick has lived up to all the expectations. He is currently batting .312 with 11 home runs and 61 RBI. If the Phillies did make a move for Pence, they would owe him approximately $3.45 million (pro-rated portion of his $ 6.9 million per season) and he would remain under contract until 2013.

The biggest obstacle in the way of the Phillies is their second highest payroll in the majors at $175 million, which only gives them $3 million to maneuver with before the luxury tax kicks in.  They would most certainly have to deal a young talented player like Vance Worley or Dominic Brown (see here). All of this depends on whether the Phillies are poised to make a deal for the moment or if they have the future in mind. 

If they are thinking about right now, then trading Brown and acquiring Beltran would be the move—if they have the future in mind, then maybe a deal for Pence involving Worley would be the decision.

I’m sure there is a consensus that the Phillies must improve there offense and do it quickly.  

Also on Phillies101.com 

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Jimmy Rollins: Is the Phillies SS Going to Have a Big Second Half of the Season?

Money can motivate human beings to do many different things, especially when you are a professional athlete and millions of dollars are on the line.

This could be the case for Jimmy Rollins, who has played improved baseball as of late.

Rollins is due for a new contract at the end of the season when he will become a free agent. He is currently the sixth-highest-paid player on the Phillies roster with a price tag of $8.5 million.

With 65 games remaining, he will be trying his best to show he’s worthy of a new deal. Since returning from the All-Star break, he has shown glimpses of his MVP form and should have Phillies fans excited for what may come for the remainder of the season.

In the Phillies 9-1 win and series-clincher against the Charlie Manuel has sporadically shuffled the lineup from time to time this year, but now has Rollins back in the leadoff spot. It seems as if Rollins is beginning to find his groove and could be cashing in in the end. 

Also on Phillies101.com 

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