Philadelphia Phillies: Is Darin Ruf a Legitimate Option in Left Field for 2013?

We watched as Darin Ruf put up ridiculous numbers for the Double-A Reading Phillies: .317 batting average, 93 runs, 38 home runs, 104 RBI and a .408 on-base percentage before getting called up to the Philadelphia Phillies.  

The 26-year old made his Phillies debut on Sept. 14 as a pinch hitter, and he became an everyday player from Sept. 25 until the end of the season on Oct. 3. In 12 major league games, Ruf hit .333 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He also had an impressive .351 on-base percentage.  

As the Phillies prepare for the offseason, the outfield seems to be where the team needs the most help. Rumors have been flying around as to which free agents can come in and help the Phillies return to the postseason in 2013.

Maybe B.J. Upton or Michael Bourn can take over in center field? Or what about adding Nick Swisher or Cody Ross to play the corner outfield spots?  What about Mr. Ruf?

Ruf has shown the ability to hit major league pitching, even if he did only have 33 at-bats. He has quick hands and a great approach to hitting. He isn’t your typical power hitter; he understands the strike zone.

Ruf walked 65 times in Double-A, which contributed heavily to his .408 on-base percentage. The Phillies need players who can get on base, and that’s what Ruf offers.

Ruf can provide a shot of life in a clubhouse that has been together for a while and could use some change. Ruf‘s youth and energy can light a fire under veterans like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, who could both use some fire under them.

Filling the hole in left field with somebody already on the roster will benefit the Phillies in the offseason as well.  

If the team decides that Ruf can be the starting left fielder next season, that obviously eliminates the need to sign a high-priced free agent to put in left field.  

The team could use that money to sign a new center fielder, like B.J. Upton, and a setup man, like Mike Adams. Maybe the team could make a trade for a player like Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres. The options are out there, somebody just has to pull the trigger.

Darin Ruf has earned at least the opportunity to compete for the starting job in left field during spring training, and unless the Phillies sign or trade for a veteran, it could even be his job to lose.  

A young outfield of Darin Ruf, B.J. Upton and Domonic Brown sounds pretty intriguing.  

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Predictions for the Offseason

Yes, the Major League Baseball postseason is just getting underway, but in Philadelphia, the attention is already focused on the offseason.

The Phillies finished the regular season with a .500 record at 81-81. After winning the National League East five years in a row, 81-81 is not an acceptable record and the Phillies fan base is expecting big moves and new faces before spring training.

The most noteworthy free agents are Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke, B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, and it’s possible that the Phillies could land one of these guys as well as a few other pieces to make the 2013 season yet another World Series or bust year.

So, for the time being, enjoy the playoffs because after all, it is playoff baseball. But once the World Series champion is crowned, keep an eye out for the Phillies to make these moves.

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Why B.J. Upton, Cody Ross Are Not the Answer for the Phillies’ Outfield

Everybody has an opinion about how to fix the Phillies. Many of those views involve the outfield, which features John Mayberry Jr., Domonic Brown, Nate Schierholtz, Laynce Nix and Juan Pierre, who is a free agent this offseason.  

Phillies fans and the front office know that this is not an acceptable outfield for a team that expects to compete for the World Series.  

There is a fairly strong group of talented free-agent outfielders that the Phillies should target. However, two of those names, B.J. Upton and Cody Ross, would not be the answer that the Phillies so desperately need.

The Phillies would like a strong right-handed bat in their lineup, and Ross could be viewed that way. But instead of settling for an average right-handed hitter, the Phillies should pursue switch-hitting outfielder Nick Swisher.

Swisher and Ross are both 31 years old, so age isn’t a factor. Statistically, they are fairly similar, with Swisher driving in more runs due to the Yankees‘ loaded lineup.

Ross is hitting .267 with 22 home runs and 79 RBI, while Swisher is hitting .268 with 24 home runs and 92 RBI. But the number that stands out is on-base percentage, where Ross is at .328 and Swisher at .358. 

By acquiring Swisher, the Phillies would be adding a guy who can get on base and drive in runs.

 

Although there are reports that Swisher will be seeking a Jayson Werth-type contract, it seems more likely that Swisher would sign a three-year, $45 million deal or a four-year, $60 million deal, both of which are manageable for the Phillies.  

Swisher and his free-spirited personality could be a great fit in Philadelphia. Bringing in a personality like his can breathe life into a team that needs it.

Ross would be a bargain, but Swisher would be more of a valuable asset.

As mentioned before, Upton has been a popular name thrown around by people who are trying to fix the Philadelphia outfield.

People have been waiting for years for him to have a breakout season. But instead, he puts up average to below-average numbers year after year.

Since hitting .300 in 474 at-bats in 2007, Upton’s average hasn’t topped .273. He’s hitting .247 this season, and his on-base percentage is .299, the lowest of his career.

Upton will be getting a big contract this offseason based purely on potential. The 28-year-old has tremendous upside, but his performance has not been even close to what is expected of him.  On top of that, there are questions about his work ethic.

 

So, if not Upton in center field, then who?

The answer is prototypical leadoff hitter Michael Bourn.

He enters free agency reportedly looking for a five- or six-year deal at $15 million per year.  If the Phillies could get him for around $13.5 million per year, he could be worth pursuing.

If you compare Bourn to Upton, there isn’t much of a comparison.  Bourn is far superior in just about every category except age. Although Bourn isn’t old (he’ll be 30 at the start of next season), he’s a lot less appetizing from an age perspective than a 28-year-old.

Acquiring Bourn would give the Phillies a proper leadoff hitter.  Bourn has an on-base percentage of .349 this year and has stolen 40 bases. The Phillies’ current leadoff man, Jimmy Rollins, has an OBP of .316. A leadoff hitter like Bourn would change the Phillies’ lineup for the better.

If the Phillies are going to go big this offseason, they need to do it right.  Don’t settle for Ross and Upton when you can go after Swisher and Bourn.

 

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Charlie Manuel or Ryne Sandberg: Who Would Get the Most out of the Phillies?

It’s no secret that I’ve been hard on Charlie Manuel.  

I don’t think that he is a great manager.  I understand that he will go down as the winningest manager in Philadelphia Phillies history.  I’m well aware that he was the manager of the 2008 World Series champions, the second championship team in Phillies history and the first since 1980.  I also know that Manuel has been to the playoffs five times since 2005, accounting for five of the Phillies’ 13 playoff appearances since the team was founded in 1883.

But, as I’ve written about many times before, Manuel has his flaws as a manager, one of which is his questionable management of the pitching staff.  In many cases, Manuel leaves his starters (especially Roy Halladay) in the game too long and before you know it, they’ve given up a few runs in the seventh inning and the bullpen needs to scramble to get ready.  

Another managerial flaw that Manuel has is his inability to play small ball.  Without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the lineup, Manuel was unable to adjust to not having power bats in the middle of his lineup.  Instead of moving runners over on the base paths, Manuel would allow players to swing away, hoping that they’d be able to drive the ball out of the park.  More often than not the result wasn’t runs, but rather, at least one out.  

Finally, Manuel has a loyalty to his players that on one hand is respectable and admirable, but on the other hand, is interfering with the team’s best interests.  As previously mentioned, Manuel often leaves his starters in games for too long, which is a sign of loyalty.  Manuel also has a prototypical leadoff man in Juan Pierre who is still hitting behind Jimmy “First Pitch Pop up” Rollins.

 

 

 

I’ve been leading the charge for the beginning of the Ryne Sandberg era in Philadelphia.  But, as for who would get the most out of the Phillies in 2013, I’d actually go with Manuel over Sandberg.

Manuel’s last year under contract with the Phillies is 2013.  After 2013, there may very well be a different manager in Philadelphia; and the players know that.  

The players also know that they let the Phillies’ gigantic fan base down in 2012.  These two things, along with some fresh new faces, could create a very hungry team in 2013.

The Phillies players like Charlie Manuel.  Heck, I like Charlie Manuel.  Manuel is a classy guy who genuinely cares about his players and tries his best to protect them; I respect that.  I’ve been hard on the man, but I do respect him and it is clear that the players do too.  If the players feel that 2013 could be Manuel’s last year with the team, then they could take on a “win one for Charlie” attitude.

The other option is to bring in Ryne Sandberg for 2013.

As the Boston Red Sox showed this year, if you bring in the wrong manager, things can fall apart quickly.  If the players don’t respond well to Sandberg, then 2013 could be even worse than 2012.

But, as the Chicago White Sox showed this year, if you bring in the right manager, the team can take on a whole new attitude and become contenders.

2013 will no doubt be an interesting year for the Philadelphia Phillies and Charlie Manuel.  It could very well be the end of the career of the most successful manager in franchise history.  And although I have made my disapproval for some of Manuel’s tactics very clear, I still believe that he can and will get the most out of this team next year.  

The players love the gum-chewing, seed-spitting man who gently rests his cap on the top of his white hair.  Maybe next year they can send him out on top. 

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Why Finishing Miracle Run Could Actually Be a Bad Thing

Wait, what?

No this isn’t a joke, or an anti-Philadelphia Phillies article.

Rather, it’s an analysis of the actual serious possibility that the Phillies would be better off missing the postseason this year, even after their recent surge into contention.

If the Phillies make the playoffs, then the front office can look at this team and say, “Clearly, we have a playoff team here,” which could mean any potential for an offseason overhaul would diminish. The Phillies need to get better this offseason, and if they make the playoffs, they may not make the necessary moves to return to being perennial World Series contenders.

The first move that would be jeopardized by making the playoffs is the future of Charlie Manuel. If the Phillies make the playoffs this year, it will not be because of Manuel. But you can’t fire a manager who is in charge of a team that just pulled off a miracle playoff run.  

Charlie Manuel is a great player’s coach, but when it comes to managing the game, Manuel frequently makes poor decisions with his pitchers and relies too heavily on the long ball instead of playing small ball.

Manuel also shows too much loyalty towards Jimmy Rollins, who, despite his recent hot streak, has no business being the leadoff hitter on a team that has Juan Pierre.

It’s time for a new manager in Philadelphia, but don’t expect that to happen this year.

As it currently stands, the Phillies have talent on their roster—and a lot of it—but there is always room for improvement. Making the playoffs could mask that need for improvement.  

The outfield is the first spot in which the Phillies are in need of some offseason retooling.  

Juan Pierre could be re-signed in the offseason, and Domonic Brown may have earned himself a starting spot in right field for next season, but John Mayberry Jr. is not a major league starting outfielder.

The Phillies need to bring in somebody like Michael Bourn or B.J. Upton to take over center field this offseason; that is a must.

Next, despite Kevin Frandsen’s stellar hitting in his time at third base, he isn’t a viable option to start in the hot corner next year. Philadelphia needs to make a move for a third basemen or move Chase Utley to third and have Freddy Galvis play second base.

The last flaw on the roster that could be hidden by a postseason run is the bullpen, which has been hot of late. A mix of young guns and veteran arms could give the Phillies one of baseball’s better bullpens if they can add some talent in the offseason. The young guys have been strong this year, but not all of them will be on the Opening Day roster in 2013.

Maybe Phillies fans need this team to miss the playoffs.

Yes, it will hurt for a while, but part of what makes Phillies fans so great is that they follow their team year-round. I’m beginning to become fearful that Phillies fans are turning into Yankees fans, and we don’t want that, Philadelphia.  

We don’t want to be spoiled.

We don’t want to only pay attention to the postseason; we want to know the outcome of all 162 games in the regular season, because we know how important each one of those games is.

Don’t get me wrong: If the Phillies make the postseason, I’ll be the first one jumping and screaming for joy.  

But, somewhere deep in my mind, hidden behind the pure joy that a miracle playoff run would bring, would be the thought that maybe, just maybe, making the playoffs was a bad idea.  

 

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Cole Hamels Is Already Proving He Is Worth Every Penny of His Monster Deal

Six years, $144 million.

When Philadelphia Phillies fans heard these numbers in the midst of trade rumors surrounding some of the team’s best players, a collective sigh of relief swept through the City of Brotherly Love.

Cole Hamels, the centerpiece of the Phillies franchise, is locked up through the 2018 season. And since signing his monster contract, Hamels has already proven that he is worth the money.

Since agreeing to the contract offer, Hamels has pitched in eight games where he is 3-2 with a 2.56 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched. In those games the Phillies are 5-3. In all games since Hamels’ contract agreement on July 25, the Phillies are 27-17 and find themselves in a situation where they could potentially make a playoff run.

Make no mistake about it, Hamels is the best pitcher on the Phillies roster. He is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball with his 14-6 record, a 3.03 ERA and 184 strikeouts.

Talent-wise, Hamels is worth $144 million over six years.  But, what he offers this Phillies team that will have about $20 million to spend this offseason, is a reason for free-agent talent to flock to his side and help bring a World Series to Philadelphia.

Signing Hamels made Philadelphia a destination.

Free agents who are seeking out multi-year deals can look at the Phillies and see that they have an ace signed for six more years. Along with that ace are two other All-Star caliber starters and two up-and-coming pitchers who can combine to make one of the best rotations in baseball.

So, if you’re B.J. Upton or Michael Bourn, and you see that the Phillies have a solid rotation lined up for the next few years, why wouldn’t you want to go to Philadelphia?

With Hamels locked up, the rotation looks strong, and free agents can go to Philadelphia to fill the holes left in the lineup and in the bullpen.

To sum this up, by signing Hamels the Philadelphia Phillies established that they are not rebuilding, they are retooling. They have a new face of the franchise and they are ready to compete for a World Series next year.

Don’t worry, Philadelphia, this isn’t going to be a rebuilding process. The Phillies are going to be legitimate contenders next year, and a lot of that can be credited to the $144 million man.

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: You Gotta Believe

Hope.

It can be a dangerous thing. To a person who is extremely passionate about something, hope can very quickly lead to despair. But hope can also lead to what could be the greatest feeling in the world. The feeling that things can go the right way. The feeling that your devotion and dedication have paid off.  

This is what Philadelphia sports fans go through on a daily basis with their teams: And now the Phillies—who have grabbed the attention of a city—have reminded them that there is always hope.  

These are the same Philadelphia Phillies who traded two starting outfielders along with a strong bottom of the rotation starter at the July trade deadline and were left for dead.  

The Phillies were 46-57 at the trade deadline. They are now 71-71 and are only four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second Wild Card spot.  

Can this team really come back and make the playoffs?  

Just as Philadelphia turned its focus to the Eagles, the Phillies craved our attention. They demanded it. They started winning games.

The city knew that the team was winning; they always know. But they didn’t want to get too excited. Because as I said, hope can be a dangerous thing.

So they waited.

“Wait until we’re under 10 back, then I’ll start thinking about believing.” I remember saying that (or something similar to that). Then it happened.

And I said, “Wait until we’re under eight back.”  And then that happened.

And then I said, “Wait until we’re under five back,” because the difference between six and five back at this point in the year is crucial in my desperate mind. 

And then I went to the game on Tuesday, September 11th against the Miami Marlins.  

I sat down in my seat behind home plate and prepared myself. It was a perfect view. I wasn’t simply at a Phillies game; I was scouting the team. Is this a team that I can believe will make a run? I sat back and watched, looking for signs of life. And what I saw made me a believer.

I watched a team that finally has some heart. A team that has as strong a rotation as any team in baseball and a lineup that, at its best, can compete with anybody.  A team that just got its spark plug back: the city’s hero, Carlos Ruiz. I watched a team that is now only four games out of the playoffs.  

This could happen. This could be real.

Look who the Phillies have left on their schedule. Four games against the Marlins. Four games against the Astros. Three games against the Mets. Three games against the Braves. Six games against the Nationals.  

That is 11 games against teams with a sub-.500 record, which ideally would mean at least eight wins.

Then there are nine games against teams in front of the Phillies in the National League East. For the sake of somebody searching for hope, let’s say the Phillies go 5-4 in those games.  

So, the Phillies go a respectable 13-7 for the rest of the year and finish 84-78.  How would they make the playoffs? 

What would have to happen is that the Cardinals would need to go 9-11 or worse for the rest of the season; and Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, or Milwaukee can’t do better than the Phillies, in order for the Phillies to win the Wild Card outright.

That’s it. It’s possible.

The Cardinals have lost six of their last ten games and have a shaky rotation outside of the surprisingly reliable Kyle Lohse. Their last six games are against the Nationals and Reds which could create some crucial losses for the defending champs.

Also ahead of the Phillies are the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are currently on the decline and have no chance in my mind of making the playoffs; and also the big-money Los Angeles Dodgers, who apparently can’t buy wins after all. But perhaps the most dangerous team is the Milwaukee Brewers, who are the hottest team in baseball. They play their last six games against the Astros and Padres.

There really is a chance, isn’t there?

Just look at the facts and you’ll see that yes, there is a real chance.

What if they miss the playoffs by one game? What if their hot streak ends tomorrow and they’re out of the race by next Tuesday? What if, after all of this, they don’t make the playoffs?

I don’t care about how dangerous hope is.  

Just imagine if they made the stinkin‘ playoffs.

 

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Can the Philadelphia Phillies Bounce Back in 2013 with the Same Roster?

Phillies fans and baseball experts knew what talent the Phillies had before the season started, which is why they were the pick by many to represent the National League in the World Series.  

The starting rotation was loaded, the offense had some pop and would propel the Phillies to the playoffs once Chase Utley and Ryan Howard returned, and the bullpen was anchored by arguably the best closer in the league. It was a no-brainer picking the Phillies to win the National League East for the sixth straight year.

But, of course, the season didn’t go according to plan. We all know the story, I don’t need to go through it again.

Looking ahead to 2013, can the Phillies be threats in the East with the roster they have now?  If Ruben Amaro, Jr. decided that he was going to hold on to all of his cash until next offseason, would the Phillies still be competitive in 2013?

Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are crucial to the Phillies 2013 success. Both pitchers are Cy Young-caliber, but neither pitched anywhere near their potential this season. If those two can bounce back, then the entire pitching staff becomes a strong suit for the Phillies once again. With Halladay and Lee would be Cole Hamels, Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick. If those five guys pitch to their potential, that could be one of the best rotations in baseball.

Carlos Ruiz will be back and healthy playing in a contract year next season. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will be with the team from the start as well, and are both also capable of having bounce back years.

Jimmy Rollins needs to have a big 2013 season if he wants Philadelphia to stay on his side, which every player should want.  

 

Rounding out the infield is Kevin Frandsen at third, since Placido Polanco will be gone to free agency. Frandsen has shown this season that he is capable of playing third for the Phillies.

Outfield would be the biggest concern for the 2013 Phillies. Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr. and Nate Schierholtz would be the starters, which would be very difficult to convince fans it’s an acceptable outfield.

The bullpen would once again be an issue in 2013 if the Phillies didn’t make any moves. Jonathan Papelbon will be back to shut the door in the ninth, but there still isn’t a reliable player to maintain leads.

Josh Lindblom has been a disappointment since coming from the Dodgers, and everyone else has been just as bad. Michael Stutes will be back in 2013, so that is a small boost for one of the league’s worst bullpens.

With their current roster, could the Phillies bounce back in 2013? Actually, yes.

But, to be fair, bounce back doesn’t mean win 100 games. Bounce back doesn’t even mean win 90 games.

With their current roster, the Phillies could win close to 90 games next year. The pitching will win games instead of lose games like it did this year. With a rotation like the Phillies have, they are absolutely contenders next year.

However, between 80-90 wins might not be good enough for a playoff spot, so Ruben Amaro should just play it safe and change the roster up a bit.  

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Carlos Ruiz: 4 Reasons the Philadelphia Phillies Should Not Rush Ruiz Back

“Chooooooch!”

That chant hasn’t been heard at any park around the big leagues since August 2nd—that was Carlos Ruiz‘s last game before being placed on the Disabled List with a left foot injury.

In the meantime, Erik Kratz and Brian Schneider have been sharing catching duties for a Phillies team that is showing signs of improvement but is still a miracle away from making an actual playoff run, and now 27-year-old Steven Lerud has been called up for the Phillies to replace Schneider.

Sporting News reported that Ruiz expects to return to the Phillies by early September, but unless the Phillies really believe that they can get one of the two Wild Card spots, should they really even bring Chooch back this season?

Here are four reasons why the Phillies should be patient with their All-Star catcher.

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Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay: Which Phillies Ace Returns to Dominance in 2013?

A team with three aces shouldn’t be eight games under .500 on August 21st, but only one of the Phillies aces is actually pitching like one.

Cole Hamels is earning his money. 

Hamels is 14-6 with a 2.94 ERA and 168 strikeouts, and appears to be a legitimate Cy Young candidate.

The other two aces, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, have struggled big time this season.

Lee has only two wins and a 3.83 ERA, his worst since 2007.  He is struggling to hit his spots and has surrendered a very un-Lee-like amount of hits, including 23 in his last three starts.  

Roy Halladay spent some time on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, and his stats reflect those of a pitcher who is throwing injured.  

Halladay is 7-7 with an ERA of 3.95, his worst since 2004.

Because the Phillies kept both Lee and Halladay through the trade deadline, it appears that the team has confidence that their aces will be back to their old selves next season and will allow the team to once again compete for a World Series.

If the question is which one of these pitchers will return to dominance, the popular answer would be both of them.  And that’s not out of the question.

Both pitchers are having one of the worst seasons of their careers and haven’t really shown signs of a decline before this year.  Could this just be the result of a bad team and low morale?

It’s possible.  Up until this year, the worst ERA that Lee had in a season since 2007 was 3.22 in 2010.  For Halladay, his worst ERA since 2004 until this year was 3.71 in 2007, but every year after that Halladay had a sub-3.00 ERA; that is until 2012.

So who will have a better 2013 season?  I have to go with Roy Halladay.

Of course, that prediction depends on Halladay’s ability to stay healthy through the season.  If he can come back from his shoulder injury then he should be able to pitch like the old Roy Halladay.

After his first nine starts this year, Halladay had an ERA of 3.22.  He only started two more games before going on the DL, so you can’t help but wonder if he started to feel that discomfort in his tenth start.

In his first two years in Philadelphia, Halladay had a record of 40-16 and an ERA of 2.40.  If he is fully healthy in 2013, it isn’t hard to imagine Halladay winning over 15 games and having an ERA under 3.00.  He is, after all, a future Hall of Famer.

 

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