Philadelphia Phillies: Darin Ruf Continuing Power Surge in Venezuela Fall League

Through the first 20 games of the Venezuela Fall League, Darin Ruf‘s unbelievable season of power has continued. He currently leads the entire league in home runs with nine through the first 20 games. If he could maintain that home run rate over a 550 at-bat season, he would hit 68 homers.

Ruf is currently batting .264 with a league leading 19 RBI and an OPS of 1.039. 

The power he is demonstrating will earn him a long, hard look for an everyday job come spring training, all depending on who the Phillies acquire this winter through free agency or trades.

Ruf has hit 38 home runs in Double-A Reading, three in the major leagues and another nine in the fall league, accumulating a grand total of 50 long balls in 594 at-bats.

Also, Ruf has been playing left field consistently as of late. Ruf has only made two errors so far, both coming in the same game, one by throw and the other on a missed catch. Ruf will surely not be in the running for a Gold Glove Award anytime soon, but if he can limit his mistakes, it will only benefit his chance to play on a regular basis.

The Phillies are in desperate need for some power and consistency from the right side of the plate. Ruf may be that solution and at a very low cost. Spring training is going to be huge for Ruf and the Phillies for that matter. There is a lot at stake because the Phillies will be pushing hard for a championship with Chase Utley and Roy Halladay up for free agency after the 2013 season. 

If they can add a quality center fielder like a Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton or Angel Pagan and then add another quality corner outfielder like Torii Hunter or Cody Ross, the Phillies could have a very productive outfield come 2013. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Team Areas That Most Need to Be Addressed

This offseason should be an intriguing one for the Philadelphia Phillies. They head into free agency following their first non-playoff season since 2006. With no remarkable free agents thanks to the Cole Hamels extension and Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton trades, the Phillies really have no departures to worry ,but nonetheless have many a hole to fill.

Among the Phillies’ biggest weaknesses this past season were the bullpen, outfield, third base, and despite offseason additions to prevent it, the bench.

Acquisitions such as Chad Qualls and Ty Wigginton blew up in the Phillies’ faces, and while Jim Thome was a nice clubhouse presence to have back, he really doesn’t belong on an NL team at this stage in his career. Laynce Nix was also average when he played, but he spent a good portion of the season on the DL with a calf injury.

Additionally, players such as Placido Polanco and Jose Contreras were signed for one year too many on their contracts, and with both of their options bought out, the two have become free agents. Midseason acquisitions Josh Lindblom and Nate Schierholtz struggled out of the gate as Phillies, the latter even possibly a non-tender candidate. And with Qualls failing to deliver as a veteran presence, the relatively young bullpen, on the whole, was atrocious, save for Jonathan Papelbon and Jeremy Horst.

Keeping that in mind, the Phillies have many positions in need of an upgrade. Here’s five that stand out.

 

All projected Opening Day lineups courtesy MLBDepthCharts.com

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Free Agent Options Who Won’t Cost a Fortune

With the offseason officially upon us, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to retool through free agency this winter. Next season, they will pursue their third World Series appearance since 2008.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has many obvious free-agent choices that will without a doubt improve their organization. But this isn’t always the best approach: just look at how the Anaheim Angels turned out in 2012 after dumping millions upon millions of dollars on a few highly prized free agents.

Sometimes success is born through calculated risk and diversification, which Amaro has struggled with since taking over the helm.

Here are five free agents who won’t break the Phillies bank and have the potential to help lead the team back to the playoffs in 2013.

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Analyzing the Philadelphia Phillies Outfield Options

The Phillies just put on one of their worst offensive performances in years.  In fact, they scored fewer runs in 2012 than any Phillies team since 1997—Scott Rolen’s rookie year.  If not for a starting rotation led by two of the best pitchers in baseball, they may have finished much worse than 81-81.

Heading into the winter it’s no secret what the Phillies’ needs are offensively—outfield help and a third baseman—and which players are on the market.  The only thing we don’t know for sure is which player, if any, will join the Phillies when all is said and done.

Ahead I will look at the top five outfielders on the market, what each one brings to the club and analyze whether or not it’s worth the effort and cost.

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Philadelphia Phillies Offseason Tracker: Latest Trade Rumors, Free-Agency News

Winter is coming. 

It will be an offseason of retooling for the Philadelphia Phillies. Following a third-place finish to the 2012 season and trades of two All-Star-caliber outfielders at last July’s trade deadline, this is a team and a front office with work to do this winter. 

They’ve made no bones about their needs. The Phillies need to add a third baseman with more offensive upside than Freddy Galvis, a center fielder to replace Shane Victorino, a corner outfielder to replace Hunter Pence, a veteran bullpen arm and maybe even a starting pitcher. 

The Phillies have a lot of holes to fill and may not have enough plugs to stop the ship from sinking, but they are sure as hell going to try. 

You will hear the Phillies linked to a number of rumors this winter, and that is why it is important to keep tuning in right here for the latest information. 

We will be updating this very slideshow with the latest news, rumors, free-agent signings, trades and more. The Phillies have a lot of work to do. Make sure you don’t miss any of it. 

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Should the Philadelphia Phillies Bring Back Ryan Madson?

The Philadelphia Phillies enter the offseason with their focus primarily on adding a center fielder, third baseman and corner outfielder.  However, adding a proven, right-handed reliever is just as important for improving the team for next season.

The Phillies used 19 different pitchers in a relief role this season, finishing with a combined ERA of 3.94.  Among right-handed pitchers who pitched in at least 15 games in relief, only Jonathan Papelbon and Phillippe Aumont had ERAs under 4.00.

It’s reasonable to think that the Phils’ bullpen will be improved next season simply because the young pitchers that make it up, such as Aumont, Jake Diekman, Justin De Fratus, Jeremy Horst and Josh Lindblom, will have another year of experience under their belt.

But that’s still a big assumption to make following a season in which the bullpen gave up 183 earned runs in 157 games played.

Having so many young pieces in place could cause the team to shy away from paying a reliever such as Mike Adams upwards of $5 million a season for three years, if not more following Brandon League’s three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It could be difficult to give any veteran reliever a lengthy deal with so many young pitchers already on the roster.

Ideally, the Phillies could be looking to sign a veteran reliever to a one-year deal to give the team’s younger relievers more time to fully adapt to the big league level.

Ironically, a pitcher that the Phillies chose not to re-sign last offseason may be a candidate for filling such a role this offseason.

Ryan Madson signed with the Cincinnati Reds last offseason on a one-year, $8.5 million deal that also had a mutual option for 2013.  As Jon Heyman on CBSSports.com recently wrote, Madson has declined his portion of the option, making him a free agent for the second straight year.

Heyman’s article also mentions two other points.  One, the Phillies are thought to have interest in Madson and, two, the 32-year-old will be looking to fill a closer’s role this offseason.

While it’s uncertain whether the Phillies truly have interest in Madson, or have even contacted him since the start of free agency, what’s more certain is that Madson and the Phils could be an ideal fit for at least next season.

One of the Phillies’ biggest weaknesses this season was their lack of an eighth-inning setup pitcher to transition the game into Papelbon’s hands for the ninth inning.

Antonio Bastardo saw his ERA increase to 4.33, making his 2011 ERA of 2.64 the only time in his major league career that he has had an ERA under 4.30.  Lindblom, acquired in the trade that sent Shane Victorino to the Dodgers, had an ERA of 3.55, including a 5.68 ERA in August.  Aumont looked great at times, but his 3.68 ERA and 14 strikeouts to nine walks in 18 games likely isn’t enough to pencil him in as the setup guy just yet.

Madson, on the other hand, thrived as the Phillies’ setup reliever while with the team from 2002-2009.  Of course, Madson pitched in every type of role while with the Phils, from starter, to setup reliever, to closer during the 2011 season. 

The Phillies decided to sign Papelbon to be the team’s closer last offseason rather than pay Madson closer money in a long-term deal.  It wasn’t until late in the offseason that the Reds eventually signed him to be their closer and moved Aroldis Chapman into the starting rotation.

There are likely two reasons why Madson remained a free agent for so long: he was looking for closer money and he is represented by Scott Boras.  Yes, Madson saved 32 games in 34 chances in 2011 with the Phillies, but prior to that he only had one season in which he had more successfully converted saves than blown saves. 

Entering 2011, Madson had 20 career saves to go with 26 career blown saves.

With Boras looking for closer money for a pitcher with only one successful season as closer under his belt, Madson spent a great deal of time as a free agent.

Which team will be willing to give Madson a closer’s job this offseason after the pitcher missed all of this season following Tommy John surgery?

Ryan Lawrence on philly.com raises the following question: Why not sign with the Phillies on a one-year deal, the same amount of years that other teams are likely to offer, to return as the Phils’ setup reliever and re-establish himself?

The Phillies need a right-handed reliever who can set up and take over the eighth-inning role. 

Check. 

With so many young relievers having potential to fill out the bullpen over the next few seasons, the Phillies could be looking for a reliever who will sign on a short-term deal, giving the younger relievers another season to adjust while not having to pitch in high pressure situations. 

Check.

Paying a pitcher coming off injury to a one-year deal as opposed to signing an older veteran to a three-year deal influenced by League’s new contract could save the Phillies close to $20 million in total.

Madson, meanwhile, could prove his dominance once again in the eighth inning, and likely pick up around five to 10 saves on the season if the Phils have pitched Papelbon on consecutive days.

Signing Madson to a one-year deal worth $6 or $7 million would save the Phils payroll room in the two years to follow if they had instead decided to sign someone to a three-year deal, and it would allow them to focus even more so on improving the offense this offseason. 

It would also solidify the team’s bullpen without locking too much money up long-term on relievers, and still give the younger pitchers a chance to cement their relief roles going forward.

As for Madson, the opportunity to prove himself again while setting himself up to finally sign a long-term deal as a closer would be available by joining the Phillies.

Madson doesn’t need to settle for a setup role, and the Phillies don’t need to place a great deal of focus on the bullpen when the offense has holes.  But if they do talk this offseason, they could find that a contract agreement is beneficial for both sides.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

25 Philadelphia Phillies Offseason Targets to Take Back Power in the NL East

For the first time since the end of the 2006 season, the Philadelphia Phillies will head into the offseason looking up at other teams in their own division. 

They had their reasons. The Phillies dealt with injuries to some of their top players, but also performed inconsistently all season long. 

Leave the excuses where they belong and you’re left with a simple fact: The Phillies finished 2012 as a third-place team. Even if they are completely healthy in 2013, the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves aren’t going anywhere. 

If the Phillies want to reclaim the National League East, they’ll have their work cut out for them this offseason. The front office needs to fill big holes in center field and at third base, and manager Charlie Manuel has expressed his desire for a top-notch setup man. 

So how can the Phillies fill all of those needs and get back to the top of the NL East? Glad you asked. Let’s take a look.

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5 Things the Philadelphia Phillies Need to Fix

With free agency upon us, rumors have begun circulating everywhere, speculation about which player ended up where have been rampant.  Phillies fans know what their club needs: an outfielder (maybe two), a third baseman and dependable relief help.

Every one of those needs can be found and addressed on the free-agent market.  Theoretically, at least the Phillies can go out and sign Josh Hamilton, Kevin Youkilis and Jeremy Affeldt.  They should have the money (whether they want to spend it and cross the tax threshold remains to be seen) if that is their desire.

And yet doing so might not solve all of the Phillies problems, nor return them to playoff contention.  That’s because most of what plagued the Phillies in 2012 (and in a way, both in 2010 and 2011 playoffs) were internal problems.  

Going forward, if the Phillies are going to reclaim their level of prominence atop the National League, they are going to have to deal with these issues first.  No matter which free agents they sign or players they bring in through trades, the Phillies will not be legitimate World Series contenders until they solve these five issues.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Players Poised for Huge Rebounds in 2013

A team decimated by injuries and underachievement in 2012, the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to rebound and return to their winning ways in 2013.

The Phillies were one of the more unlikely storylines this season. Manager Charlie Manual had a surplus of talent and promising young players, but struggled to get the team to mesh through the first half.

At the all-star break this team looked to be down and out, trailing first place Washington by 14 games in the division with a record of 37-50. At the break in 2011, the Phillies were 56-33 with a comfortable lead in the NL East.

A dormant Phillies team was rejuvenated by the return of their three and four hitters within 10 days of each other.

With the return of Ryan Howard, who ruptured his Achilles during the final game of last year’s playoffs, and Chase Utley, who was nursing various knee injuries, the Phillies went on a tear.

Philadelphia went 44-31 after the all-star break. They jumped New York and Miami to end third in the division, avoiding a sub-.500 record by going 81-81.

If Charlie Manual would like to avoid taking his place on the coaching hot seat next season, the Phillies need to play up to their potential and avoid injury.

Here are five Philadelphia Phillies set to have significant rebounds in 2013.

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Philadelphia Phillies: B.J. Upton Is Not Worth the Cost of First-Round Pick

Now that the Tampa Bay Rays have extended a qualifying offer to B.J. Upton, is it any less likely the Philadelphia Phillies pursue him?

Probably not. But it should be.

If there is a silver lining to the terrible season that was 2012, it is that the Phillies will once again draft outside the bottom of baseball.  With an 81-81 finish, their worst record in a decade, the Phillies qualified for the 16th pick in baseball’s annual draft next summer—the highest they’ve selected since 2001.  (Cole Hamels was the 17th pick in 2002.)

In the four drafts that proceeded their fall (or climb, depending on how you look at it) from the top half of the draft, the Phillies selected Gavin Floyd (’01, picked fourth), Chase Utley (’00, picked 15th), Brett Myers (’99, picked 12th) and Pat Burrell (’98, picked first overall).  Each of these players, outside of Floyd, were major components of the club that won the 2008 World Series.

No player the Phillies have drafted since Cole Hamels has had as much impact as Cole or the three of the four first-round picks preceding him (mentioned above). 

Could that be a direct correlation to where in the draft they are selecting, or is it simply luck of the draw?

Vance Worley was chosen with the 102nd overall selection in 2008, and while he has been a nice find, his future is anything but set in stone.  He could develop into the next Cole Hamels or simply be a flash in the pan.  Most likely, Worley will end up somewhere in between the two extremes.

 

The probability of finding impact talent outside the first round of the draft is too rare for the Phillies to pass up on their highest draft pick in a decade in order to sign a player with so many question marks.

I’m well versed on what the Phillies need going forward.  (While the team’s biggest fault in 2012 was the lack of a true eighth-inning shutdown reliever, it’s hard to believe it’s going to be an issue going forward.  Either the Phillies will sign a veteran setup reliever or one of their young arms, many of whom gained valuable experience in 2012, will step up and fill the void.)  They need a center fielder.  They need a right-handed power bat in the lineup.  And they need to get younger.

B.J. Upton fits all of those things and more: He can steal bases, plays good defense and despite his nearly seven full seasons in the major leagues, still has enormous upside.  I have no doubt that if the Phillies were to sign Upton, he would thrive in Philadelphia.  His power numbers would probably skyrocket playing in Citizens Bank Park, and until he gave them a reason not to, the fans would adore him.

But Upton is also a player who has struck out almost one out of every three at-bats in the major leagues, is a career .255 hitter and has never slugged over .500 in a season in which he’s gotten 500 at-bats.  

Is spending $75 million (which is what it will likely take to sign Upton) and losing a first-round draft pick worth the cost?  Upton has a career WAR (although it’s the stat I hate the most, because its premise is flawed and makes absolutely no sense) average of just 2.4 per season.

To me, it isn’t, and there are far better uses for both their money and draft pick.  The Phillies would be better served, both in 2013 and going forward, in bringing back Shane Victorino and signing a veteran right-handed bat like Torii Hunter to play right field. 

B.J. Upton would look great in center field next April.  However, the cost would be too great.  Paying the man is one thing, but doing so and giving up the opportunity to find the next Mike Trout is something else. 

Now that Tampa Bay has attached draft-pick compensation to B.J. Upton, please move on and find someone else.

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