Off the top we can say Hamels Lee Burnett Kendrick and Papelbon are locks. I think we can say Adams is going to start on the DL so we'll leave his name out of the discussion for the time being.
5th Starter
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez MAGS-The most intriguing name of the bunch because the Phillies reportedly first gave him $48 Million then reduced that amount after a physical to $12 million. MAGS is an unknown and I don't believe ST is going to answer all the questions as to whether or not he is ready to start in the MLB. I think he starts the season in Lehigh and at some point in May or June makes his first big league start. Now I could see him heading north if for some reason Hamels needs time on the DL.
Hernandez is interesting because again I believe they signed him more or less as insurance on a number of possibilities. At the time I'm not sure they thought they could get Burnett and now that they have him someone is going to be an odd man out. Kendrick could get dealt I suppose and possibly Hernandez gets dealt before the end of ST. We'll see but they didn't pay MAG's to spend the full season in AAA.
BP
I think it is safe to say Bastardo and Diekman come north which leaves 4 spots to be filled from: Lincoln (from Toronto for Kratz), DeFratus, Martin, Rosenberg. Forget the other names as I don't believe they factor into the discussion until someone gets hurt. But Adams will at some point come off the DL so the Phillies should be talking trades for someone like Adams or Rosenberg. The time is now for a guy like Martin and really starting for him at this point seems like a lost cause. He has closer potential and or a nice long option for 1-2 innings.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Ah Pitchers and Catchers Report
The story lines are many. Ryne Sandberg takes the helm and brings Bowa out of the studio for some much needed fire and energy to contrast his own low key personality.
The Starting 9
Revere-Ben was coming on nicely before batting a ball off his ankle. He is firmly in place as the CF
Rollins-Needs a measly three hundred and some odd PA's to vest his option for next season. Anything can happen here. They could falter and thus he becomes trade-able or they stay in the hunt and he finishes his career as the best SS in Phillies history with his old pal Larry looking on.
Utley-Health, health and more health.
Howard-The big piece is a big wild card that will play a role in getting us a wild card. If Howard is healthy he is a presence in the line-up. Will Sandberg keep Ruf on the roster to take some of 8's AB's against tough lefties? I think he should.
Byrd-Marlon can still play both sides of the ball and run the bases. Forget his age.
Brown-Needs to pick up where he left off. If he does this team will push the Nats and Braves all the way to the finish line. We know he has all the tools except for tracking fly balls. He doesn't need to be gold glove if he is getting on base hitting 30 Bombs and driving in close to 100. I would also strongly consider moving him back to RF as this allows them to toggle Byrd from LF to CF and Ruf to LF.
Ruiz-Steady as they come and doesn't need to be anymore than he's been his entire career.
Asche-Needs to have a decent start, play well defensively and allow his offensive game to grow into the numbers he demonstrated in the minors. Cody is a make-up guy. I trust he will get the most out of his limited tools to become a fine everyday player.
Bench
Things will get interesting here.
Nieves-You have to have a back-up catcher. I would have preferred a guy like Doumit or Navarro but that's water under the bridge.
Mayberry-Needs to be traded in my opinion. Amaro has shown a bit to much loyalty with this latest guaranteed contract. Mayberry might have been RAJ's first trade sending Golson to the Rangers in exchange for John Jr and lest we forget a Stanford guy. He has been a nice piece and worthy of his roster spot the past couple of seasons but more than a few players make him expendable.
Frandsen-A Sandberg fav he will prove to be a useful piece as a pinch hitter and occasional 3B to give Asche some time off his feet against tough lefties.
Ruf-Will be interesting to see what happens. Defensively he is limited for sure but his power is needed. Moving Mayberry allows him a bench role and AB's at 1B and LF.
Abreu-A left handed bat off the bench and a solid OBP guy. On a minor league deal if he does make this club it needs to be purely in a pinch hit type of roll.
Galvis-I love Freddy and he is the only real SS on the club but I'm not so sure he shouldn't be in AAA to start the season. I don't see Freddy as an everyday player. Having said that it bears repeating he plays SS at a very high level.
Hernandez-I say Cesar should be on the team. I like that he is a switch hitter and I like that he can play CF in limited appearances and again a nice back-up to Utley. I think he has a better hit tool than Freddy and he runs better. The other option is what value does he have in a trade? I would be comfortable moving him in a deal that allows him to be an everyday player in exchange for a single A high upside starting pitcher. In this scenario Freddy makes the team as a super utility type.
Tony Gwynn Jr.-Meh I say. I don't see the need. Byrd has enough versatility to move to CF when called upon and Ruf is ok in LF from time to time.
If I had a say my Bench would be: Nieves, Ruf, Frandsen, Galvis Hernandez
The Starting 9
Revere-Ben was coming on nicely before batting a ball off his ankle. He is firmly in place as the CF
Rollins-Needs a measly three hundred and some odd PA's to vest his option for next season. Anything can happen here. They could falter and thus he becomes trade-able or they stay in the hunt and he finishes his career as the best SS in Phillies history with his old pal Larry looking on.
Utley-Health, health and more health.
Howard-The big piece is a big wild card that will play a role in getting us a wild card. If Howard is healthy he is a presence in the line-up. Will Sandberg keep Ruf on the roster to take some of 8's AB's against tough lefties? I think he should.
Byrd-Marlon can still play both sides of the ball and run the bases. Forget his age.
Brown-Needs to pick up where he left off. If he does this team will push the Nats and Braves all the way to the finish line. We know he has all the tools except for tracking fly balls. He doesn't need to be gold glove if he is getting on base hitting 30 Bombs and driving in close to 100. I would also strongly consider moving him back to RF as this allows them to toggle Byrd from LF to CF and Ruf to LF.
Ruiz-Steady as they come and doesn't need to be anymore than he's been his entire career.
Asche-Needs to have a decent start, play well defensively and allow his offensive game to grow into the numbers he demonstrated in the minors. Cody is a make-up guy. I trust he will get the most out of his limited tools to become a fine everyday player.
Bench
Things will get interesting here.
Nieves-You have to have a back-up catcher. I would have preferred a guy like Doumit or Navarro but that's water under the bridge.
Mayberry-Needs to be traded in my opinion. Amaro has shown a bit to much loyalty with this latest guaranteed contract. Mayberry might have been RAJ's first trade sending Golson to the Rangers in exchange for John Jr and lest we forget a Stanford guy. He has been a nice piece and worthy of his roster spot the past couple of seasons but more than a few players make him expendable.
Frandsen-A Sandberg fav he will prove to be a useful piece as a pinch hitter and occasional 3B to give Asche some time off his feet against tough lefties.
Ruf-Will be interesting to see what happens. Defensively he is limited for sure but his power is needed. Moving Mayberry allows him a bench role and AB's at 1B and LF.
Abreu-A left handed bat off the bench and a solid OBP guy. On a minor league deal if he does make this club it needs to be purely in a pinch hit type of roll.
Galvis-I love Freddy and he is the only real SS on the club but I'm not so sure he shouldn't be in AAA to start the season. I don't see Freddy as an everyday player. Having said that it bears repeating he plays SS at a very high level.
Hernandez-I say Cesar should be on the team. I like that he is a switch hitter and I like that he can play CF in limited appearances and again a nice back-up to Utley. I think he has a better hit tool than Freddy and he runs better. The other option is what value does he have in a trade? I would be comfortable moving him in a deal that allows him to be an everyday player in exchange for a single A high upside starting pitcher. In this scenario Freddy makes the team as a super utility type.
Tony Gwynn Jr.-Meh I say. I don't see the need. Byrd has enough versatility to move to CF when called upon and Ruf is ok in LF from time to time.
If I had a say my Bench would be: Nieves, Ruf, Frandsen, Galvis Hernandez
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