For all intensive purposes the Phillies are out of the hunt. That's conjecture on my part sure. The question now is in light of the moves that need to be made for the better of the franchise how does one find dignity for the manager with the most wins and a WS title in Franchise History?
How does one go about replacing the best SS in franchise history and quite possibly deciding to move on from the best 2B in franchise history? Those are not easy decisions for any franchise let alone one that just a few years ago led the entire MLB in wins.
You look at the Cardinals and see how Mozeliak caught a few breaks. First LaRussa made the decision easy by retiring and then Pujols and Arte Moreno made it even easier by floating a ridiculous contract offer at Albert. Quite simply it was easy for the Cards fan base to accept his departure.
RAJ won't be so lucky. His hand will be forced. I don't imagine too many fans will begrudge him for replacing Charlie with Ryne. Utley and Rollins on the other hand will be a slippery slope. Rollins less so than 26.
For all the doom and gloom RAJ is positioned nicely to rebuild. Lee is marketable and would return major league ready talent. Probably a teams best right handed OF prospect and a high level pitching prospect. Papelbon as well could return a nice piece.
By all accounts the Phillies had a nice draft and they have two really good prospects in Jesse Biddle and Maikel Franco, a left handed starter with a 1.132 WHIP and 10.9K/9 in AA and Franco a 3B prospect at 20 in High A Clearwater.
Things are ugly now but let's see how the GM plays his hand because I believe he has a good one!
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