Odds And Ends: Putrid Defense, Kendrick’s Crud
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, April 10, 2008 11:17 AM | Comments: 25
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The Phillies have been a Jimmy Rollins-led team since sometime in 2006, we think (Elias Sports Bureau wasn’t exactly sure), but last night offered a chilling look at the team without our MVP.
For one, the defense was staggeringly bad. But I wouldn’t drop that on the fact that Rollins was out. This team’s been making bad plays all season, with and without Rollins. Bad defense is usually unexplainable, but could be as easy to explain as “I took my eye off it for a split second.” Chances are that’s the case. Combine the cold and the rain and you got a formula for disaster.
It’s troubling the Phils are making these bad plays, but it’s not the end of the world. I feel as the weather warms they’ll stop making these blunders. We can’t really suggest more practice or more discipline — like I said, defense is strictly unexplainable most of the time. We just have to hope they make better plays.
The real problem I witnessed yesterday was the lineup construction. Shane Victorino moved into the leadoff spot and was atrocious, going 0-5. Clearly Vic needs to sit a game or two to clear his head — he’s a welcome part of the roster because of his offense (when it’s on), his speed (he needs Davy Lopes back soon) and his defense (which is fantastic so far), but he needs a seat right now.
Moreover, Charlie Manuel elected to place Eric Bruntlett in the two-hole, a move I don’t understand. It’s bad enough a sub-.200 hitter (Victorino) is getting the most at bats for the Phils, but to put a non-everyday player in the two spot, giving him more at bat possibilites than Chase Utley and Ryan Howard is a ridiculous idea. If they have to go without Rollins tonight, slide Bruntlett into the eight hole and, heck, move Utley to leadoff. Give your best hitter the most chances to do his job.
Kendrick Kan’t Do
Patrick Berkery over at Phils-ville questions Kyle Kendrick’s performance, and justly so. The kid looked scared. He was trying to finely place each pitch, and he wasn’t hitting sometimes, which makes the umpire call against him other times. It’s the nature of the game. Sure Barksdale was real painful last night, but Kendrick offered no real opposition.
Truth is Kendrick is being exposed, both physically and mentally. That “poise” we all cheered about last season is quickly becoming luck — maybe he was effective because some hitters were too anxious off such a young, green, easy-to-strike pitcher. This year the tables have turned so far — hitters are being patient with Kendrick and are seeing that it’s pretty easy to cash in.
Berkery suggests another poor start could lead Kendrick down the primrose path to Allentown for a stint in AAA. It wouldn’t hurt. Kid needs to develop his out pitch — the changeup isn’t it; work on the sinker. And he needs to toughen up and remember, the show is a BIG DEAL, but you don’t need to prove yourself, you just need to make pitches.
While Kendrick rehabs himself, it makes sense to pull Chad Durbin into the rotation. By the way, Francisco Rosario is on the way back and would be the perfect new swingman in the ‘pen. Maybe the writing is on the wall after all.
Posts: 0 jay
I am slowly beginning to wish that practical joke over the summer with Kendrick was for real. I hope he can get his mind straightened out and start locating his pitches better, because our pitching isn’t what your gonna call outstanding as it is.
Posted: 11:44 AM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Shane Victorino is dropping his back shoulder/tucking his back elbow when he bats LH. Its killing him. Until he fixes it, I suggest putting Carols Ruiz in the 2 hole and Victorino in the 8 slot.
The defense’s struggles stem from one thing. Concentration. Where’s the Pedro Feliz that everyone has said is the best 3rdbaseman in the league defensivly?!?!?!?!? He’s making me yurn for the good ol days of David Bell…………that aint a good thing.
Why is Ryan Howard trying to pull everything now that ST is over? He looked great in ST going to LF and now he’s back to pulling pitches that are in the RH batters box. Damn.
Posted: 11:47 AM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 NYC PimP DaDDy
P. DIDDY RUNZ YAB CITY.
Posted: 12:05 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
While that practical joke was funny, it was a little bit irresponsible. Anyways, he DEFINITELY needs an out pitch. the sinker needs to sink and arc better than it has been doing. the changeup doesnt look like the bottom falls out of it enough. and he needs a solid curveball. if he has his fastball, refined sinker, a reliable curveball, works on his questionable slider and a better changeup, then hell become a steady force at the 3,4,5 slots. they still need another starter even if durbin enters the rotation (id be ok with giving him a start) can rosario go 5-6 innings? or does he not have the stamina?
Posted: 12:08 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
I took a look at the latest stats for defensive fielding among all teams and the Phillies ranked LAST in the majors with a .962 % . They have more errors than any team with 13 (after 9 games). Utley, of all people, has the most errors (3) for the Phillies.
Yeah, you can say the defense “was staggeringly bad”. Hopefully, they can get their act together sooner than later and play solid fundamental baseball. There’s really no excuse for the kind of errors committed and omitted (mental mistakes) on the field. Most errors dosn’t just happen but results from a lack of concentration or skill.
Ok… let’s suppose you’re right in your very early assessment of Kendrick and that management may have to decide whether or not he should go back to AAA to fine tune his pitches. Is Chad Durbin the only option/alternative to go into rotation? Kris Benson might be one but won’t be availabe till next month at the earliest. My point is the Phillies have so few options (barring any future trades) that they most likely will keep Kendrick and have the pitching coach continue to work with him at this point in time.
Posted: 12:28 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
In the past couple of seasons I would roast the Phils for their bad start but right now I am not panicking this time. They have some concentration issues on defense right now but I have faith they will get it straightened out. They don’t seem poised to lose the next 6 or 7 games in a row even with Howard, Victorino and Feliz struggling at the plate. In previous years, the whole team looked like it was pressing and I don’t see that now. What does need to increase is concentrating defensively and pitching with confidence.
That leads me to Kendrick. I think he deserves more time before we start talking about demoting him. He has struggled this year but he did win 10 games for us out of nowhere. Some say he had luck with run support and inducing key double play balls, but 10 wins (even Eaton won 10) is 10 wins and he deserves the benefit of the doubt for now.
I watched the game last night and he did look shaky. I also saw some horrendous defense, a very tight strike zone and nasty weather where he probably couldn’t grip the ball as well if it were a dry day. Let’s back off on them for now and let them battle it out. They have earned it from us this year.
Posted: 12:57 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 kowalski69
i witnessed some sad sights at last nights game. the worst of which came in the 5th inning when a group of phillies fans wanted nothing more than to instigate a fight and disturb the night for other fans (phillies fans included). the situation ended with a force of no less than 15 security guards ripping the shirt and jersey off of a fan who refuses to be escorted out. the situation led to ‘phillies suck’ chants and beers and hot dogs being thrown. why cant fans of an opposing team enjoy a game at a rival stadium with a rival crowd and just act normal? these guys didnt come to enjoy a game they came to instigate a fight.
Posted: 01:03 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T
Here’s my problem: During Spring Training while the Phillies were busy playing ridiculous (and in my mind not the least bit funny) pranks on their rookie starter, the Mets were out signing Johan Santana, and the Mariners, of all teams, were busy signing Eric Bedard.
I still cannot understand why were weren’t even in contention for Santana, and how quickly we were out of contention for Eric Bedard. I’m still furious over that. This organization continues to surprise me – and not in a good way.
Posted: 01:07 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
As am I. They just openly said they werent going to try for bedaqrd or santana. they asked him about kyle lohse for 4 mill before the cardinals did it and he outright dismissed it. even claudio vargas could go and be another arm in the mix but the mets will probably get him. They also dont have the prospects for bedard or santana without giving up all of their remaining good prospects. you dont want to trade golson because he will win several gold gloves as a starting outfielder before too long providing he improves at the plate. the pitching prospects at the top are good enough to get blanton or someone like him but not santana. They need to trade howard or burrell to GET those types of prospects to trade to get someone like santana. it would be nice to have hamels start as a 2 behind someone BETTER than him but thats a little bit fo a pipe dream. they still need to make a move here BEFORE the deadline to address the pitching effectively.
Posted: 01:24 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 OZ
Kendrick -too soon to judge boys….Phils always stink it up in April. Myers has been awful in his first two starts as well, and its not like Phils organization has any good starting pitchers in the bullpen, let alone AAA.
Bruntlett could’ve stopped the bleeding yesterday, and perhaps things turn out differently…maybe, maybe not.
maybe if our half-ass ownership would let them spend money, and do it wisely, Kendrick would be our #5 behind Santana, Myers, Hamels, Moyer…
Posted: 01:25 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Kendrick will be fine as long as someome teaches him how to throw an out pitch-level curveball
Posted: 01:25 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
your rotation should include: Hamels, Myers, Blanton (from oakland via prospect trade). lohse (resigned for one year 4 million like they COULD have done but refused to do), and kendrick. thats reasonable given the FAKE budgetary concerns the owners drum up. you worried about dumping salary? howard or burrel get moved for mlb-ready or near mlb-ready prospects. they shouldnt have to do that but id rather have insane pithcing and a solid offense than an insane offense with WAY too many K’s and average pitching.
Posted: 01:33 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T
I’m on the same page as Geoff. That’s the truth.
Posted: 01:44 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/philadelphia/-/pv_design_details/pg_1/id_23383583/opt_/fpt_/c_666/
Posted: 01:50 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
I agree with most of these points. Its too early to bury Kendrick, but a backup plan is needed and the Phils have proven over the years that they dont have back up plans very often.
There is no reason why we shouldnt have Kyle Loshe….and a Blanton trade would be realistic without giving up the farm. Lohse for 1 year 4 mill? Are you kidding me? I’m awestruck that Gillick and crew and that inept.
Listen guys…..the payroll is HIGH. Alot higher than I ever imagined. I really dont think we can bash ownership for not spending money. They just havent been willing to break the bank….and that is very frustrating.
I think they’re trying to do what they can without comitting too many dollars to pitchers because they want to wait for Outman, Carrasco, Carpenter, and the rest…..that way they have inexpenisve good pitchers and can sign Howard and Hamels to big deals and still be great. I’m not saying thats right, but thats my theory of whay they wont spend more money right now. Thoughts?
The iron is hot right now and I dont want to look back 6 years from now and realize that the window has closed like it did to the IGGLES.
Posted: 01:51 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I agree with pretty much all of these points. Theyre spending money, its just frustrating because theyre close and everyone knows taht theyre a few pitchers/players away from the series. You dont have to spend outrageous money to win, but id say they need to spend about 20-30 million more assuming that they fix their payroll mistakes now and spend the rest wisely. id say 150 is a safe number to spend given todays inflated salaries assuming you spend that money wisely and dont committ to outlandish contracts. giving into howards “unprecedented” demands would be outrageous and, assuming theyre within their little budget schema, it would damage their hopes of signing hamels whom i consider WAY more important to resign, like its not even a question who you choose to keep.
Posted: 02:28 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
This is what irritates me more than anything else though: lately theyve been waiting until the last moment to sign people long-term. YOung players HATE that and they think its a slight to them. They want the team to approach them early in arbitration or before the first arb year even with some players, and lock them up long-term. Making Howard sit through arb every year will guarantee that he hates the front office and will want out of here. hamels will get upset even before the end of his arbitration and want out if they dont sign him to a long-term extension and buy out arb years and FA years with guaranteed money. you have to do that now. you see the trend in baseball. carmona got locked up today long-term.
Posted: 03:07 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
It’s also hard for a team like the Phillies – with so many fantastic, young players – to balance who gets the big deals and who gets hung to dry. I’m not sold on locking Howard up longterm. I’d rather lock Hamels up and let Howard sit through arb another year. Or we trade him. But we can’t trade him this year.
Posted: 03:56 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
A couple of points:
1. Santana- Wouldn’t have waived his no-trade clause to come here even if we gave up Goloson and several younger pitchers.
2. Blanton- medicore and overpriced because he comes from Oakland- will cost too many prospects
3. Lohse- should have been re-signed for 4M-6M.
4. Trade Howard- and let him become the face of baseball somewhere else, why?
5. Burrell- worth exploring trade options if team tanks but other than that, keep him and ride him out this year. No one is going to give up a big time prospect for him if we are looking to trade him. And he has to waive his no trade clause too, which he wasn’t willing to do when Gillick had some trade options for him.
Money- Phils say they were over the budget but were in the run for signing Mike Lowell. Offered Lowell more money then the Sox. Aaron Rowand- signed for one more year at same yearly average with the sad sack Giants.
The money is there and they will go out and get the player they want, hopefully!
Posted: 04:04 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 mick
I agree with you on Howard.If does not cut his strikeouts down and negate the shift by going to the opposite field consistently– his long term future in Philly will be threatened. His glove is bad at best- he is in his prime today and really has no upside. Having said that I love this guy when he is hot with the bat–plus he is a good guy.He looks like a huge American league DH in three years. I can hear the crying already
Posted: 04:28 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Schmidt
I suggest “Bruntlett” as a new euphemism for perineum.
Posted: 05:16 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Schmidt
Look back to two years ago (his MVP season) at where Howard’s HRs went – about half went the other way. And strikeouts are -not that bad- in the grand scheme of things, not too much worse than say, a grounder to second for an out. There is a reason guys like Howard, Burrell, etc. tend to strike out a lot. Power hitters pick their pitch, and are extremely patient at the plate, so they hit in high-count situations a lot. They know that a ball in the strike zone, although a strike, is not necessarily their pitch, so they will take it, and be confident enough in their hitting abilities to go 0-2 in the count. Look at the lists of all-time home run leaders, and all-time walks leaders – the overlap between the top 50 on each is undeniable. And while there isn’t as strong a correlation between the HR and SO lists, the names at the top of that list aren’t so bad either, including our very own Michael Jack Schmidt at #7. This is not a new idea by any means.
The same general principles apply to Burrell, as well, but if we’re down big at the all-star break, he should probably be at least shopped around, due to his contract situation (how many guys sign a new contract after their old one expires for less money with the same team? Do we want to give him more, or is it time to part ways, sad as it may be?).
Anyone saying Howard should be even considered for a trade is wrong. He is the best player to wear a Phillies’ uniform we have seen in a long time.
Posted: 05:33 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
About to head to Shea. Gotta say I’ve heard quite a few horror stories about Phillies fans getting hurt the past 2 days. Have decided on wearin a Mike Schmidt-tshirt jersey instead of the full out jroll jersey. we’ll see how it goes.
go phils
Posted: 05:33 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mr Met
You’ll be OK, NY is a friendly place, just don’t act
like an ahole that wants trouble.
Posted: 05:38 PM on April 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
I have one question for the “trade Howard” camp: how do you replace his bat? There is no other bona-fide cleanup hitter on this team, and I think we can all agree that Greg Golson, good as he will be someday, won’t be a No. 4 hitter. Maybe Burrell has the raw talent, but I think that ship has sailed. He’s more comfortable batting fifth, and that’s where he needs to stay (preferably in Philly, but that’s just me).
I like the idea of maybe trading Howard in a couple years, especially if his strikeouts stay high and his A-Rod-like demands become an A-Rod-like all-around persona/attitude. That would give us some time to find a replacement. But I think any talk of trading him “soon” is way, way premature.
Posted: 06:22 PM on April 10, 2008