Sexson Could Land With Phillies
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, July 11, 2008 08:43 AM | Comments: 80
Posts
Richie Sexson, hitting .218 with 11 HR and 30 RBI this season, was released Thursday by the Seattle Mariners. The 33-year-old first baseman/outfielder has had many issues this season, and beyond his offensive performance. He has brawled, been outspoken and generally a nuisance in the Seattle clubhouse.
But could he fit with the Phillies?
I harken back to Charlie Manuel’s quote about a bat:
“Yeah, I think we could use a bat. We could use a good bat. You’ve got to remember, good bats are competition. That can’t do anything but make you better.”
And I also remember Manuel told Comcast SportsNet he wants a “professional hitter,” a guy with some pop who can hit singles, too. Well, Sexson may not represent that kind of hitter, but he could be the right-handed bat the Phils are looking for off the bench. He’s worth $14M this season, but the Phils wouldn’t have to pay all that (just a portion, likely).
Posts: 0 J Giuliano
I wouldn’t mind them brining in Sexson…couldn’t do any worse than Jenkins!
Posted: 08:50 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I agree. they dont have the ammunition to trade for a top available bat like nady or bay, so they should just sign him and cut taguchi. he raelly cant be any worse than jenkins so hell be an improvement.
Posted: 08:56 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
Yes, I agree also. There’s no way Sexon is worse than Taguchi. So so needs to be cut right now.
Posted: 09:08 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Sexson also played under Manuel in Cleveland didn’t he?? He could be a long-ball threat off the bench here, but I wonder what portion we’d have to pay?
Posted: 09:10 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
this is the type of hitting move you have to make. Hes got good power and hell bomb a few for us.
Seattle will have to pay most of it. Its their responsibility. Theyre basically paying him to go away.
Posted: 09:14 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
I love this blog.
Let’s get some better pitching, too.
Go Phillies! Hopefully Ryan Howard keeps his torrid streak up!
Posted: 09:18 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Sexson is not the kind of bat you need.
Posted: 09:20 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Hes not much different then a lot of the bats available. Youre not going to find a bonafide contact slugger at this point.
with their farm system you have a choice: use your prospects for a big hitter or a big starter. id prefer starter.
with what we have leftover after burnett or whoever it is they end up with, we are NOT going to have enough to get nady, bay, or dejesus, or any of those guys. AND they still need bullpen help.
so they have to do something like this. plus, it cant hurt too bad if seattle pays most of his salary. if hes terrible then cut him loose again no big deal.
Posted: 09:26 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 GM-Carson
I would have no problem with the Phils picking up Big Sexy for the rest of the season, because they’d be getting him dirt cheap. He hits lefties well, so he could spot start for Howard sometimes too. He’d be a far better bat off the bench than So Taguchi (who should just be outright released).
Posted: 09:26 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Yea I’m not really crazy about adding another strikeout/power guy… What they need of the bench is a contact hitter that can move runners… situational hitting..
I wouldn’t complain if they got Sexson, but its not a move that helps them all that much
Posted: 09:27 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I would prefer a contact hitter over sexson but i doubt any good ones will be available to the phillies at their price. i hope so though.
Posted: 09:27 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
but isnt sexson better than taguhci? yes, so pick him up. you can still go look for a contact guy for the bench. i looked at the outfielders and theres not a lot out there who hit for contat that I THINK the phillies could be able to land in a deal.
as you know ive been calling for a contact hitter. sexson isnt the ultimate answer but hes better than one of the guys you already have, taguchi, therefore, its an automatic move. get some power and then worry about finding some contact. the phillies could always pay geoffjenkins off and move him to make room for a contact bat.
Posted: 09:29 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
What are you going to do with Sexson? Pay him $8 million a year to ride the bench? The M’s are only eating $6 million of his contract.
Posted: 09:31 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
It’s my birthday today. Phillies better win.
Posted: 09:36 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Steve
I think this would be a bad signing, there’s a reason the M’s want to get rid of Sexon, he has massively underperformed. I guess he could be no worse than Taguchi, but it depends on what the price tag would be. They really need guys who can just get on base, and that’s not Sexon. He’s good for some HRs, especially in Citizens Bank Park, but that’s not our top need right now.
Posted: 09:37 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
It’s my birthday today. Phillies better win. Someone tell Harry Kalas that Aaron Proctor of Pasadena, CA (originally Chester, PA) is turning 27. ;-)
Posted: 09:37 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
(Sorry for the double post – browser was freaking out)
Posted: 09:37 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Yea.. he’ll be sitting for a while.. maybe the Yankees will go get him or something, but don’t bring him here to replace Taguchi, who doesn’t ever play anyway..
I really, really, really think they should pass on Burnett cause he sucks.. I think they should try to upgrade the bullpen.. and add a guy to the bench that would play.. if you got a Freel or Taveras, he would see some action every game as either a defensive replacement, pinch hitter, or pinch runner.. replacing the #5 option off the bench doesn’t matter at all, that guy only plays 2% of the season anyway
Posted: 09:38 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Im not saying neglect the obvious need for a contact hitter who gets on base. they shouldnt just do this and stop looking. guys, they are a LONG way away from being able to compete with the AL. so you need ALL the help you can get, even someone like this. anyone can help at this point because anyone is better than So.
Posted: 09:39 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
We also thought that Wes Helms, and Geoff Jenkins would be hitting HR like clock-work too… but if a guy isn’t playing on a regular basis, he won’t get a chance to get in groove, so he won’t put good swings on the ball, so he won’t it the HRs we all expected..
Which is why I keep telling everyone that bench guys aren’t the problem on this team.. look what happens when there are people on base for Utley, Howard, and Burrell!!!!!
Posted: 09:40 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
I’m not saying this would be the bat that you need, per say – the bat you need is someone who can consistently slap balls over the infield – a nice patient hitter. BUT, with Sexon, you’re basically replacing worthless Taguchi as a pinch hitter.
Posted: 09:40 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Freel would be cheap. can he get on base anymore though? what are his numbers?
Posted: 09:40 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I still think they’re going to end up with Bedard and I’d take Bedard over Burnett. Burnett does pitch much better in the NL and he does have post season experience, but I still don’ want him. He’s Brett Myers senior.
Posted: 09:41 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
…AND.. look at the picture on the top of the post.. I forgot about that, when Sexson charged the mound on a ball that missed his head by 4 feet. He sucks at life and I don’t want him on this team, because he would never see any playing time anyway
Posted: 09:42 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
As well, as well – let’s pass on Sexon and Burnett — what do we do then?
Posted: 09:43 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Freel has been on the DL for over a month with a hamstring..
in 48 games, hitting .298 …. with a .340 OBP%….. 6 stolen bases, 4 caught stealing…
But he’s a hard-nose player who would fit in well with this lineup.. and you can probably get him for a pair of low level prospects I would think
Posted: 09:44 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Not only that, but Bedard will be ready to come back in 2 starts from the DL. They just said it was general soreness and nothing is wrong with him. You can probably get Bedard for cheaper than before since he’s on the DL right now.
Posted: 09:45 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
If Bedard is healthy, I say go get him…… his value is LOW now with a trip to the DL. So much so that im sure you can keep your top prospects in Carrasco and Marson and still get him because other teams will be afraid to go get him.
I don’t know what bullpen guys are other there, but adding a lefty would be a smart move.
And either Freel or Taveras.. guys that are better than Burrell at everything except hitting..
Posted: 09:46 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Freel hurt himself at CBP the inning after robbing Victorino of a hit to keep his hitting streak going, remember?
Posted: 09:47 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
If you get Bedard and Myers comes back to form you can put Happ in the pen. Swindle might be a really good LOOGY too.
Posted: 09:48 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Tav has a much lower avg and OBP% than Freel…. but has 39 Stolen Bases, only 4 Caught Stealing..
But he can FLY around the bases.. if we learn how to play National League baseball this year, he would be a nice piece to the puzzle… but you need to use him correctly
Posted: 09:49 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Happ did a really nice job in his two starts! We really don’t know what Myers is going to give us. Kendrick has been a surprise again this year.. a win tonight makes him 9-3 !!!
Moyer has looked very good at times, but his clock is ticking. A rotation next year of Hamels, Bedard, Kendrick, Myers, Carrasco, Moyer, Happ… looks pretty solid, depending on which guys you take out of that equation
Posted: 09:56 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Moyer said he wants to pitch again nex year and that he wants to pitch with the Phillies. How can you not let him after his performance this year?
Posted: 09:59 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Becuase hes going to be 46. hell figure it out on his own hes smart. it would be a dick move to give him the boot though.
Posted: 10:02 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Paul
I think Sexton is worth a shot. Change of scenery could do him good, a la Brad Lidge. (I kind of doubt it though…)
Posted: 10:10 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
To be honest.. I feel way more comfortable with Moyer at 46 than I do with Carrasco at 23 or whatever next year… you know what Moyer can give you
Posted: 10:10 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
That’s exactly what I’m saying Geoff. If Moyer thinks he can do it, then Moyer can do it, and he won’t disappoint. I also think we’ll get him at a substantial discount.
Posted: 10:11 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Brad Lidge was once a top-closer in baseball who has know returned to form..
In his last 4 years, Sexson has hit .263, .264, .205, and now .218… with his HR and RBIs dropping in each of those seasons… he needs more than a change of scenery… he needs to go get a college degree or something…learn how to flip burgers or something…
Posted: 10:16 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Richie Sexson is a shitbag and I don’t want him here. If we’re going to bring in a guy who sucks at life, we should be talking to Barry Bonds. At least Bonds hits for average. We need a guy who hits for average and gets on base WAY more than a guy who K’s a lot yet has some pop. And Bonds would also be cheap at this point.
N.B. I am NOT advocating bringing in Barry Bonds. I am simply saying that if we are going to get an asshole who can swing a bat, there’s a better one out there than Sexson.
Posted: 10:28 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Hey, just throwin it out there. I need another power guy AND another contact guy. i mean, to make a serious run at the world series you need to be totally loaded up. otherwise go give abraham nunez a call and mail it in again. i realize they cant trade for both. so maybe you pick up one. if you can hide barry bonds somewhere in a platoon with werth its not a bad idea. if theyre desperate…but hes prob not on the juice anymore so hes no damn good. you saw when giambi quit the juice it took him a few years to not totally suck again.
Posted: 10:37 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
And as for pitching: Burnett’s career ERA is below 4. He’s having a bad year on a poorly-performing team in the AL East — the division where, more than any other, hitters will make you look like an Atlantic League pitcher with every tiny mistake. I think he’s a good fit talent-wise. The two problems are that crappy contract and his character. If he does well, he bolts for a couple extra million (which says he’s about the money, not about winning). If he sucks, he simply leeches off the Phils for two more years at $24 million.
I’m starting to wonder if we simply go to war the rest of the year with what we got, and then try to get CC or someone in the off-season free agent market (Lohse again? Who else is available?). Our core hitters are locked up for next year. Our closer’s around awhile. Maybe we should concentrate on getting bullpen help this year, try to make do with Hamels-Moyer-Kendrick-Myers/Eaton/Happ, simply deal with an early playoff exit, and then make next year our serious “run” year.
I’m gonna get murdered for this. But it’s worth considering. If the pitching ain’t available, it ain’t available. I’m not selling the Pharm for a mid-level A.J. Burnett with a contract worse than Adam Eaton’s.
Posted: 10:37 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Geoff, Barry Bonds was pretty damn good before the juice (unlike Giambi). I think he’d be fine … like a .285 contact hitter with some pop, still a good eye (so he’ll get the walks), and a high OBP. Numbers-wise, he’s exactly what we need.
Posted: 10:39 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
you think they can platoon bonds with werth but maybe bonds get one start out of a three game series and pinch hits the rest of the way?
if they can get away with that and unload that so taguchi im all for it.
Posted: 10:41 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
A Bonds/Werth platoon would be good. I don’t even think you have to start Bonds against every righty. You start him maybe twice a week because, no matter what, he’s a bit of a liability in the field. And yeah, he’s your first bat off the bench (especially against righties) the rest of the time.
Who do you want at the plate in the eighth inning with two on, one out, and the Phils trailing by one or two runs:
Jenkins
Taguchi
Bruntlett
GIDP
or …
Barry Bonds.
Hmmm ….
Posted: 10:49 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yeah against righies you could throw out:
rollins
victorino
utley
howard
burrell
bonds
as your top 6
hes slow and he cant move. but he said hed play for league minimum and he can still hit the ball.
Posted: 10:52 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
UHmmm I would def take Barry Bonds on my team.. but teams are avoiding him because he’s going on trial for perjury and stuff at some point.. Everyone knows he can still hit but he doesn’t want to be a DH..
Posted: 10:55 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
He’s also a dick in the clubhouse. I think at this point he’d put his tail between his legs and be humble that he got signed. I’d take him in a second.
Posted: 11:03 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
I am a die hard phillies fan and if i EVER saw bonds come to philadelphia i would never watch a game again. And i dont think im the only one in philadelphia who thinks that way
Posted: 11:19 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Fran, as soon as he hits a walk off home run to win a crucial game you’d say otherwise, and everyone in Philly would too. You wouldn’t want a guy to sit on the bench and make league minimum to pinch hit? Without steroids, he was still in the top 20 best players of all time, with steroids he’s in the top 5. He’s not on the juice today, and he will still mash the ball, get on base, have situational hits, etc. I hate him, and think he’s a disgrace to the game, but he’s a cheap option for what we need.
Posted: 11:31 AM on July 11, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
I agree with Fran…and Bonds would create a media circus the team doesn’t need.
Posted: 11:34 AM on July 11, 2008