Stairs Might Be Unfortunate Victim Of Roster Clog
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, March 19, 2009 07:11 AM | Comments: 20
Issues, Posts
There are two types of players stirring in the Phillies outfield logjam. One is the older and brutish player (Raul Ibanez, Geoff Jenkins, Matt Stairs); the other is the younger and speedier (Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, John Mayberry Jr.). It’s evident the Phillies have room for just five of these players, and the final spot will go to either Jenkins, Stairs or Mayberry.
The finalists’ spring totals:
Jenkins: 26 AB / .231 AVG / 2 2B / 1 HR / 5 RBI / 7 K
Stairs: 22 AB / .318 AVG / 3 2B / 0 HR / 4 RBI / 1 SB / 4 K
Mayberry: 51 AB / .275 AVG / 5 2B / 3 HR / 10 RBI / 1 SB / 16 SO
Clearly Stairs has lived up to his professional hitter mantra. Jenkins and Mayberry have performed similarly at the plate, but Mayberry has exhibited a bit more versatility with his hitting. Defensively, Mayberry has been the best of the three, making just sporadic rookie mistakes. Jenkins has been his usual self, limited slightly in coverage and holding an average arm. Stairs has been a notch below, but has mostly seen designated hitter time.
Yesterday I wrote Mayberry and Jenkins should make the roster, leaving Stairs out as a potential trade chip. That argument has garnered the most attention, considering Stairs’ fan-favorite status. But the fact remains the Phils have too many outfielders, not enough bench options against left-handed pitching and Jenkins’ exorbitant contract. Leaving Stairs out of the final roster would actually be unfair, but ultimately necessary.
The Phils can keep Stairs with the club and give Mayberry more time to work on his discipline — with 500 at bats he’d have 165 strikeouts, but at some point the move will be made. At some point the Phils will choose to go with youth and speed over age and brute. If they don’t, opposing managers will have an easy time navigating through the Phillies bench.
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
I also like Matt Stairs, and he deserves to play. At age 41, his bat is still potent even though his glove is worn out. I would like to see him land a position in the AL as a designated hitter, a position that he really is suited for. The dude can still swing the lumber.
Posted: 07:40 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Albert
Mayberry isn’t making this team. He is going to be a late bloomer, and even though he is 25 he isn’t ready to hit big league caliber pitching (the 16 k’s supports this). I’m excited to track his progress at AAA to start the year.
Posted: 07:54 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
Once more, this makes me wish we had a DH role. Obviously, Stairs would be our Pat Burrell and/or Jim Thome.
Posted: 07:58 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
As you said Tim: “at some point.” –hopefully sooner than later… but not yet. Keep Jenks and Stairs in the roster first, and if one of them is really sucking –while Mayberry tears up AAA—, then that would make this whole process easier.
Posted: 08:26 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I totally agree with Tim and Co. on this one. Mayberrys going to be the guy there. Mayberry is versatile, and probably wont benefit that much from AAA as he has already been in teh minors for years. Mayberry will provide energy and a RH power bat off of the bench. Going with a lefty-dominated bench (Dobbs, Jenkins, Stairs, Bruntlett, Paulino) does not really make sense when they already have a lefty-heavy lineup in the power slots. Mayberry has to be the guy here to take on the 4th outfielder role. Jenkins will be the 5th man until his contract expires at the end of the year and they decline his option.
Posted: 08:34 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Hey Nation, aren’t we doing a fantasy team tournament? How does that work? It’s getting close… and I need to choose my players!
Posted: 09:12 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
I agree i think Mayberry needs everyday play and not bench time. Start him out in AAA and if he looks great the first couple weeks of the season and Jenkins or Stairs aren’t then you call up Mayberry but I just don’t agree with letting a young player sit when he could be getting at bats in AAA.
Posted: 09:13 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
But Mayberry is 25. Hes seen enough minor league at bats.
Posted: 09:40 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Same with Happ. Hes 25/26 as well, and both him and Mayberry are as ready as theyre ever going to be for the majors. Once youve been in the minors as long as they have youre ready even if there isnt a spot for you.
Posted: 09:41 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
It’s a tough call at this point in Spring training. I agree with Tim and Geoff is right when he said “…Going with a lefty-dominated bench (Dobbs, Jenkins, Stairs, Bruntlett, Paulino) does not really make sense when they already have a lefty-heavy lineup in the power slots.” I see Stairs as the odd man out. The 40 year old Stairs who hits lefthanded had just 21 ABs (including 4 in postseason) with the Phillies last season. Even with minimal total of ABs, one can see he attempts to go for a HR with every uppercut swing of his bat. With the all or nothing approach, he is not the idea hitter coming off the bench when you need a hit, walk or simply advancing a runner on base with a grounder. Jenkins obviously stays with the team so Mayberry Jr. will probably become the the 5th outfielder off the bench this season. The need for a righthanded bat works in his favor.
Posted: 09:51 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Chutley
Yeah whats up with fantasy baseball?
Posted: 09:55 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian Michael
Fantasy invites go out in the next couple of days. We’ll be using Yahoo!
Posted: 09:59 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
Would you believe I have yet to play fantasy baseball?
Even more important, would you also believe that I have only 1 out of every 37 questions answered on this blog?
If a tree were to fall in the forest and I were watching my Phillies and my wife didn’t hear that tree, would I still be wrong?
Posted: 10:23 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Ryan S
Phan in TN,
I do believe you have yet to play fantasy baseball.
Posted: 10:50 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Stairs said outright after his famous HR that he ALWAYS tries to hit the longball, even in batting practice, he’s going for the fence. He will always be remembered here for that shot, but I think it’s time to give Mayberry a chance, he’s been in the minors long enough, has had a good ST, let’s give the kid a break.
Phan in TN, I’ve never played fantasy anything, well at least not sports related.
Posted: 11:04 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike N
Is Mayberry fast enough to pinch run?
Posted: 11:15 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
He’s gotta be faster than Stairs, you’d think, eh?
Posted: 11:21 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
the commercial guy said “world champion phillies”
…and the phan smiled
Posted: 11:30 AM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike
Did I see that right??? Stairs with an SB this spring? What happened there? Catcher get shot?
Posted: 01:10 PM on March 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Josh
I say there is no way Stairs doesn’t make the roster. I find that hard to believe. I like Mayberry, I do. I hope he makes the roster, but there’s no way Mayberry will replace Stairs. Let’s be realistic. You don’t replace experience on a guy who has no real league experience right at the beginning of the season. I could see a mid-season move, but that’s all.
Posted: 01:23 PM on March 19, 2009