Comments on: Current Slump Is Like Deja Vu

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:24:21 +0000

Well… Don, let’s hope the Phillies can rebound on a long road trip that includes 6 games with two contending AL clubs (Tampa Bay & Toronto) and conclude with 3 against Atlanta. That’s a tough schedule.

It’s frustrating to see the Phillies squandered chance after chance to capitalize and expand their lead on their closest competitor in the Mets with all the injuries they have.

However, the Phillies have proven to be resilient time and time again. So I’m with you Don. I want to see the Phillies win those 6 out of 9 games.

By: Don M

Don M — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:53:36 +0000

Beltran on the DL for the Mets now..?

We need to get Hot.. we need to win 6 of 9 on this Road Trip

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:42:22 +0000

By SIX games? I like your optimism. But really? There are so many possible variables for the second half of the season. Injuries alone played havoc with teams in contention to this point in time. I won’t dismiss so lightly a good team like the Mets (when healthy) or the Braves and possibly the Marlins.

Let’s see if one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in the Phillies lineup in Rollins can turn his season around and be the offensive catalyst that they so sorely missed. And that’s for beginners. I won’t be reduntant on other issues as it has been discussed ad nauseum.

By: The Dispy

The Dispy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:16:28 +0000

I actually think that it will NOT come down to the wire. I think the Phils win the division by 6 games. Go Phils. Anyone say Jon Garland?

The Dipsy

By: bob

bob — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:39:09 +0000

A 1-8 homestand is ridiculous, no matter how you slice it. The Phillies have lost games every way imaginable, as Chris Wheeler pointed out. The Phils may want to consider wearing their road jerseys at home for a game or 2. Everything went wrong and against this team on the homestand.

Here is the thing: WE ARE STILL A FIRST PLACE BALLCLUB. In losing 8 of 9 and 11 of 15, we have lost a grand total of 2.5 games.

This is definitely the same as last season with this slump. One night the pitching blows it or the offense can’t come through. I seem to remember last season turning out pretty well, no?

The issues are slightly different with this team, the pen is a mess. However this will be straighten out with the return of Lidge.

So what does this team need right now?
1. A road trip (check).
2. A starting pitcher. I am ok with Hamels/Blanton/Moyer/Happ. I believe Bastardo is a short term solution for now and I think he will play a role in our pen before this season ends. I don’t see Amaro depleting the farm for an ace. The starter will probably be an Arroyo/Harang/Penny type Getting Penny worries me only because I think the Red Sox would ask much more than he is worth.
3. A right handed bat off the bench? It is possible that Mayberry Jr can solve this problem for the rest of the season. It wouldn’t hurt to explore another option though.

This team will be fine. It will come down to the wire and I dont think we’d have it any other way. Go Phils, lets get back on track!

By: Miles

Miles — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:48:35 +0000

@ A.J.– I don’t particularly care about his record because I would absolutely kill for someone with a 4.7 ERA right now. That means that you are basically throwing a quality start every time out. And with all of the worries people have about our starters, Moyer is really the only one that has been unacceptably (word?) inconsistent. The bullpen and our recent offensive struggles have been the real problems during this slump.

In the last series we got 8 innings 4 runs from Ol’ Dirty, 6 innings 2 runs from Happ and 8 innings 2 runs from Hamels. Their performances warrant at least two wins, but you would expect to win them all. So, yes, we need another starter but that will not fix our situation currently. Only a more consistent offense and a better, rested bullpen will.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:00:39 +0000

Bruce/Dipsy – Take into account Harang’s team in 2008. That explains some of the losses. Not ALL, but some. They were not exactly scoring runs. 4.78 is not great, but 6-17 with that ERA says he got little run support in my opinion. Again, I could be wrong.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:56:15 +0000

Don M. and all – Harang is the best bet for now, but as you and others (like Dipsy) point out, he is a contact pitcher. Be prepared for a Blanton-type pitcher – works hard, goes deep – gives up runs. As long as our offense wakes up I am for it. As for trades – the Reds are carrying 3 catchers, so I don’t know how Marson would fit. Believe it or not though, and some of you may mock me, a Bruntlett type trade may be feasible as the Reds lack a utility player, and we have Dobbs. If you think Brunlett is worth $0, Dobbs is not. My opinion.

By: Steve-o

Steve-o — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:42:31 +0000

I think Outman’s long term role is still as a glorified LOOGY, so I’m not too worried about the loss of him. Joe made it worth while last year. Everyone really needs to stop wishing for Halladay. The Jays are still right in the race, so he’s simply not available. I think Lee could be the best available, but as one writer put it, either Heyman or Olney, the Indians will need him next year, and he’s very cheap at 8m for 2010, so why deal him?
Bedard is now hurt, and that’s a few years in a row that he’s been out of commission. I just can’t see Amaro throwing away valuable pieces for someone who’s such an injury risk.
Harang would be the best bet, but I still wouldn’t deal Taylor. I have to think Carrasco and Marson/Donald would get it done however.

By: Eli

Eli — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:18:35 +0000

I am serious, we have Putz, K-Rod, Wagner, all because of our GM. This man should be in the HOF with Beltran, Reyes, AND Delgado. We will win. All of them will be back by AUgust and we will have taken first. Let’s go Mets.

By: The Dipsy

The Dipsy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:05:32 +0000

I think thats a little too much. Harang is just ok. Kinda like another Blanton almost. Savery is 9-1 in Reading right now. Now you and I both know that he’s doing it with mirrors, but maybe some other team will buy into him as a real good prospect.

The Dispy

By: LH

LH — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:05:22 +0000

Love the heat of the summer and I’m sure the Phils bats will warm to the tunes and the flow of beer as fans watch their boys win again at home. I hope Ruben gets Baez from the Orioles to fill in the relief. Is Madson tired? His fastball looked slow yesterday. Can’t imagine what decent starter the Phillies will get yet with most teams buying instead of selling.

By: Chuck P

Chuck P — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:27:55 +0000

Outman was yanked in the second inning last week… he has a weird pitching style so this was anticipated, to some extent.

By: Chuck P

Chuck P — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:24:59 +0000

I would go for that, Dipsy… Donald/D’Arnaud… we would probably have to send them a pitcher, too. Savery or Carpenter or Worley… not Drabek and not Carrasco.

By: The Dispy

The Dispy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:49:59 +0000

Hey Chuck. I said Donald and D’Arnaud. Did Outman hurt his elbow?

The Dipsy

By: Mazinman

Mazinman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:49:08 +0000

Last week was the worse week I can remember in a long time. We lost all the games, we lost Raul, Ryan got sick, Madson can’t get a save, offence not clicking. A million and one problems. The one difference between this year and the last is that the Mets were charging hard while this year they are also struggling. There is no way we should still be in first yet we are.

I thought we could wait until the deadline for moves but now I am not so sure. We need a bench bat and SP badly. Whoever makes the first big move might very well win the division.

By: Chuck P

Chuck P — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:43:10 +0000

I actually kind of agree with you, Geoff… if you feel like you’re getting the right guy, he is expendable. I’m not sure if Harang is the right guy. I like him but does he have the stuff that it takes to be a good starter in Philadelphia.

They need to dump salary and we need a decent pitcher. Remember, we traded for Blanton last year, who was the A’s opening day starter. We traded him for Cardenas, Outman and Matt Spencer. Cardenas was the headliner but Outman and Spencer were afterthoughts (although Outman was solid as a starter this year before developing elbow issues). Carrasco > Outman. Throw in D’Arnaud and a draft pick or a low rated prospect. Take it or leave it.

By: Manny

Manny — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:18:30 +0000

I think that even though Bedard and Harang would both be No.2s in our staff, Bedard is more talented. If it takes the same prospects to get either, I think I’d prefer Bedard. 4 lefties all the way!

By: Mike Francesa

Mike Francesa — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:16:09 +0000

Yeah, listen to what I say, it’s gospel. I said Joba is the best pitcher in baseball and the Yanks are going to run and hide from the rest of the league this year. I must be right about the Phils and Mets. I’m right about EVERYTHING.

The Pope

By: The Dispy

The Dispy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:15:58 +0000

Bruce, can you check out the three seasons before that on Harang? Thanks. And, respectfully, are you really disputing the “past performance” barometer? I didn’t make it up. Put it this way: If Jamie Moyer were a stock would you buy it? I don’t hate the guy. I’m just saying he’s probably more the pitcher he was in in 2004-2007 and this part of 2009 than the guy who pitched in 2008. I wouldn’t mind so much if he gave up six runs a game if he would just wait until the 8th inning to do it.

The Dipsy