Comments on: Ben Francisco, the New Bat Off the Bench

By: hamels' left hand

hamels' left hand — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:18:24 +0000

relax about Bruntlett…they’ll replace him with a waiver deal sometime in August. You read it here first.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:35:08 +0000

Bruce -

Versatility on defense? He may play a bunch of positions, but he plays them all poorly. He’s the worst player in the majors: he can’t hit, he can’t field, he can’t run. He’s a “utility man” for one reason: he plays a bunch of different spots to cover the fact that he isn’t competent enough to play well. I’m half-convinced he’s blackmailing Manuel into allowing him a spot on the squad. He can’t do anything.

Besides, if you needed an infielder, you have them. Dobbs can play first and third, and Feliz can play short and second. If Rollins or Utley needs a day off, you can just shift it around and have Feliz up the middle for a day. No big deal. It’d be way better offensively and defensively than having Bruntlett in the game.

By: psujoe

psujoe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:32:05 +0000

Marlins close to landing Bell as a closer. They’re trying to make things interesting.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:06:23 +0000

You can only carry so many on the bench for a 25 man roster. It obvious to me that Mayberry returns to Lehigh Valley to get his ABs and learn how to hit “breaking” pitches. Bruntlett stays for his versatility on defense.

By: psujoe

psujoe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:48:08 +0000

I agree on Lopez. He’s really done his job well. Any utility guys out there cheap to replace Bruntlett? It’s nausiating watching his pinch hit. He couldn’t hit a pinatta.

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:41:20 +0000

Given his success against the Giants and the fact that Saturday is “normal rest,” they’ll definitely want to pitch him in this series (before the off day)… that’s pretty much a given… I wouldn’t be surprised if they considered pitching him Sunday; 4:05 start versus Zito… less pressure in his first start as a Phillie but more of the hometown Phaithful watching (rather than a 9pm Saturday game against Lincecum). That being said, Sunday will be their 18th game without a rest and pitching him Saturday sends him a clear message that we brought him here to go up against Lincecum… plus, having him go out on Saturday will give us the flexibilty to rest whoever needs a rest (Moyer or Hamels).

By: Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:34:20 +0000

I really think they should try and keep Lopez around somehow. The guy throws good breaking sinkers and keeps the ball down. Hes gotta be useful, even out of the pen.

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:15:52 +0000

MY GUESS is that he’ll pitch August 1st with us (had he stayed with the Indians, that would’ve been his next scheduled game)…. but even after figuring that out, you have to wonder what they’ll do with Moyer’s start (who’s the one currently scheduled for Saturday).. I would just completely skip his start, and let Hamels pitch on August 2nd (as scheduled) instead of Moyer… gotta take into account that August 3rd is an off-day, and you want to avoid giving Hamels too much rest. I think Moyer can handle a skip in the rotation and then simply replace Lopez’ in next start.

By: 4daysrest.com

4daysrest.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:10:01 +0000

We love the trade. We also think that Ben Francisco is a great name. And you know T-Mac is going to say it’s a francisco treat after he hits his first home run. Because it’s food. And because T-mac prefers the company of men.

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:01:26 +0000

The fact of the matter is that signing Lee and keeping the top prospects, Rube has afforded himself the opportunity to be flexible with upcoming negotiations and free agent acquisitions… Lee is cheaper, yes, and that’s great for ownership but the main benefit is that we’ll get to see Brown and Taylor and Drabek develop and eventually make their way to the big leagues. In 2011, when Blanton, Lee, Vic and Werth enter their free agent years, we can make the tough decisions that will need to be made… but we won’t be forced into a corner and for the next two years, we have a guy that is a bona fide ace. If we decide to keep any number of those players, essentially blocking those farm hands (Werth, Vic, Blanton or Lee), we’ll have ripe talent to trade… regardless, we should be able to afford to keep them or let them walk because we have guys that will fill in. Lee gives us a great chance to repeat. Hamels, Lee, Blanton and Happ/Martinez/Moyer/Lopez is very formidable…

Also, I heard the guys on MLB Network say that they didn’t feel like having 3-4 lefties in the rotation is a bad thing… they said that it’s easier for a lefty to navigate a heavy righthanded lineup easier than it is for a righty to navigate a lefty heavy lineup.

By: PhillyPhaninIndy

PhillyPhaninIndy — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:01:11 +0000

What a great trade for the Phils!!! I really think we needed to do it. This will make us the frontrunner for the world series for the next two years. Look out NL.

By: philsphan

philsphan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:57:23 +0000

Yea haha, the game’s sold out but stubhub isn’t too bad right now. I figure once people figure out that’s his first game though they’ll shoot up.

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:55:50 +0000

Looking for tickets philsphan? heheh Can’t blame you… I wish I could go to Lee’s first game in Philly…

By: philsphan

philsphan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:52:47 +0000

Kind of off-topic, but is Lee’s first home start going to be Friday August 7th?

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:41:31 +0000

Lee is a few years younger.. and while he may not get as much PER YEAR as Halladay… he will probably get a longer deal than Halladay..

I think they both cost too much as Free Agents for the Phillies to resign.. but that is a long way away

By: psujoe

psujoe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:38:04 +0000

Manny, the financial difference is a huge part of this deal. In actual dollars and unseen savings. In fact I’d argue this deal gives the Phils a better chance of more championships over the next 5 years than Halladay would’ve

saving 6.75 of lee over Halladay

Lee much more signable at a reasonable figure than Halladay

Ben Francisco is a cheap 4th OF at very low cost. We can keep him until taylor/Brown are ready instead of getting a more expensive guy like Jenkens, cough, cough

Not trading Happ allows us to keep a cheap effective pitcher insted of going after an expensive FA

Keeping top prospects that may end up replacing expensive guys i.e. Drabek for Blanton in 2011, Taylor or Brown for Raul 2011.

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:35:21 +0000

The Phillies already have like 44 SELL OUTS in 52 games… if they try to cut payroll this year, especially if we have a few home playoffs games.. I’ll be pissed.

You have to reward the fans for coming out.. and keep a good thing going. they definitely are not losing any money

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:25:54 +0000

Another positive from the trade (got this from the Inquirer):

“Like Halladay, Lee is signed for next year, and the Phillies valued that. Halladay is due to make $15.75 million next season, while Lee will make $9 million. Sources say finances did not preclude the Phillies from adding Halladay, but they might have had to deal Blanton over the winter if they had gotten the Toronto ace.

Now, they can likely keep Blanton, who will get a raise from $5.475 million.”

By: psujoe

psujoe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:18:42 +0000

jj, Lee middle of the road? In his last 20 starts he has an era of 2.66 which is almost identical to Halladay’s last 20 starts(2.62). He also leads the majors in innings.

By: jj

jj — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:07:50 +0000

Gerrit Ritt: Lee had two great games recently, but outside of that, he’s been as average as any middle of the rotation pitcher this season. Sure, he may get some more wins pitching in Philly, but he SURE isn’t doing his owners any favors throwing in that ballpark of theirs! His ERA is the only thing that’s gonna be shooting through the roof anytime soon!

what da ya guys think? to me this is a terrible move. trust me lee will have a 4.50+ era at CBP. just to show at another hitter ballpark great american in cincy lee is 2-2 with a 4.91era with 7 hrs allowed in 29.1 IP. Sure he’ll get wins because of phils O but he will stink it up. terrible. i know everybody will terrorize me for this but i ll be right at the end. time to switch from a phillies fan to a dodgers fan. Go Dodgers and Marlins!!!!!!!!! woooooo selling all my phils goods and caps

Phillies suck balls i wanted halladay

all of you stink
dodger blue baby phillies stink
watch em get knocked out in the first round by the giants and their amazing pitching. curse the phillies to get swept by giants this weekend. ill be here sunday to watch u guys get swept. Phillies stink

go dodgers
MANNY