Jamie Moyer – The Angler
Posted by Pat Gallen, Fri, July 17, 2009 08:20 AM | Comments: 77
Analysis, News, Posts
Just call him The Angler. With precision, he fools the fish with bait, and reels them in one at a time.
Jamie Moyer absolutely owns the Florida Marlins. With an array of trickery, Moyer went seven innings with ease on a humid night in Miami. After 94 pitches, Moyer shook hands and left with four strikeouts, as opposed to just two base runners total. One hit and one walk was all the Marlins would manage on this 87-degree night at Land Shark Stadium.
His career stats against Florida are nearly fictitious. In 15 starts, Moyer has a 13-2 record, and his ERA is under three.
Focusing on his near-perfect performance last night, Moyer put together yet another quality game, while proving that age is just a number. Now 9-6 on the season, the elder statesman has fought to provide consistency to an otherwise erratic season. As you may recall, the 46-year old lefty had an ERA north of eight in mid-May, but has lowered that into the mid-fives.
No one is mistaking Moyer for a lights-out performer, but last night was a thing of beauty. From the captain’s chair, Jamie was perfect through four innings until Jorge Cantu broke up the dominance with a single to begin the fifth. That would be all. Countless times Moyer would tease with an 81 M.P.H. fastball on either corner, only to drop a sub-70’s hammer that was virtually un-hittable. Using the Marlins long-swinging approach against them, it became obvious early that the commander was in full control.
It’s ridiculous to believe the veteran can torture his opponent every time out like he does with the Marlins. But they don’t need him to. All Moyer needs to do is keep the Phillies offense within striking distance, and it seems the offense does the rest. He receives over eight runs of support per game, fifth best in the NL.
Moyer has also taught his pupils quite well. Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each tossed a perfect inning to close out the deal. No way they were going to blow this one for the professor; he dug deep in the swelter and earned it.
With the victory, the Phils jumped five games ahead of Florida in the NL East. With the win, The Angler speared, sliced, and gutted the fish like he has done time and again.
Posts: 0 Jessep
Maybe Moyer read that Pedro discussion and it was his way of telling everybody who spoke negatively to eff off? haha. Real good game by Moyer jeez
Posted: 09:38 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 gabriel
“Moyer has also taught his pupils quite well. Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each tossed a perfect inning to close out the deal.”
well put… i love/hate moyer with the best of ‘em, and i secretly wanted him to come back to phils – as the pitching coach, or something to that effect.
professor moyer’s ERA was 5.99 at yesterday’s start – very worrisome, but somehow was 8-6 for the best record amongst starters… another W and almost half a full ERA point later, he’s still the best (overall) amongst starters!!!
this guy simply owns the fish, it’s really surreal in a way.
this guy is truly a player/coach, every time they show him in the dugout he’s yappin it up with one or more of the other pitchers… what an asset to team… it’s clear to me now why they gave him 2 years and all that money… i mean, even if he gets hurt he can still contribute with coaching…
Posted: 09:51 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 SP
good article, pat. For all the naysayers, Moyer gives another decent performance. Let’s get behind him…
Posted: 09:55 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Maverick
I was impressed with Jamies performance. You would think the Fish would catch on eventually and figure him out.. but somehow they keep getting fooled again..and again.. and again.
Posted: 10:02 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 jennyc
Pat, nice article. Well put. It was fun to watch Jamie dominate last night. 46 years old, sweltering heat….wow. And a nice hit to boot! Good for him!
Posted: 10:04 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 558 Brian Michael
I often wonder how the Phillies lineup would fare against Moyer.
Posted: 10:05 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Phlorida
didnt one of the writers on this site say just the other day how Moyer should be the first on the chopping block?? The he throws a gem and its “the professor” this and “array of trickery” that. Yes he has had alot of run support, but the guy for one reason or the other, owns the marlins. I say keep him on if only for the future Marlins series. He knows his time is nearly up, and why he signed such a short extension. he’s already bought a house on the coast of florida so hes probably soon to call it quits anyways. (although it is near the Clearwater Phillies Spring area). Anyways, great game, especially against closest division team. Keep up the good work boys!!
Posted: 10:13 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Bender
Moyer was the most impressive i have seen him since last time he faced the Fish in FLA .for some reason he dominates them there, the announcers nailed it when they said that the he feels comfortable throwing to the younger aggressive batters because he knows he can get them off balance and very ancy to hit his 65-85 mph pitches. We all know this is the exception not the rule and it is good to see Jamie dominate.
I always behind ANYONE who puts a phillies uni on
Posted: 10:14 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Maverick
Brian thats easy…Moyer would dominate most of them…. Phils are a fastball hitting team.
I estimate….
Rollins would be batting around 200 vs him
Howard would be 4 for 22 with 2 HRs and 10 strike outs
i think Victorino and Ibanez would have the most success…
Actually i dont see Moyer doing well at all vs Ibanez…..does anyone have stats on this btw….both of them have been around along time im sure they have gone h2h
Posted: 10:18 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
I think Moyer would do pretty well going against our lineup … we hit lots of fly ball outs anyway.. I kinda think he would cruise..
well either that, or give up like 7 runs and get yanked by the 4th inning
Posted: 10:18 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
OFF TOPIC.. but “breaking news”
I’ve read that:
Blue Jays want: Drabek, Knapp, Marson and either Taylor or Brown
(Not Jason Donald?? so that makes me think its not accurate)
and then on ESPN, Buster Olney’s blog says “Phillies now unsure about Halladay” …but you have to be an ESPN-INsider to read it.. anyone have access to that?
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2ffeatures%2frumors
Posted: 10:27 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
here ya go
The latest in the Roy Halladay chase: One report says the Phillies’ front office is split on whether to pursue the righthander or stick with the current staff that this week added Pedro Martinez.
In an appearance on “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” ESPN’s Peter Gammons said he spoke with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi on Thursday and added that the chances of a Halladay deal are about “50-50.”
If the Jays stick to their guns and insist that any taker for Halladay also accepts outfielder Vernon Wells in the deal, the New York Yankees may be the only fit, says Newsday’s Anthony Rieber. He cites the Bronx Bombers’ ability to absorb Wells’ contract that runs through 2014. Wells is hitting just .263 with nine home runs and a .312 on-base percentage this season and will make $99.25 million between now and the end of his current pact.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman is mum on Halladay, noting baseball’s tampering policy. But we know that if a good player is on the market, the Yankees are interested.
Posted: 10:34 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Conrad
Ibanez against Phils pitchers:
Moyer: 2 for 9
Myers: 0 for 3
Blanton: 12 for 47
Durbin: 3 for 4
Eyre: 0 for 2
Lopez: 7 for 20
Park: 3 for 24
Romero: 3 for 22
Posted: 10:34 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
All three of the players the Phils consider untouchable AND Marson for Halladay… On your bike JP, he’s trying to take the Phils to the cleaners when no-one else seems to be offering near that much.
Posted: 10:39 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 David M.
Great job Moyer!
Posted: 10:39 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Last week Gammons said that there was only about a 20% chance of Halladay getting traded.. the fact that its up to 50% means its going to happen.
Good job by the Phillies …like I said before using the old poker-bluff .. keeping their cards close to the chest and telling the Blue Jays that they need to trade Halladay, just as much as we want to trade FOR Halladay..
If the Yankees pick up Vernon Wells it looks terrible.. BUT.. I think Matsui, Damon, Nady, etc all are free agents after this year? So they will need an OF anyway.. and if overpaying for Wells (who isn’t a superstar, but can definitely still play) will get you a year and a half of Halladay. .. that’s not a terrible move.
The Yanks wouldn’t have to give up as much in return, since they would be taking the contract of Wells instead of giving up prospects..
Halladay, Sabathia, Burnett … yikes..
Im guessing they would have to give up Chamberlain, or Phil Hughes?
Posted: 10:41 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Great job by Moyer. he really wants to keep that 5th spot.
As for Halladay, I go back and forth on who I’d give up, Dravek or Happ. I love the way Happ’s been pitching, but teams will catch up with a guy with only two pitches. I think I’d prefer to part with Happ over Dravek.
Posted: 10:42 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
The price tag for the Yanks would be higher… I think they’d have to give up both Joba, Hughes and probably Melky and one of their top prospects which is why I don’t see them doing it… They were very strong on getting younger throughout the years and not using the 04-7 technique of getting the aging superstars…. if they get Halladay they will clean out their future when they already have a good enough team to win it all this year.
Posted: 10:50 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Sometimes this site is ridiculous… yesterday, I had to defend Jamie because it was implied that he should be replaced by Rodrigo Lopez. Now, just one day later, this article shows up and everyone is praising Jamie (and rightfully so). I read the chat from yesterday’s game… it’s absurd to say that wins are not an important stat. I get it, pitchers can be better or worse than their record indicates but a win is a win, right? If the team scores runs for him, that should mean that he’s more valuable to this team. He keeps them in the game and does whatever he can to go deep into games. He still knows how to pitch and it should be no surprise that he’s doing the same thing that he did in 2008… winning games despite not having a 90 mph fastball. He has had some BRUTAL starts in 2009, particularly early on, but he’s been much better since he has settled in. I’ve said this before, I really think that the short offseason had a negative effect on Jamie more than anyone else. Early on, it probably screwed up his muscle memory a little bit (fatgue). He might not have had the amount of rest that his body needs at his age. But now we’re seeing that the muscle memory is back and he’s hitting the spots consistently.
Posted: 10:51 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Chuck, Moyer’s 4.22 ERA sine May 20th(last 11 starts) is pretty good for a #5. Most teams would love that production.
Posted: 11:06 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 christopher
i think the best part about Moyer’s performance last night was that in the 7th (?) inning, in the sweltering heat, while wheeler begs for him to get an out, the old man goes out there and guts out a base hit. gotta love jamie.
Posted: 11:07 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
The guys from The Daily News say the phillies will not get Halliday. I agree. They said the Phillies love there prospects more then the bluejay do. I agree. We never had prospects. They think Boston or the Yankees will get him.
Posted: 11:17 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Thats what the Jays want? Thats their initial asking price? I thought they were going to ask for more being as this is their first “demand” if this is in fact what its is. For ME, if you can get Taylor/Brown outta there and replace with Donald…….
The Dipsy
Posted: 11:19 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Walter
Keith Law Espn yesterday on chat – somebody asked a question in which he put out a offer for toronto and asked what law thought about it:
Keith Law (1:55 PM)
I would not take that offer if I was Toronto, nor would I expect Ricciardi to take it. Marson and Drabek are both overrated, and as much as I like Brown, he’s probably two full years away and carries some risk.
Trust me I think Drabek is underrated. He later tells that he thinks drabek is overrated because he has already had tommy john surgery and is injury prone because of that and that drabek is a light guy and doesn’t weigh much. well tim lincecum looks like a thin 15 year old and he is doing great.
Well thats why these guys are only on tv, radio and internet and why they are only “predictiors”. They can’t see the future. they only make picks. did anyone see ibanez hitting .312 with 24HRS and 63RBI entering July 17th????
Posted: 11:22 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
The Jays clearly aren’t asking for guys they’ve scouted over the past couple of weeks, their asking for the Phillies best rated prospects hoping the Phils are that desperate for him. It looks more and more likely Halladay will stay in Toronto as the relationship festers more and reasonable trade packages are re-visited in the off-season.
If what the Jays were asking for from the Phils was value other teams would be clambering to match and better it.
Posted: 11:25 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
I don’t know if any of you watch MLB Network… if you haven’t, I suggest you start to look there for post-game analysis rather than Baseball Tonight. MLB Network does such a better job in my opinion now. They are less hype and promoting their own causes (ie wednesday nights game on espn)
They discussed Moyer’s start and the one thing they kept saying was if Moyer has an umpire that knows him, he’s gonna be good. Moyer has earned the corners just off the plate with certain umps and last night Rob Drake was behind the plate… a 10 year vet in the big leagues.
I’m not saying it’s wrong… I def think players “earn” those rights… but they were saying that is the key to his success. If he’s got an ump behind the plate that will give him a strike call when it’s just off the plate… he can dominate a game because he can have pinpoint control… I thought that was a pretty interesting way to go over his performance.
Posted: 11:31 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Drabek, Knapp, Marson and Taylor/Brown…
Yikes… that’s a tough call. I guess that’s why RAJ gets paid the big bucks…
I would hate to see Drabek go but he’s still young and he has already had one TJ surgery. His stock might never be this high again… Could he develop into a #1 or #2? Certainly. Could he land on the DL at some point with elbow problems? He could. I really like Drabek… his stuff is filthy and he is a pedigree. Not sure if he’s replaceable… if Happ continues his ascent, maybe we don’t need Drabek down the line. Hamels, Happ, Carrasco is a solid young core. Carrasco still shows a lot of promise; his k/9 is still hovering right around 9 this year.
If you’re going to try to keep Vic/Werth around, there’s probably only room for Taylor OR Brown on this team. Thankfully, they’re both great baseball players… we’re giving up BIG TIME talent with either of those two. Knapp will be good… I’m willing to bet that we can replace Knapp by the time he’s going to be ready (still a few years away). Marson is blocked… I think that Ruiz is here for a long time.
It comes down to Drabek, doesn’t it? Again, I think that we are in the driver’s seat. Every team that pops up in discussions flares out shortly thereafter. I like the fact that we’re being patient… let’s see if we can wait this thing out a little longer; maybe we can win a few more games without Halladay, extend our lead, let the other suitors bail and let the Red Sox pummel the Blue Jays to the point where they’re ready to waive the white flags. Taylor/Brown appear to be the BEST prospect that they’re gonna get from any team… we might not need to give them Drabek, too.
Posted: 11:31 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 christopher
i hope that drabek does not have to be moved to get halladay, but if he does i REALLY hope they don’t have to include either knapp or carrasco as well. our pitching is not that young or that deep… we need some guys to potentially step up in a few years time.
Posted: 11:32 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 XjasonX
thinking in the future here, it’s been fairly known that Myers would like to stay a member of the Phillies. Where would he land if we even did pick up Halladay, especially now knowing we have Pedro? I wouldn’t want to give up someone like Myers who wants to remain loyal to the team and can produce as a starter, for Halladay who will be a drain on the teams payroll.
I think Halladay is good pitcher, but at the end of the day, I’d rather try to keep a player who wants to remain a member of the team even if they are a free agent than get a player who in a year could cost us more money than we should pay…
Posted: 11:34 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Nj – Its still a lot that they’re asking for, just not as much as we expected. How many other teams are out there that HAVE two prospects like Drabek and Taylor let alone willing to trade them them plus more AND willing to take Halladay’s money. The Red Sox could do it but the Jays won’t trade him there. St. Louis? Angels? We all know the key to this deal but it still remains unspoken.
The Dipsy.
Posted: 11:35 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
The idea that Moyer gets given a foot-up getting a good zone from the ump is so narrow minded, Volstad got exactly as generous a zone as Jamie did last night. It’s not like the umps are reserving parts of the zone for Jamie and not giving it to every pitcher he’s up against.
Posted: 11:36 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 558 Brian Michael
Jamie Moyer vs. current Phillies
Rollins: 0-3, K
Bako: 1-6, 2 Ks
Ibanez: 2-9, 2B, RBI, K
Bruntlett: 2-2, BB
Stairs: 10-35, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 10 K
Posted: 11:38 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Sam
I think it’s pretty dumb to think that the Jays will trade Halladay to a team in the same division as them. They don’t want him to go to a team that they will have to face all the time, hence the appeal of trading him to the national league. Saying he’ll go to the sox or the yanks is just stupid, well the jays would be stupid to do it anyway.
Posted: 11:41 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
OK. I get it. Jamie had a nice game. I’m happy for him and the Phils. I mean…ya know….thats the guy’s job.
The Dipsy
Posted: 11:43 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Dipsy I think it’s really coincidental that the Jays are asking for all of the players that the consensus view seems to be are the Phillies best prospects. I can understand a Drabek or a Brown headlining the deal as they are considered the two best prospects but the Jays are trying to sneak both, get Knapp and still get a major league ready prospect or two. To me it seems to casual an offer with no real work being done by the Jays to work on a deal.
He’s not going to get traded inside the AL east in-season, the Yanks don’t need him, the Sox won’t give up their jewels unless it’s to block the Yankees from getting him. The Angels could offer higher ceiling major league ready prospects but their clearly not going to do that AND offer their top pitching prospects. Maybe the Cards are heavily in the mix but their clearly not going to match that kind of offer so the Phils are just bidding against themselves right now.
Am looking forward to when the packages being spoken of for Halladay become realistic.
Posted: 11:44 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Pedro’s only here until the end of this year… not part of the equation beyond 2009.
Myers is making $12 million this year and the only thing he’s producing is time on the DL… you can’t (and won’t be able to) re-sign him. We’ll be asking for a hometown discount and he won’t want to take that. Someone will give him more money than he’ll be offered to stay in Philadelphia.
Posted: 11:45 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
NJ … you missed the point totally. Of course they were GETTING the same calls… but Volstad doesn’t have the control/accuracy to hit those outside corners or inside corners off the plate like Moyer does.
If it’s off the plate it’s harder to hit no matter what so if Moyer can get it to that spot much more than Volstad, he’s going to be much more successful.
It’s not narrow minded at all. I mean two former pitchers in Plesac and Mitch Williams were the ones discussing it. It’s not like I just came on here and made it up. I’m pretty sure they know more about pitching than any of us
Posted: 11:50 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
how did Volstad “earn” 4+ inches off the plate against Werth last night??
Anyone else catch Victorino dropping f-bombs in the dugout after he got called out in the 1st inning??
Why the had/have microphones in the dugout, I really dont know..
Posted: 11:50 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
From MLBTR… love the Bill Conlin quote (so true):
Here are the latest Roy Halladay rumors and a bit of trivia to explain why he’s in such high demand: Halladay pitched less than seven innings for the first time this season on June 12th.
Don’t expect the Cardinals to trade Colby Rasmus for Halladay. GM John Mozeliak told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he won’t move the young outfielder in a deal for a player the Cards only control for a year and a half.
The Dodgers are looking for relievers now, but they’ll try to acquire Halladay or Cliff Lee to improve their rotation, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
Bill Conlin of the Philadelphia Daily News says Halladay’s availability has created such a frenzy that people “who wouldn’t know Michael Taylor from Elizabeth Taylor speak authoritatively about a hole in the … outfielder’s swing.”
Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News says the Yankees should have enough talent not to have to bring in another Cy Young Award winner less than 100 games after adding C.C. Sabathia.
Posted: 11:53 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
I forget who was on ESPN radio this morning but they were describing why they felt getting Halladay wasn’t the best move for the Phils and it made sense.
I ASSUME the goal of this organization is to put up a consistent fight year in and year out. They don’t wanna be 1 or 2 year wonder…
Myers, Rollins, Blanton, Feliz, Victorino, Werth and a bunch other smaller names are all due some sort of larger pay or new contract during the time of Halladay’s contract.
So the argument was made that if they trade any pairing of their Top 5 prospects that it would in fact set them back because they have their core retained but they have plans for certain young players and getting rid of them will force them to start doing what the Yankees did in 05 etc and that’s sign older free agents just to fill in holes when they had young guys who coulda been ready to play at the same time.
Posted: 11:54 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
MLB Network is also much better because they talk about baseball all the time…
instead of ESPN who has Baseball Tonight, for 20 minutes… and then goes to NFL LIVE in June and July.. as though anyone cares about what text messages Brett Favre sent to some reporter I’ve never heard of
Posted: 11:54 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessep
MLB Network also didn’t celebrate Manny Ramirez’s minor league stint as if he just came off a medical leave that wasn’t his fault or cheating
Posted: 11:56 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
considering we’ve got a total of 2 WORLD SERIES titles in 125 years … I think its alright if we go after a few more right now, while we got arguably the most talents Phillies team ever.
The 2008 and 2009 teams rival those of the late 1970s and early 1980s
maybe not in terms of Hall of Famers.. YET
because its too early to say that, but Utley is the best 2b we’ve ever had.. Howard is the best 3b we’ve ever had.. Rollins is the best SS we’ve ever had.. etc..
Lets go get some trophies
Posted: 11:57 AM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Take your point Jessep but if Jamie is getting that inch off the plate and executing while others aren’t he’s not getting a generous zone. In last nights game Volstad was getting a nice zone before Moyer started getting to work. I just see A LOT of nights when the analysis picks apart Jamie’s performance crediting his success to a generous zone. When Jamie isn’t getting a generous zone he adjusts like any pitcher adjusts to a generous zone.
Vic deserved to be angry on getting caught stealing, the ump flat out blew that call.
Posted: 12:01 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Didn’t hear the Victorino F-bombs, but hearing Jamie call out to use”two hands” to Ruiz to catch that pop-up was classic.
MLB network is awesome.
Yeah, that first SO (think it was the first one) on Werth was ridiculous. At LEAST 4 inches off the plate……and a little high as well.
Posted: 12:11 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
There was another play at 1st base.. that I thought Utley was safe on. but it was the 3rd out of the inning, went to commercial without showing a replay.
You guys know that play where Daniel Murphy of the Mets, flips the ball behind his back to get the out at 1st ?? I think he got Mark Loretta out on the play..
Anyone else think Loretta was actually SAFE?
Posted: 12:11 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 pb
I missed the game last night, what was reason Lidge was not used?
Posted: 12:18 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
It was a non-save situation since we were up by more than 3 runs.. no point in using Lidge in a game you don’t need him, because maybe he then wouldn’t be available in a game where we did need him
Posted: 12:24 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Anybody here think that Jamie deserved the Ashburn award for last night? I mean, Raul’s two homers were very impressive and hugely significant as far as the offense is concerned but I think Jamie’s performance was far more memorable. Just my opinion.
Posted: 12:31 PM on July 17, 2009
Posts: 1376 Pat Gallen
My colleague Corey wrote the article the other day where Moyer was involved. Last night, he used his trickery to kill the Marlins. It’s the truth. Will he do this often? Probably not. But for a night, he was king of the hill. Lets hope for more.
Posted: 12:31 PM on July 17, 2009