Comments on: So, What Now?

By: Brian of CO

Brian of CO — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:40:35 +0000

DC is correct, if the Phillies are looking for a veteran leadership as a pitcher who has EARNED the right as a member of this organziation (I am still surprised by this) go after Pedro again. The problem is, I HIGHLY doubt that Pedro would re-sign for a similar salary. Seeing how well he did for the Phils, chances are, he will demand a much higher salary then the Phillies are willing to pay for him, and a higher salary than Smoltz for that matter would demand. He was demanding a pretty hefty salary prior to when he signed for the Phils, and no one was willing to pick him up, but Im sure he will go back to that and try to use his time as a Phillie to back up his claim that hes worth it. Pedro was well worth the 1 Mill or so he was paid for half the season, but I wouldnt be surprised if he demanded 4-5 Mill, but I dont know.

By: DC

DC — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:46:49 +0000

I would really like to have Pedro Martinez back on this team as our fifth starter. I guess that is a long shot, but I thought he did a nice job

By: derekcarstairs

derekcarstairs — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:44:57 +0000

A top priority for the Phillies should be to sign Jayson Werth to a four or five year extension. He is currently the team’s best athlete and should remain valuable for the length of the contract.

Given the current outfield make-up and Domonic Brown’s great progress, I have viewed Taylor as a trading chip. That thought presupposed that the Phils would keep Werth. Werth and Brown should be the team’s corner outfielders no later than the start of 2012.

We have control over Victorino through 2011 so we have some time before a decision is made about extending him. If Gillies can do the job, we can save some money and let Victorino walk. It appears that Gillies will give us continued good CF defense and base running. At the plate, Gillies may not need to be more than an effective 8-hole hitter.

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:04:15 +0000

Ugh… the quality of debate/conjecture on this site has deteriorated to the point where I can no longer bear it. I’ll be back when things quiet down – when the “experts” go back to their day jobs.

By: JJFritz

JJFritz — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:52:02 +0000

Brian, you are right. Ever since Smoltz returned to the rotation, he seems to have struggle with consistency. That’s why he should be strictly used at the back end of the bullpen. He would be a good setup man and backup for Lidge in Philly. As I said in an earlier post, he was one of the most dominant closers in the game a few years ago. But, I agree with the fact that we should stick with Madson as the set-up man. Yes, he struggled a little bit last year with consistency, but it really wasn’t his fault. He isn’t a closer, and everyone knows that. There was too much pressure put on him to step in when Lidge struggled. That, in return, made him ineffective as set-up as well. Consistency is the key. When you have a guy for a certain role, leave him there. I think bringing in someone who can close would be smart. Smoltz or Capps are both good fits. They are both proven closers. And they would reduce much of the stress put on the shoulders of both Madson AND Lidge, in turn making them both more effective in their own respective roles.

By: Brian of CO

Brian of CO — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:50:04 +0000

Well I dont agree that Smoltz would be a good move. He was HORRIBLE with the Red Sox, and had 1 or 2 good starts with the cards. I believe his ERA ended close to 7.5 I REALLY Hope Hamels goes back to his 08 splender and NOT his 09 blunder. He has so much potential, but always seems to bring so much drama. If Blanton and Happ pitch like they did in 09, and Hamels pitches like he did in 08, WOW. But yet, to me the biggest question mark is Ledge, Sorry I meant Lidge. One would hope that since he had surgery, when he did, it #1 fixed the injury he was battling ALL SEASON in 09, and also has had plenty of time for Re-hab. This is a very good team. Offense is largely intact, and still WICKED, Starting Pitching looks much stronger honestly tham the start of last season, Bench to me looks much improved from the start of last season, BullPen has potential to be great if Lidge closes, because Madson is a weak closer and a GREAT set-up man.

By: mikemike

mikemike — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:02:46 +0000

Anymore here believe montgomery the phillies are in the red after two world series appearance. How many extra games have they played in the last three years all that revenue, and they are in the red, Cheap Bastard Owners, they are liars , always have been, spent no money in international market last year, spent less than anyone in the draft. after making all that money . John middleton is the only one who wants to spend money to win. 5 owners who are old philadelphia money and just want to say they own the team if they win fine if not who cares they dont.

By: Manny

Manny — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:55:14 +0000

I agree with Griffin.

My 2 cents.

By: william

william — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:49:37 +0000

I hope Kendrick find a offspeed pitch he would make a decent 5th starter

By: j reed

j reed — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:15:03 +0000

well we have the best pitcher who happens to be the best GB pitcher in all the land. Yeah, till now fancy that, CBP with a rotation full of fly ball pitchers and one of the best defensive infields in the NL. I lover sinkerballs…the honda accord of pitches…what you don’t get in p***y you get in GB outs. Kendrick is coming along but how about Pinero? I really enjoyed Pedro M last year. it sucked what happened that last game. he shouldn’t of been out there …it was obvious that he blew a tire. Maybe Dubee forgot to bring the radar gun and his brain to Pedro’s bull pen session.

By: Jesus

Jesus — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:26:41 +0000

William, you are right about DJ’s control issues but he does throw a lot of groundballs and doesn’t give up the long ball which are two things we could use. Although I’m sure he is one of those pitchers that just drive you crazy while he is on the mound with all the walks.

By: william

william — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:19:47 +0000

Carrasco has real control problems at times but ground ball pitcher are what we need

By: william

william — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:17:56 +0000

Having Capps and Aumont under control would be great. Dotel would be a good stop gap for ONE year. Smoltz would bring a new level old school attitude to the pen

By: Jesus

Jesus — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:15:05 +0000

I also am confused as to why no one has signed DJ Carrasco from the White Sox. He can’t cost too much and he is a groundball machine. Would be perfect for a middle reliever for us, especially in this park.

By: j reed

j reed — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:07:34 +0000

capps had a rough year (i am assuming Matt Capps from the buckos) but he’s got the talent. However why bother when Seattle started grooming Aurmont to close. He’ 6’7 with a power sinker. I don’t know how ready he is though so Capps might be the right answer. good idea though, get him young when he cheaper before he earns the king’s ransom closers usually do. What about octavio dotel…or did he sign with the white sox?

By: Jesus

Jesus — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:54:10 +0000

I would love for the Phils to go after Capps, but it seems like there are quite a few teams after him right now. The guy is only one season removed from a pretty good run of success in the league on a pretty bad team. I wouldn’t have any problem with the Phils signing him. I really think a change of scenery would be really good for him.

By: william

william — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:53:02 +0000

No way Capps would agree to a minor league contract he is looking to close and wants to be on a contender with Lidge health up in the air he would at least have a chance I was refering to a set up role when I meant developing him for the closer role

By: JJFritz

JJFritz — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:48:33 +0000

william, I can see the reasoning behind Capps. But, wouldn’t signing him to a minor league contract be smarter? Mold him there so he’s ready to come up when needed. Don’t waste a spot on the big-league roster trying to mold someone for the future.

By: william

william — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:03:06 +0000

Enough of the Lee crap on to the bullpen anyone think not going after 26 year old Capps would be a bad idea I know he isnt a sure fire thing but the kid has time and opportunity to develope further here and he is still good now sign Capps and Smoltz by the time Lidge contract is over Capps should be ready to go fulltime.

By: psujoe

psujoe — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:59:29 +0000

It will be interesting to see what the Angels give up for pitcher like Lowe. They have a lot of prospects.