Comments on: Phillies Sign Wilkerson

By: j reed

j reed — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:42:25 +0000

Also in defense of Pat the Bat’s fielding…he might not have been the lightest on his feet but one he caught the ball you had to face that effin’ cannon he had for an arm

By: j reed

j reed — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:35:42 +0000

Do I like all the signing in the off season….no. Do I like some of the off season moves…yes. I will even concede every GM gets a mulligan for a bad signing or two. My main issue with Amaro is that he needs to realize he’s playing at the high rollers’ table now so he can’t be so eager to sign filler players like the Castros, Schienders, and Contrerases who can always be found. Inevitably, there are “over valued the market” free agents who come around looking for charity when spring training is on the horizon. I’d much rather have Torrealba for 1.2 mill than Schiender for 1 mill. I’m sure we are much more attractive than San Diego other than the weather and porn bimbos. If we are to be on a budget then it makes sense to bargin shop when the bargins are at their best.

As to the Wilkerson deal, doesn’t seem like such a bad thing given there is little left too spend. Does anyone how much he’s getting paid?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:57:29 +0000

Exactly….sometimes by waiting too long, players can be lost out on. Ruben MAYBE overpaid for Polanco, MAYBE overpaid for Ibanez, MAYBE overpaid for Player X (put in your own choice).

But he DIDN’T overpay so much that it’s really gonna cripple the organization (I know…someone’s gonna blast me for that one)….Give Ruben credit for targeting his guy….and moving quickly.

By: George

George — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:43:34 +0000

If memory serves, Ibanez also was generating interest from the Cubs and Mets.

If you want a certain player, you have to be quick. There’s no telling where and for how much Polanco would have signed if too many teams had been given the chance to jump into the bidding. Remember, he was also one of the best SECOND basemen available in the offseason.

By: George

George — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:35:34 +0000

“Phillies Sign Wilkerson.”

75 posts so far. Seems the man is still giving Phils’ fans fits. He’s making everyone reopen debates on all the other recent signings!

By: pheeling it

pheeling it — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:18:47 +0000

the dipsy just likes to stir the pot…

this was a hilarious blog.

to all the people out there that are like your a front runner, blah blah i dont think the phillies fall victim to that category. We love all our teams just as much, its natural to not be as excited or let down on a team when they play like shit. i think the mets have always been a proud franchise. NEW STADIUM and it was empty by august.

we all saw the transformation. utley, howard, rollins. we love the franchise but watching these guys play is special. everyone cant help it. these guys can play baseball

Dipsy thanks for setting me up with the spike, Raul ibanez is a WFC caliber player. your just desperate for a right matt stairs

hope polanco battles as hard as raul does

By: Blaise

Blaise — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:54:32 +0000

I WISH WE HAD MIKE COSTANZO!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:40:04 +0000

Stop by phanattic.tumblr.com to answer a serious question: Did Brad Lidge have his mole removed?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:51:54 +0000

Dipsy….all fair points, buddy.

I had no idea about the running back on balls either…never really connected the dots…but now that I think about it, some of the best plays I remember him making were those where he went back and either leapt at the wall or crached into the wall. (I saw him make some great diving catches, too…GOING FORWARD or kind of forward…sideways)

I would disagree that his second half was “horrible.” Compared to the first half…yes. But down the stretch and, as Manny stated, in the playoffs he was good again.

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:21:50 +0000

Definitely, Chuck. And even in the playoffs, he had a great NLDS and an equally great World Series…

By: The Dipsy

The Dipsy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:18:18 +0000

Well, under that rationale, Tommy Boy could be a good leftfielder in our park. I guess we just have to live with Raul making his choice as to whether he wants balls to fall in front of him or go over his head. For the record, I had no idea he was good at running back on balls. I say just stand far back and give up the singles, please. Just like beer league softball. I am going to lay this out about Ibanez: I think he is overpaid, which is not his fault, and I don’t think much of him on defense. I think he’s a nice guy and a good hitter and I hope he has a good year. Some guys get completely carried away about how good they think he is and sometimes I just feel the need to try and reign em in a little. He had a great first half and a horrible second half. Because of injuries. Which is what happens to old guys. Like Raul.

The Dipsy

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:05:56 +0000

Not only was he the MVP for half the season….but even after he came back from the DL….and wasn’t himself….he played as hard as he could…and eventually regained his form down the stretch.

I really question whether we would have won the NL East without him last year?? That’s hard to say…because SOMEONE would have been in his spot…and would have probably contributed enough for the Phils to win??

Raul’s HOT start and into June is a HUGE reason why the Phils were able to set the tone and get into first place….and stay there.

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:55:22 +0000

Yo Dipsay… Raul is a VERY GOOD DEFENSIVE left fielder for OUR park. He fits perfectly at CBP. Generally, he is great running back but bad with balls that fall in front of him… that’s why he would suck in big spacious Safeco. At CBP he can “cheat” and move closer to the infield, which allows him to run back –his strength– to the wall, while minimizing balls falling in front of him. Raul is a real asset to THIS team, both offensively and defensively, and I hate to see you bash the guy when he was the league’s MVP for half the season, and he has the stats to back that up.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:48:47 +0000

Well…they’re both better than Pat Burrell.

Still….I like what Raul does out there. Maybe he doesn’t have the arm that Werth does. Maybe he’s not fleet-footed like Vic or Kenny Lofton, or Torii Hunter. So what? He DOES make plays…enough of them that he’s MORE than serviceable out there.

By: The Dipsy

The Dipsy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:40:26 +0000

Manny, uh….Raul has the defensive range of a four foot cast net. A common mistake made when judging outfielders playing defense is the misconception that when players look they’re running real hard, gettin after it, and they’re hats even fall off, means they are playing good defense. It doesn’t. When a player slides to make an ice cream cone catch that most every other outfielder would have made on a trot, this is not good defense. Point being, hustle is nice, but if you can’t get to the ball you can wince and flail your arms and legs all you want. You’re still not making the play but you get an A for effort. And the arm? Lets just say you can time his throws from the OF with a sun dial. Sooooooo……while Dye may not be good, Ibanez is no better.

The Dipsy

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:38:57 +0000

It really seems like Dipsy has a real problem with Raul. I don’t understand it. There were COUNTLESS times I saw Ibanez get to balls that I didn’t think he would catch. Plus the guy flat out hustles……dives for balls…..eats dirt….whatever it takes.

I don’t care if he can’t make EVERY play. NOBODY can. But Raul gives it his all for every play…..and that’s really all you can ask for….especially if he’s actually making a lot of those plays.

Why is that so hard to see….and understand?

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:12:16 +0000

“AND [Dye] is not a defensive drop off from Ibanez, by the way”

Don’t you EVER say that again, Dipsy!!!!

RAUUUUUL is so superior it’s not even debatable.

By: mikemike

mikemike — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:40:52 +0000

Don I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT WILKERSON, point is they lack right hand players if they lose polanco or rollins there is no real help in the minors, all the outfileders are lefthanded, please no mayberry he isnt even a 5 outfielder ,dont like him at all has no arm ,bad fielder, no speed a once in a while mistake hitter against a bad pitcher. By the way wilkerson shouldnt see the majors, because he is done as a fielder from what i read,

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:46:20 +0000

Milton Bradey…uuuugggghhhh!!! REALLY, REALLY REALLY glad we didn’t get him!!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:44:16 +0000

God forbid that I’m really The Dipsy!! (just kidding, Dipsy….you’re ok)

George …

good points on both Ibanez and Polanco. Ibanez was being courted by the Angels at the time and I believe they offered 3 years/30 million. So Ruben went out and ….maybe overbid….but so what….he came to the Phillies and hasn’t disapponted us, has he?

Polanco’s price was about right for what else was out there. And, again, MAYBE the third year wasn’t necessary….but as it’s been said….that’s hat it took to get the guy….without losing out on him….and I really think that even if Polanco in a “super utility” player in Year 3….then that’s still ok…..and worth the flexibility it gives us.