Phillies Nation

Bullpens are rarely a sure thing. Charlie hasn’t been doing the best job managing the bullpen this year. I would also like Lidge to pitch in non-save situations, but he’s making too much $$$ for that to happen without blowing even more saves to go on top of his struggles from ’09.

Ok, jeeze. Yes Werth wants to cash in – this is his yr (his ONLY yr) to do that & he’s keenly aware of it (anyone would be). He’s said as much. But nothing Werth he’s said has led me to believe he’s just outright going for money alone. He said he’s not Holliday or Bay, that he doesn’t have the multi-yrs of full play under him that they do. He gets it. He has also talked a lot about this being the perfect team for him & exactly what “perfect” means to him (the mngmt, the players, the attitude, the city & fans). I think in his head the fact that he doesn’t have the yrs under him & the ‘happiness’ factor are some kind of discount. How much? I don’t know. Nobody does. But they do factor in in some way. The 6/105 number is over the top. I think Howard got too much and 6/105 for Werth is too much too. Come on. Don’t even put the idea in Jeff Borris’ already wacked-out, agent-twisted head.

I’m with ya Chuck. Now – before another (more egregious) team does it. It would be an embarrassment if they couldn’t work it out. They struck when they thought the time was right for Howard. Why can’t they do it for Werth? They should prove they play well with the players who earn it. There IS a way to do this financially. Both sides just have to want it enough. My sense from Werth (his own statements) is that he does want it. If they treat him poorly then he walks. What else is he going to say? He has to be prepared for it, esp from the things RAJ & Montgomery have been saying. He has to make himself cool with going someplace else.

I think the reason he talked about his wrist injury was in comparison to Holliday & Bay. Because of the injury he doesn’t have the same number of yrs of full play time under him that they do. In a sense he was giving the team an OUT. He literally said, “I’m not them.” He can’t be compared to them or even Crawford. They need to go on Werth’s stats. And I also kind of agree that I don’t think Werth or anyone could continue at Werth’s current level of play. So his play may go down slightly (and this is admittedly not so nice of me) soon & this could help the cause of the club.

One of these days, there’s going to be a player who says, “ya know what? I LOVE playing right where I am, love my teammates, love my managers, love the fans. I’m already making more money than I know what to do with…so it’s not worth (Werth) a few more million to me to leave everything I love and go to some team I might not feel comfortable on”.

I know, it sounds crazy, but look at the face of Roy Halladay the next time one of our fielders makes a freakin’ awesome play to turn a hit into an out, or Polly’s almost constant sh!t-eaten grin on his face. It’s a privelege to play on this Phillies team, and everyone knows that.

just yesterday, Werth said something like ‘I’ve played my whole career to get to this point, so Im going to let it play out” (regarding Free Agency)

The Phillies would have to offer him the world to get him to stay right now.. that wouldn’t be smart..

He started out great so far this year, but lets see where he is at the end of the year.. maybe he ends the year with a .260 average, 25 HRs, and 85 RBI …. or maybe he ends the year with a .290 average, 45 HRs, and 125 RBI

we don’t know.. and we dont know if Ibanez rebounds all the way.. or if Domomic Brown will be ready to play at the MLB level

too many uncertainties right now to justify a crazy expensive extension to Werth, especially because you would have to “overpay” right now to keep him from testing the Free Agent market

I can’t believe I mispelled it too. Usually, I’m pretty picky about that kind of stuff.

Unfortunately, money IS the ultimate bargaining chip. Always has been. Always will be. “Money talks”

That said, I would hope that some guys would consider other factors, along with money, when deciding on contracts.

As for Werth, when the time is right for the team to make a move, they can’t mess around with it. Make a good offer. Don’t insult the man. And go from there.

How did the comments go from the pen to Jayson Werth?

I really don’t think the Phils can afford him, anyone who thinks so is just wishful thinking. Then again I also think Amaro is crazy so who knows.

Werth is good but not a franchise player worth 100M. Only a AL team can give that since he is 32. Would rather watch D Brown learn the ropes, struggle and show flashes of greatness than tie up money on Werth.
I think the Howard deal was unneeded. They will have him for his peak years at that money, why pay for his non peak as well. Who is going to give him 25M plus in two years on a long contract?
As far as the pen, Herndon has been ok but needs to pitch in AAA but the restrictions on him make him hard to keep, so roll the dice and see if he clears or is taken back. Madson will be fine and rested, tough start but he is a proven setup guy, not a closer. Saw Mathieson at LV twice and he sets himself apart from all pitchers. Works fast, goes right at you with a fastball that jumps out of his hand. His slider was sharp and had great late movement and seemed to throw it where he wanted but his changeup impressed me the most and made hitters look foolish. No idea why he doesnt get at least look. Would be pretty fun to have a high 90s -100mph guy come out of the pen. Also saw Savery pitch and the only thing to say is fire that scout who drafted him in the first round!

As far as Jayson Werth is concerned, I don’t think he will resign becuase he will be asking for about 4 or 5 years with at least $15 million. And if Werth does leave, the Phills have no one to replace him in the system.

As for Lidge, I have no confidence in him whatsoever. He was lucky the wind was blowing in, or the Phills would have gone into extra innings. The sliders he threw hung, and the fastballs tailed towards the middle of the plate.