Amaro Talks Werth, 2010 & Age
Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, October 25, 2010 12:26 PM | Comments: 68
Analysis, News, Posts
Here are some interesting excerpts from Ruben Amaro’s press conference, which took place this morning at 11 a.m. He addresses such things as the Jayson Werth negotiations, the way the Phillies performed in the postseason, and how they’ll go about getting better.
Amaro on the cost of Werth: “I havent had any discussions with Scott yet…I guess the following question is, ‘do we have enough money to do it and would we like to bring him back?’ I think the the answer to both questions is, yes. However, that’ll kind of depend on what the ask is and ultimately how that’ll affect us on other possible moves we’d have to make to do that.”
Amaro on the length of a possible Werth deal: “I think length is always an issue, it’s probably the most poignant issue, always.”
Amaro on the season the Phillies had: “I think it was a successful year. It was a disappointing finish to the year because our expectations were that we were going to be the World Series champions. That’ll be our expectation next year as well. We did not perform as well as we would have liked when it was time to perform in the playoffs. I think pitching-wise we performed very well, offensively we did not. Defensively we did not, which is not characteristic of us.”
Amaro on the age issues with this team: “I think there’s three elements we have to be ready to handle this offseason. One is our six free agents, we have to deal with those. I think we have to deal with our age because we’re starting to move into and past the, you know, prime ages of production. And I think we have to address the bullpen, because it’s something that could be, or could have been, an Achillies heel.”
Yeah, do I think about the age – I do. Do we have to start filtering some youth into our club? Yes, I believe that too. At the same time, we want to be a contender again, so we have to balance those two things.”
Amaro on changing up the offense a bit: “I don’t know if we have to reconfigure…but I think what we have to do is…frankly, I didn’t like the way we approached our at-bats during the course of these last (few games). We had a two month period where we didn’t swing the bats well at all. Part of that is because we didn’t have our guys playing everyday and we didn’t have, necessarily, our health. And I think that probably contributed to it. But I think overall, our offensive approach – we kind of have to take a look at that and make sure we improve in that area.”
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Gload is a good hitter however he wasnt getting it down this time….Cholly should gave Sweeney a chance…this is a 5x all star we talking about…Bruce it could mean Raul
Posted: 12:38 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Bart Shart
Something is wrong with Utley, and I hope it is not serious. He was terrible in post season play, especially on defense. Maybe he needs to move to the outfield and we need to go after Dan Uggla to play second base?
Posted: 02:14 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Bart Shart
I am assuming that Werth is going elsewhere next year. I have no hopes that the Phils will keep him for the money he expects. He will be missed, and I wish him well. It is time for Dom Brown.
Posted: 02:16 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Bart i noticed a lot of double triple clutches and flinches almost as he was nervous or something was wrong…
Posted: 02:58 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Ted Bell
A few of the beat writers have been throwing around names of some possible OF acquisitions for 2011. Among them are Jeff Francoeur, Matt Diaz, and our old pal Aaron Rowand (with the Giants picking up a big portion of $$).
I’m Ted Bell.
Posted: 04:36 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Kate
Well, if we get Matt Diaz, at least the fans will think twice before jumping onto the field.
The fact that he’s a good player is just icing on the cake.
Posted: 08:10 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Ross Gload pinch hit because of the lefty right matchups. You gotta play the percentages there. And….two of the 5 outs he made were almost hits…one deep in the hole at short and the other the line drive that Huff caught. I have no problems with the use of Gload in this series.
——
Do I have to like Jeff Franceour if he’s a Phillie?
Posted: 08:32 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Bob in Bucks
“Time and effort” – we are fans and most of go with the highs and lows. That is the beauty of the game, lots of chances but in the end there is only one winner. Phils had/have a great team. Everyone has the answer of “could’ve, should’ve” after the game/season. But the fact is the Giants pitching was great. The last pitch was a super slider. I love the game, I loved that last at-bat. Did you see all the people in the stands reflecting your fears and worries on their faces. Count went full and Howard fouls off a pitch and you take another breath because you know in a few seconds it call all be over….or not. Howard coudl strike out, he could hit a walk-off or he could walk and bring up Werth. This was a great moment, unfortunately not for the Phils but still great baseball. I loved/hated it but I would not give it up for anything.
Posted: 10:35 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Kate
And of course the home plate ump finds his glasses long enough to end the series on a good call while they’d spent the rest of the series blowing calls left and right on both sides.
Even with a heartbreaker like that, you can’t help but love this game.
Posted: 10:41 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 TODDFROMFAIRMOUNT
Dipsy, you are right, there will be a day when this ownership won’t care again and thats when all the ’08ers (who I love and the team needs) will stop coming. Thats why now is the time, whatever RAJ decieds to do.
biz, thanks for throwing around “clueless fan”, if you only knew. You reprint my entire post and still didn’t notice I didn’t put the entire blame on The Big Man. He isn’t the only one that cost us of course, no one player could cost us the series. Ok maybe Raul in game one with the botched fly ball that led to two runs and some horrible at bats, just kidding I know the whole team lost this series and Manuel was a big/huge part also, but easy with the clueless comments until you hang out at a game with me sometime.
BTW, In Chase’s biggest at bat of the season, he worked out the walk, Ryan K’d looking. Ouch that hurt.
Posted: 11:02 AM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Leandro Goderich
available for multiple outings is a good.So many people in here are worried about the Rangers permanently making Holland a reliever (“He was a reliever last year”) when that’s not the case at all.Right here, right now…The Dutch Oven’s best way to help This Thing the World Series is out of the bully.
Posted: 12:01 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Don’t question my fanhood… I have been coming on here and posting my comments for three years. That doesn’t include the time that I spend researching, analyzing, watching, attending, preparing for, recuperating from and absolutely consuming myself in the Phillies. My oldest son is 6 y/o and he can tell you the numbers of every player on the team… including Charlie Manuel. He wakes up every morning and asks me what the score was from the game the night before. He has a dozen Phillies shirts… which is almost as many as I have. Where do you think he gets that from? I attended more games at the vet than I have at the Bank and I’ve been a partial season ticket holder for the past three seasons (and I’m only 28… on paper, I probably don’t have the disposable income for tickets but we make it work). I’m not saying I’m any more of a fan than you but I’m a phan… a phanatic. Whatever you want to call it. I’m there, good or bad. I’m probably the last guy you’ll find on here calling out one of our own. I trust these guys, I respect and admire and appreciate what they’ve done and I absolutely love my team.
Time and emotion was the comment… there are a lot of things that are going on around me right now that should have me in tears. When I’m too upset to enjoy a beautful Sunday because the Phillies lost, I see that as a problem. The best day of my life was the birth of my first born but not too far behind is being there for Game 5, 2008.
I love the Phils… I’m grieving. I guess one beautiful day spent in remorse for my team is ok in the grand scheme of things but it doesn’t make the loss any easier to swallow.
Posted: 12:14 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Original….well put, man.
This guy, branderson, pissed me off with his “time and effort” comments.
I’m in the same boat. My 13 year old son and I go to about 12 games a year, including at least one postseason game. We’ve been to Clearwater 3 years in a row and already started talking about 2011.
I go on this site every day and have for a few years myself, including vacation, as well as other blog sites (not as much) and do my additional research as well. I don’t pretend to be an expert but I think I know more than the casual fan out there.
I probably can’t financially afford the tickets I buy either, in addition to the few jerseys, hats and jackets that I have bought. But I am not an extravagent guy in other areas of my life, so I indulge in this one area for myself and my son.
And, I have tons of things in my life that demand my attention between family and work. But the Phillies are important, too, and it’s a great distraction from all the bullsh*t that I deal with. Being a fan helps me cope with all the tough stuff. It’s better than than other “addictions”.
Sunday sucked for me as well. Normally, I would have watched the Eagles game, but I didn’t because it really didn’t freaking matter that particular day.
Posted: 01:40 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Phan in the outfield
Lefty: I’m with Dipsy re: Werth quotes. I said earlier, in my PR exp. Werth was too honest in ST, he said he wanted to stay & thought his career would end in Phila. The FO didn’t speak to the old-Borris. The new-Boras has coached him to talk this way to the press. He’s also told him to “expect to play somewhere else, but HOPE to play in Phila” b/c that’s obviously what he wanted. I still think the jury is out. If they’re ALL smart, they’ll work it out. If they’re not, he’ll go to another team.
For those so happy to see Werth go & thrilled to see Domonic Brown working youthful magic on the team (b/c Werth is so decrepit), pls review Brown’s efforts – less than stellar. Yep, right, he didn’t have enough ABs to judge. Well, he was hitting huge in the minors. If the FO doesn’t strike a compromise w/Werth, then we have to hope Brown learns a heckuva lot in the D.R. this winter & comes back a PRO b/c his lack of hitting & solid RF play won’t do it.
Bob in Bucks: “Howard coudl strike out, he could hit a walk-off or he could walk and bring up Werth.” I thought Howard was paid the big $$ specifically to hit in clutch situations. Of course the problem w/being paid to do that is that he’s only human & being blamed for a bad result in a giant situation is tough to live with. But he has a large contract & an upcoming monstrous contract to guarantee he’ll get over it.
There are prob a huge percentage of people who agree that Howard was probably waiting for a walk to get on 1st, tying the game & letting Werth do the work, ultimately he’d take the flack if he didn’t win the game with one swat. I had to shake my head, they’re probably the same people who think Werth is asking for “too much money” or that he’s “greedy”. Wonder if they think Halladay, Oswalt, Howard, Utley, and Ibanez are greedy?
Posted: 02:35 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Phan in the outfield
Chuck: Eh, the Iggles lost big. Thankfully I didn’t have the heart to watch either. Oh, and the Flyers lost too. Nice — three strikes — we’re out.
Posted: 02:38 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
I think that Brown will be fine once he doesn’t have to look over his shoulder. With regular AB’s, he’s going to emerge as a star… baseball america doesn’t miss on their #1 prospects. To that end, I don’t think that Brown should platoon… he’s gotta play every day (sorry, Benny Fresh). That means that Ibanez has to go… which means that we’ll have to eat a lot of his salary. I’m ok with that.
I really hope that we can find a way to keep Werth and be creative… like I said before, it’s going to have to happen soon because the players union won’t allow him to sign any deferred compensation deal as a free agent and I think that the Phillies best hope is to get a deal in place with some back end money. If he does officially file for free agency, our odds of signing him go down… a lot.
Posted: 04:54 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Thanks, Chuck… you’re better than the average fan and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise ;-)
I just think that a loss like this puts things into perspective and it makes you wonder why we allow our fanhood to affect our mood state. I think that “WE,” the nation, are very important. We are the lifeblood of this team… and for that reason, we’ll all be here, for better or worse. The highs are great and the lows are low but we all tune in because it’s who we are. Our teams define us and there is no other team that I would pick to define me. I can’t wait until next year… to see these guys come back hungrier and more determined than ever to prove everyone wrong.
Posted: 05:11 PM on October 26, 2010
Posts: 0 Kate
Brown will be a great ballplayer in the coming years, but I don’t think 2011 is one of them. Lack of playing time + being a young rookie = a few defensive miscues not many of the other guys would have made in his position, Utley’s post-season notwithstanding.
I don’t think my fanhood has affected my mood the past couple of days. Yes, I’m disappointed and sad that we won’t be watching Game 1 from Philadelphia this year, but I’m looking forward to 2011. I’m looking forward to a season without about four seasons’ worth of injuries knocking us down (knock on wood).
I’m looking forward to seeing what our guys do next year. Howard, Rollins, Utley, Polanco, probably Ibanez… They’ll all be fine.
Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels slew the demons of the 2009 season.
Charlie Manuel led the team to ninety-seven regular season wins despite having a new line-up card every five minutes.
They battled, and we battled with them.
There’s something called character. The Phillies have it.
And what’s this about the forty-eight year old playing Winter Ball?
Posted: 07:23 PM on October 26, 2010