Phillies Nation

Tyler Cloyd pitched another gem. (Photo: AP)

Behind a second straight admirable start by Tyler Cloyd, the Phillies were able to snap a three-game losing streak against the Marlins, beating them 7-3.

After scoring three runs in three straight against Miami, the Phillies offense finally found its stride. The team notched 15 total hits, including four doubles and a home run. The outburst was a welcome sign for a team that had really been struggling. It’s a step forward. Now the challenge becomes doing it consistently and preventing the two steps back.

CLOYD EFFECTIVE ONCE AGAIN

- Juan Pierre has always been known for causing havoc on the base path, finding inventive ways to get on. Tonight, it was Tyler Cloyd injecting a little chaos of his own that allowed Pierre to reach base. Leading off the game, Pierre bunted a ball hard down the first base line. Ryan Howard fielded it cleanly and should have been able to tag Pierre with ease. Except Cloyd, who also broke on the ball, was still standing on the base line, directly in Howard’s path to Pierre. Using Cloyd as a human shield, Pierre averted the tag and slid safely into first. The play looked like a potential tone setter for Cloyd, an indication of snake bite. That proved to be untrue, as Cloyd would instead shake off the mishap and go on to pitch another good game. By the time Cloyd walked off the mound to close out the seventh inning, the unrecorded error was a distant memory.

- Much like his last outing, Cloyd wasn’t particularly dominant. The Marlins managed eight hits, but only two for extra bases. It was ex-Phillies who did all of the damage. Pierre had an RBI and Placido Polanco scored two runs–the only ones Cloyd allowed. Hovering in the mid-80s, he doesn’t blow it by anyone. But right now, he’s missing bats. He struck out five and walked two. Cloyd also got two doubleplays to get out of tough jams, including one to erase his first inning gaffe. Thus far, Cloyd has turned in two very valuable starts.

Continue reading Phils Bats Breakout In Win Over Marlins

Roy Halladay pitched relatively well on Sunday, scattering five hits and a single run over eight innings of work. He worked quickly, needing just 87 pitches over those eight frames, and threw twice as many strikes as balls. Doc also kept the ball on the ground, generating nearly 50 percent grounders on a day when he managed just two strikeouts.

Two schools of thought were formed after he exited the game. Some fans instantly wrote his performance off as being a byproduct of facing the punchless Marlins. Other fans took this as a big step in getting back on track.

As per usual, we’re looking at a little from Column A and a little from Column B.

Halladay no doubt threw better on Sunday but he still made several mistakes that an actual major league offense — you know, one that doesn’t include Placido Polanco and Greg Dobbs as the bread in a Giancarlo Stanton sandwich — would have exploited. Though the results didn’t bear this out, he struggled with both command and control during the first few frames, and if he makes some of those same mistakes against the Cardinals this coming weekend, we’re again looking at a potential 4 IP, 9 H, 6 ER outing.

Perhaps that is part of his current growing pains in adjusting to his lesser ‘stuff’ but it’s something he will need to figure out quickly. He adjusted on the fly, incorporated his curveball far more, and by the latter stages of the game had seemingly settled into a nice rhythm. He pitched well, but if you remove the end results and focus on the process this game wasn’t really that far off of his last start against the Mets.

However, maybe all he needed was a solid results-based outing to get some of his mojo back.

As fans in Column B were quick to point out, Halladay has repeatedly said that he feels fine, physically, and that he’s struggling with the mental side of things right now. I’m no psychologist but perhaps throwing eight effective innings of one-run ball was enough to prove to himself that he could still get batters out and go deep into games. With that reinforced knowledge perhaps his confidence grows.

We can’t simply discount this start because of who he faced but we also can’t assume he is anywhere near back yet. This may have been a step in the right direction but we’re dealing with a pretty big staircase. Getting Halladay right is a Chrysler Key to the Season and Sunday’s outing moved the needle in the positive direction.

However, during each of his three starts this season I have ruminated on his future. I’m trying to focus on his present and what he can do to get back on track but what happens to Halladay after this season has the potential to represent one of the most compelling free agent situations in recent history. Simply put, he is a big unknown this season and that carries material financial implications heading into next season.

Continue reading Halladay’s Future

John Lannan had another solid start for the Phillies. (PHOTO: AP)

Tonight’s game started out pretty well. John Lannan was cruising through the Marlins’ lineup, and the Phils were able to take a 1-0 lead. But then the Marlins tied the game, and then threatened to take the lead a couple times in the late innings. But the bullpen prevailed, and, in the top of the 10th inning, a triple by Chase Utley with a 3-2 count and 2 outs scored Ben Revere from 1st to give the Phillies the go ahead run. He then scored on a Michael Young infield single. Even though it was against the Marlins in extras, a win is a win. I’ll take it.

HOWARD AND BROWN SHOW

Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown have their own celebration, and tonight they both had great nights at the plate. Howard had two doubles, and Brown had a single, an RBI double, and another flyout to the wall that would have been a home run in many other ballparks. If they can produce like they did tonight, and if Michael Young can stay hot in the 5 hole, along with a healthy Chase Utley hitting third, this lineup can be dangerous.

LANNAN & CO WITH A GEM*

* against the Marlins offense

John Lannan went six full innings, giving up just one run. Here’s his full line: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. Of course, it was against a lineup with Placido Polanco hitting 3rd, followed by Greg Dobbs hitting cleanup, but lets be honest–if this was Roy Halladay, we’d be singing his praises. A good game is a good game in my book. Lannan lowered his season ERA down to 2.77.

Antonio Bastardo, Mike Adams, Phillippe Aumont, and Jonathan Papelbon all pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Who said this bullpen was going to stink this year? Also, Aumont recorded his first MLB victory.

NOT A GOOD NIGHT ON THE BASEPATHS

Ben Revere cost the Phillies a chance to score a run in the 5th when he was caught stealing second with one out and runners on first and third. An inning earlier, Justin Ruggiano was picked off of second base shortly after swiping it. And watching Ryan Howard hobble around on the basepaths is still cringe-worthy.

Philadelphia Phillies (4-5) at Miami Marlins (1-8)

John Lannan (0-0, 3.86) vs. Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 3.97)

Time: 7:05 PM, Marlins Park
TV: TCN, Home of Phillies Nation TV
Weather: High 70′s, cloudy
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies are in Florida tonight, as they begin a three game set with the Marlins. They are coming off a series win against the Mets–their first win of the year. I think this is an important series for the Phils. I think they have a chance at a sweep, and they need to take advantage of that. It’s a perfect situation for Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels to get back in the groove (or, in Halladay’s case specifically, to possibly find himself again).

Tonight, though, John Lannan gets the ball, and he’s been pretty good so far this year for being the fifth starter. Ricky Nolasco will be on the bump for the Fish, and it is tough to predict what kind of game he’ll have against the Phils. I anticipate a low scoring game, at least for the Marlins, because their lineup looks like some sort of cruel joke. They have Placido Polanco batting cleanup to “protect” Giancarlo Stanton. Oooof. Here’s to being able to say “hey, at least our lineup isn’t the Marlins.”

Update: Stanton has been scratched from tonight’s game.

LINEUP: Revere CF, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Young 3B, Brown LF, Nix RF, Kratz C, Lannan P

Your Gameday Beer – Whirlwind Witbier
Tonight we have a gentle offering by Victory. This classic German Witbier is supremely drinkable on any evening, especially a rainy one like today. The flavor is comprised by wheat malt and yeast with notes of orange zest, coriander, and clove. Essentially, it’s another more sophisticated version of Blue Moon, if you fancy those. If you can find some fresh shellfish, like a bushel of crabs, have that with it. – By Brian

GO PHILS!

The Phillies filled their centerfield void by acquiring Ben Revere, bolstered the bullpen with Mike Adams and shored up the rotation with the cost-effective and underrated John Lannan. While these moves likely represent the bulk of their offseason activity, the Phillies have been linked to a wide array of corner outfielders given the obvious uncertainties in those posts.

They went hard after Cody Ross but balked at his lofty demands. They supposedly offered Josh Hamilton a short-term deal with a high average annual value. They have previously been linked to either Jason Kubel or Gerardo Parra, and that link will only grow stronger with the Snakes’ recent signing of Ross. There were reportedly discussions between the Phils and Cubs regarding Alfonso Soriano earlier in the offseason as well.

Some of these players make more sense than others, but the available corner outfielder the Phillies should stay completely away from is Vernon Wells. Unfortunately, the Phillies have expressed interest in the former Blue Jays all-star, though the extent of their interest remains unknown. Let’s hope it is nothing more than executives tossing a name around while brainstorming, because Wells has been one of the worst players in the league over the last two seasons and is signed to the very worst contract in the sport.

Continue reading Steer Completely Clear of Vernon Wells

Polanco is headed to Miami. Photo: AP

Former Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Marlins, reported by CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler. Polanco played in just 90 games last season while nursing various back injuries. Polanco hit career-lows .257/.302/.327 for the Phillies but still provided positive fielding value in the field. Polanco, 37, leaves Philadelphia after earning a Gold Glove and All-Star appearance with the club. He is entering his 17th Major League season.

Former Phillies infielder Brian Bocock signed a Minor League deal with the Washington Nationals according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Bocock last appeared in the Majors as a member of the Phillies in 2010, seeing time in six games primarily as a defensive replacement. Bocock spent last year with the Blue Jays’ Double-A New Hampshire club and their Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate.

Pitcher Andrew Carpenter has also found a new home according to Eddy. Carpenter is entering his age 28 season and has signed a Minor League deal with the Cubs. Carpenter has pitched in 65 games over parts of five Major League seasons with a 7.56 ERA. No word on what his former Cal-State Long Beach teammate John Bowker is up to these days.

Reliever Nelson Figueroa signed a Minor League deal with the Diamondbacks per Eddy. Figueroa spent 2012 with the Triple-A affiliates of the Red Sox and Yankees. Figueroa saw time with the Phillies in 2010, pitching in 26 games before being traded to the Astros.

Utility infielder Cody Ransom signed a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Ransom hit .220/.312/.411 with 11 HRs for Arizona last season, playing all four infield positions. Ransom was a Phillie in 2010 and provided a pair of memorable home runs in 22 games for the club.

2012 Lehigh Valley IronPig Dave Bush has signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays, the team that drafted him in 2002, also reported by Eddy. Bush posted a 3.16 ERA in 11 starts last year for the ‘Pigs and also spent part of 2012 pitching in Korea.

Martinez was the Majors eleventh luckiest hitter in 2012 according to FanGraphs. Really. Photo: AP

Fangraphs posted an interesting article today combined with a pretty neat sortable spreadsheet regarding “luck”. The article, entitled “De-Lucker X: The Final 2012 Numbers“, took a look at how the Majors fared when comparing fielding independent wOBA and xBABIP (click on the links for some nice explanations). When comparing the two, the resulting number attempts to measure luck, positively or negatively. How did the Phillies fare?

Most Phillies Were Slightly Luckier Their Stats Indicate – But So Was the Entire MLB

Not adjusting for plate appearances, Michael Martinez, yes that Michael Martinez of .174/.208/.252 line, was the 11th luckiest hitter in the Majors in 2012. Ryan Howard was the 32nd luckiest hitter in baseball, which translated into a line of .219/.295/.423. Placido Polanco was 54th, John Mayberry was 63rd, Domonic Brown 105st, and Juan Pierre 121st. It is worth noting that over 73% of Major League hitters were “luckier” than their wOBA indicated, so it should not be a surprise that 80% of the Phillies who spent the entire year with the team were luckier than their stats indicated. Continue reading The 2012 Phillies and the De-Lucker X

If the Philadelphia region survives the onslaught from Hurricane Sandy, Carlos Ruiz will be the Phillies starting catcher in 2013. The team declined options on Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras, opting to buy out their contracts. A similar fate is expected for Placido Polanco. Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider were granted Free Agency.

From the Phillies:

The Phillies picked up the $5 million club option on [Ruiz's] contract for next season. The Phillies had a $500,000 buyout, but there was no way they were going to take that. Ruiz hit .325 with 32 doubles, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 114 games this season.

The Phillies also have club options for Jose Contreras ($2.5 million or $500,000 buyout) and Ty Wigginton ($4 million or $500,000 buyout), and a $5.5 million mutual option (or a $500,000 buyout) with Placido Polanco. The Phillies are expected to take the buyouts for each of those players.

Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider also became free agents, although neither is likely to be back in Philadelphia.

Sorry for such a short, nondescript mention of these roster moves. But, I felt it necessary to inform you all of this even under more important circumstances.

Stay safe everyone.

Polly is likely on his way out. Would Chavez be a better fit? (AP)

The Phillies will decline Placido Polanco‘s $5.5 million option for 2013, buying him out for $1 million. The formal decision hasn’t come down the pipeline, but it’s essentially a foregone conclusion. This opens up a spot at third base that the Phillies will need to fill internally, via trade or through the free agent market. Internal options exist, and the team may well choose to mix-and-match utility players and defensive specialists until the de facto 2014 starter — Cody Asche — is ready.

Kevin Frandsen played very well in Polanco’s absence this season and likely enters the season as the positional frontrunner. Freddy Galvis is a superlative defender at a tougher position and should also see time at third base.  Ty Wigginton is, well, just a human being currently on the roster, and we’ll simply leave it at that.

While it’s sexier to discuss long-term solutions like Chase Headley or external stopgaps like Wilson Betemit or any of those Angels infielders, the Phillies can solve their third base dilemma by pairing their internal options with a talented and inexpensive free agent.

Eric Chavez cannot play everyday anymore, but he still hits righties. Formerly a gold glove defender, he remains passable at the position. The Yankees may make Alex Rodriguez available, and may offer to pick up most of the tab. In that case, he will surely be linked to the Phillies, a big-spending team with a clear need at third base. However, the Phillies are better off pursuing Chavez, A-Rod’s backup, as the righty meat in a platoon sandwich.

Continue reading Get A-Rod’s Backup Instead

As he’s busy being benched in the ALCS and reportedly handing out his phone number to hot female patrons in-game, Alex Rodriguez‘s name is being floated all over baseball. Will he or won’t he stay in the Bronx beyond this postseason.

One of the greatest sluggers in MLB history – even with the help of some performance enhancers – is wearing out his welcome in New York City and could be on his way out after this season. With a monster contract that owes him $114 million until 2017, it won’t be easy for Brian Cashman and company to unload him without picking up a massive portion of the check.

Playing the hypothetical game, what if the Yankees make Rodriguez available, pick up $90 million, and simply dump him, meaning there will be no other players changing hands? Should the Phillies get involved? The available third basemen on the market leaves much to be desired and A-Rod can likely still give you something. Although at 37-years-old, who knows how much that something is.

While it’s not the worst idea in the world, it’s not something the Phillies should pursue.

As we’ve learned this year, and in previous years (except of course the year the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series) he stinks in the postseason. It’s gotten so bad, Joe Girardi has had to bench him.

Continue reading A-Rod Not a Fit in Philly