Writer’s Roundtable: Offseason’s Best
Adams could be the best acquisition in the majors. (AP)
Q: Which transaction by Ruben Amaro Jr. this offseason do you think will reap the greatest reward for the Phillies in 2013?
Jon Nisula: I think that Ruben’s decision to send Darin Ruf back to the minors will help the Phillies the most in 2013. The move means that Domonic Brown will finally be given an opportunity to play full time. It also means that the Phillies will (hopefully) play a Mayberry/Nix platoon at the last outfield position, which I think is better than what Ruf or Delmon Young would’ve given the Phillies this year.
Pat Gallen: Clearly, the correct answer is Mike Adams. No disrespect to Ben Revere or Michael Young, but Mike Adams has the ability to be a second closer and end games after seven innings for the Phillies. He says he’s healthy, and by the looks of his spring numbers, I believe him. The Adams acquisition has a chance to be not only the best move for the Phillies, but one of the best signings throughout baseball this offseason.
Alex Lee: I have to agree with Pat there. By now, most Phillies fans have been inundated with the statistics on how many games the 8th inning cost this team last year. Ruben Amaro Jr. either badly misevaluated Chad Qualls or totally discounted the importance of a setup man last year when he built that bullpen. The addition of Adams, if healthy, not only makes this unit solid, but also really gives it a chance to be a team strength if one or two of the younger arms blossom.
Jay Floyd: I also agree with Pat and Alex, the Phillies transaction from this past offseason that will prove to be the most successful will be the signing of reliever Mike Adams. Without question the biggest hole on the roster last year that wasn’t injury related was a void in the 8th inning set up role out of the team’s bullpen. Adams locks that spot down and, as a result, will be the greatest upgrade for the club this year.
Ian Riccaboni: I’ll go off the beaten path here – I believe the decisions to cut both Yuniesky Betancourt and Joe Mather were the best of the offseason. Then again, I would have never signed them to begin with. Does that make those moves and then counter-moves simultaneously the worst and best moves of the offseason?
