Keiper's Pit

I am dreading the idea of Victorino-Rowand both starting. I think they might really run with it. Victorino is better than Rowand, so he should not be moving out of center and Rowand's bat would kill them in a corner.

 

If they can get Fields or Teahen I do it in a heartbeat (especially if the White Sox will take a Rowand based package clearing a little more cash) and use the possible Aramis money to upgrade a corner OF slot or sign up Schmidt to 2-3 years. Otherwise, IMO, they have to get Aramis. If you trade Abreu for salary relief and will likely move Burrell for salary relief (10% chance in my mind they bring him back) they better damn well use it if a reasonable option for a gaping hole is out there.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Lieby back in the Fick/Zaun slot. If you believe his talk at the end of the year, he would likely be as cheap/cheaper than any other option. Whether his hot bat at the end of the season was getting healthy, getting rest, or a fluke, I'd be willing to give him a chance to show the pop was for real.

 

Relievers, just sign any two good ones. IMO, need two just to protect from a likely bad year that at least one of them will have (including current bullpen).

 

Would you give JA Happ a shot at making the rotation, if another starter isn't added, or hold him for another year? I don't think it would hurt to let him have a legitimate chance in spring training if we are looking at Floyd and Madson again. He is a guy I would give a notebook and sit next to Moyer (who I agree they should re-up).

 

No shot in hell question:

Do you make a play at Matsuzaka for 20 mil + zito like contract? Or is it just too much for a possible Irabu. IMO, go Schmidt for 2-3 years and hope by then you get a couple out of Mathieson/Gio/Maloney/Happ/Carrasco/Floyd to put with Hamels and Myers.

I am dreading the idea of Victorino-Rowand both starting. I think they might really run with it. Victorino is better than Rowand, so he should not be moving out of center and Rowand's bat would kill them in a corner.

 

Here's the idea I came up with today. Find a lefty bat and platoon him with Rowand. The lefty could play right and Victorino in center, and then Victorino would move to right when Rowand starts.

 

If they can get Fields or Teahen I do it in a heartbeat (especially if the White Sox will take a Rowand based package clearing a little more cash) and use the possible Aramis money to upgrade a corner OF slot or sign up Schmidt to 2-3 years. Otherwise, IMO, they have to get Aramis. If you trade Abreu for salary relief and will likely move Burrell for salary relief (10% chance in my mind they bring him back) they better damn well use it if a reasonable option for a gaping hole is out there.

 

I wouldn't count on substantial use of the Abreu savings, given that some of the money is likely earmarked for when Howard, Utley and Brett Myers become expensive. There are some intriguing names floating below the top tier though, like Andy Pettitte, Aubrey Huff, Cliff Floyd, and Shannon Stewart.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Lieby back in the Fick/Zaun slot. If you believe his talk at the end of the year, he would likely be as cheap/cheaper than any other option. Whether his hot bat at the end of the season was getting healthy, getting rest, or a fluke, I'd be willing to give him a chance to show the pop was for real.

 

I wouldn't mind bringing Lieberthal back. The only question is his usage. You have two right handed catchers on the roster. What role does Lieberthal fill that the other catchers do not?

 

Here's a fun fact btw. Next to Jeff Conine, Chris Coste is now the oldest position player on the roster.

 

Relievers, just sign any two good ones. IMO, need two just to protect from a likely bad year that at least one of them will have (including current bullpen).

 

Agreed. It would also behoove the Phils to sign some live arms, particularly from the minor league free agent list.

 

Would you give JA Happ a shot at making the rotation, if another starter isn't added, or hold him for another year? I don't think it would hurt to let him have a legitimate chance in spring training if we are looking at Floyd and Madson again. He is a guy I would give a notebook and sit next to Moyer (who I agree they should re-up).

 

Happ would have to be lights out to earn a rotation spot. Remember he's only been above A for half a season and he does not have particularly dominating stuff. He's the type of guy who needs seasoning. Madson has probably stamped a permanent ticket to the bullpen. Floyd is probably at make it or break it time. I could see Gio Gonzalez making a leap though.

 

No shot in hell question:

Do you make a play at Matsuzaka for 20 mil + zito like contract? Or is it just too much for a possible Irabu. IMO, go Schmidt for 2-3 years and hope by then you get a couple out of Mathieson/Gio/Maloney/Happ/Carrasco/Floyd to put with Hamels and Myers.

 

I wouldn't make a play for Matsuzaka due to the posting fee. Zito is an absolute NO due to his flyball tendencies. I think the best options are Pettitte and Mussina. Mussina's a near HOFer with local ties, and Pettitte showed an ability to pitch brilliantly in a park with similar dimensions. As for Jason Schmidt, his high walk totals and injury history frighten me. I'd be wary about him.

 

 

I wouldn't mind bringing Lieberthal back. The only question is his usage. You have two right handed catchers on the roster. What role does Lieberthal fill that the other catchers do not?

 

True, but if we are talking bringing in a Zaun or Fick as a replacement, they haven't really hit righties anybetter than Lieby the last few years looking at the splits. If they can get a lefty catcher that is a comparitive righty masher, than sure do it. But otherwise I would be willing to take the gamble that the rest that having three catchers (with Coste being the backup corner IF) provides is what reenergized him at the end of the season when he was red hot. Give each of them 60-70 games, spot Coste 30-35 starts between C and the corners against some tougher lefties. Of course this is all under the faulty assumption that they would play Coste at a corner given he didn't even sniff 3B while running Nunez out there every day.

 

I think it boils down to for me, that I am finding myself less and less comfortable with a Coste/Ruiz plan next season without someone who has more than half a season in the majors. I would love to believe in Coste and go with a Ruiz/Coste tandem an run with it, but last season has dream written all over it. So even if Lieby is redundant, he is still as attractive an option as any other.

 

Especially if this is what Zaun is looking for (from the Toronto Star):

"The one contract that's interesting to me is Damian Miller," Zaun said. "At age 35, he signed a three-year deal worth $9 million (all figures U.S.) with the Brewers. They're a decidedly smaller market than Toronto. An ownership with less money and a team that's not as close to championship calibre."

 

Miller's contract with the Brewers was actually $6.75 million for two years with a player option, adding up to $9 million. That's close to the money the Jays need to secure Zaun's services. As such, they will not be able to afford both Zaun and Molina.

 

If that is the case you can get Lieby + a good reliever, if you believe the way he talked at the end of the year about signing on the cheap.

Also, do you bring back Wolfie for 6-7 mil per at least for a couple years?

 

That seems to be the going rate for eh pitchers and he at least has the potential for some upside coming back from surgert. IMO, if you can't get a sure fire starter (Mussina, Pettite, Schmidt, etc.) he seems just as reasonable to be a 5th starter/prospect stop gap.

 

Myers

Hamels

Lieber

Moyer

Wolf

 

gives at least 5 legitimate pitchers and not the revolving door in the 5 hole from last year.

On the Ruiz/Coste front. I honestly think that the Phils are best served making Carlos Ruiz the primary catcher, and Coste a backup. Ruiz should catch 120-130 games. I've watched him regularly for two years and I honestly think he has that kind of talent. Chris Coste is obviously not a .328 hitter. He's a decent line drive hitter however and he can probably hit .260-.270 with 15 homers a season. Behind them, there are several catchers both on the major league and minor league level who could standby. Sal Fasano is a possibility.

 

I'd look at Wolf if the price was reasonable, but I wouldn't pay top dollar for him. He's a guy the Phils have looked to have a great season for half a decade now and hasn't delivered. You can't sign a player just to pacify the fans. There has to be some substance behind it.

Are they going to get a pick for Delucci or does that end going into this offseason? (assuming offering arb is a no brainer since he only made a mil this season and will certainly refuse, didn't seem to be a big Philly/usage fan)

Are they going to get a pick for Delucci or does that end going into this offseason? (assuming offering arb is a no brainer since he only made a mil this season and will certainly refuse, didn't seem to be a big Philly/usage fan)

There are conflicting reports on what will happen with compensation, and I suspect even the owners are unsure at this point. If it exists, Dellucci will certainly be offered arbitration and will likely refuse, as you guess.

Here's another name to consider. 3B Akinori Iwamura is coming over from Japan.

I would be into that at a reasonable price. Couple of concerns with him though.

 

It would put another lefty in the heart of the order, while Howard and Utley performed well against lefties this year LOOGYs would concern me at the end of the game.

 

High strikeout numbers. Might rise with a jump to the majors.

 

If the price for Ramirez gets to high or they can't trade for a young excess 3B (the aforementioned Fields/Teahen), I would grab him.

 

Wouldn't hurt to get the Phillies name in the door in an international market either.

kind of spurred by the Soriano post

which way do you go:

 

Soriano, Madson, Floyd

 

or

 

Sheffield, Imamura, 2 bullpen FAs/5th starter

 

Assuming the price for Sheffield is the Madson/Floyd rumor/rumble/figment of someone's imagination. Also assuming the money lines up between Soriano and the posing fee, Sheffield extension and the three other contracts.

 

Personally I prefer the second route. Fills more holes. Depending on the price for Imamura (if the total remains under 40 mil) and the bullpen arms/5th starter you might even be able to keep Burrell. Although I think they have it in their heads that they want Burrell gone. Plus I really don't think much of Floyd at this point, so if he can land someone legitimate i'll drive him to the airport.

 

Rollins

Victorino

Howard

Sheffield

Utley

Burrell

Imamura

Coste/Ruiz/FA

 

looks like a pretty killer lineup IMO

I assume that Sheffield/Burrell is an either/or proposition. I can't see the Phils hanging on to both, and quite honestly I can see both of them butchering the outfield defense.

 

Here's what bugs me. We dumped Abreu to create "payroll flexibility." If we acquire a superstar player who's paid more but is not as good, what have we accomplished. That's the big problem, that all this feels like shuffling deck chairs instead of real improvement.

 

The Phils finished first in runs scored. What they really need is pitching. I'm not sure exactly what the Phils plan to do with the staff, but they need to get someone. Miguel Batista has been rumored and would be a great acquisition as someone who could slide into the bullpen if a prospect (Gio Gonzalez) pans out.