Comments on: Log gabbin

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:56:09 +0000

The Brewers have also signed a shortstop. Atlanta is the only team left besides the Phillies I think.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:40:16 +0000

Furcal re-ups with the Cards. Jimmy may actually have no other place to go but Philly. Might even save us a few bucks, or even a year.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:11:10 +0000

Utley. Healthy. Please. Please. May it be so.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:35:22 +0000

I also agree Utley is likely to be better in 2011 than 2012, but even if he just stays healthy and produces at the same level offensively, the Phils will be a lot better at the position just cause he got more at-bats.

So I guess the plus-side of giving at-bats to Martinez and Valdez is it leaves a lot of room for upward growth the following season. That duo combined to make 534 plate appearances for the Phils in 2011. They aren’t good offensive players.

In Martinez’s defense, the fact that he’s not a good offensive player didn’t hurt the Phils at 2B that much in 2011. Orr actually played a lot more at second than Martinez did, hitting 213/280/240 in 82 at-bats as a second baseman for the Phils in ’11. Valdez hit 246/289/307 in his 126 PA as a 2B. So a healthy Utley could help.

Martinez only got 30 PA as a 2B and hit 241/267/379.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:25:41 +0000

It’s hard to know how much Mayberry’s career numbers so far matter, but so far his career numbers against right-handed pitching are better than Ibanez’s overall numbers for 2011. Ibanez hit 245/289/419. So far in his career, Mayberry has hit 236/317/445 against righties.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:24:10 +0000

Ok. But a little nervous here.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:17:36 +0000

If Howard returns in May, I’m not worried about replacing his production. I believe last year was the first of many that we didn’t exit April with a losing record.

I’m a excited about a Mayberry/Nix left field? No. Do I think it can do better than Ibanez? Yes.

Utley’s due to have a much better year as well, or he ages faster than most dogs.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:15:59 +0000

Ibanez was awful. It would be a terrible idea, but if the Phils were to play Laynce Nix in left field everyday I think he would come close to matching Ibanez’s numbers from last year. I think it’s hard to project Mayberry going forward given that he’s got better numbers in the majors than he had in the minors, but if he continued to hit in 2012 the way he has in the majors 2009-11 and played every day, he would dwarf Ibanez’s 2011 numbers. I think Domonic Brown is the best player of the three, but it’s definitely hard to know what he might do next year and if it will help the Phillies at all.

How long Howard is going to be out is a critical question, of course, as well as whether he’s his old self when he does return. If they get little from the first base slot next year, I think they’ll have trouble offensively. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:55:04 +0000

Ibanez, 20 dingers, 84 ribbies in 144 games last year. As bad as he was, will the other guys this year be able to replace that and Howard? Like I said, man I hope you’re right.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:49:20 +0000

Man, I sure hope you’re right.