Comments on: Chase scene

By: egrissom

egrissom — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:17:43 +0000

I don’t think there’s any question Utley is among the top five 2B in the NL. I think last year showed the kind of damage you can do to your offense when you play guys like Martinez, Orr and Valdez too much. There’s an enormous gap offensively between Utley and those guys, which is why the Phils are going to pay him $30 million over the next two years.

If the question is would you rather have Madson for one year at $8.5 million or Papelbon for $50 million over four years, I don’t think the answer is real hard. I think the Reds got a good deal. If it really is one-year, $8.5 million, I think the Reds got a good deal.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:04:30 +0000

The problem we all have with Utley is that we’re accustomed to him performing like a 3rd basemen, and lately he’s been performing more like a 2nd basemen. For a 2B, though, he’s still pretty darn good.

In other news, Madson signs with the Reds.

By: FromThisSeat.com

FromThisSeat.com — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:50:57 +0000

Imagine what kind of numbers he would have posted had he been healthy the past few years. This Phillies offensive lineup is aging but I still say he is a top 5 second baseman in the league.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:19:17 +0000

I don’t feel completely sold on Willis as the second lefty in the pen. I think it’s a nice idea, but would feel better if he had some more experience pitching in relief. He does have some great results against lefties recently, but I’m hoping there’s a plan B also.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:34:14 +0000

If nothing else, Sanches, Valdes, and Purcey will add depth for them to be ready for the inevitable injuries that will occur in the pen. If there is one spot this team has depth, that is it. Should be a relatively cheap pen too, outside of Papelbon.

Now, if they can just consistently score some runs they will be pretty tough to beat.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:26:24 +0000

Sorry. Could have written that a little better. Don’t want to give anyone a heart attack or anything.

I can’t imagine they really are looking to invest in Wood, but he would help the squad.

Completely serious on this: I’m kind of excited about Brian Sanches. Moderately excited about Valdes and Purcey.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:11:39 +0000

Good way to look at things. I also think that just having Utley around made the other guys feel better because he’s just so dang intense.

I had to re-read your line on Contreras. I thought it said he’d be ready to close on opening day, and I thought, “then why the hell did they spend all that money on Papelbon?” Read it again and my blood pressure returned to normal.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:20:08 +0000

There is no doubt that the Utley/Pence offense was dramatically better than the “non” offense. My hunch is that of the two only Utley can make that claim in the post season in 2011, though.

At some point in all of the discussions about the Phillies lineup being what everyone says they are, somebody somewhere needs to make at least a passing comment that it is the post season that is crucial. Scoring more runs than anyone after Utley returns means almost nothing given the post season.

RAJ and the brain trust has to know that the last 5 playoff series over the past three years has netted a batting average of somewhere around .220 – that is over three years. In some places that might be called choking.

Utley is the post season winner between him and Pence, I am betting. Add Jimmy and that is about all the post season offense we had this year.