Comments on: But can they play second?

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:22:42 +0000

The only problem with saying that last year’s team was built around Howard and Utley is that it isn’t true. Howard had a Fangraphs WAR value of 1, which was 13th on the Phillies (not in the league, on the Phillies). The average player has a WAR of 2.

Utley played in 103 games with a .749 OPS.

This team was built around pitching, plain and simple. Still is. If Cliff Lee pitches like Cliff Lee, the team sweeps the Cardinals and moves on to face the Brewers.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:23:57 +0000

At least Halladay had a good outing right???!! I mean, his velocity was up and everything!!! Maybe, juuusst maybe, hes not hurt.

Injuries take down the best of teams. Not saying I like it, it flat out sucks. A lot of players will see time this year that none of us hoped would.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:29:54 +0000

Jim, I think Damon is a good idea. Maybe a great one. He has always been a winner. He knows how to win. He knows how to move the lockerroom too.

Last year the Phillies were built around Utley and Howard. Not pitching. It’s just that Utley and Howard fell short. They did not leave to play with Doc and Lee. Doc and Lee came to play with them.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:16:43 +0000

If only Pete Rose could get unbanned, our infield woes would be history.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:58:14 +0000

I’ve been thinking about Damon, too, more for left than for first, though. Vladimir Guerrero? Jermaine Dye? Milton Bradley? Terrell Owens? Now’s not the time to be picky, I don’t think.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:46:33 +0000

Johnny Damon is still unemployed. Perhaps he can play first?

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:33:35 +0000

Frandsen reassigned plus Martinez breaks his foot I think equals Galvis would have made the team even if Utley had been healthy. Cause somebody has got to be able to backup short. Is it too late to get Valdez back? Pat Burrell? Hello?

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:22:43 +0000

In the I promise I’m not making this up category, I offer that Michael Martinez has a broken foot.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Martinez_breaks_bone_in_foot.html

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:20:56 +0000

I think the answer to RAJ’s question is:

He’s not hurt…yet.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:38:15 +0000

Yep. I’m starting to think that Utley and Howard might not combine to hit 81 homers and drive in 250 runs in 2012. The starting pitching is great for the Phils. That’s about it at this point, though.

In terms of what next, step one needs to be trying to get a real understanding of when Utley is going to play. If the answer is that they don’t know or a long time, I think they need to consider that as not this year and try to add someone to their roster.

Also, I think there’s a good chance he was being rhetorical, but if Amaro really wants to know what Galvis has done to not warrant being the Phillies regular second baseman, I think I can help there:

1) Not being a second baseman, having never appeared at second base in the minor leagues
2) Failed to hit very well, as evidenced by his career 246/292/321 line in the minors.

I’m honestly thrilled to see him hitting so well in Spring Training. He’s been great. I hope he keeps being great, but I think it would be a huge mistake to count on it. He has 126 plate appearances above Double-A at this point.