Comments on: Something old and something phew

By: egrissom

egrissom — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:32:14 +0000

I think the question of what to do with Brown is a really hard one. I think it’s tough to put let him try to learn to play outfield on the job for the Phils in 2012, but at the same time they really need his bat. I do wonder if a team that wasn’t trying to win the World Series this year might be better prepared to give him time to improve his defense at the major league level. I’m pretty sure he’s going to hit.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:04:44 +0000

In your “For What It’s Worth Department”: my SI just came in today. It’s the baseball issue. In the team ranking evaluations, the following comment was made as a “Modest Proposal”:

“The Phillies, who have seen their offense decline as their lineup has aged, have to commit to Brown as an everyday player, or put him on the market for a team that will.”

By: egrissom

egrissom — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:52:48 +0000

Sounds good to me. Victorino has led the NL in triples in two of the past three seasons.

I think that Halladay, Lee and Hamels plus the best record in baseball means the Phillies keep filling up the stadium for a while, no matter how bad their offense gets.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:29:57 +0000

BTW, I hear Vic has said he will lead the league in triples this year. I like the attitude that goes with that.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:48:58 +0000

I am wondering if the brain trust thinks it needs to make some big splash to keep the turnstiles spinning as well as win. We’ve been accustomed to excitement generated by the BIG signing. It costs money but it also pays the bills. I am not seeing a lot of excitement generators playing everyday right now. In fact, can anyone can think of anything good coming out of spring training so far towards which we can look with anticipation? I wonder if they will do something big just to get everyone’s attention, salary cap be hanged.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:12:18 +0000

My understanding is that they don’t have insurance on the Howard contract, and that the insurance for Utley’s contract only kicks in if he goes on the 60-day DL and then, payments would only kick in if he missed 90 days.

In short, it’s really hard to collect those payments so I wouldn’t plan on that.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:56:19 +0000

Offensively I think the Phillies are going to be below average at first and a disaster at third and at second early in the season. I hope Galvis is great, but if he is more productive offensively than Wilson Valdez and Valdez’s ilk, I’m going to be very happy and surprised.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:22:30 +0000

If they collect insurance payments on Howard & Utley, I can see them spending some of that again. Ah, business…

Out of our projected opening day infield, the guy I have the least confidence in is Polanco. His ability to stay on the field is very much in question, and even when he is, his ISO power is in the neighborhood of .000. But Galvis has a great spring and Mayberry has a great 2011 to build on. Not that either of those guys are “proven”, but sometimes it’s the rising stars that win the championships, not the grizzled vets.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:05:49 +0000

I don’ think they’re going to be able to do that. They made a mistake with Howard’s contract especially. It’s too many years just to wait for it to go away. Again, $35 million for Howard and Utley not to play. They’ve got a lot invested in the other guys, too, but they’re going to need some help now.

I don’t think it’s going to take long to demo that they really need a quality infielder, even if they don’t get one before the season starts. Of course I’m hoping for the best for Galvis, and Polanco, and Mayberry, but I don’t think that’s going to be enough.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:47:46 +0000

Eric, seems like they’re treating the luxury tax as a hard cap.. so I don’t think you’ll see any new major leaguers on the roster unless things look desperate at the deadline.