Comments on: If it was Upton to me

By: egrissom

egrissom — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:36:29 +0000

I’m not sure they see Ruf as being better against lefties than Mayberry. Mayberry deserves to play some against lefties — he just shouldn’t do it in center field. I’d guess Mayberry got more time at first against lefties than Ruf if Howard was down. But I don’t know.

Mayberry and Ruf seem like a problem to me. They both should be platoon players at a corner OF position or 1B. The Phillies have a full-time 1B. If Brown plays every day, they can’t both be the right-handed part a platoon in the corner OF position that Brown isn’t playing.

The Phillies almost surely seem like they would be better off platooning either of them with Brown than playing Brown every day. I wonder if the Phillies might have platoons in both left and right to start the year?

Other than all the home runs he hit last year, Ruf is old — he turns 27 in seven months. Barring a trade or a waive, I agree there’s a good chance he’s down to start 2013. But there’s a long way to go before 2013. No idea, but if I had to guess, I would guess that Ruf starts the year up.

By: GregA

GregA — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:15:09 +0000

Assuming Howard is healthy, I think they almost have to start Ruf in AAA to prove he wasn’t a fluke and can at least be somewhat adequate in the outfield. If Howard is hurt, then it is obvious Ruf is playing first base (at least to me).

I think that Nix gives the team a tad more flexibility in that he has played first before (I think) whereas Schierholz has not. Plus, I think due to contract considerations, Nix will win out. In other words, he already has a contract. Schierholz can just be non-tendered and won’t be owed any money.

By: Phillies Links of the Day For November 9, 2012 | Philadelphia Phillies Dugout Online | Philadelphia Phillies Blog

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 06:01:16 +0000

[...] If it was Upton to me A brief break from pitcher WAR to talk about free agent center fielders Michael Bourn and BJ Upton, a pairRead the Rest… [...]

By: egrissom

egrissom — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:14:45 +0000

That all seems possible. I think a lot of what happens with Mayberry and Ruf depends on the health of Howard to start the year and whether they need those guys to back up first.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:06:34 +0000

I’m guessing Ruf starts the year in AAA and Nix or Schierholz (or both) get traded/demoted/dumped. I’d rather that was Mayberry but I suspect it won’t be.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:05:51 +0000

Uptown is obviously Upton

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:59:13 +0000

I hope they get some righty bats, really. That’s my number two reason for not wanting Bourne. (The first is the price. Way too much/long for a guy that age.). I’m good with Jimmy hitting one next year.

Uptown looks kind of mixed. On basing numbers aren’t great for a while. But I wonder if he plays our park offensively and defensively better. I like his arm. He’s fast. Should be more pop than he’s shown. Of course, a WHOLE lotta ifs there.

Eric, I like your idea of putting a current CF guy in a corner. Like Pagan. Imagine the flexibility that provides.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:34:02 +0000

I agree that the Phils won’t be spending big money on a corner OF. Right now they seem to have Brown, Ruf, Mayberry, Nix and Schierholtz in line to make the roster to start the year. That’s five guys, none of which should be in center. Pretty sure they can’t roster all five of those guys plus add Bay.

They can’t roster anyone else and carry all of those guys, either, cause they aren’t going to carry six OF. Still, they have to know that none of the five guys they do have should be in CF, so I think that makes it tough to add a non-CF.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:56:48 +0000

I’m guessing the Phils think there’s enough potential upside on their corner options that they probably don’t bring in a serious contender. That’s kind of why I’m looking a Bay – he costs nothing to try, and he can’t go anywhere but up.

If they don’t bring in a serious contender for CF or a corner, well then, I guess I’ll have nothing to look forward to but the 2013 Eagle season with a new coaching staff & quarterback.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:41:48 +0000

I think Bourn and Upton are clearly the best options. I think Victorino or Pagan might work, too. I don’t think Melky Cabrera belongs in CF — if the Phillies took a chance on him I hope it would be on a corner.

Not going to happen, but it seems like the Phillies could also bring in a huge bat (like Hamilton or Hunter) and play them at a corner where they belong. They would still need a CF, but there might be enough offense to bring in someone cheap whose value comes almost exclusively from what they do on defense.

Mayberry really can’t be in center field next year.