Phillies Lose Utley; Playoff Hopes are Dim

Is it just coincidence that a day after the virtual ending of the Phillies season, marked by the loss of Chase Utley to a broken hand, starts the beginning of the Eagles' season?

We can now take our focus away from the guys in red and concentrate on our men in green. Sure we can still check the box score, or watch Comcast sports night to see how far Howard's latest bomb went, or even tune in for the entire game when "The Man" Cole Hamels is pitching... but we won't have to allocate 100% of our passion on the Phils anymore. Their season is done. They've lost their most consistent player in Chase Utley who was putting up MVP type of numbers.

We can now turn our attention the Eagles training camp which starts tomorrow. Tune into my Eagles Blog, to see all of my thoughts on the Birds.

One thing that is going to upset me about Chase Utley's injury... is not the fact that I'm thinking about what could have been. Or not that Chase could have set a record for RBI's as a second basemen, or was on pace for an amazing 60 doubles. But what will upset me the most is now, when the Phillies don't make the playoffs, the Phillies management will use the Chase Utley injury as an excuse. Another excuse as to why the team failed and that our team was good enough. But let's face it. As well as we've been playing lately, and as much as we know in recent years that this is a second half team, we realists can understand the Phillies are a tease and were not going to make the playoffs.

This will now serve as another excuse to leave Charlie Manuel around. Another excuse for Dave Montgomery to use when he's asked about not spending money. And another excuse that Pat Gillick will use about not having the tools to work with.

PS - I don't know what you've heard... and I didn't see the game. But I don't think the kid Hannan was intentionally trying to hit Utley or Howard. He had Utley down 0-2, and was still in a winnable ball game making his major league debut. Howard was hit on the first pitch. But immediately after hitting Utley, why would you then throw at Howard? I can't imagine Ryan Howard showboating after a homerun, or doing anything that would warrant a bean ball. And I can't blame the Nats manager for getting tossed for defending his pitcher. Good work.

Phils Low on Pitching Options: Need to Trade

With 29 days until the trading deadline, an unfortunate series versus the Mets and an ailing pitching staff the Phillies need to make a trade if they intend to contend until the end.

The Phillies have had 6 pitchers make their major league debuts this year. Here is the list of newcomers; J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Joe Bisenius, Zack Segovia, Michael Zagurski and Yoel Hernandez, all made their big-league debuts this season,

Additionally, the pitchers have just called up one Anderson Garcia, who will be the 7th big league debut on the mound this year for the Phillies. He will also be the 25th pitcher to pitch this year inching closer to the record of 27 different pitchers from the 2002 season.

The bottom line is... we need pitching help.

Rumors are circulating that some teams are interested in Pat Burrell. Undoubtedly, to deal Burrell the Phillies will have to pay part of his salary. Considering he makes $14 million, I would gladly deal him and pay up to $7 million this year and next to open up the roster spot. That $7 million could be used to bolster next year's starting rotation. Burrell could be dealt for pitching.

The recent play of Micheal Bourn will make this transition easier, not to mention add even more speed to the Phillies lineup. Rollins and Victorino at the top and Bourn at the bottom. Very nice.

Another option I would not put past the Phillies is the trading of Aaron Rowand. I was an advocate of keeping him on the team when the Phillies faithful were shouting for him to be traded. I pleaded with Gillick to give this club house leader and ultimate gamer a chance to prove his worth... and he has. He's even been selected to the NL All-Star team. He'll accompany the well deserved Chase Utley and Cole Hamels. But, with Rowand's recent success, it begs the question do we trade him for the future? If we were take advice from an old investment maxim of buy low and sell high, it would be the perfect time to put him on the block... and I wouldn't put it past Gillick... though as a guy who enjoys his play, I hope he sticks around and Gillick finds other options...

The recent call up of Chris Coste makes Rod Barajas expendable. And Coste's homerun on Friday makes you wonder what he's been doing in the minor leagues all this time, while Barajas flirts with Mendoza. The Cubs could use a catcher...

Given Pat Gillicks history, something will be done.

What do Jon Lieber, Robin Roberts and John Denny all have in common?

Answer: They will never pitch for the Phillies again.

It appears as if the Phillies' pitching woes have just gotten that much worse. Is it too early to start thinking about Eagles' training camp... which by the way begins in 34 days.

Jon Leiber has hurt himself in a freak accident taking a mis-step after surrendering a single, which incidentally scored a run, bringing his June ERA to 6.66. That's not good karma. Let's burn his uniform, sacrifice a chicken, and hire clairvoyant to rid the Phillies of this awful curse.

It is quite possible that Jon Lieber will have season ending surgery and not pitch again this year. Here's a full report on Lieber's injury. With Freddy Garcia and Tom Gordon already on the DL, the Phillies' already thinning staff has just gotten that much thinner, kind of like Brett Myers' hairline. (see pic to the left)

Speaking of Brett Myers... will the Phillies ask him to return to the starting rotation? If that's the case, who is our closer?

Jamie Moyer has already volunteered to be part of a 4 man rotation. Which will allow Myers to stay in the pen. Moyer is a true gamer and is tough as nails. Jamie Moyer is 44 years old and he's still pitching deep into games and has arguably been our most consistent starter. (Hamels is his only competition, unfortunately)

So what are the Phillies to do? They've listed a whole lot of names from AA Reading, AAA Ottawa and haven't ruled out a trade. The Good Phight has a few of those suggestions. And even though Lieber was the most likely candidate to be traded... it was me, the prognosticator of all prognosticators that said something like this was bound to happen and it was a good thing to have 6 'quality' starters. (Please note, quality is used very loosely here.)

I've always thought the Phillies should have kept all 6 starters and used one in the bullpen. I had no idea it would turn out to be Myers, in a closer's role. Regardless. Our 6 starters has now dwindled down to 3.

I also pleaded with Pat Gillick on numerous occasions to keep Aaron Rowand. I think we're all glad he did.

But now, with the Phillies realistically in a position to make a move towards first place and make the playoffs. What doe Gillick do?

Is it time to try and get something for Pat Burrell? Do we now trade our beloved Aaron Rowand? Should we package a few of our young outfielders? I don't know. I'm not paid the big bucks to make these decisions. I'm a little worried that I'll be disappointed with what goes on... all we can do is wait and see.

He's Still a Bargain

The Phillies dutifully gave Ryan Howard a well deserved raise. The Phils have renewed Howard's contract for 1-year at $900K. Both sides were hoping to reach a multi-year deal, but were only able to agree to this one year deal which surprisingly does not have any incentives.

Howard, who made $355,000 last year, is in the history books as being the highest paid player not eligible for arbitration in league history. His contract matches that of Albert Pujols who received the same raise after his rookie season in 2003. That's not bad company.

It's encouraging to know that the Phils are now doing what this city has always wanted and rewarding their talent in an effort to keep them here.

Although Howard can't become a free agent until 2011, both sides are hoping to reach a multi-year deal well before that point.

Unlike previous administrations, this Pat Gillick team has a "goal to keep our star players in red pinstripes". With the recent signings of Utley and Howard, you know they're following through.

PS - Ryan Howard homered in his first at bat of spring training, only a few hours after inking himself a new deal. I think we're in for another fun ride.

How Weird! Howard to be renewed...

Gone are the days when we we would wait until the last possible moment to offer our talent a desperation contract to try and keep him in the city. (see Scott Rolen and Curt Schilling). And if we did lock up our talent, it was a mistake (see Pat Burrell).

We're now in the days where we're locking up our big name talent years before we really have to worry about it. Utley received his $85 million, and now the Phils are negotiating with Ryan Howard's agent for a deal to give him what he deserves.

We're taking a page out of the Joe Banner/Andy Reid Book of "How to Run a Sports Franchise". Kudos to Pat Gillick, and I can assume Reuben Amaro should get some credit too... for keeping their talent happy.

Philly.com has the report.

Here are the details:

• These are preliminary talks with Ryan Howard's agent, Casey Close.
• There will be a one-year or multi-year deal by March 2.
• It is expected Howard will be rewarded with more than $1 million
• Howard is not eligible for free agency until 2011, and eligible for salary arbitration after the 2007 season.

It appears as if Ryan Howard's contagious smile is about to get bigger. Congrats Ryan! You deserve every penny.

PS - First full squad workout is tomorrow.

PSS - Did you know the BJ Novak character on the office is named Ryan Howard?(he was the intern)

Dear Pat Gillick, Please Don't Trade Rowand!

UPDATED 2/3/07

Rumors have surfaced about the possibility of the Phillies trading Aaron Rowand for some help in the bullpen. Mostly from ESPN's Buster Olney. I know the Phils could use some arms in the later innings to finish the fine job we know our starters will do this season, but I can't bring myself to accept the trading of Rowand. I like Rowand, because he plays the game like it should be played. He plays an excellent outfield, and his veteran bat would be a nice fit in this lineup. So maybe he's not a #2 hitter, but he's a great 6 or 7 guy.

Rowand is the epitomy of the Philadelphia ballplayer. I'd like to see Gillick use Leiber as trade bate for bullpen help as opposed to Rowand. And I understand we have some outfield prospects waiting in the wings....namely Jayson Werth, Michael Bourn and Chris Roberson who's doing well in winter ball, but I just don't want to see them get rid of Rowand. When he's been healthy he's been great for us.

Pat, I know you're new to the city, and you've done great things so far... but let's keep the players that bleed Phillies red. It will pay off in the long run.

UPDATE 1/28/07 : The Phillies website has an article about our beloved Rowand.

UPDATE 2/1/07: The Trade Rumor has not gone away... Rowand for Linebrink, probably unlikely.

The catch below proves that Rowand is worthy to wear the stripes.

Pat Gillick - a very welcome addition...

The recent acquisition of Freddy Garcia definitely begs the question; Why did it take us so long to get rid of Ed Wade.

My biggest problem with Wade was his terrible judgement of talent. Wade would have definitely held on to Gavin Floyd deeming him 'the future' of this organization. Too often Ed Wade would be satisfied with the status quo and hoping that the young prospects would eventually blossom. I have some news for you Ed... Hope is not a strategy!

It is nice as a Phillies fan to finally know what it's like to have a GM who isn't afraid to take a gamble. I like that Pat Gillick says that nobody on the team is untouchable. Let's hope htis excludes Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

Here's to more exciting moves in this offseason and looking forward to a competive 2007.