For everyone who loves someone, February 14th is a stressful day. For everyone who loves baseball, February 14th is a magical day. Pitchers and catcher report to spring training on Valentine's Day this year and for Phillies fans it is a far better gift than chocolate or flowers. It is the dawn of a new day and this day has all the promise of being the sunniest yet.
Entering spring training with possibly the best pitching rotation in history, the Phillies are poised for another deep post-season run with "championship or bust" as their motto. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels certainly bodes well for completing the objective of bringing a World Series Trophy back to CBP for the second time since 2008. That foursome, along with one helluva good game caller in Ruiz, has the National League trembling.
We musn't let the starting pitching put blinders on our eyes though. There is quite a serious problem facing the 2011 Phils. Coming off of this groups worst offensive seasons in the last five years (772 runs scored), and obvious power slumps from the heavy hitters like Howard(31 HR), Utley((16 HR) injured), and Werth(27 HR), any semblance of scoring consistency is yet to be determined. Guys like Victorino and Ruiz stepped up to help the Phillies reach the NLCS, but the season-defining moment came when Howard struck out looking with his bat on his shoulder. There is no definite fix in sight. Whether it was the absence of leaders like Rollins and Utley throwing off the flow, or contract negotiations for Howard and Werth, the offense just didn't click.
There were a few options the Phillies let slip through their fingers. Seemingly, with the $2.45 million that the organization gave to Kyle Kendrick, the Phillies are likely to trade Blanton before opening day in order to recoup some money that they are currently paying two number 5 starters. That money could have gone into a 1 or 2 year deal for a veteran hitter that hits for average like Matt Diaz or Magglio Ordonez; both of whom could have filled in at right field nicely. Instead, we have a platoon outfield of Ben Fransisco and Domonic Brown, a huge liability.
It looks like at this point that Blanton will still be traded, but any moves to fill the right field gap are unlikely. The starting pitchers are no strangers to lack of run support, Hamels especially. Hopefully, the offense thought long and hard this offseason about how to fix the slumps that they are prone to hit for weeks at a time (see: playoffs). HOWEVER, the season has not started yet, and we are still looking at the most incredible foursome of pitchers ever assembled. So, until the first offensive slump of the season, enjoy falling in love all over again this Valentine's Day.
Stay Tuned: I'll explain why Carlos Ruiz should be on the Phillies Wall of Fame
Adam i agree with you to a point. I think signing kendrick was a worse move than Rieds time management. I think Blanton is a much better pitcher and needs to stay on the phils as the 5th. i agree howard and the midlle lineup need to step it up and be worth the millions their paying them. if all goes well with the fearsome four this year , the offensive may need to only score 1-2 runs a game to win,,Matt c
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Blanton is that he is making entirely too much for a 5th starter. In order to trade him, we'll have to eat half of his salary. I don't mind Kendrick in the 5th spot, but if they signed him AND keep Blanton, Kendrick will be a $2.5 million middle reliever.
ReplyDeleteI think Kendrick COULD have potential but if the phils want another world series run , they dont need any potential in their rotation , they need solid pitchers, and Blanton is more solid than Kendrick. Matt
ReplyDeleteWith Pettite retiring, possibly Blanton to the Yankees? They seem like one of the few teams that wouldn't mind/can afford to take on more salary than some other teams out there. Just a thought, and CSN posed the question as well. Blanton is a better option than Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia for crying out loud. I'd hate to see Blanton hit another world series homerun, but in different colored pinstripes.
ReplyDelete