2012 Phillies Season Thread

[philliesfiend55]

With Lehigh Valley's season ending yesterday on the road with a rainout in Portland, Maine a game and a half out of the playoffs, I'd have to guess that if the Phillies don't announce any callups from the Iron Pigs by the end of today September 4, then there will be none. The roster should be set for the rest of the season except for the possible call up of (AA) Reading's near-Triple Crown winner Darin Ruf. He could be called up once Reading's playoffs run ends either in elimination or the Eastern League title.

[Ben Grimm]

I have to give it to you, you're much more understanding (forgiving) than I am.

Almost $180M spent on a roster with some brutal albatross contracts over the next few years and this team is scrambling to reach .500 - that's how I see it.

Injuries will come, and they'll come next year too. This team has been brittle since 2010 and it won't stop since so many key components are on the bad side of 30 and already have multiple injuries in the past.

[Ben Grimm]

Kratz just hit his 9th HR of the season today. Between Ruiz & Kratz, this is what's been produced:

133 Games
.325 AVG
419 AB
136 Hits
58 Runs
23 HR
81 RBI

On pace for:

161 Hits
69 Runs
27 HR
96 RBI

Along with the pitching this team has, as well as the overall core team heading into opening day... Had somebody said the Phils would get almost 30/100 production from the catcher position, I'd figure it would be another possible 100-win team.

Besides his ability to hit the ball, Kratz has certainly earned the right to be on the 2013 Phils roster. Let's not forget this either...


Image from CrashburnAlley.com

[Ben Grimm]

I'm thinking Mike Leake would be very happy never to face the Phillies again. Today was his 5th career start and he's only lasted 27 innings in total while giving up 28 earned runs for a gaudy ERA of 9.33 - ouch.

[philliesfiend55]

Just a thought: Ssomeone on a Phils Fans website brought up the idea of trading this Winter for Cleveland's OF - Shin-Soo Choo. (Free Agent after the 2013 season). He's a very good all-around player, much like S. Victorino, at about half the salary.
Is this A good move in your opinion?

[Ben Grimm]

Just a thought: Ssomeone on a Phils Fans website brought up the idea of trading this Winter for Cleveland's OF - Shin-Soo Choo. (Free Agent after the 2013 season). He's a very good all-around player, much like S. Victorino, at about half the salary.
Is this A good move in your opinion?

I'd say it depends on his long-term value to the team. On paper, he could simply be a one-year rental as he's entering his final arbitration season and should receive $7M+. After that, he's a FA unless the Phils feel confident in dealing with Scott Boras - Choo's agent.

He's a solid player though he's had some injuries in the past. He'd have to come right out of the gate and get used to NL pitching. He can't stumble like Pujols did with his switch to the AL, or this team could be trailing in the standings again - just with less prospects. Darin Ruf could actually be a decent fit for a team like Cleveland though, and if he isn't the answer in LF, then moving him quickly would be the wise thing.

[philliesfiend55]

After Reading's elinmination from the Eastern League Playoffs yesterday at the hands of Yankee's affiliate Trenton, Darin Ruf is is being added to the Phillies active roster today. To make room for him Michael Stutes was moved from the 15 day to the 60 day Disabled List
One sportswriter, Bob Brookover, has suggested that this could not be the final roster move of the season for the Phillies. Noting that the Phillies have been snakebitten with injuries to their third baseman (Placido Polanco is out for the rest of the year and Kevin Fransden is out for at least the next few games and possibly out for the year) writer Brookover speculated that the Phillies might call up Cody Asche from Reading. That's definitely not been confirmed by GM Ruben Amaro Jr. or the front office. Asche was playing in Clearwater in the High A level Florida State League until about June 20. If Fransden can't return then possibly a different move will be tried. Amaro might rightly consider moving up so many levels in one season, including going all the way to the big leagues, might be more than Asche can handle. That said, I like Cody's chances of starting next season in AAA and joining the Phillies sometime in the second half of next season. A 2011 draft pick, Asche's ascent through the Phillies farm system has been the fastest of all current Phillies prospects.

[Blue387]

I have an idea. What do you think of bringing back Terry Francona to manage the Phillies?

[Ben Grimm]

I have an idea. What do you think of bringing back Terry Francona to manage the Phillies?

That's an easy one. No.

If anything, Ryne Sandberg will be the next Phils manager - at least I believe that's the plan. But I never liked Francona here, and his comment about Philly being a mulligan didn't sit very well either.

[Ben Grimm]

No Ruf again tonight, but not a surprise since Charlie likes R/L matchups and hates using kids if a vet is available. But damn - Michael Martinez is back on the field. Sure, he's got his average up to .150 or so LOL, but really?

[philliesfiend55]

No Ruf again tonight, but not a surprise since Charlie likes R/L matchups and hates using kids if a vet is available. But damn - Michael Martinez is back on the field. Sure, he's got his average up to .150 or so LOL, but really?

If I was the GM, with Polanco and Fransden hurt, I might have brought up Asche for 3B for the rest of the season. Martinez, the "automatic out" is a bit of an embarrassement to a team that still has a shot at a Wild Card.

[philliesfiend55]

The Phillies affiliate Lehigh Valley used three third baseman (the position was always in a state of flux, with no one clearly winning the starting job) and all three of them would probably be better options to finish the season at 3B than Michael Martinez:

Hector Luna - Released.
Pete Orr - called up to the Phils last week. A Somewhat reliable utility infielder at the major league level who should get some starts at 3B the rest of the way.
Tug Hulett - a 29 year-old minor leagues journeyman (nine years) who has never reached the majors. He split the year between the AA and AAA levels, but actually did very well, hitting over .300 in AAA.
Or you could reach all the way down to AA to pick up Cody Asche for the final three weeks.
Even the untested Hulett or Asche would probably better choices than playing Martinez regularly at Third Base for the rest of the 2012 season.

[Ben Grimm]

If I was the GM, with Polanco and Fransden hurt, I might have brought up Asche for 3B for the rest of the season. Martinez, the "automatic out" is a bit of an embarrassement to a team that still has a shot at a Wild Card.

And that's the amazing thing. Okay, the Phils were trying out some guys while putting together a winning streak. But why Martinez? What can he possibly offer and what future does he have with this team going forward. And if it comes out Ruf gets very limited at bats, gets sent to AAA next year as a 27 year old, why didn't they simply move him this year while his bat was hot? It never ceases to amaze me how inactive this franchise is with it's "useless" prospects that an AL team may like and only moves them when picking up huge-salary vets - if that even.

The money's opened up for Ruben and with the horrible market at 3B, he'll likely overspend for the OF. Then why even have Ruff on the team? They're not trading Pierre to Baltimore which tells me he'll be signed to a multi-year deal to play LF and they'll have Brown in RF next year. All signs point to an overpay to Michael Bourn and then we'll see $1.5M wasted on Nix sitting on the pine.

Now's the next problem. Pierre, Bourn & Brown are all LH... So is Ryan and Chase. The only RH hitters will be Mayberry (who'll surely be back), Rollins, Ruiz and whoever is at 3B - likely Frandsen along with Wigginton as a backup option.

Personally... Darin Ruf, Dom Brown & Trevor May for Chase Headley with the caveat he signs a 5-year, $60M deal. Get Asche to play 2B in AAA next year as Utley's replacement and we'll see what we have in Franco since he's still years away.

I'll take Pierre in LF, Mayberry/Nix in CF platoon and Maybery/Schierholtz platoon in RF.

That'll give this team Howard, Utley, Rollins & Headley next year. In 2014, we'll see Howard, Galvis/Asche, Rollins/Galvis & Headley. That's more than a solid infield.

[jalbright]

After a bad time through July, the Phils are playing good ball, and the other contenders for the second wild card are stalled or slammed into reverse. They've moved to within three games of that last playoff spot, though behind three other teams. A week ago, I would have said the Phils getting into the race was only a mathematical possibility. Now, they're there. Who knows?

[philliesfiend55]

And that's the amazing thing. Okay, the Phils were trying out some guys while putting together a winning streak. But why Martinez? What can he possibly offer and what future does he have with this team going forward. And if it comes out Ruf gets very limited at bats, gets sent to AAA next year as a 27 year old, why didn't they simply move him this year while his bat was hot? It never ceases to amaze me how inactive this franchise is with it's "useless" prospects that an AL team may like and only moves them when picking up huge-salary vets - if that even.

Having watched a few Phillies games on TV this week, it's obvious why Amaro & Manuel like Martinez and KEEP HIM AROUND AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL.

He is an outstanding fielder and I'll bet the Front Office rates his "Baseball IQ" pretty highly. He knows what play to make and doesn't make mental misakes. He's even good in the outfield and if you remember back to the last game of the 2011 season in the game that "sent the Braves packing", he ran down a fly ball near the wall and made a great catch in Centerfield to help seal the Braves' fate. He's a good bunter and perhaps he's gotten some instruction from Juan Pierre in that area, but overall he's not up to major league standards as a hitter. He's been "below the Mendoza line = under .200" in both of his major league seasons.
If you think back to June when they eased Chase Utley back into the lineup, and back to July, when they eased Ryan Howard back into the lineup - then that's what they are planning to do with Kevin Fransden. His foot has improved, but not to the point of him being capable to play everyday. It looks like some combination of Martinez and Fransden at 3B for the Phillies for the rest of their schedule (and the postseason, if they make it that far).

[philliesfiend55]

After a bad time through July, the Phils are playing good ball, and the other contenders for the second wild card are stalled or slammed into reverse. They've moved to within three games of that last playoff spot, though behind three other teams. A week ago, I would have said the Phils getting into the race was only a mathematical possibility. Now, they're there. Who knows?

Less than a month ago I had thought that maybe by the last week or the last few days of the season the Phillies might just reach the .500 mark and wind up winning 82 or 83 games. The possibility of them topping the .500 mark with three weeks left on the schedule and having a legitimate shot at snagging a Wild Card spot seemed like pure fantasy. GO PHILLIES!

[Ben Grimm]

Since the Phillies began their run in '07, the Astros have been a constant thorn in their side while being a sub-.500 team. After last night's loss the Phils are only 16-19 against them over that stretch.

Dating back to 2009, the Philies are now 3-13 vs Houston in games played during August/September.

[Ben Grimm]

It's kind of interesting to see how Manuel likes to ride a horse til it kicks. Aumont has pitched six times in the last seven days - and clearly didn't have it last night. I would have called on the $50M man, but he decided to go with Diekman which didn't fare any better. Then again, Charlie lives and dies with his gut moves.

Seeing Aumont practically every day had me wondering if Ruf will ever get a swing of the bat. So far he hasn't made an appearance.

Ryan Howard is hitting a miserable .178 with a .477 OPS and only 2 extra base hits (both doubles) for the month of September. Ryan's always been a streaky hitter, but if he doesn't do something big tonight (Friday), I'd like to see Ruf get the start at 1B tomorrow with a hittable lefty on the mound. He can't do any worse than Ryan does vs a LHP anyway.

[Ben Grimm]

After five seasons, Cole finally matches his career-high in wins with his 15th last night. The Phils were able to pound out 12 runs and win fairly easily as the Astros simply don't have the bats to get into a slugfest.

Phillies get within three once again to that second WC spot - now tied with the free-falling Pirates, though the Bucs do have two games in hand.

Today's matchup has Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the 'Stros. I don't like the Phillies facing a LHP they've never seen before. But he will put runners on base, so the Phils need to be patient and not just go hacking and giving up free outs.

[philliesfiend55]

With the MLB Debut of Darin Ruf last night (9/14/12), the Phillies have used every player on their current roster.
A total of 20 players made their team debut dates for the Phillies in 2012, which is a bit high. The average number of team debuts per year since the end of World War Two is about 15. Seven of these 20 players debuting this year as Phillies were also making their major leagues debuts.
Here are the players who debuted as Phillies in 2012 with their debut date in parentheses. An asterisk on the far left indicates that the player's Phillies team debut was also their major leagues debut.

*Freddy Galvis - 2B - 4/5
Ty Wiggnton - 3b/1b- 4/5
Johnatahn Papelbon - P - 4/5
Laynce Nix - OF/1B - 4/7
Juan Pierre - OF - 4/7
Chad Qualls P- - 4/7
Hector Luna - INF -5/11
Mike Fontenot - INF - 5/14
*Jake Diekman - P - 5/15
Raul Valdes - P - 5/16
*B.J. Rosenbeg - P - 6/9
Jeremy Horst - P - 6/28
Jason Pridie - OF - 7/1
Kevin Fransden - 3B - 7/29
Nate Schierholtz - OF - 8/1
Josh Lindblom - P - 8/1
*Phillippe Aumont - P - 8/23
*Tyler Cloyd - P - 8/29
*Steven Lerud - C - 8/30
*Darin Ruf - PH/1B/OF - 9/14

[Ben Grimm]

Since the Phillies began their run in '07, the Astros have been a constant thorn in their side while being a sub-.500 team. After last night's loss the Phils are only 16-19 against them over that stretch.

Dating back to 2009, the Philies are now 3-13 vs Houston in games played during August/September.

And we all saw the trainwreck that happened this weekend. I'm sure many hard-core Phils fans are very happy that Houston's going to the AL. Regardless, going 1-3 against a 100-loss team is absolutely inexcuseable.

Lots to assess over the offseason and I really can't wait, as other than the trade deadline, it's one of my favorite parts of the baseball season.

[Ben Grimm]

Phils broke out the hammers last night with an eight-run first inning. Seven runners reached base before the first out was even recorded.

Three players (Rollins, Pierre & Utley) had two hits in the inning - first time that's happened since September of 1999.

[Blue387]

The Phillies won 3-2 on Wednesday night but had only three hits against the Mets.

I'd be nervous if the Phillies had to face a major league team.

[Ben Grimm]

The Phillies won 3-2 on Wednesday night but had only three hits against the Mets.

I'd be nervous if the Phillies had to face a major league team.

Not surprising in the least. Often, after this team faces Dickey, their bats are screwed up for multiple games afterwards. Wasn't the case this time since they've put 22 runs on the board the past two days (and yes, the Braves are a major league team).

[Ben Grimm]

There's been some "hopeful" chatter on some boards that the Nats will simply go thru the motions when facing the Phils since they'd have nothing to play for. I beg to differ.

While they are in a virtual deadlock with the Reds for best record in the NL, I really don't think the Nats want the Phillies in the postseason. The Phils are one of the few teams who've been able to handle them (7-5 for the season H2H), and it's more lopsided than that after Utley and Howard returned.

While they were out, Washington held a 4-2 advantage. But since everybody's been healthy, the Phils have taken 5 of the last 6.

With everything that's happened between these two teams:

- Werth saying he'll do his best to make sure another parade down Broad Street doesn't happen
- The whole thing with keeping Philly fans out of their park
- The Hamels pitch to Harper

I don't see the Nats rolling over.