2012-2013 Phillies Offseason Thread

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  • Ben Grimm
    Semi-lucid User
    • Jun 2012
    • 6139

    Apples and oranges. Utley was a polished hitter in college and that's what got him drafted in the first round. Granted, I was very nervous about his glove at the time, but he turned out to be okay in the field. Brown was a 20th rounder who had a football background over a baseball background IIRC. He was much more raw, but had 5-tool potential, which is something the Phillies overpersued while drafting OFers the past decade.
    "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

    Comment

    • bluesky5
      Registered User
      • May 2011
      • 20216

      Originally posted by Ben Grimm View Post
      At first yes. But, as we've seen with players much younger in this division (Stanton, Harper & Heyward), they began to establsh themselves on some level. Brown, even though he can get on base okay, was brutal in the field, couldn't pull a ball to save his life, and has been fairly injury-prone.

      Sure, he may have been yo-yo'd a bit, but this is the pros. You only get a few chances to prove your worth. On his side, Amaro has little to no patience in grooming players which was my #1 contention of his being named GM back in '09. If there was one known thing about him, it was that he had no respect for the minor league system nor grooming players. He's an instant gratification personality not much different than a 5-year old. But Dom also had a responsibility. It was to play at a level worthy of a MLB player. Watching him track down a line drive was like following one of those old Family Circus maps in the Sunday Inquirer funny pages.

      I held Dom in high regard a few years ago. I was very vocal in moving Michael Taylor instead when Brown's name was mentioned and Taylor was a level closer. The talent was there. But like many toolsy guys, that talent rarely exposes itself.
      True

      And true about Amaro, regardless of what anyone thinks it doesn't look like Brown is going to get many AB's.
      "No matter how great you were once upon a time — the years go by, and men forget,” - W. A. Phelon in Baseball Magazine in 1915. “Ross Barnes, forty years ago, was as great as Cobb or Wagner ever dared to be. Had scores been kept then as now, he would have seemed incomparably marvelous.”

      Comment

      • philliesfiend55
        Registered User
        • Nov 2006
        • 6031

        Originally posted by Ben Grimm View Post
        Other than the obvious baggage he brings with him, I like this signing. It's cheap and can fill a need. Delmon said today he prefers RF since he reads the ball off the bat better. Fine - let him platoon with Dom Brown. As much as I hoped Brown would be the next great thing here, he's done absolutely nothing with any of the opportunities he's had. He's a sabr fan's darling, but you still need to do more than simply project at age 25. To me, he's just another one of those toolsy OFers the Phillies have a pension of drafting who has talent - but no baseball IQ. Whether Delmon's the answer remains to be seen. But I have a feeling he'll outproduce his contract this season.
        I remember Domonic Brown's first major league game during the last week of July 2010. In his first at-bat he doubled off the right field wall and missed a home run by about 3 or 4 inches. Phillies Fans were never as optimistic about his future after that first game, as continued play seemed to expose holes in his game. He's had three partial seasons in the majors now for about 1.5 years of major league service time. Although he hasn't put it together yet, that doesn't mean that he can't start prodcuing from this time forward. Part of the problem has been the inexcuseably high expectations the Phillies front office has placed on him. He'll only turn 26 the first week of September 2013 and he's young enough to still become an outstanding player. He's just coming into his prime.
        Last edited by philliesfiend55; 01-24-2013, 07:18 AM.

        Comment

        • Ben Grimm
          Semi-lucid User
          • Jun 2012
          • 6139

          True that age-wise, Brown's just entering his prime. Problem is, most players are already showing signs of gradual increase in performance or have had 1-2 very solid years leading up to it. Brown's been pretty much a flat-line and has less experience than many his age who've had equal expectations laid upon them. He's got zero track record at the ML level that can convincingly leave somebody to project him as a high performer any time soon. Right now, it seems the least sold on him is Amaro, but Ruben will be Ruben.

          The Braves just made a deal today for Justin Upton. They now have an OF that rivals the Nat's and six starters in their lineup who can all surpass 20 HRs this season. They did lose Prado, who was supposed to be their leadoff hitter, but they're going to have a dangerous lineup this season.
          "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

          Comment

          • filihok
            Team Veteran
            • Nov 2012
            • 3193

            Originally posted by philliesfiend55 View Post
            I remember Domonic Brown's first major league game during the last week of July 2010. In his first at-bat he doubled off the right field wall and missed a home run by about 3 or 4 inches. Phillies Fans were never as optimistic about his future after that first game, as continued play seemed to expose holes in his game. He's had three partial seasons in the majors now for about 1.5 years of major league service time. Although he hasn't put it together yet, that doesn't mean that he can't start prodcuing from this time forward. Part of the problem has been the inexcuseably high expectations the Phillies front office has placed on him. He'll only turn 26 the first week of September 2013 and he's young enough to still become an outstanding player. He's just coming into his prime.
            Still waiting to read what my gross exaggeration was

            Comment

            • filihok
              Team Veteran
              • Nov 2012
              • 3193

              Bill Baer REALLY doesn't like the Delmon Young signing.

              The Crashburnalley Company website offers interesting facts, news in the world of baseball. Read and stay informed!

              Comment

              • Ben Grimm
                Semi-lucid User
                • Jun 2012
                • 6139

                The problem with the D. Young signing - aside from the fact that the $750k base expands based on easy-to-reach incentives, is that he's just another player who falls into the opposite category of what Ruben wanted. At the end of '11, he was emphatic that this team changes its approach at the plate - plays smarter and becomes more patient.

                But the team he's put together heading into 2013 could be the least patient team we've seen in quite some time... Here are the key players no longer on the roster along with 2012 PAs - BBs (BB%).
                Code:
                P. Polanco   18 - 328 (5.5%)
                J. Pierre    23 - 439 (5.2%)
                S. Victorino 35 - 431 (8.1%)
                H. Pence     37 - 440 (8.4%)
                Here is who'll be getting the bulk of the playing time in their place(s)...
                Code:
                M. Young     33 - 651 (5.1%)
                B. Revere    29 - 553 (5.2%)
                D. Young     20 - 608 (3.3%)
                Two players who could either be released or playing time stunted are...
                Code:
                J. Mayberry  34 - 479 (7.1%)
                D. Brown     21 - 212 (9.9%)
                See anything odd here? Considering Ruben wanted a more patient approach, he's offering the most playing time to newcomers who don't show patience to get on base whatsoever. Add in that both Mayberry & Brown are willing to at least takes a walk makes me scratch my head a bit about some of these acquisitions.

                Forgetting Dom Brown and the enigma that he is, is Delmon Young really any better than John Mayberry? Even with their splits vs LHPs:
                Code:
                D. Young    .307/.341/.483/.824
                J. Mayberry .284/.328/.547/.875
                Add into the fact that while Delmon can't play the field, Mayberry can play all three OF positions adequately as well as be a RH option at 1B if needed. It's not that the signing is all that terrible based on the $750K - hell, it's better than the multi-year deals given to guys like Nix & Contreras. But only if there's not an equal or better possible option already in house. Sure, questions arise about somebody like Ruf - who just as well can fall right out of the league this year. Or maybe Brown just can't get things going. But Mayberry, who'll make less money being a year away from arbitration, should be every bit as good as Young.

                Other than hitting a home run, getting on base is the best way to increase the odds of scoring runs. And we know you need to score runs to win games. Considering the outgoing players had a 7.5% walk rate are being replaced by those with a 4.5% walk rate, it tells me there will be less opportunities that runs can score simply because there's a lesser chance runners are on base.

                This was going to be an interesting offseason. It was the first that Ruben didn't have an open checkbook, and he needed to assess players based on skill/$ over simply looking at who puts up the gaudy stats and wants the most money. However, being that the Phillies are one of the very few teams left who don't use analytical data while scouting players, it shows up when we see the type of players selected when there's a budget crunch.
                "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

                Comment

                • Ben Grimm
                  Semi-lucid User
                  • Jun 2012
                  • 6139

                  Chad Durbin is returning - pending a physical. Phils' signed him to a one-year deal with a club option for 2014.

                  ...and there was much rejoicing.
                  "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

                  Comment

                  • philliesfiend55
                    Registered User
                    • Nov 2006
                    • 6031

                    Long-time American league infielder Yuniesky Betancourt was signed to a minor league contract by the Phillies and will be a non-roster invitee to SpringTraining. Betancourt turns 31 tomorrow.

                    To make room on the 40 Man roster for newly-signed Chad Durbin, the Phillies designated 24 year old righthanded pitcher, J.C. Ramirez for assignment.

                    Comment

                    • NJYankeeFan
                      Registered User
                      • Dec 2008
                      • 4061

                      Originally posted by philliesfiend55 View Post
                      Long-time American league infielder Yuniesky Betancourt was signed to a minor league contract by the Phillies and will be a non-roster invitee to SpringTraining. Betancourt turns 31 tomorrow.

                      To make room on the 40 Man roster for newly-signed Chad Durbin, the Phillies designated 24 year old righthanded pitcher, J.C. Ramirez for assignment.
                      Sorry.

                      Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

                      Comment

                      • Ben Grimm
                        Semi-lucid User
                        • Jun 2012
                        • 6139

                        Phillies' head groundskeeper Mike Boekholder did see his shadow Saturday morning. 10 Days to Spring Training

                        "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

                        Comment

                        • Blue387
                          Ya gotta believe
                          • Jul 2010
                          • 10406

                          I was watching some footage from the 2012 World Series.

                          Delmon Young may only be 27 but he runs like he's 40.
                          The Mets have the best, smartest fans in baseball.

                          Comment

                          • Ben Grimm
                            Semi-lucid User
                            • Jun 2012
                            • 6139

                            Matt Gelb‏@magelb

                            Phillies have released Juan Cruz.


                            Well, that was short-lived.
                            "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

                            Comment

                            • Ben Grimm
                              Semi-lucid User
                              • Jun 2012
                              • 6139

                              First day of ST. Good to see these two ready to go...

                              BC_lFE4CEAEdWDw.jpg
                              "Chuckie doesn't take on 2-0. Chuckie's hackin'." - Chuck Carr two days prior to being released by the Milwaukee Brewers

                              Comment

                              • philliesfiend55
                                Registered User
                                • Nov 2006
                                • 6031

                                Originally posted by Ben Grimm View Post
                                Matt Gelb‏@magelb

                                Phillies have released Juan Cruz.


                                Well, that was short-lived.
                                To quote Ken Harrelson: "He Gone!" - One day of camp and already one player casualty.

                                Comment

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