Amaro and the Future

[donzblock]

Phillies' lapdog, Ruben Amaro, when asked why the team was not trying to acquire Lohse, who is now a bargain thanks to the ineptitude of his agent (what's his name?), said that the team now does not have enough money to do anything about another pitcher.

That comment signals the game the Phillies will be playing this year. It is the game they play every year. It is the Giles' "small market" game. Never mind that what Amaro said is a lie. The Phillies are sulking because they had to pay Howard what he deserved, so now they will get even by not giving the fans what they deserve: a winner. And they will be pointing the finger of blame all year at "greedy" Ryan Howard.

The worst organization in professional sports once again proves that it can always be worse than even its worst detractors imagine.

[Androctus]

If Amaro is the future then it is indeed bleak. Brought up under the careful tutelage of Warren Giles' son, with the same impressive ability to absolutely say all the wrong things. I can never forget than according to Bill, Brett Myers was "trying to help his wife up" by punching her in the face. Amaro displays that same lack of public awareness; his comments after the Howard arbitration hearing were classic sour apples - an indication he takes, and will continue to take business matters all too personally.

Yes, the die is cast. The Phillies are now and officially out of money, before a single game is played. Sure they'll never lay that 3 million at Howard's feet, but whenever Amaro opens his maw and says they have no money, sure that'll be exactly what he means. Nevermind Howard earns every penny back in his mammoth production and public stature, and the real sucking drain on the payroll are guys like Eaton, Gordon and poorly structured heavily backloaded contracts coming to maturity, like Burrell. Eaton makes Lohse look like Cy Young, but they'll trot him out every fifth start as often as they can in between injuries. As long as they're paying him they'll start him, regardless of what Benson or Blackley or anyone else may do at spring training. Because of that, Amaro will not care if Lohse is asking the league minimum, he'll need to justify in his mind Eaton's salary by using him.

[donzblock]

If Amaro is the future then it is indeed bleak. Brought up under the careful tutelage of Warren Giles' son, with the same impressive ability to absolutely say all the wrong things. I can never forget than according to Bill, Brett Myers was "trying to help his wife up" by punching her in the face. Amaro displays that same lack of public awareness; his comments after the Howard arbitration hearing were classic sour apples - an indication he takes, and will continue to take business matters all too personally.

Yes, the die is cast. The Phillies are now and officially out of money, before a single game is played. Sure they'll never lay that 3 million at Howard's feet, but whenever Amaro opens his maw and says they have no money, sure that'll be exactly what he means. Nevermind Howard earns every penny back in his mammoth production and public stature, and the real sucking drain on the payroll are guys like Eaton, Gordon and poorly structured heavily backloaded contracts coming to maturity, like Burrell. Eaton makes Lohse look like Cy Young, but they'll trot him out every fifth start as often as they can in between injuries. As long as they're paying him they'll start him, regardless of what Benson or Blackley or anyone else may do at spring training. Because of that, Amaro will not care if Lohse is asking the league minimum, he'll need to justify in his mind Eaton's salary by using him.

Shall we make it official? The Phillies are hereby eliminated for 2008.

[jalbright]

Shall we make it official? The Phillies are hereby eliminated for 2008.

C'mon, everyone's 0-0 right now. I'm not disagreeing that the management is likely to serve as a ball and chain to their chances of success, but the players they do have at least have the chance of hauling that ball and chain to the playoffs and maybe even a long way there. That's why they play the games on the field rather than on paper, after all. 1993 was more improbable, given that it rested on 1) Dykstra and Daulton both staying healthy all season (which hadn't happened before and wouldn't after), and 2) a pitching staff that at least before spring training didn't look a great deal better than this one does before spring training. Lightning struck that year, and helped management find gold that year. Is it likely to happen with this crew? Maybe not--but I'm willing to see what happens before I surrender.

[donzblock]

You're too late. The Phillies have been officially eliminated. Sorry. Perhaps I was hasty, but the official delaration cannot be taken back.

[jalbright]

You can make that declaration for yourself, but you don't have any authority to do it for me. I will disregard your "official" declaration, and hope the players will prove it far too hasty.

[donzblock]

You can make that declaration for yourself, but you don't have any authority to do it for me. I will disregard your "official" declaration, and hope the players will prove it far too hasty.

Terribly sorry, but an official declaration cannot be disregarded. So official is this declaration that even if the Phillies do make the playoffs, they will either have to dump three in a row (as they did last year) or simply step aside and forfeit all games.

I know this declaration is painful for you, but ultimately it is intended as a kindness so that you will not get your hopes up only to experience crushing disappointment.

[Mr. Met]

Cool. Now my team has 6 1/2 months to set up the playoff rotation.

[jalbright]

Terribly sorry, but an official declaration cannot be disregarded. So official is this declaration that even if the Phillies do make the playoffs, they will either have to dump three in a row (as they did last year) or simply step aside and forfeit all games.

I know this declaration is painful for you, but ultimately it is intended as a kindness so that you will not get your hopes up only to experience crushing disappointment.

Thanks for your concern, but I refuse to accept your paternalistic "largesse". I'm a born and bred Philly area fan. Crushing disappointment is nothing new, so I'll deal with it if it comes. Abject surrender is just not in me.

[donzblock]

Thanks for your concern, but I refuse to accept your paternalistic "largesse". I'm a born and bred Philly area fan. Crushing disappointment is nothing new, so I'll deal with it if it comes. Abject surrender is just not in me.

It is not abject surrender. It is rather an acknowledgment of reality. It is important to leave one's illusions at the door before entering the world of the Phillies.

[Androctus]

The reality is 89 wins will not net the division this year, and despite bold prediction based on last year injuries, this team is not winning 100 games. While we can dare to dream, personally I keep that optimism bottled up since when I look around all I can see is the fact the management did not go about the offseason like they were a division winner. Precious little was done to shore up the fourth worst team ERA in the NL last year (third worst in MLB in spring training so far) and while some may point to Myers moving back into the rotation as adeqaute, I'd remind people we lost a dependable releiver and had to ransom some of our future to gain a weak-kneed closer on a one year contract to make that happen. It was not a good deal, and indicative of the fornt office lack of serious commitment to make it back into the postseason. Not to mention their insistance on pitching Eaton solely based on his ridiculous contract (who posted one of the worst seasons ever by a starter in Philadelphia last year since the Baker Bowl closed) even when Lohse became very affordable.

No I'm afaraid theyre doomed, even more so with Sourapple Amaro trumpeting their lack of money already, and will again at the trade deadline with the bullpen falling apart, but he'll stop just short of saying "Its all Ryan Howard's fault, because we had to pay him 3 million extra and that blew the entire budget".

[donzblock]

That's right. Clever, tactful Ruben, ever mindful of the fact that he is being groomed to fill the tiny, smelly shoes of Pat Gillick, will not state bluntly that Howard is to blame. He'll just imply it, a few stupid Phillie fans will infer it, and Ruben will sigh and skate as another Phillies' season goes down the drain. One can only hope that the rich diet of the Phillie owners will clog their veins to the point where not even a plumber's snake will work.

[Androctus]

He'll always be able to say he landed Benson on his watch