Philadelphia Phillies – Road To The Unknown

Tonight the Phillies are going into the 3rd game of a 3 game series against the Washington Nationals in which they will intend for a sweep.  More importantly than the Nats are the uncoming series against some of the Phightins toughest competitors.  The Phils start off with another 4 game series against the Dodgers, but this time it is at home on our turf at Citizen Bank Park.  Next we have a 2 game series with the Mets at home and then we go on the road to Chicago.  In Chicago we face off against the Cubs in Wrigley Field which is one of the toughest divisions this year.  However, if we can remain close to the Mets for the remainder of August we have a chance at taking over 1st place in September.  The Phillies have an extremely weak schedule in September except for a series with the Mets and Brewers.  The remainder  of the month consists of mostly the Marlins, Nationals, and Braves.

The Pitching match-up tonight is Jamie “the ace” Moyer against Tim Redding.  Redding a pitcher whom is usually lethal against the Phillies line-up was waxed last time against the Phightins in DC.  Redding allowed 7 runs in just 4 innings against the Phillies on July 30th.

On a side note catcher David Ross will not be joining the Phillies for the division run.  He has decided to accept an offer from Boston.  Pat Gillick remains optimistic that they will be able to acquire another bat.  He had said it would more likely be a bench player as opposed to a position player.  Gillick said that they feel comfortable with Jayson Werth in right field.  In addition, I would expect to see Lou Marson in the wing when they are allowed expand on their roster.

Philadelphia Phillies – If I Was Pat Gillick For A Day

1.  My starting rotation would look like the following:

1. Cole Hamels
2. Brett Myers
3. Jamie Moyer
4. Kyle Kendrick
5. J.A. Happ

     Trade Adam Eaton or make him another righty in the bullpen to replace Tom Gordon.  Tom Gordon should no longer be in the Phillies future.  He is no Jamie Moyer . . . . .

2.  I would either trade off Carlos Ruiz or reassign him to AA or AAA.  Then bring up Lou Marson as a replacement.  If he is not ready bring up Jason Jaramillo from the Iron Pigs.

3.  Geoff Jenkins needs to be traded off for another lefty to platoon with Jayson Werth in right field.

4.  So Taguchi is an absolute waste and needs to be outright released and can be replaced by Snelling or someone else from the Iron Pigs. (Not T.J. Bohn) !! 

    None of this is rocket science, but all I hear about is getting another starter.  Why?  Okay we do need another lefty in the bullpen, but do not sacrifice our future for it by trading Carrasco or Marson.  If they focus on fixing our current issues like Jenkins, Taguchi, and Ruiz we will be solid enough to go in the post season.  If the front office would not be so proud we could have come back and counter offered Kyle Lohse before he was picked up by the Cardinals.  We would be in excellent shape since we acquired Chad Durbin.  With all of this being taken into consideration I’m sure they will most likely do the exact opposite of everything that I’ve stated.  I’m glad that this is Pat Gillick’s last year with the organization . . . . .

Philadelphia Phillies – Catcher Help Wanted A.S.A.P.

     With the trade deadline closing in some of the top pitchers have already closed a deal with the Phillies sitting on the benches.  So, where does that leave Philadelphia?  There is nothing set in stone, but I would venture to say that the Phillies will not acquire another starting pitcher.  I believe that they will be sitting on Brett Myers with hopes he will continue to improve in his rehab assignment and come back into the starting rotation.  I also see them holding onto J.A, Happ for the rotation which puts them at 6 pitchers.  Kendrick will stay so, that leaves Moyer and Eaton.  Well if you go by pure stats Moyer far exceeds Eaton, but Eaton is younger with a stronger arm.  You can make an argument for both of them, but one will most likey be sent to the bullpen or thrown in a deal with a position player.  With Jenkins slowly coming out of his slump the next most logical position would be the catcher.  Chris Coste has already said that he is not going to be the regular catcher due to his knees and age.  So, that leaves Carlos Ruiz . . . . . . .   Yes, that is chooch!  His recent batting average has dropped to 206!!  He is also the king of the double play ball when a clutch hit is needed.  Pat Gillick has recently mentioned that he would consider improving on the catcher position.  However, it is very difficult to acquire a solid productive catcher because no team wants to give them up.

Here are some of the potential trades for catchers:

• Ivan Rodriguez – Tigers
• Ramon Hernandez – Orioles
• Paul Lo Duca – Nationals
• Johnny Estrada – Nationals
• Miguel Olivo – Royals
• Yorvit Torrealba – Rockies
• Gregg Zaun – Blue Jays

     Now with all of that taken into consideration if the Phils look internally they maybe suprised.  I have listed below the top prospects from the Reading Phillies and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  I also listed their stats in comparison to Carlos Ruiz.  It is difficult enough for an offense to absorb the pitchers role in the line-up, but the catcher should not be a sacrifice position.  I would much rather see the Phightins stick with what they found in J.A. Happ and hopefully Myers and replace Carlos Ruiz to bolster the offense even more.

  Carlos Ruiz – Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)

    Jason Jaramillo – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA)

   Lou Marson – Reading Phillies (AA)

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	AVG
Ruiz	63	189	24	39	7	0	2	20	52	21	26	0	0	0.299	0.275	0.206
Jaramillo	72	253	24	66	14	0	5	27	95	19	42	0	1	0.311	0.361	0.251
Marson	80	269	47	87	15	0	4	44	114	60	54	3	3	0.447	0.424	0.323