Philliedelphia

Expanded Instant Replay Could Come To Major League Baseball In 2014

Was the ball off of Ryan Howard's glove in Tuesday's Phillies contest against the Cleveland Indians fair or foul?  As we saw those inches would have meant three runs for the Indians.   Umpire Dan Iassogna did an admirable job of putting himself in the best possible position to see the play, but good-willed people are sometimes wrong and can use a little extra help.  

Indians manager Terry Francona came out to argue.  Though I think the call was correct, instant replay may have put everyone at ease.  Next season Major League Baseball may have some extra help in the form of additional instant replay.  "My opinion has evolved", said Major League Baseball Commissioner at an owners meeting yesterday.  It appears that the owners agree and that there will be some real change.

The real stumbling block appears to be the tempo of the game.  In short, owners do not want them stopping all the time to review every single little call.   Calls that do not involve continuous play, such as a trap ball/catch play or an inning ending out or a fair/foul call.  But Joe Torre, now working in the commissioner's office, says they could look beyond that:

"There's no question we're considering much more than the trap play and fair/foul. But again, one of the decisions we have to make is how much of this do we want to do without really disrupting and putting people to sleep?"

I would advocate that we give instant replay a shot; we would not be married for it forever should it go into effect.  Thinking about how many calls in Phillies games would have been disrupted in recent weeks, there really are not that many.  There was the double-or-home run call that instant replay was used for and the Ryan Howard play I just mentioned.  It would not be that bad.

What do the Phillies think about instant replay?  Back in 2008, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro said to Jim Salisbury, "Boundary calls, home runs are the limit for me."   It sounds like replay could go past that, maybe as soon as next year.

 

Phillies Issue Statement On Roy Halladay's Surgery, Declare It Successful

Good news on the Roy Halladay front.   Dr. Michael G. Ciccotti, MD, Phillies Director of Medical Services, issued the following statement on behalf of the team:

"Roy had successful shoulder surgery yesterday. He had an arthroscopic evaluation and underwent debridement of his labrum and rotator cuff as well as removal of an inflamed bursa.

He'll begin a progressive rehabilitation program and if all goes well, he may possibly begin a throwing program in 6-8 weeks."

There are no guarantees that Halladay can return this season or return to his former glory, but as far as things can go, this is the best possible scenario for Halladay.

Phillies Set-Up Man Mike Adams Is Injured

On Sunday, the Phillies were without set-up man Mike Adams, who was nursing a sore back.  In fact, the team went to rookie Justin De Fratus to face the Diamondbacks' best right-handed hitter in a key situation late.  Today, we learned from Phillies.com writer Todd Zolecki that Adams is still experiencing issues with his back:

[Adams] said this afternoon his back is still grabbing him like Sunday in Arizona, when he could not pitch because of back spasms. He said he got examined Monday and said “everything looks fine.” He said he hopes he isn’t out long.

“Hopefully it kind of goes away here pretty quickly,” he said. “It’s kind of weird. I’ve never had anything like it before. I threw that morning and felt fine. I went through BP and the last five minutes of BP it kind of grabbed me.”

De Fratus might find himself in more high leverage situations.  The Phillies right-handed bullpen options other than Jonathan Papelbon are scarce.  Chad Durbin has largely been uneffective.  Phillippe Aumont, pegged to be the seventh inning right-handed setup man, has also struggled in key situations.  Durbin has no decisions but a 6.45 ERA.  Aumont is 1-3 with a 2.45 ERA.

With the Phillies offense struggling, those late outs are key.

Could Phillies Second Baseman Chase Utley Be Hurt, Or Is This Just An Illogical Off-Day?

Chase Utley will not be in the Phillies' lineup today.  Why?  Interesting theory put forth today by the guys at the Tailgating a Funeral podcast.

Utley not playing tonight with off days yesterday and Thursday is a complete joke. He has to be hurt. Charlie isn't that stupid.

— Tailgating a Funeral (@TAF_Podcast) May 14, 2013

The Phillies are facing one of baseball's top offensive teams in the Cleveland Indians.  Every little bit of offense will help the Phillies, especially since they have so much trouble mustering just a few runs on a  daily basis.

The Phillies are facing a left-handed pitcher in Scott Kazmir.  Wait, THAT Scott Kazmir?  Yes, the former Phillies World Series foe has found his way into Major League Baseball.  But with his 4.87 ERA he is clearly not that strong a threat that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel would be afraid to play his second baseman, perhaps the most stable offensive force on the club this season.

It is possible that Utley is bothered by something else... Did he arrive late?  Did he skip an important team function.  That's not likely.   Did he catch a flu and have an upset stomach?  There are no real indications as of now that that is the case.

As they point out in the tweet, the Phillies were off yesterday and are off again on Thursday.  The only thing that I can possibly come up with is that Manuel is afraid to play his veteran on a day game (1:05 Wednesday) after a night game, and of the two options, the lefty Kazmir should be avoided.  But, Utley is not a catcher and the other rest should be sufficient.

With the red hot Indians offense and rookie hurler Jonathan Pettibone on the mound, Utley's absence will pose a challenge.  A questionable move, at least.

Phillies Sign A Free Agent Outfielder

Courtesy International Power Showcase

Fresh out of reports the Phillies were possibly looking around Venezuela for someone to pitch for them, the Phillies have turned to another country: Germany.  I did not know that Germany really had baseball, but the Phillies have signed a 17 year-old outfielder named Julsan Karmara.  Karmara is considered one of the top prospects in Germany.

MLB Trade Rumors describes the signing:

Kamara is considered one of Germany's best prospects. The right-handed swinger competed in last winter's International Power Showcase at Marlins Park in Miami, is a member of the German Junior National Team, and attended the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia, Italy.

The International Power Showcase website lists Karmara as primarily a center fielder and describes him:

Very Toolsie player, still a bit raw and inexperienced, from Germany with +++ strength, plus running speed and ++ bat.

As MLB Trade Rumors notes, the Phillies rarely sign international free agents.   They might as well: it only costs them money.

Ian Riccaboni over at Phillies Nation points out that he already has a baseball card.   Donruss-Leaf no longer has the license to make Major League Baseball cards (Topps Company has an exclusive deal) so they make different types of non-MLB-related cards when they can.  The International Power Showcase was an opportunity for them to make some cards.

Say What? Venezuelan Report: Pitcher Carlos Zambrano Has Signed With The Phillies

Okay, my Spanish is not the best...but apparently the Phillies have signed former Chicago Cubs pitcher and former Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano.   The report comes from a Venezuelan website LVMP Campeones.

The report says (in my best possible Spanish translation):

Valencia. - Carlos "El Toro" Zambrano on Friday apparently signed  an agreement with Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies , as indicated by a source close to the organization. 

The native of Puerto Cabello recently announced a deal with Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League (an independent league in the United States) but this seems to be limited to paper after signing with the Phillies. 

Zambrano had recently signed with the Atlantic League independent team the Long Island Ducks, but with injuries to starters Roy Halladay and John Lannan, the team could sure use some depth.  Recently, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro had remarked that Aaron Cook should have stayed with the Phillies.  The Phillies gave Cook his release prior to his contractual opt-out date.  Cook signed with the Colorado Rockies and has been stuck at their AAA affiliate, going 0-3 with a 7.40 ERA.  Cook's last scheduled start mysteriously never happened.

Zambrano turns 32 on June 6 and lifetime is 132-91 with a 3.66 ERA.  Presumably the Phillies are adding some minor league depth that they can turn to in a pinch.  One more injury and the Phillies are really in a bad spot.  Zambrano is known for having anger issues that led to his release from the Chicago Cubs, despite a $17 million annual salary.

No Phillies beat writers or the team have confirmed this report, but we shall see.  Stay tuned.

Phillies Must Do The Right Thing And Sell

There has been plenty of buzz lately about retooling the Phillies, including a piece today in the Daily News from Dave Murphy.   The Phillies have gotten older, are less productive than their glory days, and as a team no longer work.   Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, Michael Young, Delmon Young (ha!), Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Adams, and Domonic Brown are all fair game to be moved.

First, why not?  There are two reasons not to: the team as assembled is good enough to win, or, personal emotional attachment.

We have seen in the Phillies' first six weeks that they are not good enough to win using the same formula they have used since 2006.  The team that lived and died by the home run (and generally lived) in 2007 and 2008 still does.  The only difference is that there are fewer of them and fewer people on base.  Counting Jimmy Rollins; leadoff home run last night, the Phillies' last 14 home runs have been solo home runs.  

Complimentary parts that made it work like outfielders Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino are gone while the Phillies fielded an outfield last night batting .244, .224, and .232, respectively.  When Delmon Young plays he is hitting .185, and productive pinch-hitter Laynce Nix is hitting .179 as a starter.  I am not saying that re-signing Werth to megabucks would have been the right deal, but his on-base percentage is sorely missed.  Shane Victorino's glory years are over, and while he is a nice piece for the Red Sox, re-signing him was not necessarily the right move either. 

For the Phillies to re-tool, they will have to make some "uncomfortable trades", as former General Manager Jim Bowden likes to say.  Individually, some players on the roster have more value in a trade than they do on the team.  And the Phillies must recognize that.

The second reason, personal attachment, is not fair to the fans.  Holding on to the past at the expense of a bright future is a disservice to the fans.  It would not be the first time that the Phillies had to let go.

In June, 1986, Steve Carlton sat at 4-7 with a 5.89 ERA.  Even in his wins Carlton was giving up five and six runs.  Phillies then-President Bill Giles tried to convince Carlton to retire.  Carlton talked the Phillies into giving him one more start and Carlton gave up six runs and took the loss.  That was it.  Giles had to make the decision to simply release  Carlton.

While crying, Giles announced to the media,

"The greatest lefthanded pitcher in Phillies history and one of the greatest pitchers of all time will no longer be pitching in Philadelphia.  And this is easily the toughest thing I've had to do since becoming president of the club. I apologize for my emotions. You build up great attachments to someone who is with a club for 14 years. He's probably had more impact than any pitcher in this club's history.

I was much more emotional than he. There were so many factors to consider. But we had to keep coming back to what was best for the team."

What's best for the team.  The Phillies are lucky that they are not in a position where they will have to simply release one of the 2007-2011 core.  The Phillies have an opportunity to restock before it is too late.  (Note: how did the 1987-1992 Phillies do after that old core fell apart?)   It easily could be too late.

Eating $15 million a year to trade Ryan Howard for a piece that can help the club is better than eating $25 million a year if Ryan Howard is hitting .170 and has to be released.  If the Phillies re-commit to Chase Utley and his knees can no longer handle second base, what do they do?  Imagine a team where both scenarios occur and shortstop Jimmy Rollins no longer can hit above .200.   Consider that the team is tying up most of their money on these guys, and it could be 2012 all over again every year.

If you want to hold on to something from the past, keep one of those three, but no more.  Maybe it would be decided for the Phillies by what they could get.   Here is what I would do with the Phillies current roster:

Infield:

• Ryan Howard -  Either eat substantial money to get a nice prospect, or package him with another commodity like the Red Sox did last year.  They are sitting pretty now, having turned over the team.  Hopefully get an outfield or infield (2b, 3b) that could make an impact soon.  He will still have value to a team with a need at first base.
• Jimmy Rollins - I tend to think that his glove and history with the Phillies make him a candidate to stick around for the next wave.  If the Phillies get the right pieces, Rollins can bat elsewhere in the order and still be a productive shortstop.  However, I would not rule out trading him to say, the Dodgers, who are in need of a shortstop.  
• Chase Utley - Exercise extreme caution.  He may have a good amount of trade value because the acquiring team would not have to make a long-term commitment, and he can play a position that does not usually get much offense.  I would not re-sign Utley unless he had first base available to fall back on, but that would be contingent on a Howard trade.
• Michael Young - Young is still getting hits and getting on base at a high rate.  Plus, he has been okay (though not stellar) at third base.  Some team would love to have him down the stretch for his leadership skills and on-base ability.
• Freddy Galvis - No need to trade him, but despite Ryne Sandberg calling Galvis a "starter without a position", I am not sure he is a starter.  He's a good piece to have around to play whatever position opens up when one of the Phillies' starters is traded away.  Also, get him out in center field.
• Kevin Frandsen -  Cheap utlity piece; if a contender really wants him and can give the Phillies something, go for it.  Otherwise, same plan as Freddy Galvis: fill some gaps. 

Outfield:

• John Mayberry - Right-handed bats are hard to find.  Someone could want him at the deadline. 
• Domonic Brown - I would decide how long he has to have to find out if he is productive enough and stick to it.  A team with a surplus of similar potential bats in the infield that wants to swap, go for it.
• Delmon Young - He will be lucky if he's not released in the next few weeks.
• Laynce Nix - Decent pinch-hitter.  Could have some minor value to a team, but I say stock up on A prospects if you can. 
• Ben Revere - You must see what he can do so keep putting him out there.  Plus, it's unfortunate for the Phillies that Adam Jones signed an extension with the Orioles. He could have been a free agent after this season.

Catchers:

• Carlos Ruiz - The job will be Tommy Joseph's.  A contender who loses their catcher would love someone like Chooch.  But, should he hit like he has thus far after his return, there may be no trade or free agent market.  I'd take him as a backup/mentor to Joseph, but his stock has to fall.
• Erik Kratz - Standard AAAA inventory.  Plenty of guys around to do this.

Starting Pitchers:

• Cole Hamels - Hamels stays.  They signed him to the extension they did to be part of the next round.  Keep him and build the next rotation around him.
• Cliff Lee - This one is tricky.  Many teams would love to have Lee, but do not want to pay for Lee.   They have him for two more seasons.  If they think he will be effective, keep him.  But, if they can package Lee with a Ryan Howard and find a team to take them off of their hands, go for it.  But few teams can take on $50 million a year in payroll.  He probably stays by default.
• Roy Halladay - If Lee is dealt and if Halladay shows some life of being decent and can be had for a lower price, fine.  Otherwise, let him return to Toronto as a free agent for a farewell tour.
• Kyle Kendrick - Kendrick feels like he has been around forever, but is just 28 years old.  He has one more year left of Phillies control.  I would try to sign him to a three-year deal to help Hamels deal with the up and coming young pitchers.
• John Lannan - If we ever happen to see him again, sure, someone can have him.

Bullpen:

• Jonathan Papelbon -  The Red Sox just lost their closer for the year.  Option B, Andrew Bailey - also injured.  The rest of the team looks too good to waste.  Papelbon got some critcism for leaving as a free agent, but endeared himself back to the Boston fans in the wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy.  He could command a decent return.
• Mike Adams - He is still not fully back to his old self after surgery.  He has two years after this one.  Keep him - you'll need a veteran.
• Antonio Bastardo - Yes, he gave up the losing run last night.  But, he may end up being closer if Papelbon is traded.  He still has some good stuff.
• Phillippe Aumont - The next option to close, should he get his stuff under control.  If he can get better control, Aumont will be a great reliever.
• Justin De Fratus - Also has a chance to be a great reliever.  All they can do now is let him pitch.
• Jeremy Horst - Probably sticks around because he is a lefty.  After a rocky start, he has been better as of late.
• Raul Valdes, Chad Durbin - There is no need for two mop-up relievers.   Cut one, let the young guys pitch.

Down on the Farm:

• Darin Ruf - Let him play.  If defense is the reason he is not in the major leagues, then why do we have Delmon Young?
• Tommy Joseph - Bring him up.  He's the catcher of the future right now, but could end up at first base with Cameron Rupp close behind.
• Jake Diekman - Diekman throws really had but has control problems.  He reminds me of a young Ryan Madson, only from the other side.  In a retooling, there is no reason he cannot come up.
• Cesar Hernandez - The switch-hitter has hits in his last eight games and has an .850 OPS.  Once there is room, see if he can hit big-league pitching.  AAA pitching does not seem to do anything to stop him.
• Cody Asche - He had three hits last night.  The real third base prospect in the system is Maikel Franco, but we might as well look at Asche first.
• Jesse Biddle - Could help anchor the Phillies rotation as soon as next year.
• Jonathan Pettibone/Adam Morgan/Ethan Martin - See who rises to the top and let him start.

Nice Start, Now Go to AAA: Phillies Option Tyler Cloyd To Lehigh Valley

Tonight marked a nice start for Tyler Cloyd.  But his next one will be in AAA.  After tonight's loss to Arizona, the Phillies optioned their starter to AAA Lehigh Valley.  In his place on the roster will be Justin DeFratus.

Cloyd's start was good enough for a win.  However, the Phillies offense failed to score after two first inning runs and Cloyd ended up with a no-decision.  His final line:  6 1/3 innings, 2R 2ER 2H 3BB 4k.  However, the Phillies have two off days next week so the Phillies figure the extra reliever will help the club in the interim while Cloyd stays on schedule.

De Fratus has been lights out at AAA Lehigh Valley.   In 13 games, De Fratus is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA.  he struck out 17 in 19 innings pitched while walking six.

Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Is Jay Gatsby

[Nick:] “You can’t repeat the past.”
[Gatsby:] “Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”

He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.

“I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly.

With today's release of the newest film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and with baseball always on my mind, I could not help but compare the two.  

Five years before, Jay Gatsby last held the woman of his dreams.  What a great love it was.  In fact, it was enough to have him foolishly hold on to the assertion that one day his life finally would be able to replicate  what he had.  Holding on to that love while surrounding himself with a mansion, luxury, and parties that were supposed to make it happen left Gatsby empty.

Five years before, Ruben Amaro Jr. tasted the ultimate love for any baseball player: a World Series championship.  And indeed, what a great love it was.  So much so, Amaro foolishly holds on to the assertion that one day that love will come around again, surrounding himself with fancy new aces, former All-Stars, and pushing forward with a packed house.

At some point, it's time to move on.  The World Series championship flag hangs in center field, but each year since we have seen the Phillies fall further and further away.  In 2009 it was a World Series loss.  2010 in the NLCS.  2011 in the Division Series, and by 2012, nothing.   Amaro stares at the banner with great, stubborn hope that his team can repeat the past. 

We have seen the Phillies greats Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins slip further and further away from their great glory seen during their MVP seasons and World Series championship.   They are still close enough that we dream, the fools that we are.

Gatsby stared at the green light at Daisy's house across the water.  It was Gatsby's one true hope.  He held onto it tightly until the moment he died.

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning ——

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

The Phillies are paddling upstream.  When will stop and build a new life and a new love?

Note: This may have been the first time I used my English Literature degree in many years.

Doc's Date With The Knife Set: Roy Halladay To Have Surgery In Los Angeles

Roy Halladay's surgery is set.  According to Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News, Halladay will have surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles.   The surgeon who will be performing the surgery is Neal ElAttrache.  ElAttrache is part of the same practice that the famed Lewis Yocum works and did Halladay's consultation.

The Kerlan-Jobe Orthoepaedic's website has quite the bio for ElAttrache, who has received many honors for his work in Major League Baseball:

Selected 2011 "Super Doctor of Southern California" - SuperDoctors.com

Voted a 2010 "SUPER DOCTOR" - Los Angeles Magazine

Neal S. ElAttrache, M.D., is a Sports Medicine Surgeon and is member of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic board of directors. Dr. ElAttrache is Chairman of the Board of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Foundation and Program Director for the Kerlan-Jobe Fellowship. After completing his studies at the University of Notre Dame, he earned his medical doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also completed his orthopaedic surgery residency before becoming a Sports Medicine Fellow at Kerlan-Jobe. Dr. ElAttrache is the team physician for the LA Dodgers and is an orthopaedic consultant to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, St. Louis Rams, LA Lakers, LA Kings and the PGA Tour.

He is frequently recognized as a Sports Medicine specialist, having been listed among 2006 - 2011 "Best Doctors in America," named a "Super Surgeon" by Baseball Prospectus, selected 2011 "Super Doctor of Southern California" by SuperDoctors.com and voted a 2010 "Super Doctor" by Los Angeles Magazine. He is active in a number of professional organizations, including American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, NFL Physicians Society, National Orthopaedic Education Society, Notre Dame Orthopaedic Society, Herdicus Sports Medicine Honor Society, American Orthopedic Association and AOSSM. Dr. ElAttrache is a prolific author of professional literature and is a frequent lecturer at industry conferences.

Certainly his resume is attractive, so let's hope for the best.  If indeed this is something that can be fixed, Doc can return to at least somewhat of his old self.  He does not appear ready to let a 9-0 shellacking by the Marlins be the last people have seen of Roy Halladay.