Phillies in 2005

[brgood]

Well guys I have alittle time of before we roll out at 0730 this morning so I thought I would post some ideas for next season for the Phillies.

First and Foremost if we look at the people who have interviewed for the Phillies job, Jim Leyland stands out or should stand out to all of us as the best person to fill the job hands down. The guy is a two time Manager of the year and more importantly he has a ring. He brings instant crediability to this ballclub as far as our manager is concerned. His clubhouse attitude I am sure will be different than the situation Bowa liked to foster throughout the season. If Wade does anything right he locks this guy up for three years as we know Leyland does not like to stay very long in any one place.

The only way this team improves during the offseason is going to be by player movement via trades. We have a couple of people teams may be interested in this offseason,

1. Pat Burrell- The kid is still young and could produce 40HRS again in the right situation, he has a cannon in the outfield and on the right team could eventually become an ALL-Star like we all thought he would here. The only way we move Burrell is for a number one starter. His contract off course will be one of the major sticking points to move Pat but I would be willing to eat part of his contract for the right deal.

2. Vincente Padilla- The guy is the hardest thrower on the staff, his stuff is rated year in and year out as some of the best in the leaque but we only see flashes of his ability. To me he should be moved. He is the last piece from the Schilling deal and when healthy could fit in for a team as a number three or four starter.

3. Brett Myers- Still young and loaded with potential this kid could also be unloaded by Wade.

We need to make a blockbuster deal that brings us a true number one starter and I know I have advocated trying to go after Zito, and I hear constantly the A's will not move him, let me tell you this the kid had a very dissapointing year in Oakland, they recently released Jermaine Dye the only other bat in their sorry lineup who could drive in runs on a consistent basis they are going to need to replace him with a bat someone who can protect Chavez in the lineup or bat in front of him. Burrell could be just the man they are looking for if we include a starter such as Padilla in the mix I think this deal makes sence for both ballclubs. We all realize Pedro is going to command big bucs this offseason and he may very well stay in Boston, let them overpay for him. The guy is a hell of a pitcher but I still think his best years are behind him. Derek Lowe could be brought in as a free agent but his stock also rose after his postseason performance, amazing how quickly people forget the guy was 14-12 this season and was knocked around all year long. He may very well have priced himself out of our ballpark with his pitching in OCT.

I see that Cory Liddle filled for Free Agency I think we must resign this guy as our number five starter. The guy can simply eat innings and he keeps the ball down which is something we need in CBP. I would let Milton head back to NY and sign with the Yankess were he can lead the leaque again in Home Runs Allowed. I still think and I realize I am in the minority here that we bring back Millwood as our number three starter. We sign him to a two year deal and we let our new pitching coach go to work on him, however I see him signing with the Braves and again winning 17-18 games a year under the tutelage of Leo Mazzone. Amazing how a guy can turn it around with the right coach. That would leave our rotation as

Zito
Wolf
Millwood
Floyd or Myers
Liddle

Our bullpen as we all know is set for next season.


As far as our position players are concerned we have Thome, Utley and Rollins and Bell locked up for next season in the infield, the only one that worries me in Bell, can he produce similar numbers next year we will see. The outfield I would love to see a new centerfielder brought in next season. Howard would be the starter in LF, Abreu in RF and I look for another trade to bring us either Randy Winn or Baldelli from Tampa Bay to be our starting CF. This leaves Michaels as our fourth outfielder and I would not mind seeing a guy like Gabe Kapler brought in he can play all three outfield positions, has some speed and could be a defensive replacement late in the game. Our bench with us locking up Perez needs a bat that can make a difference a guy like Todd Walker would be nice, he has some pop from the left side of the plate and can play 2B for us in case Utley bombs out next year ala Marlon Byrd.

We all know that free agent wise we are more than likely not going to be major players unless the Phillies move some contracts this offseason, I see guys like Beltran ending up in either NY or Hou. I would love to sign an arm this offseason AJ Burnett would be nice to add as a number two to our rotation but we need a legitimate number one starter this offseason. CF needs addressed as well and should the opportunity present itself to get a guy like Randy Winn or Baldelli from tampa then we need to take advantage of that. I think all in all that if Leyland is brought in here as manager I am going to have a much better feeling about this ballclub for next season if Wade can get of his ass and actually make a beneficial trade for this ballclub, We will see what happens this offseason, the first stone to fall in place will hopefully be Jim Leyland.

Let me know what you Think?
BG

[Invader Newt]

Not to burst your bubble but.

There are two major problems with your hypothetical moves. First the A's cut Dye because they didn't want to pay his contract, there is no way they take on Burrell's, end of discussion. There are a few teams out there that might want Burrell the A's are not going to be one of them. Think of our cheap management and their cheap management sitting down and trying to get the deal done, it would end up falling apart because we wouldn't want to eat enough of Burrell's contract, (also Padilla has more worth than as a throw in for Zito) . I think you are blinded by your desire to obtain Zito to some of the other pitchers out there. Odalis Perez, Carl Pavano, Mat Clement. I would rate all of them ahead of Zito or at the very least in the same category. and all are available.


Then we are also assuming Howard can play the outfield, i'm thinking it's too early to know for a fact, we probably will have no idea until spring training starts. The A's are notorious for tradign for young low contract players. If we get Zito the deal is going to look more like....Howard and Myers or god forbid Howard and Floyd. and personally i'd rather sign a pitcher than see that happen.

[asheylarry]

Not to burst your bubble but.

Then we are also assuming Howard can play the outfield, i'm thinking it's too early to know for a fact, we probably will have no idea until spring training starts. The A's are notorious for tradign for young low contract players. If we get Zito the deal is going to look more like....Howard and Myers or god forbid Howard and Floyd. and personally i'd rather sign a pitcher than see that happen.
I think spring training is the only time we're going to find out and even then I don't know if they'll try him out there. They quickly nixed the plan to let him play OF in the fall league.

I'd like to take this time to thank Ed Wade for not pursuing Curt Schilling last offseason.

[dond]

I'd like to take this time to thank Ed Wade for not pursuing Curt Schilling last offseason
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He did pursue Schilling. Arizona traded Schill to the Red Sox. As for the comment about cheap management, we could say that in the past but a 95,000,000 dollar payroll removes them from the cheap list.

[PhilaVa]

I'd like to take this time to thank Ed Wade for not pursuing Curt Schilling last offseason
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He did pursue Schilling. Arizona traded Schill to the Red Sox. As for the comment about cheap management, we could say that in the past but a 95,000,000 dollar payroll removes them from the cheap list.
Will you go for....mentally retarded management?

[JRoll]

Will you go for....mentally retarded management?
I'd agree with that.

[brgood]

In Responce to Invader Newt


Are any of those pitchers you mentioned a true number one starter no they are not even close. Barry Zito has won a CY YOUNG AWARD and would solidify our staff for the next ten years. You mention guys such as Perez, Burnett what in the hell is the difference between them and Millwood not a damb thing. They are number two at best starters, they should not be counted on to be the ACE of the staff. Will Oakland deal one of the big three this offseason for a bat your bet your ass they will, they need another bat in that lineup. Burrell did manage to hit 24HRS and 84 RBI's in 448 AB's with a wrist injury hindering him. This is the same guy that in 2002 hit 37HRS and 116RBI's so to say no one would take him of our hands is a bit of a reach. Is his salary going to be an issue for a small market club such as Oakland sure it is, but if we push to get the deal done it will help this ball club for the next ten years. You can not tell me you want to see the Phillies break the bank on a guy like Burnett or Perez there is no difference between them and Millwood who you can argue was a better pitcher than those two prior to coming to the Philies. We simply asked him to be the ACE of this pitching staff and that is a role he simply could not handle. I am not blinded by Zito but lets just compare numbers so we realize what it is we could have next year. Zito was a 23 game winner in 2002 so like Burrell he has fallen on some average numbers the last two years but the kid is still young he is 26 years old. This season he went 11-11 with a 4.48 ERA so I dont see the Phillies having to include anything other than Burrell. Burrell is going to make 7.5 million next season, they let go of Dye who was scheduled to make $14 million dollars next season so could they afford Burrell sure they could would we have to pick up some of the tab yes I am sure at least $2 million this season and maybe a chunk of what he is owed but Zito is obtainable and I dont want to settle for a number three starter next year when I can get a guy who has 72 Wins at the age of 26. Let me know what you guys think.

BG
Camp Freedom, Iraq

[Invader Newt]

technically Zito is a #3 Starter who's numbers have declined steadily each year since his Cy young. There are plenty of pitchers that win Cy Youngs and never duplicate that success. His numbers this year weren't too much better than Brett Myers. He pitches behind Mulder and Hudson, just because he wins a cy young as a #3 starter does not make him an ACE, Millwood had alot of success pitching behind Glavine and Maddux, there is alot less pressure to win. And Millwood was 26 at the end of the 2002 season at that time he had a lifetime record of 75-46. All three guys i mentioned i prefer to Zito because they can be had without giving up a player to obtain, they are roughly the same ability. None of them Including Zito can be considered a bonified ACE but the only bonified ACE that is technically available is Pedro Martinez. Any of them could potentially be an ACE. But despite all that, the only reason i am really against getting Zito is that i don't see any way we get him without giving up a top pitching prospect either Floyd or Hammels and i'd rather not go that route. I have watched the way Oakland works and thinking we'll get Zito for Burrell is just wishful thinking. And i never mentioned Burnett by the way. (Perez 27, Pavano 28, Clement, 30

And as far as Burrell goes, the reason nobody will take him off our hands is not because he is not worth taking, it's because we overpaid him and most teams can get someone who will put up similar numbers far cheaper... Jemaine Dye for example will probably make about 2-3 million less than Burrell wherever he signs next season and can be counted on for about the same production, little less pop little more speed but overall same basic thing. It's just the current economy of the game. Could the A's use Burrell? probably. will they take on that contract. Doubtful. They will most likely deal Zito for major league ready prospects like Howard because they will get more cheap young talent then can mold into stars, and thats if they deal him at all. When was the last time you saw them take on a huge contract in the offseason, maybe midseason if they are in the playoff hunt but never in the offseason.

[dond]

Will you go for....mentally retarded management

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Absolutly, stupid, incompetant, moronic all come to mind. I'm not backing management. They spent 95 million dollars, did they spend it wisely. Hell No. But at least we can't call them cheap any more. Doesn't make me sleep any better because untilk there's a change at the top, the Phils will continue to flounder. Bowa was the fall guy but he was just part of the problem.

[asheylarry]

I'd like to take this time to thank Ed Wade for not pursuing Curt Schilling last offseason
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He did pursue Schilling. Arizona traded Schill to the Red Sox. As for the comment about cheap management, we could say that in the past but a 95,000,000 dollar payroll removes them from the cheap list.
OK, I'd like to thank Ed Wade for pursuing Curt Schilling in a manner in which we all knew was not going to bring him to Philly. Is that more acceptable?

Management is cheap. One year in a new ballpark that was supposed to allow them to spend more on the team and they are already committed to cutting payroll for next year. If that's not cheap what is?

[dond]

OK, I'd like to thank Ed Wade for pursuing Curt Schilling in a manner in which we all knew was not going to bring him to Philly. Is that more acceptable?

Management is cheap. One year in a new ballpark that was supposed to allow them to spend more on the team and they are already committed to cutting payroll for next year. If that's not cheap what is?
Lets wait until the payroll is set. Personally, I believe the payroll will be pretty close to the present 95 million. We have a lot invested in a few players. They will need to stay around the present salary to field a team next year.

[Nittany Tar Heel]

OK, I'd like to thank Ed Wade for pursuing Curt Schilling in a manner in which we all knew was not going to bring him to Philly. Is that more acceptable?

Management is cheap. One year in a new ballpark that was supposed to allow them to spend more on the team and they are already committed to cutting payroll for next year. If that's not cheap what is?
They went over the top one year to get Millwood. If they stay at 88-90M like they've said, I'm sorry, it's not fair to call them cheap. It's real easy to spend other people's money...at the point above, they've committed themselves to fielding a winner...FINANCIALLY anyway.

[PhilaVa]

They went over the top one year to get Millwood. If they stay at 88-90M like they've said, I'm sorry, it's not fair to call them cheap. It's real easy to spend other people's money...at the point above, they've committed themselves to fielding a winner...FINANCIALLY anyway.
You can field a winner for a lot less then 90 mil, but unfortunately we do not have the baseball minds to accomplish this, so the more money the better for us as fans. We have a better chance of getting lucky.

[Invader Newt]

Management is cheap, they just have more to work with now. Basically you win the lottery (new stadiu8m revenue) and you buy your new house (Thome) and your new sports car (Wagner) but if, when you need to get essentials (trade deadline) you cut corners and get the bare minimum (a few relievers when we need a starter and a cf'er) when you could have steak (Beltran among others) you are still cheap. Either that or you are gorging yourself in the offseason and and not leaving room on the payroll to make adjustments midseason. which is also not good

[kwahraps]

Management is cheap, they just have more to work with now. Basically you win the lottery (new stadiu8m revenue) and you buy your new house (Thome) and your new sports car (Wagner) but if, when you need to get essentials (trade deadline) you cut corners and get the bare minimum (a few relievers when we need a starter and a cf'er) when you could have steak (Beltran among others) you are still cheap. Either that or you are gorging yourself in the offseason and and not leaving room on the payroll to make adjustments midseason. which is also not good
Management is not cheap when you are taking on a $90 million dollar plus payroll. That being said, management is clueless in offering contracts. We have wasted money in big contracts for mediocre players.

Stop dreaming about trading Burrell to Oakland for Zito.
Stop dreaming about trading Lieberthal to the Dodgers and signing Varitek.
Remember, are we trying to get rid of these players because they are so terrible? No, but their contracts are. Management is hoping this team puts it all together, a al 1993, and everyone exceeds expectations.

If everyone plays to their abilities, expect another 86 wins.

I'm not happy about it. I will not attend any games this year unless I am offered a free ticket. I will not purchase anything at the ballpark. I will not purchase any memorabilia, T-shirts, or the like that will benefit the owners of this team. The fans need to send a message. Like the election, we actually have some power here. Too many lemmings just drink the cool-aid and go to the games as if nothing is wrong. Change is needed, and I'm not talking about a new manager or centerfielder.

[Nittany Tar Heel]

Management is cheap, they just have more to work with now. Basically you win the lottery (new stadiu8m revenue) and you buy your new house (Thome) and your new sports car (Wagner) but if, when you need to get essentials (trade deadline) you cut corners and get the bare minimum (a few relievers when we need a starter and a cf'er) when you could have steak (Beltran among others) you are still cheap. Either that or you are gorging yourself in the offseason and and not leaving room on the payroll to make adjustments midseason. which is also not good
The end of what you said is correct....but that has nothing to do with the team being cheap, just stupid.

[JWUGoalie26]

AMEN on retarded cheap ass management!!!!!!

[Nittany Tar Heel]

AMEN on retarded cheap ass management!!!!!!
Uhhh, I guess the rest of the argument was ignored....

Stupid....certainly

Cheap?.....90 mil ain't cheap, folks

[asheylarry]

Uhhh, I guess the rest of the argument was ignored....

Stupid....certainly

Cheap?.....90 mil ain't cheap, folks
If you're Warren Buffett it's cheap.