Philled With Rage
July 20th, 2006 by matt
The Phillies piss me off. Every year they spend money and have a team that they think will win and get to the postseason yet they never do. And this year they are playing horrendously, currently 7 games under .500. Pathetic! This is what I would do to the team if I were the GM…
Let’s focus on the offense first.
1. Trade Bobby Abreu
Don’t get me wrong, I like Abreu and I think he is a top-tier OF, but his contract is killing the Phillies. Trading him should get an excellent prospect plus a mid-level prospect, something of which the Phils can never have enough. Shane Victorino or David Dellucci can play RF, perhaps as a platoon.
2. Trade Pat Burrell
Burrell is another player whose contract is killing the Phillies. He had a great season in 2003, but has not played up to his contract since then. A change of scenery would probably do wonders for him. Burrell should land a decent prospect and a throw-in. Victorino or Dellucci can play LF.
3. Trade Sal Fasano
He is signed to a one-year contract and will not be back next year. Might as well trade him for a low-level prospect and get something for him. Chris Coste could be the backup, or Carlos Ruiz could be recalled. It would be prudent to play Ruiz to see what type of player the Phils think they have. They will need a catcher next season, with Mike Lieberthal becoming a free agent, so give Ruiz a shot.
4. Possibly trade David Dellucci
If the Phils can get something for him, like a mid-level prospect, trade him. He is also on a one-year contract and won’t be back next year. This would free up an outfield spot for Chris Roberson, another AAA player would can be given a shot at the majors. Playing the last two months with little pressure should be a good audition.
So after all that, this is my projected lineup:
1) Shane Victorino - RF (might just be a true leadoff player)
2) Aaron Rowand - CF (this is his best batting position)
3) Chase Utley - 2B (best hitter on the team always bats third)
4) Ryan Howard - 1B (best power hitter on the team always bats fourth)
5) Mike Lieberthal (or Carlos Ruiz) - C (more because there’s no one else)
6) Jimmy Rollins - SS (he is not a leadoff hitter)
7) David Bell (or Chris Coste) - 3B (gotta put him somewhere)
8: Chris Roberson - LF (no pressure in the eighth spot)
9) - SP
So why not trade Lieberthal and Bell? Because they would be even more difficult to trade than Abreu and Burrell. There is very little interest in them and that doesn’t bode well for a trade.
Chris Coste would be the 4th OF and backup 3B (as well as the third C) and could get some playing time at 3B if Bell continues to struggle while Coste stays hot. If Coste proves himself for the remainder of the year, give him a shot to win 3B next year in spring training.
The bench would have Abraham Nunez left. He’s a good fill-in player at any infield position. That leaves us with two bench spots left. The Phils would have to promote another OF and also another IF. I don’t know the minor league teams enough to know which, but I’m sure they have some players who can fill those spots.
Now for the pitching.
1. Trade Cory Lidle
I do not like Lidle. All he does is pitch six innings and give up 3-4 runs every time. He barely keeps his team in the game and doesn’t add anything to the team. However, some contender would be desperate for a SP and would give up a mid-level prospect for him. Get what you can for him and get rid of him. That would open up a spot in the rotation for Randy Wolf, who is almost back from injury.
2. Trade Jon Lieber
I debated this one, but I think it makes sense. Lieber has not pitched up to expectations with the Phils and I don’t think the fanbase will ever accept him, no matter how well he pitches. If he pitches well in his next two outings, the Phils could trade him for a good prospect and a throw-in. That would open up a spot in the rotation for Scott Mathieson, who pitched very well in his last start before being sent down to the minors. Much like Roberson, giving Mathieson a long look at the major league level without a ton of pressure or expectations should give the Phils a good idea what Mathieson can do.
3. Trade Tom Gordon
Gordon has pitched very well this year and if the Phils had any shot at contention, there is no way you trade him. However, the Phils need to rebuild and that means getting as many prospects as possible. A top closer and setup man like Gordon would bring a top prospect and a mid-level prospect. This would also give Ryan Madson a shot at the closer job, a position for which he might have the right stuff and mental makeup to succeed. That would also open up a rotation spot for Gavin Floyd, who I would recall to the majors for the same reason as Mathieson.
4. Trade Arthur Rhodes
He’s been a bust in Philly, but would be better in a more neutral ballpark. A contender would give up a low-to-mid prospect for him.
5. Trade Aaron Fultz
Teams are always looking for lefthanded specialists in the bullpen, and that’s where Fultz would excel. Should be able to get a low-level prospect.
That leave the rotation like this:
1) Brett Myers
2) Cole Hamels
3) Randy Wolf (when he comes back from injury)
4) Scott Mathieson
5) Gavin Floyd
The bullpen would be as such:
Ryan Madson (closer)
Geoff Geary (setup)
Fabio Castro
Rheal Cormier
Rick White
Ryan Franklin (long relief)
That leaves one spot in the bullpen. Clay Condrey or Eude Brito could be called up to fill the spot.
This would completely blow up the team, something that is now painfully obvious that needs to be done. The core of the team, which has been together for a long time, simply is not capable of winning. Start over with Rollins, Utley, Howard, Victorino, Hamels, Myers, Madson, Mathieson, Ruiz, and Floyd and see where they take you.
One final note: I like Pat Gillick and I don’t have a problem with Charlie Manuel. If Gillick wants to go another direction with the manager, that’s OK with me. But I’m not one of those people calling for the head of Manuel.