January:

January was filled with many head-scratching moves.

The first of which was the signing of Chad Qualls, a man that had an ERA north of 5.00 at Citizen’s Bank Park.  That was along with a one-year contract to Kyle Kendrick (LFR).  I questioned theses moves a lot last winter, and then I remembered: Ruben Amaro Jr. and it all made sense.

One the flip side, Cole Hamels agreed to a contract for his final year of arbitration.  Many were hoping that his contract extension would occur here, but alas, it was not meant to be.

On what might have been the most under-the-radar signing of the offseason, Amaro signed Juan Pierre to a 1-year minor league contract.  That turned out to be a great move for the Phillies.   Pierre did a great job with the team over the summer, even if he couldn’t really throw.

To go along with the Pierre signing, Amaro turned Wilson Valdez into Jeremy Horst.

Grade: Optomistic

» Continue reading “Reflecting on 2012: Grading Month-by-Month”

Like almost everyone, I wear many hats: teacher, sister, daughter, aunt, leader, counselor, disciplinarian, friend, writer and probably more that I can’t think of right now.  One of my newest titles is coach.

This past spring, I finished my second season as a high school softball coach.  And I have learned a lot.

Softball field that I coached at this past spring.

For one thing, the starting pitcher almost always finishes the game.  Very, very rarely do relief pitchers enter the game.  The game is pretty much in the hands of the starting pitcher.  About the only time that a relief pitcher is used is if the game goes into extra innings.

With that in mind, my dad said to me a while back that he is curious about what would the Phillies record be if the game ended after the 5th inning and before the Phillies bullpen became involved.  I took that idea and expanded it with my knowledge of softball.

The parameters that I am working with are:

1) The game ends in the 7th inning.

2) If the score is different, I will explain how that happens.

3) If the score is tied after 7, I will be using the Softball International Tiebreaker Ruler.  (Mainly because I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.)

The International Tiebreaker Rule

Starting with the eighth inning, the offensive team begins the inning with the ninth hitter in the batting order placed on second base.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/428245-rules-on-international-tiebreakers-in-womens-fastpitch-softball/#ixzz1unsbzURj

4) I will assume that the 8th inning plays out exactly as it did in real life.  The only difference is that there will be a runner on second.  I also assume that runner on second will be able to score on a single, unless it’s an infield single.  In that case, he moves to third.

That’s it.  Those are the entire requirements.

» Continue reading “If The Phillies Played By Softball Rules…”

Carlos Ruiz – photo credit: Steve Trapani

Congrats to Carlos Ruiz for making the 2012 All-Star Game National League team, which is his first time being selected.  And though its as a reserve, its still awesome that he was recognized for being the one constant the Phillies fans can count on.  He consistently delivers both defensively and offensively and I can’t think of anyone more deserving.

It would have been a shock had Ruiz not made the roster. He entered Sunday leading baseball in batting average (.358). He also ranked third in on-base percentage (.423), eighth in slugging percentage (.585) and fourth in OPS (1.008). – Phillies.com

Lefty Cole Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon were also selected.

The 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on July 10th, 2012 on FOX.  To view the full rosters for both the National and American League teams, go to Aerys Sports: Around the Horn

In other Phillies news, this afternoon they were swept by the Miami Marlins and are now 11 games back in the National League East.

Also this afternoon, pitcher Chad Qualls, who was recently designated for assignment was acquired by the New York Yankees.

The Yankees will trade a player to be named later or cash to the Phillies in exchange for the 33-year-old veteran. – ESPN.com

Not sorry to see him go…not in the least!

Photo courtesy of Steve Trapani – Flickr Follow him on twitter: @Trap_33

Heather Carnassale is Contributing Phillies Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at viewfromsection116@gmail.com, or follow her on twitter @heatherc531 and @viewfromsec116.

Debbie Downer as played by Rachel Dratch SNL - Wikipedia.org

Yes I haven’t written in a while and yes I’m going to be all Debbie Downer about the Phillies.  But its very hard NOT to be.

For starters, I probably have seen all of about five Phillies games in the last month.  My 12 year-old son’s travel baseball keeps me busy and keeps me from watching Phillies games, but in all honesty, I’m obviously not missing very much.

Let’s see, Kyle Kendrick gave up five runs in the first inning on June 28th against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That in itself isn’t unusual for Kendrick, it was his post-game comments that were truly classic.  Kendrick had the audacity to state that he thought he pitched very well.  Ummmm, in what planet does he live on???  Giving up five runs in one inning doesn’t constitute good pitching. That’s delusion at its best.

The Phillies are 10 games back in the National League East.  Need I say more?

Ryan Howard might be back real soon but I’ve heard he’s not in the best of shape.  But that’s just hearsay as I haven’t seen him, so I will hold my opinions until I see for myself.

The bullpen is well…ATROCIOUS!  They finally designated Chad Qualls for assignment.  Albeit not soon enough.  And other than Jonathan Papelbon there’s zero confidence in any of the remaining guys in there.

Cliff Lee has yet to register a win.  And seriously if someone had told me back in April that Lee would still be winless by June 30th, I would have balked at that comment (no pun intended)!

Today the Phillies versed the Miami Marlins and what was the outcome?  The Phillies lost which was also Cole Hamels‘ third straight loss against the Marlins this season.  And though Hamels is 10-4 overall, even he couldn’t stop the Phillies from getting their fourth loss in a row.

It’s going to be very interesting in the upcoming weeks to see if Ruben Amaro, Jr. makes any ‘big’ moves, but apparently he just made one.  Jim Thome was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for two minor league players.  Have to say I’m sad to see Thome go, he was definitely a bright spot on the team but in a league where there is no designated hitter, he just wasn’t needed. If only he could pitch!  *sigh*

But I won’t end this on a bad note.  Chase Utley returned and looks good.  Carlos Ruiz, can’t say anything negative about him.  Jimmy Rollins at times looks good at the plate as does Hunter Pence, although at times I have little to no faith that he will get the big hit when its desperately needed.

There’s still a lot of season left, I just wonder if the Phillies can pull it all together and make a comeback before time runs out!

Heather Carnassale is Contributing Phillies Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at viewfromsection116@gmail.com, or follow her on twitter @heatherc531 and @viewfromsec116.

It feels like it was just yesterday that I wrote about the happy days of Chase Utley returning and Michael Martinez being optioned to AAA.

Bye-bye

But that exciting news was 2 roster moves ago and now we have new exciting information:

Out:

Chad Qualls was designated for assignment today.  I have no problem with Qualls, when he is not pitching.  I have a lot of problems when he is used in games.  He has not been what I call effective this year.  I feel bad for him being DFA’d, but he has blown a couple Phillies games that should have been won this year.  So, I guess I really don’t.

The Phillies have 10 days to trade him.  If they are not able to trade him, he will become either a Free Agent or be sent to AAA.

Qualls asked for a trade.  Umm, yeah, good luck with that one Ruben!

» Continue reading “As The Phillies Roster Turns: Part 8″