The first week of the season, has been, well, rough.  I work very hard to find positives in any situation, because if don’t, I will go crazy.  That being said, I do not have high expectations for this season, but there is good mixed in with the disastrous last week.

1) Mike Adams has looked really good.  He was brought in to solidify the bullpen, and well, along with Jonathan Papelbon, the only relief pitcher that I trust.

Photo Credit: BJ Wilson

2) Chase Utley has been hitting the ball hard to all parts of the field.

3) The hitters have been getting on base.  Now, they haven’t been really able to get them to score, but baby steps…

4) There have been a fair amount of hard hit baseballs.  Mind you, they have been hit directly to fielders, but you know, those are just details.  I highly suggest that the Phillies STOP playing the way that I always played softball.  Find a gap!  Anyway, good things are bound to happen when contact is made…Eventually.

5) Chase Utley has been getting on base by walks, errors and hits.  Once he is on the base path, he has opposing pitchers paying attention to him.  Unfortunately, Ryan Howard has not really been able to take advantage of the distracted pitchers and hit one out of the ballpark.

6) The team hasn’t given up.  Except for the home opener, the team has fought back in most of the games.  They might have lost, but at least they aren’t rolling over.  (The home opener was a different story.)

7) Philadelphia has really started to fall in love with Ben Revere.  Revere is NOT bringing power that the Phillies need, but he really is fun to watch.  If you have a Twitter account, follow him, @BenRevere9 you will not regret it.  His defense is fantastic, now some offense is needed.

8) The biggest positive so far is Chase Utley.  It has been 2 years since he has  moved and played this well.   It is beautiful to see.

The season is very young, but very disappointing so far.  I going to live in my fantasy world that this is the worst that they are going to be all year.

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”

All over Twitter, Facebook, the internet and sports radio, I hear people complaining about the Phillies lack of big off-season signings.

And I completely get it.  I really do.

I would have loved for the Phillies to sign Josh Hamilton and I actually thought it was going to happen. (Though I am glad that Philly didn’t give him 5 years.)

I didn’t want to see Michael Bourn or BJ Upton in Phillies uniform, so I’m not upset at those non-moves at all.  But they are big names and the fanbase has gotten use to big names signing in Philly

The moves that they did make were not flashy, bold moves.  As a matter of fact, the were quiet no-name moves.  Moves that could pay out huge.

Revere’s Twitter profile (@BenRevere9)

I particular love the Ben Revere trade.  I like Vance Worley and Trevor May and I wish both of them all the best with the Twins organization, but the Phillies have a handful of young pitchers that should be ready by next season.

What the Phillies farm system lacks is quality position players.

Revere is just that.  A quality, young position player.  He will not bring the Phillies pop, but he will get on base.  And then wreck havoc on the bases once he is there.  He possesses all the tools to become a nightmare to opposing pitchers and just what any teams needs at the top of the line-up.n

I understand the Michael Young trade.  The Phillies didn’t give up all that much for him and now that question mark is settled for the next season.  If his development continues the way that it has last year or so, then Cody Asche is perfectly set up to take over at 3rd base in 2014.

» Continue reading “Christmas Was In July For Phillies Fans”

The Hot Stove Season is moving quickly along, with the Phillies signing no one but minor leaguer Josh Fields. The obvious holes the Phillies need to address are the outfield, third base and a set up man in the bullpen. While some big names are still left, the market is shrinking so they made need to make a move soon. The Phillies do have some money to go after each position, although a trade would free up some more money.

» Continue reading “What do the Phillies Do Now?”

The Phillies eccentric, All-Star closer turns 32 years old today.

Photo Credit: BJ Wilson

Happy Birthday Papelbon!

Is it spring yet?