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Quick Hits: The End of the Interview

Written by Mike Mariano | 22 July 2010

(here's the final snippet from my interview over at TCB the other day.  This part is particularly interesting with all the recent Oswalt-Werth trade rumors)

TCB: What is the Phillies biggest need at the trade deadline?

Pitching is an obvious need for the Phillies right now, but I don't know who available fits exactly what we need. A starter would be nice, but we already jettisoned Cliff, so why would turning around and giving up prospects for Roy Oswalt make sense? Ruben Amaro doesn't look likely to bring Pedro in again and there isn't any readily available talent down on the farm. I'm not sure if the price is right for the Phillies in the SP trade market.

Offensively however, I think the bench needs to be fixed up and another infielder needs to brought in. With Utley out indefinitely, it makes more sense to bring in a super-utility type guy to patch up holes for him, Polanco, and inevitably J-Roll if he goes out again. The best defense is a good offense, or maybe it's the other way around, but I think keeping our biggest strength (the offense) going is more important that trying to patch-work the pitching.

TCB: Jayson Werth has been a steal the past three seasons, will he be let go in free agency?

Sadly I think so. Domonic Brown is killing people in the minors and he's the future in the outfield. Also, I don't know if the team is willing to eat Raul's 10 million and put him on the bench. I would love to have him back, however I don't know if his price tag is going to be affordable over the long term. He'll be over-30 when he hits the market and if he turns it around in the second half, the offers will be very, very high. Love the guy and will definitely miss him.

How Money and Losing Affect the Oswalt Trade

Written by Mike Mariano | 22 July 2010

The news of the Phillies negotiating for Roy Oswalt was the news of the day around here yesterday.  Something involving Roy coming in and Jayson Werth going out seems to be the one consensus as to what would come of it.  Whether it involve two teams or three, that will be the focal point of it.  If only it was that simple.

Last night it was reported that Roy Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause, will only accept a deal to an organization that guarantees his $16 million 2012 club-option will be picked up.  This presents a major issue for the (self imposed) cap-conscious Phillies.  With so much money already on the books then, another $16 million would put them well over where they'd like to be for that season after assembling a full roster.

That's the money side of this, but the losing side might be equally important.  Namely, how it will affect Roy and how it will affect the Phillies.  Sitting a cool 7 games outside of the divisional race and 4 out of the wild card, the Phillies aren't the World Series contending "lock" that they were in April.  Could this month long dry spell deter Roy from wanting to pack his bags for Philadelphia?

Contrarily, will this losing create a sense of urgency in Ruben Amaro where he (or the ownership) decides that the $16 million is steep but necessary because the team needs Oswalt to try and get back in this race?  If recent history is any indication, I don't think that ownership will go for such a manuver however it's not impossible.

This deal seems to be falling apart at the seems, however the way team executives play things close to the heart these days, you never do know what's really going on.

Cards take third straight from Phils

Written by Mike Mariano | 22 July 2010

I'm thinking about just setting up a generic post for games like this.  It'll read like:

Opponent's starter went seven, rarely losing command of the game, and left with a nice lead.  The Phillies couldn't really get much going and didn't hit consistently throughout the lineup. Stifled for most of the game, the struggling offense didn't produce and the Phillies pitching wasn't good enough to get a win without it.  Ryan Howard homered in the game.

Maybe I can connect it to ESPN.com so it'll just read the boxscore and when it happens just automatically throw that paragraph up and fill in the blanks.

The Phillies are not a good team right now and we're reaching the breaking point.  The Braves and Cardinals continue to distance themselves from the Phillies who doing everything short of free-falling in the standings.

Per the usual and as the generic future post says, the pitching was decent but not good enough when it counted from Blanton and Ryan Howard hit another home run, smashing a first pitch offering into the seats and sending his XXXL-family into a frenzy.

Tough call for Manual when Blanton came up with the bases loaded in a 1-1 game (7th inning).  There were 2 outs and Joe was only at 74 pitches so Charlie let him hack and hack he did.  He took three MASSIVE swings, all whiffing and the threat was over.  Probably the right move with Blanton pitching as well as he was at that point, the low pitch count, and the two out situation, but in hindsight it obviously doesn't come out so well.

Possible Phillies Trade: Roy Oswalt for Jayson Werth

Written by Mike Mariano | 21 July 2010

UPDATE: Buster Olney has a great column up about it and speculates that the deal for Roy wouldn't be directly for Jayson Werth, that Jay would get possibly dealt to Tampa Bay.  Even more interesting.  However, there is this thought nugget inside the article:

But talent evaluators with other teams asked an interesting question Tuesday night, as ESPN reported the on-going talks: If the Phillies land Oswalt, are they good enough to contend for the World Series?

"They've got real holes over there, and I know they need a starting pitcher," one executive said. "But I think their lineup is as much of a problem now [as the pitching questions]. If they got two Roy Oswalts, I'm not sure it would make a difference."

After our initial post this morning about Phillies deals, Sportscenter is talking that the Phillies are in advance trade talks with the Houston Astros.  One proposed deal would center around Roy Oswalt for Jayson Werth, the implication being that Domonic Brown would be called up immediately to replace the struggling and shipped out superstar.

Here are my thoughts, in order about this potential deal:

  1. It has to be done.  I'd spoken in the past about possibly ignoring the pitching if they couldn't find a worthwhile option, but this changes everthing.  Amaro would be turning an asset that they'd lose after the season into a premier pitcher which the Phillies desperately need.  With DoBro down on the farm, it's not unreasonable to expect that his production in the lineup will be replaced as well (especially the production level Jay's at right now).

  2. I'm going to be really sad to see Jayson Werth go.  The wolfman is a fan favorite for a reason: because he can be an incredible player and he's just plain cool.  Saying that, he's pretty old for the 5 year, big money deal he would garner if he gets back on track in the second half.  I think he's capable of maintaining a high level of play, but I think it comes with some serious potential for drop-off (see the past two months).
  3. Roy Oswalt has long been someone I'd like to have on this team.  I know his numbers have been in decline the past few seasons, but he has phenomenal stuff and a pedigree as a top pitcher in this league.  I don't want to speculate now about Lee v. Oswalt v. Halladay and I don't want to think about the fact that it could be ALL THREE plus Hamels. Just kidding.. but for real..
  4. I can't wait to see me some Domonic Brown.  I haven't been too excited about a Phillies call-up since Ryan Howard back in 2005. I think the kid is going to be a great player, but I'm trying to hold back my expectations seeing as he will be a rookie and most likely struggle some in the show.
All in all, I think it'd be a good thing, but we'll see if it comes to fruition.  Stick around.

We Suck Again! Carpenter's dominance injures Moyer

Written by Mike Mariano | 21 July 2010


Another day, another dropped.  Chris Carpenter dominated over eight innings and really was never in trouble. Only 90 pitches to get through those eight allowing one run on five hits.

It doesn't help when you're starter gets hurt, let alone in the first inning.  Moyer is already on the 15-day DL and says he'll definitely pitch again this season, but the team just sent Kendrick down to the minors, so we're short two pitchers right now.

Polanco & Ryan Howard are hitting the shit out of the ball, but there are still too many guys sleeping on any given night.  Gotta start winning games sooner or later or we're all going to be crying in our beers with the Mets fans come October.

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