A good place to start would be to get a true leadoff hitter and table setter in here.
- MJL

absolutely

I just want a change of philosphy. I mean I just watched two or three years ending in Ryan Howard either looking at a strike over the middle of the plate or hitting a cupcake to the infield. I'm not blaming Howard I'm just saying if we're gonna rebuild then do it right and switch offensive philosphies too. Enough of this 1-0 losses already!!!! That is so aggravating.
- JoeRussomanno

They will still be a longball team, given the park they play in, but the 2008 team that won also manufactured runs. They were third in the league in steals. They were 8th in number of times struck out. They've gotten away from that a bit, maybe because of age, or injury.

They will still be a longball team, given the park they play in, but the 2008 team that won also manufactured runs. They were third in the league in steals. They were 8th in number of times struck out. They've gotten away from that a bit, maybe because of age, or injury.
- Jsaquella

Definitely still need some power in the lineup to take advantage of that park. It's really about a blend. We talk about that in Hockey. Pitching is great. But this current team is too heavy on the starting pitching side. And has holes in the batting order and in the bullpen. That bullpen on that 08 team was great.

Definitely still need some power in the lineup to take advantage of that park. it's really about a blend. We talk about that in Hockey. Pitching is great. But this current team is too heavy on the starting pitching side. And has holes in the lineup and in the bullpen. That bullpen on that 08 team was great.
- MJL

I didn't like letting Madson leave

The deal's that Amaro has made when trading quality major League players have been poor. The first time he traded Lee, and now the Pence deal. They got a decent Catching prospect. That's about it.

With Victorino being a Free Agent, I wouldn't expect a great return. But I'm highly annoyed at the Pence deal.
- MJL

I think the Pence deal was pretty good. Schierholtz has a lifetime OBP only about 15 pts lower than pence and he's a superior fielder and $12 million cheaper. Joseph is currently ranked 4th on the Phils prospect list and is close to a top 100 prospect. Rosin has a high cieling because of his fastball, but he's a flyball pitcher which could be problematic.

I didn't like letting Madson leave
- JoeRussomanno

Well I've heard speculation that there is a chance he comes back here.

absolutely
- JoeRussomanno

Phil are going to go hard after Bourne, but so are the Nats. A pretty good FA crop for CFs. the opposite of 3b.

I think the Pence deal was pretty good. Schierholtz has a lifetime OBP only about 15 pts lower than pence and he's a superior fielder and $12 million cheaper. Joseph is currently ranked 4th on the Phils prospect list and is close to a top 100 prospect. Rosin has a high cieling because of his fastball, but he's a flyball pitcher which could be problematic.
- jstross

Schierholtz is nothing but a warm body out there. The kind of player you can obtain pretty much any time you need to for nothing. He couldn't make a pimple on Pence's ass as a player.

I didn't like letting Madson leave
- JoeRussomanno

he supposedly bought a house less than 1/4 of a mile from my house in Washington Twp. No idea if he sold it.

Phil are going to go hard after Bourne, but so are the Nats. A pretty good FA crop for CFs. the opposite of 3b.
- jstross

Bourne's Agent is talking about a 100M deal for Bourne in Free Agency.

Schierholtz is nothing but a warm body out there. The kind of player you can obtain pretty much any time you need to for nothing. He couldn't make a pimple on Pence's ass as a player.
- MJL

His OBP is average for ML outfielders so I don't know were your getting your info from.

Bourne's Agent is talking about a 100M deal for Bourne in Free Agency.
- MJL

Bourne will get 12-14 million a year in this crazy world, but there are other options. A lot of good to above average CF next year.

His OBP is average for ML outfielders so I don't know were your getting your info from.
- jstross

He's a bench player at best, on a good team.

Weird stat from Bob Vetrone

Bob Vetrone Jr. ‏@BoopStats

Shane Victorino recorded 666 singles as a Phillie.
- Jsaquella

Daman calls him Damian

Schierholtz is nothing but a warm body out there. The kind of player you can obtain pretty much any time you need to for nothing. He couldn't make a pimple on Pence's ass as a player.
- MJL

No need to get raunchy

Schierholtz is nothing but a warm body out there. The kind of player you can obtain pretty much any time you need to for nothing. He couldn't make a pimple on Pence's ass as a player.
- MJL

No, but he's an inexpensive depth outfielder. He also doesn't have bad numbers in limited play over the past few years.

John Bowker was a warm body. Schierholtz is actually a half decent bench guy. No, he's not Hunter Pence, nor will he be.

Phil are going to go hard after Bourne, but so are the Nats. A pretty good FA crop for CFs. the opposite of 3b.
- jstross

Bourne is awesome. Although now I am hearing he is a double agent.

Schierholtz is nothing but a warm body out there. The kind of player you can obtain pretty much any time you need to for nothing. He couldn't make a pimple on Pence's ass as a player.
- MJL

The Pence trade definately was about money. They figure why pay that money for Pence when they cant contend this year.

I know they have him under control for another year but his plate discipline isn't very good and his defense has been awful. I'm guessing the Phillies didn't want to pay him 15M next year. They could of waited until the offseason to trade him but then they would have to pay the luxury tax. So they took the best deal available.

No, but he's an inexpensive depth outfielder. He also doesn't have bad numbers in limited play over the past few years.

John Bowker was a warm body. Schierholtz is actually a half decent bench guy. No, he's not Hunter Pence, nor will he be.
- Jsaquella

Schierholtz will give them some depth but they plan on Dom Brown being a full time player from here out (lets see what he can do). Will see what they can do in the offseason to upgrade the team.

The Pence trade definately was about money. They figure why pay that money for Pence when they cant contend this year.

I know they have him under control for another year but his plate discipline isn't very good and his defense has been awful. I'm guessing the Phillies didn't want to pay him 15M next year. They could of waited until the offseason to trade him but then they would have to pay the luxury tax. So they took the best deal available.
- stveshdy

I don't disagree with any of this. With the exception of taking the best deal. The best deal would've been to keep him in my opinion.

I can only hope that there are moves that will be made in the off season that make the deal worthwhile.

He's a bench player at best, on a good team.
- MJL

we just disagree. His career numbers are better than Ludwick and similar to Vernon Wells the first two teams in playoff contention. A .270 hitter with a .320 OBP has a place in a lineup with supposedly bug hitters like Howard and Utley. He's certainly a huge upgarde over Nixx and Mayberry,

I don't disagree with any of this. With the exception of taking the best deal. The best deal would've been to keep him in my opinion.

I can only hope that there are moves that will be made in the off season that make the deal worthwhile.
- MJL

The best option would be to keep Pence but with the luxury tax in play and having one of the worst records in baseball it didn't make sense for the Phillies to keep him (taking best offer at the deadline). He was one of the players with any value to trade. I can't believe they couldn't get rid of Blanton.

Schierholtz will give them some depth but they plan on Dom Brown being a full time player from here out (lets see what he can do). Will see what they can do in the offseason to upgrade the team.
- stveshdy

Schierholtz is the the Phillies best OF right now.

The best option would be to keep Pence but with the luxury tax in play and having one of the worst records in baseball it didn't make sense for the Phillies to keep him (taking best offer at the deadline). He was one of the players with any value to trade. I can't believe they couldn't get rid of Blanton.
- stveshdy

Blanton will most likely get traded in August. Just hope he keeps pitching well so he has some value.

Schierholtz is the the Phillies best OF right now.
- jstross

Its very possible.

Nix, Mayberry, Pierre, Brown, Schierholtz, and Wiggington. Now really an All-Star caliber OF.