It's hard for a power hitter to come back from that kind of injury, and he was hurt again last season. His issue is injury more than age. Utley, as well, is more injury than age.

The age factor just makes it harder to come back from those injuries.
- Jsaquella

true. i do still believe a large factor for howard is the mental aspect. im sure injury has influenced his mental state, but i am starting to worry more about his overall confidence not returning even if his body does. utley, yeah, its unfortunate because he was the perfect ballplayer. but he has the joints of someone 5 years his senior at least

It's hard for a power hitter to come back from that kind of injury, and he was hurt again last season. His issue is injury more than age. Utley, as well, is more injury than age.

The age factor just makes it harder to come back from those injuries.
- Jsaquella

Similar to Vinny & his back issue?

Similar to Vinny & his back issue?
- puckhead17

Vinny's back issue could easily have been a one off injury. Utley's knees are chronically bad. Howard's power comes from his legs being able to drive his bat speed. The injuries they have suffered could really cause a serious decrease in their skills.

Lecavalier's injury, meanwhile, should heal and he should be able to return to normal. It's not a chronic thing or something that robs him of his most important ability.

Vinny's back issue could easily have been a one off injury. Utley's knees are chronically bad. Howard's power comes from his legs being able to drive his bat speed. The injuries they have suffered could really cause a serious decrease in their skills.

Lecavalier's injury, meanwhile, should heal and he should be able to return to normal. It's not a chronic thing or something that robs him of his most important ability.
- Jsaquella

he's missed a chunk of time each of the last 3 seasons & that was never considered when he was handed the $ & term, the $ is fine, (the term stinks), but I see him going back to Tampa eventually as his salary is now where Tampa wanted it, & with the young centers we have as well.

Vinny's back issue could easily have been a one off injury. Utley's knees are chronically bad. Howard's power comes from his legs being able to drive his bat speed. The injuries they have suffered could really cause a serious decrease in their skills.

Lecavalier's injury, meanwhile, should heal and he should be able to return to normal. It's not a chronic thing or something that robs him of his most important ability.
- Jsaquella

yeah. and behind them, there really isnt a whole hell of a lot. ruiz is decent, but cant exactly carry the middle of the order. there is a lack of power in the corner outfield. third is a question mark, although i liked what i saw from asche. jimmys days of helping at the plate are over. even brown, who has some good potential, was pretty inconsistent. just very few brightspots and loads of questions

he's missed a chunk of time each of the last 3 seasons & that was never considered when he was handed the $ & term, the $ is fine, (the term stinks), but I see him going back to Tampa eventually as his salary is now where Tampa wanted it, & with the young centers we have as well.
- puckhead17

It's possible he ends up back in Tampa.

He has missed time in each of the last 4 seasons, with various injuries. But the difference there is it's not one injury that keeps recurring.

Ryan Howard's a power hitter. He tore his achillies tendon and hasn't been the same since. Utley has permanently damaged knees.

Vinny has been dinged, but he hasn't lost his hands or smarts. If he had had repeated back issues, it'd be one thing. But his injuries have been a knee or a groin or other issue, not a chronic issue.

It is a concern, but he should be able to return to the line-up and still be able to play at a fairly high level

yeah. and behind them, there really isnt a whole hell of a lot. ruiz is decent, but cant exactly carry the middle of the order. there is a lack of power in the corner outfield. third is a question mark, although i liked what i saw from asche. jimmys days of helping at the plate are over. even brown, who has some good potential, was pretty inconsistent. just very few brightspots and loads of questions
- stayinthefnnet

They have a couple good prospects in the system, but there's too much reliance on guys with chronic issues, who are at the point where the decline has been ongoing for a year or three.