Yeah. I think that's all sports to a degree. I think the internet, social media, and the ease of access to tickets has kind of killed some of the "awe" factor of sports when I was younger. I mean, every now and then, I got to actually see the Phillies or Flyers in person if my dad was lucky enough to get a pair of tickets. Now, I can click a mouse a few times and go see them whenever I want.
- jmatchett383

haha well my current finances pretty much prevent that for me. i dont know. maybe its just not being younger. the internet. who knows. i remember the greatest joy was being able to open a pack of baseball cards and lay them out on the floor and organize them in their sleeves and cases while watching Baseball Tonight.

Deal Lee for prospects? Not sign Byrd? Look to move Rollins?
- PhillySportsGuy

Not re-sign Utley or Ruiz. Deal whatever vets they could for prospects this winter.

Deal Lee? Horrible idea.
- jmatchett383

Why. He's getting older and making more. He's going to regress at some point. Once he does, they will be paying top of the line money for an average pitcher.

haha well my current finances pretty much prevent that for me. i dont know. maybe its just not being younger. the internet. who knows. i remember the greatest joy was being able to open a pack of baseball cards and lay them out on the floor and organize them in their sleeves and cases while watching Baseball Tonight.
- stayinthefnnet

Cards is a whole different animal. That hobby has just been murdered. Instead of a box of 36 packs with 15 cards per pack of the "premium" product (Upper Deck) costing you $30, there are now packs of cards across all sports lines that cost upwards of $500 for 4-6 cards.

Why. He's getting older and making more. He's going to regress at some point. Once he does, they will be paying top of the line money for an average pitcher.
- PhillySportsGuy

Because he's the man, and I enjoy watching him throw a baseball 60 feet.

The what good is to have Howard and Utley? Look back to when they re-signed Howard and Utley. Right then and there was when the choice had to be made. Go on or walk away from those players. What would've happened with the fanbase if they did that? Would ownership have approved?
- MJL

They re-signed Howard 2 years before he even reached free agency. They re-signed Utley last season. And they signed him to a deal which can last 5 years if he stays healthy. So if he's batting .220, but healthy, he will continue to make lots of money.

Ruben is so afraid of losing any player.

Also, trading Victorino was a horrible idea.

Ruben is so afraid of losing any player.
- PhillySportsGuy

That explains Michael Martinez.

Because he's the man, and I enjoy watching him throw a baseball 60 feet.
- jmatchett383

They need prospects though.

To be honest, I don't even know the Phillies could get much for any of their players outside of Hamels.

I would have even dealt Dom Brown. I think his numbers last year were a bit of a mirage. I don't think he will hit for that much power again this season.

team is such a cluster(frank)

Not really, I haven't lost patience with the Phils, I just wish they'd realize that their window shut after the 2012 season and they really need to rebuild. Instead they just keep holding on to the Utleys, Howards and worst of all, Rollins of the world.

If the Flyers had won the cup in 2010, I don't think most Flyers fans would feel the frustration and/or desperation of wanting them to win another one.

And on another note, as was said by someone earlier, that '87 team may have been the hardest working team in Flyers history, and that is saying something. With Tim Kerr out, they managed to take a team with 8 or 9 hall of famers to game 7 and that was no small accomplishment. I mean good lord, Edmonton had Gretzky and Messier as a 1-2 punch up the middle and the best the Flyers could counter was a combo of Eklund, Poulin and Ron Sutter! Ron Hextall, for that series, and really that entire playoff run, was on a level that very few NHL goalies reach. In my lifetime, they may well have been the best team to never win a cup.
- BiggE

Amen, brother.

I've said it before, but it is mindboggling to me how unlucky the Flyers have been since 1975 -- they ran into the last two dynasties the NHL has produced, a Detroit organization that figured it out to the tune that if/when they miss the playoffs this year, it will be the first time in 23 years, and if the Blackhawks win this year -- they have a pretty decent shot -- they'd have lost to a team that won three of the last five Cups.

Again, it doesn't sooth the pain. But damn, folks -- it is mindboggling to me that the Flyers haven't won one. It is mindboggling just what they've run into when they've made the Finals -- that Chicago team in 2010 was effing ridiculous with how stacked they were. The only hole that team had was in the net -- and Niemi's clearly not awful.

Also, trading Victorino was a horrible idea.
- jmatchett383

They let Victorino and Werth walk and those guys have gone on to be the guys they should have kept.

My post was far more about life then about sports! But since you want to make it about sports, we can do that. I think that Giroux and Zherdev were pretty close in terms of skill and talent. What separates Giroux from Zherdev?
- MJL

I know I know. It's the Atlantic Ocean isn't it?

But the heart wants what the heart wants.

What they are doing now is plain stupid. Rewarding losing is pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

Our society does rant on a daily basis!

They re-signed Howard 2 years before he even reached free agency. They re-signed Utley last season. And they signed him to a deal which can last 5 years if he stays healthy. So if he's batting .220, but healthy, he will continue to make lots of money.

Ruben is so afraid of losing any player.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's the point. If you're going to keep those players, then you have to commit to trying to win. The time for this team to start a rebuild has past. They are pot committed with possibly a weak hand.
The ownership wants to keep the stand full.

That explains Michael Martinez.
- jmatchett383

John Mayberry Jr…Does Ruben not think there are other FA outfielders who can bat .220?

That's the point. If you're going to keep those players, then you have to commit to trying to win. The time for this team to start a rebuild has past. They are pot committed with possibly a weak hand.
The ownership wants to keep the stand full.
- MJL

WHoever is making these decisions is an idiot. They are set up for disaster this season.

They let Victorino and Werth walk and those guys have gone on to be the guys they should have kept.
- PhillySportsGuy

The lineup seriously lacks the amount of hot tail that was constantly trailing Werth's soul patch and Burrell's chest.

WHoever is making these decisions is an idiot. They are set up for disaster this season.
- PhillySportsGuy

They're in a position where they have a huge payroll, with question marks at every position. Which is why I think that Sandberg is trying to get on some people to show some urgency.

They need prospects though.

To be honest, I don't even know the Phillies could get much for any of their players outside of Hamels.

I would have even dealt Dom Brown. I think his numbers last year were a bit of a mirage. I don't think he will hit for that much power again this season.

team is such a cluster(frank)
- PhillySportsGuy

I guess it's because I know this year is gonna suck, and because they already won one, so now I just want to watch Cliff Lee pitch because he's one of my favorite players.

The lineup seriously lacks the amount of hot tail that was constantly trailing Werth's soul patch and Burrell's chest.
- jmatchett383

The Phillies have completely ignore advanced stats too. Im not a huge advanced stats guy in team sports for a variety of reasons, but baseball is the one sport where stats like that matter. They signed Byrd for two years when everyone knows last season was a lucky one for him. His batting average on balls put in play was much higher than anything he's posted before.

WHoever is making these decisions is an idiot. They are set up for disaster this season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Basically, they're counting on older, injury prone players to play at levels they haven't approached in two or three years.

The rotation should be decent, if Hamels can return early in the season. The bullpen could be decent, if the kids pitch well and Papelbon doesn't go on vacation because the team's not dominant...but the offense...whew boy...the offense could be brutal.

Most of the analysts I read or have listened to give them a puncher's chance at .500. If they can manage to do that and stay in the wild card hunt until the trade deadline, I'd call it a huge success.

who will the Flyers back up be next year?
who do you want it to be?

I guess it's because I know this year is gonna suck, and because they already won one, so now I just want to watch Cliff Lee pitch because he's one of my favorite players.
- jmatchett383

Baseball is such a long rebuild. Pushing this thing out longer and longer each year just delays the turnaround.

I'm nervous that the team will think they never need to rebuild.

I guess it's because I know this year is gonna suck, and because they already won one, so now I just want to watch Cliff Lee pitch because he's one of my favorite players.
- jmatchett383

i suffer from this mentality as well. logically. they need to move him. but id be really sad to see him go. he provides one of the sole reasons to tune in.

Basically, they're counting on older, injury prone players to play at levels they haven't approached in two or three years.

The rotation should be decent, if Hamels can return early in the season. The bullpen could be decent, if the kids pitch well and Papelbon doesn't go on vacation because the team's not dominant...but the offense...whew boy...the offense could be brutal.

Most of the analysts I read or have listened to give them a puncher's chance at .500. If they can manage to do that and stay in the wild card hunt until the trade deadline, I'd call it a huge success.
- Jsaquella

Hamels is hurt and the bottom 3 in the rotation are not very good. Roberto Hernandez? Kyle Kendrick is alright. Who is 5th starter?

Bullpen was atrocious last year with no additions. I don't see how they will suddenly get better.