6-1 - 3rd inning
(frank)ing utley has to spoil it
- watsonnostaw

Nice to see Kendrick tossing bp...

As Ruben Amaro Jr. took a seat in the Phillies dugout to talk about the deals he didn’t make before today’s 4 p.m. trade deadline, he actually seemed content with what had transpired.

Much of the speculation surrounded Michael Young, especially after the Phillies called up Cody Asche from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Yet minutes after the deadline had passed, manager Charlie Manuel announced that Young was starting at first base and Asche was making his first big league start at third base.

“We talked about a couple of things late,” Amaro said. “I guess the bottom line was we didn't find anything that was satisfactory. Nothing we thought was going to improve us.”

Young didn’t provide an exact number of how many teams he was willing to be traded to, but he did confirm that he approved more than one organization. Some outlets had been reporting that Young would only agree to a trade back to Texas.

“I told Ruben all along, ‘Listen, man, if nothing happens, I’m happy to stay here in Philly,’” Young said. “He said the same thing. I think we’re all happy with the way it turned out.”

Amaro had to really analyze not only this season --- the Phillies entered Wednesday 11 1/2 games behind the Braves in the NL East and eight games back in the Wild Card standings --- but next season as well, especially with his aging core players.

“I would have liked to upgrade our current club,” Amaro said. “I am also looking toward the future. We have obviously gone through a tough stretch. It will be a long haul for us to get back in this race. Crazier things have happened. We may be looking more for tomorrow. I have to be realistic. We could be looking more toward 2014 than 2013 at this point. But that can change with a winning streak. That can change with us playing better.”

Although the Phillies certainly still see the playoffs this season being a possibility --- they did get within 3.0 games of the second Wild Card spot last season --- Amaro wants to make sure the team gets a good look at Asche and Darin Ruf.

For now, Asche will primarily play third base. But Manuel and Amaro haven’t ruled out giving Asche a shot in the outfield. And Ruf will get time at first base and left field.

“There is some benefit to seeing and trying to move forward with these young guys,” Amaro said. “We get an opportunity to see how they handle being in the big leagues and whether or not they can have a positive impact on our club.”

Amaro confirmed that there wasn’t much interest in closer Jonathan Papelbon and that he didn’t get good enough offers for Cliff Lee.

“To be frank, someone would have had to bowl us over to do something on Cliff,” Amaro said. “He’s a top of the rotation (guy) who would be very difficult to replace, however much money he’s making, it’s not a money issue for us. He’s a guy that can produce, and not too many lefthanders or pitchers in the game can produce as well as he can.”

Manuel said on Tuesday that the team was a ways away from contending. When asked if he agreed, Amaro didn’t say yes or no, but provided his own analysis and provided a slightly more positive spin that the club’s manager.

“It's clear our bullpen hasn't performed,” he said. “That's been an issue for us. I wish we were better defensively. We knew that was going to be a bit of a challenge. Pitching wise, we have certain expectations at the top of the rotation. Cole has had a tough year. Some of the things have not worked out the way we wanted.

“As far as the talent is concerned, we had seven or eight All-Stars on the club. Some of the guys still here are not necessarily performing like all-stars. Some of those guys are no longer here. There has been a drop-off in the talent level. I'm not delusional to say there hasn't been. But I do believe we still have the talent level --- if we keep it on the field more consistently --- to be a contending club. It hasn't worked out.”

Manuel reiterated that he is relieved the deadline has passed.

As Ruben Amaro Jr. took a seat in the Phillies dugout to talk about the deals he didn’t make before today’s 4 p.m. trade deadline, he actually seemed content with what had transpired.

Much of the speculation surrounded Michael Young, especially after the Phillies called up Cody Asche from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Yet minutes after the deadline had passed, manager Charlie Manuel announced that Young was starting at first base and Asche was making his first big league start at third base.

“We talked about a couple of things late,” Amaro said. “I guess the bottom line was we didn't find anything that was satisfactory. Nothing we thought was going to improve us.”

Young didn’t provide an exact number of how many teams he was willing to be traded to, but he did confirm that he approved more than one organization. Some outlets had been reporting that Young would only agree to a trade back to Texas.

“I told Ruben all along, ‘Listen, man, if nothing happens, I’m happy to stay here in Philly,’” Young said. “He said the same thing. I think we’re all happy with the way it turned out.”

Amaro had to really analyze not only this season --- the Phillies entered Wednesday 11 1/2 games behind the Braves in the NL East and eight games back in the Wild Card standings --- but next season as well, especially with his aging core players.

“I would have liked to upgrade our current club,” Amaro said. “I am also looking toward the future. We have obviously gone through a tough stretch. It will be a long haul for us to get back in this race. Crazier things have happened. We may be looking more for tomorrow. I have to be realistic. We could be looking more toward 2014 than 2013 at this point. But that can change with a winning streak. That can change with us playing better.”

Although the Phillies certainly still see the playoffs this season being a possibility --- they did get within 3.0 games of the second Wild Card spot last season --- Amaro wants to make sure the team gets a good look at Asche and Darin Ruf.

For now, Asche will primarily play third base. But Manuel and Amaro haven’t ruled out giving Asche a shot in the outfield. And Ruf will get time at first base and left field.

“There is some benefit to seeing and trying to move forward with these young guys,” Amaro said. “We get an opportunity to see how they handle being in the big leagues and whether or not they can have a positive impact on our club.”

Amaro confirmed that there wasn’t much interest in closer Jonathan Papelbon and that he didn’t get good enough offers for Cliff Lee.

“To be frank, someone would have had to bowl us over to do something on Cliff,” Amaro said. “He’s a top of the rotation (guy) who would be very difficult to replace, however much money he’s making, it’s not a money issue for us. He’s a guy that can produce, and not too many lefthanders or pitchers in the game can produce as well as he can.”

Manuel said on Tuesday that the team was a ways away from contending. When asked if he agreed, Amaro didn’t say yes or no, but provided his own analysis and provided a slightly more positive spin that the club’s manager.

“It's clear our bullpen hasn't performed,” he said. “That's been an issue for us. I wish we were better defensively. We knew that was going to be a bit of a challenge. Pitching wise, we have certain expectations at the top of the rotation. Cole has had a tough year. Some of the things have not worked out the way we wanted.

“As far as the talent is concerned, we had seven or eight All-Stars on the club. Some of the guys still here are not necessarily performing like all-stars. Some of those guys are no longer here. There has been a drop-off in the talent level. I'm not delusional to say there hasn't been. But I do believe we still have the talent level --- if we keep it on the field more consistently --- to be a contending club. It hasn't worked out.”

Manuel reiterated that he is relieved the deadline has passed.
- watsonnostaw

that guy lives in a fantasy land.

as a Mets fan, I <3 Ruben:

http://www.cbssports.com/...to-acquire-young-and-ruiz

as a Mets fan, I <3 Ruben:

http://www.cbssports.com/...to-acquire-young-and-ruiz
- bradleyc4

as a fan of the what?

Pre-2008 Phillies fans: "If they ('we' - Crims) win a World Series, I don't care if they suck after that."

Post-2008 suckage Phillies fans:

Pre-2008 Phillies fans: "If they ('we' - Crims) win a World Series, I don't care if they suck after that."

Post-2008 suckage Phillies fans:
- Flyskippy

I miss veterans stadium with 45000 empty seats

Pre-2008 Phillies fans: "If they ('we' - Crims) win a World Series, I don't care if they suck after that."

Post-2008 suckage Phillies fans:
- Flyskippy

honestly not mad

havent been to a game in 2 years and never stream any either.
they had an awesome run. 5 division titles and the only championship ive ever seen.

still blows my mind that some idiot fans hate jayson werth

I miss veterans stadium with 45000 empty seats
- watsonnostaw

I miss the little dude with the Slash hat that used to walk around the upper level. He was on a mission.

honestly not mad

havent been to a game in 2 years and never stream any either.
they had an awesome run. 5 division titles and the only championship ive ever seen.

still blows my mind that some idiot fans hate jayson werth
- Crimsoninja

You really don't get the Philly fanbase.

My post was based on the garbage I've read on Twitter and Facebook regarding the Phils. I've hidden so many people on FB, it's not funny -- because I'm related to some of them.

- AGalchenyuk27

bump

I miss veterans stadium with 45000 empty seats
- watsonnostaw

I used to make out with the wife in centerfield general admission seats...

I used to make out with the wife in centerfield general admission seats...
- Flyfreaky

that's the most romantic thing i have ever (frank)ing heard.

that's the most romantic thing i have ever (frank)ing heard.
- kicksave856

Lots of privacy...

Papelbon

Ryne Sandberg will be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays

Ryne Sandberg will be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
- watsonnostaw

Is Lee Elia available?

Ryne Sandberg will be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
- watsonnostaw

nooooo

Is Lee Elia alive?
- Flyfreaky

FTFY

FTFY
- Flyskippy

Was he when he last managed the team?

Ryne Sandberg will be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
- watsonnostaw

Ryne Sandberg will be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
- watsonnostaw

good for him.

they kind of poop the bed this season but i thought the jays were gonna be really good this season. and i am a (frank)ing genius, so they can't be that far off.

besides, it is the center of the baseball universe.

good for him.

they kind of poop the bed this season but i thought the jays were gonna be really good this season. and i am a (frank)ing genius, so they can't be that far off.

besides, it is the center of the baseball universe.
- kicksave856

I wonder if Bozak can play second base?

I wonder if Bozak can play second base?
- Flyfreaky

doesn't seem athletic enough

Phillies purchased the contract of RHP Zach Miner from Triple-A Lehigh Valley...