I'm Just Saying….2010 NLCS Edition

Random rants, thoughts, and observations.

• Has Pat Burrell officially worn out his welcome in Philadelphia with his expletive-laced rant directed towards new hometown hero Roy Halladay in Game 5? It was especially odd to see Burrell complaining about a strike call since it has appeared all series that he had incriminating photographs of the home plate umpires. How many times has he taken what appeared to be strikes and then confidently trotted down to first instead of back to the dugout? And, his big double in Game 1 never should have happened since he was already out on strikes— at least once in that at bat. 
• What happened to last year's NLCS batting hero Ryan Howard? He is too good to have zero home runs or RBI in the 2010 postseason. It makes you think of what the late Richie Ashburn used to say, "Somebody's going to pay."
• Along the same lines, it stands to reason that Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins are ready to bust out along with Howard. It has to happen sooner or later, doesn't it? J Roll has surely been flirting with it. 
• Was Tim Lincecum the artist with lady hair on all those commercials UPS used to run? If not, maybe it was his dad.
• Speaking of Lincecum and Burrell, did their classless trash talking tirades in Game 5 ignite a spark within the Phillies clubhouse?
• The Texas Rangers ALCS clinching win last night sets up the potential storybook script that would have World Series TV ratings skyrocketing should the Phillies advance. It doesn't get any better than a Cliff Lee versus Roy Halladay opener. Now, the Phillies just need to win a couple games and Halladay needs to make a quick recovery.  
• Can umpires fall into a team slump? It appears that way considering the work of the NLCS crew
  thus far. Jeff Nelson blew a clear balk call and Ross Gload being safe to start the ninth in Game
  4. Last night, the Phillies averted disaster when Sandoval missed third base after Nelson
  erroneously called Halladay's bunt fair. Derryl Cousins offered up a coffee can-sized strike zone
  in Game 1 and Wally Bell had the treacherous "Whack-A-Mole" zone in Game 4. 
• Phillies fans need to be prepared to unleash their best Burt Hooton/CC Sabathia greeting when Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound tonight. The young lefty has enjoyed a breakout season, but has had considerable difficulty settling in during the opening frame. A deafening, anxiety inducing environment might prime the pump.  
• Regardless of his stats and success, I wonder if Giants closer Brian "Fear the Beard" Wilson's act makes Phillies fans appreciate Brad Lidge that much more? Wilson seems to work extra hard at being bizarre. 
• The Phillies deserve credit for not over-reacting and staying focused with the plethora of balls thrown at hitters by the Giants pitching staff. A number have connected with various body parts while many more have been aimed squarely at batter's heads. Matt Cain displayed pin point control when he wasn't aiming fastballs at the head or other body parts of Phillies batters. Lincecum seemed to take a page out of Cain's playbook with some similar headhunting tactics in Game 5. Winning is the only priority for the Phillies, but it might be nice to see some Giants similarly eat some dirt along the way. 
• Considering Cain's tactics in Game 3 and his previous lack of success against them, the Phillies would surely welcome the opportunity for some sweet revenge against him in a Game 7. 
• Although he has gotten better, Fox broadcaster and former Steve Carlton caddy Tim McCarver still seems intent on making every telecast into a Little League instructional clinic. 
• It would be interesting to be at the Yankees spring training next year when Cliff Lee sees Steve Swisher for the first time.
• Jose Contreras has been a great bargain basement pickup for the Phillies this season. Besides "The Big Three," Contreras and Madson evoke the most confidence when I see them take the mound. Any takers for Danys Baez so the Phils could afford to resign the hulking Cuban right-hander?
• To his credit, Baez has put aside any personal disappointment of not being included on the postseason roster and remained a positive influence in the clubhouse. If he remains on the club next season, perhaps this year's experience will further motivate him to harness his greater potential. 
• Will Bruce Bochy elect to return Pablo Sandoval to the bench after his shaky performance in the field? That would be fine with me as, despite a down year, he is still one of the Giants scariest hitters. 
• Who would have known that an aspiring rodeo clown could create so much anxiety for an entire city? 
• Thursday night, Jayson Werth clubbed his 13th home run in 43 postseason games, including 7 last season. He also gunned down Codeo Ross at third base to deflate a potential rally. Letting him walk via free agency would leave a very large hole in right field  and from the right-side in the lineup. The Phillies need to find a way to keep him…I'm just saying. 

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro's Offseason Signings Deserve Kudos

After the Philadelphia Phillies fell just short of repeating as World Series Champions, GM Ruben Amaro spent the offseason actively reshaping the club.

Of course, the biggest news involved the tandem trades of Cy Young hurlers Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. Beyond that, Amaro used the free agent talent pool to land a new regular third baseman and essentially perform a make-over on both his bullpen and bench.

The Phillies GM wasted little time when he inked Placido Polanco to replace Pedro Feliz at the hot corner. The deal came with some fan fare as it brought back a player who had been traded away when the team made a commitment to build around Chase Utley at second base.

Polanco remained in Phillies fans' consciousness during his five seasons in Detroit by hitting .311 and winning a pair of Gold Gloves at second base. This time around, Amaro decided that they could make room for baseball's best second sacker in Utley and Polanco by sliding the free agent over to third.

The move appears to be a winner. Polanco has quickly settled into his new position and looks right at home. He has also generated the additional offensive production Amaro was seeking— hitting .274 with 4 HR's and 16 RBI's after 28 games.

The other signings were not front page worthy news, but overall appear to have been astute decisions. And, with the wide array of injuries the Phillies have experienced thus far in 2010, the improved depth is making a positive impact.

Before pulling up lame with a strained hamstring last evening, Juan Castro has had ample opportunity to show why Amaro wanted him. He is a clear improvement at the plate and in the field over Eric Bruntlett.

Castro has filled in nicely for the injured Jimmy Rollins— displaying some flashy leather work and surprising pop in his bat. Amaro even had the foresight to stockpile talent by signing Wilson Valdez, who has proven to be a capable backup as well.

Ross Gload is one of the better left-handed pinch hitters in baseball. And, Brian Schneider is one of the league's top backup backstops.

From a financial perspective, the biggest free agent acquisition in the pitching department was right handed reliever Danys Baez. Thus far, the former closer has displayed closer stuff with journeyman command.

The most impactful bullpen addition, though, appears to be veteran Jose Contreras. After several mediocre years as a starter, the Colorado Rockies moved him into a relief role late last season.

Apparently Contreras caught the Phillies attention enough for them to take a shot on him— and it appears they nailed it. The big righty still throws gas and has a truly nasty splitter. In 14.2 innings of work, Contreras has a 1.04 ERA with 14 K's and zero walks.

The performance of Brad Lidge since returning to the big club has been encouraging. Should he falter; however, Contreras and his high 90's splitter appear to be a great backup plan.

During the winter, news of signing players such as Castro, Gload, Schneider, Valdez and Contreras didn't exactly light up the sports radio airwaves or blogoshere.

But, a month into the season, it sure looks like kudos are in order for Ruben Amaro. Oh, yeah, and although it wasn't via free agency— the acquisition of Roy Halladay looks pretty special, too.

The Philadelphia Phillies 5 Keys to the 2010 Season

Part 1 of a 5 Part Series

As the Philadelphia Phillies come together in the warm Clearwater sunshine to begin preparation for the long journey of another major league baseball season, keen focus will be placed on some aspects of the team more so than others. Although history and human nature teaches us that nothing should be taken for granted, that wisdom does not apply equally across the board.

Each season is a new chapter that brings a series of new issues and unanswered questions that will undoubtedly be instrumental to the fortunes of the team. Surely new story lines will emerge as the season unfolds, but as the team looks over the hood with 99% of the journey still in front of them, a handful of matters get the spotlight as having particular import in the quest for another World Championship.

The Phillies are in the midst of one of, if not the greatest, period of prosperity in team history. The magical and cathartic 2008 World Series Championship season along with another terrific run to repeat last year that fell just short serve as strong testimony.

But, the normal process of addressing perceived weaknesses combined with the economic complexities of the current era of the sport bring about inevitable changes. Certainly the defending National League Champs are not immune, nor chose to remain static, as they venture to take another triumphant trip or two down Broad Street come November.

In just a few months since last year's journey ended in disappointment on that cold Bronx night, many events have occurred and many players have shuffled in and out. The biggest news, of course, involved the surprising switch of Cy Young pitchers at the top of the team's rotation.

The Philadelphia media, fans and players alike will most assuredly maintain a keen watch on and contrast the performances of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee throughout the season, but success or failure for the Phillies in 2010 will more likely revolve around other areas of the club.

Today, I begin a five part series highlighting the five keys to the Phillies 2010 season. Although an unforeseen injury or an off year by one of the team's core players could have significant impact on the season, those occurrences are largely unpredictable and accordingly not anticipated.

Key No. 1– The Fifth Starter in the Rotation

The hope (and perhaps necessity for another World Series run) is that inserting Roy Halladay at the top of the Phillies rotation will result in at least 18 wins, but ideally 20-22 victories. Barring some freak of nature, the former Cy Young Award winner's track record suggests that this is a likely scenario.

Penciling Halladay's name in at the top of the rotation provides a great deal of comfort to Manager Charlie Manuel, but what keeps him up at night is the spot on the opposite end of the starting staff.

With Pedro Martinez still a free agent seeking a new home, and Jamie Moyer coming off a sub-par season that ended with three separate surgeries, the fifth spot in the rotation is a source of angst. Throw into the mix the Kyle Kendrick conundrum and you have the potential for multiple Maalox moments throughout the season.

As much as Halladay is a sure thing, the other end of the pitching quintet is currently one large question mark. And, with the minor league cupboard currently a little bit bare, the fall back provisions are somewhat limited in regard to finding a replacement within the organization or via trade.

The front runner is currently Moyer by virtue of his $8 million salary and the view that he is not ideally suited for the bullpen. Also in his favor is his 47-31 record in a Phillies uniform over the past three plus seasons.

The good news is that Moyer is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation efforts and is already in camp.

The bad news is it remains to be seen whether his surgically repaired body can withstand the rigors of another major league season at the advanced age of 47. Additionally, his fastball routinely clocked in at 82 mph– before going down with a torn groin muscle.

Moyer has made a living, particularly in his twilight years, of skating the fine line of future retirement through guile and precision. Would losing a couple miles per hour on his pitches or an ever so slight alteration in his mechanics tip the scales toward the Adam Eaton end of the pitching effectiveness spectrum?

The next potential option is Kyle Kendrick, who came out of nowhere to have some early success with the big club in 2007 and 2008, but was exiled to the pen and later the minor's after beginning to falter in his second season. The Phillies brass felt that it was a matter of the league catching up to his limited repertoire of pitches.

During last year's all expense paid trip to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Kendrick worked diligently on adding a change-up, improving his slider and getting more bite on his cutter. Based on the empirical data and the assessment of Phillies coaches- mission accomplished.

This is not to say that he is the answer for the fifth slot, but there is a great deal more optimism about his ability to compete at the major league level. Surely the decision to add Kendrick to the NLDS roster was a good indicator, and letting Pedro walk was another.

A factor in the decision might relate to the cozy dimensions of Citizen's Bank Park, where Kendrick's sinker is a good fit. Conversely, Moyer soft tosses can often have hometown onlookers holding their breath against hitters with some pop.

Another potential candidate is recently signed Jose Contreras, but he would not seem to be the answer. He is several years removed from a couple good campaigns and has mostly had a high ERA a starter. What seemed to spark Ruben Amaro's interest in signing him anyway was his work out of the bullpen at the end of last season.

As great as it will be to have Halladay taking the ball every fifth day when the regular season gets underway, the ball will be given almost an equal amount of times to someone occupying the bottom spot.

The first four members in the rotation are pretty much set in stone– Halladay, Hamels, Blanton and Happ. But still, the team needs a solid contribution for the pitcher that completes the set to win an improved NL East and make another trip to the postseason.

Best case scenario is Moyer finding his 2008 groove and/or Kendrick proving Phillies coaches right that he now has the well rounded stuff to keep major league hitters on their heels. Worst case scenario is a bullpen taxing, record deflating pitching adventure every fifth day.