Jody Mac
05-09-2011, 03:05 PM
After losing their first NL East series this year, one might think the Phillies outlook might not be that bright. Well, it's not all that dark either. Assistance is on the way and Ruben Amaro doesn't have to engage in any trade talks to see the arrivals. A little health could go a long way and the Phils are in for a battery recharge. Out on the hill, Joe Blanton returns tonight against the Marlins. Do I think he's going to come back and make everyone think he's Halladay-esque? No. But he should be able to shrink his 5.92 ERA. He can help them on the hill at first, and if he is throwing well and winning games, he becomes a very viable chip as we close in on the July 31st trade deadline. His postseason experience and success should be inviting to teams in need of a veteran starter trying to make a playoff run. What's left of his 8.5 million dollar salary for this year and next will have to be negotiated. The more the Phils kick in, the higher quality of their return. He should help to add an outfield bat if that's what the Phils need come July.
Carlos Ruiz should be back by the weekend. After a red hot start, Chooch was struggling at the bat mightily before he went down. Brian Schneider has held his own as you would expect a backup to do. Dane Sardinha is a fringe Major Leaguer. For both his bat and comfort zone with the pitchers, the Phils will get better the day Ruiz goes back behind the plate.
The Phils have gotten by without Roy Oswalt who has missed time for a couple of reasons. Right now it's because of a back problem. Backs can be tricky and worrisome things. Oswalt says he will be fine shortly and that it’s not a big thing. For now, we have to take his word for it. In the mean time, if Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick continue to do what they've done in their cameo starts, Oswalt can take his time and be sure he's right before he returns.
The Phillie bullpen has been pretty darn solid all year. Madson, Bastardo, Romero, Kendrick and newly added Michael Stutes have been very reliable coming out of the pen. Jose Contreras is getting closer to a return and Brad Lidge is actually ahead of schedule on his return. When they are back in uniform, the Phils may have an excess of riches and may be able to use bullpen depth in potential in-season deals.
Perhaps the biggest re-addition of all is coming in the infield. Charlie Manuel gave us all a little indirect advanced notice that Chase Utley was getting closer to a comeback. When Manuel threw Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot, I thought it was more than just the stated purpose of getting his two fastest guys back into the 1-2 holes. Then, low and hold, Chase Utley is heading off to sunny FLA for the start of his much anticipated rehab. Why not get a jump on your lineup juggling with your number three hitter making his triumphant return in the near future. Now I don't know what 5 for 7 means against kids in an extended spring training setting, but it can't be a bad thing. Chase is now no longer closer-than-he-may appear-in-the-side view mirror. We may actually see him in the lineup before the end of the month. Wilson Valdez has not hurt the Phillies in Utley's absence, but he is Wilson Valdez. Don't overdo it down there in Clearwater Chase. Six Weeks, eight weeks, what's the difference? Now six months, that's another story!
Interesting week coming up for the Phils. Three in Florida (stay over on the west coast Chase) against the surprising Marlins (Halladay vs. Josh Johnson Tuesday is must watch TV) and then a weekend rematch against the Braves in Atlanta. Playing .666 ball over the first 33 games is not too shabby. Prorate that out and you are looking at 108 wins. That should be sufficient for another NL East title.
While the short and long term future of the Phillies looks rosie, the same cannot be said about the Flyers. To say the Boston Bruins abstracted revenge against the orange and black would be a massive understatement. They were swept, dismissed and embarrassed. They were dominated in every phase of the game a hockey team can be dominated. The returning Flyers from last year's rallying squad were intense-less. Holmgren's acquisition of Versteeg never quite worked out. The Russian roulette played by the coach in goal (no intended Bobrovsky reference) failed miserably. Now, no one stepped up between the pipes to save his coach the embarrassing results, but the musical chairs routine was an abject failure. After a beat down like this, an organization has to be careful not to overreact. But just as important is not to under-react. Changes.. they are acoming!!
The Flyers will not return with the same three headed monster in goal. Bobrovsky will be part of next year's tandem. Who will be his veteran counterpart? The names of Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix) Jonathan Bernier (Los Angeles) and Cory Schneider have been kicked around for potential acquisition. Let me add another name to the mix. The Islanders shipped out a veteran goalie in-season who has now helped the Tampa Bay Lightning into hockey's final four. Dwayne Roloson found the fountain of youth down in Tampa. Well the Islanders again have an ancient net minder that they are willing to part with. Evgeni Nabokov never put on the Gorton's Fisherman outfit after he was claimed from the Red Wings late last season, nor will he ever. He is very much available in trade however. He has plenty of Stanley Cup experience from his years in San Jose. While never winning the Cup he has been an All Star level goalie. He would jump at the chance to play for a team that had a legitimate shot at a championship and despite the Fly boys awful showing against Boston, they still fall into that category. Dueling Russian netminders between the pipes for the Flyers next year, one younger pupil, one steady veteran teacher? Stranger things have happened and being Cup-less for 35 years can make for strange happenings.
Although what happened to the Los Angeles Lakers is eerily similar to what transpired to the Flyers, at least the Flyers embarrassed themselves with their play, not with their decorum. In their Game 4 roll over and die performance, LA showed such a lack of class that anyone in possession of Lakers paraphernalia should hide it in their closet for the entire offseason. Both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum should be fined, suspended, and tarred and feathered for their actions. They will have to live with their actions for the rest of their careers. I just hope that none of their stench sticks to their coach. The four game sweep is forever attached to Phil Jackson's record. It cannot and should not be erased. Perhaps a couple of his players believed they could act like idiots and punks because their coach is walking away from the game. It doesn't matter; the greatest coach in NBA history should not have to finish up his Hall of Fame career this way. Big Chief triangle says he's walking off the NBA reservation for good this time, I'll take him at his word. Believe that several league GM’s will try and talk him out of it, if not immediately, than going into the 2012-2013 season. Although I don't think Phil is a Philly kind of guy so it probably wouldn't happen anyway, isn't it a little ironic that the greatest coach of all-time becomes available, and the Sixers don't really need a new coach? This availability couldn't pop up during the Doug Moe, John Lucas, Randy Ayers, Chris Ford, Tony DiLeo or Eddie Jordon eras??
We may see some movement or changes coming through the court rooms this week as to the NFL lockout situation. There is the possibility that the league may be forced to open its doors for business again, including free agent signings and trade possibilities. There is some scuttlebutt from anonymous agents that teams are tampering by talking to undrafted free agent players. Some squads are chomping at the bit to get back to the business of football. Are the Eagles among them? We may be able to find out in short order. Several media reports indicated this week that the ground work for a Kevin Kolb trade has been well laid. Peter King says Andy Reid has a first round 2012 first round pick in his back pocket from an NFC West team if he wants to ship Kolb there. Adam Schefter says the Arizona Cardinals are dying to get their hands on Kolb, although those who speculate the Cardinals may have selected former LSU standout corner Patrick Peterson with the purpose of sending him to Philly are over stepping their boundaries. Doesn't mean it can't eventually work out that way, as unintended as it may have been at the time. Let's expand the deal a little. Eagles ship Kolb and their third round choice corner Curtis March to Arizona for Patterson and their second year backup QB John Skelton. Skelton was a 2010 draftee out of Fordham in the fifth round. He did some nice things for the Cards coming off their bench last year. He also looked like a wet behind the ears rookie who was force-fed into the Arizona lineup before he was ready. The potential is there and he could sit behind Mike Vick and even Mike Kafka here in Philly. If a trade along these lines comes down shortly after the NFL lockout is lifted, we'll know Andy Reid was doing more than just picking out his draft day Hawaiian look the last month or so!!
Here's a good news bad news scenario for you. I fully intended to file a special non-Monday Jody Mc Sports Attack this past week to give you my thoughts on the Kentucky Derby. Shamefully, I forgot. MY bad!! That's the bad news. The good news is, I forgot. Because my selections and pre-race insights left a little to be desired. My selection, Master of Hounds got away from the gate much too slowly, languished behind horses for most of the race and made a belated effort to finish a respectable but not good enough 5th. The horse I liked to finish 2nd, Much Macho Man, ran a very good race and came up just a head short of finishing in that place position. My 3rd section, Soldat was a no excuse, up the track finisher. My 4th place selection, Shackleford finished right there, in 4th place. At least I got something right. Many Mac Man tickets were trashed not cashed. Be thankful for my forgetfulness. For those of you who did see my selections on either my Facebook page or my twitter account (@jodymacman) my apologizes. Undaunted by my lack of crystal ball Derby success, I will attempt to project the outcome of the Preakness in advance and will send a bonus "Attack" in late next week. Follow at your own fiscal risk!!
Carlos Ruiz should be back by the weekend. After a red hot start, Chooch was struggling at the bat mightily before he went down. Brian Schneider has held his own as you would expect a backup to do. Dane Sardinha is a fringe Major Leaguer. For both his bat and comfort zone with the pitchers, the Phils will get better the day Ruiz goes back behind the plate.
The Phils have gotten by without Roy Oswalt who has missed time for a couple of reasons. Right now it's because of a back problem. Backs can be tricky and worrisome things. Oswalt says he will be fine shortly and that it’s not a big thing. For now, we have to take his word for it. In the mean time, if Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick continue to do what they've done in their cameo starts, Oswalt can take his time and be sure he's right before he returns.
The Phillie bullpen has been pretty darn solid all year. Madson, Bastardo, Romero, Kendrick and newly added Michael Stutes have been very reliable coming out of the pen. Jose Contreras is getting closer to a return and Brad Lidge is actually ahead of schedule on his return. When they are back in uniform, the Phils may have an excess of riches and may be able to use bullpen depth in potential in-season deals.
Perhaps the biggest re-addition of all is coming in the infield. Charlie Manuel gave us all a little indirect advanced notice that Chase Utley was getting closer to a comeback. When Manuel threw Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot, I thought it was more than just the stated purpose of getting his two fastest guys back into the 1-2 holes. Then, low and hold, Chase Utley is heading off to sunny FLA for the start of his much anticipated rehab. Why not get a jump on your lineup juggling with your number three hitter making his triumphant return in the near future. Now I don't know what 5 for 7 means against kids in an extended spring training setting, but it can't be a bad thing. Chase is now no longer closer-than-he-may appear-in-the-side view mirror. We may actually see him in the lineup before the end of the month. Wilson Valdez has not hurt the Phillies in Utley's absence, but he is Wilson Valdez. Don't overdo it down there in Clearwater Chase. Six Weeks, eight weeks, what's the difference? Now six months, that's another story!
Interesting week coming up for the Phils. Three in Florida (stay over on the west coast Chase) against the surprising Marlins (Halladay vs. Josh Johnson Tuesday is must watch TV) and then a weekend rematch against the Braves in Atlanta. Playing .666 ball over the first 33 games is not too shabby. Prorate that out and you are looking at 108 wins. That should be sufficient for another NL East title.
While the short and long term future of the Phillies looks rosie, the same cannot be said about the Flyers. To say the Boston Bruins abstracted revenge against the orange and black would be a massive understatement. They were swept, dismissed and embarrassed. They were dominated in every phase of the game a hockey team can be dominated. The returning Flyers from last year's rallying squad were intense-less. Holmgren's acquisition of Versteeg never quite worked out. The Russian roulette played by the coach in goal (no intended Bobrovsky reference) failed miserably. Now, no one stepped up between the pipes to save his coach the embarrassing results, but the musical chairs routine was an abject failure. After a beat down like this, an organization has to be careful not to overreact. But just as important is not to under-react. Changes.. they are acoming!!
The Flyers will not return with the same three headed monster in goal. Bobrovsky will be part of next year's tandem. Who will be his veteran counterpart? The names of Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix) Jonathan Bernier (Los Angeles) and Cory Schneider have been kicked around for potential acquisition. Let me add another name to the mix. The Islanders shipped out a veteran goalie in-season who has now helped the Tampa Bay Lightning into hockey's final four. Dwayne Roloson found the fountain of youth down in Tampa. Well the Islanders again have an ancient net minder that they are willing to part with. Evgeni Nabokov never put on the Gorton's Fisherman outfit after he was claimed from the Red Wings late last season, nor will he ever. He is very much available in trade however. He has plenty of Stanley Cup experience from his years in San Jose. While never winning the Cup he has been an All Star level goalie. He would jump at the chance to play for a team that had a legitimate shot at a championship and despite the Fly boys awful showing against Boston, they still fall into that category. Dueling Russian netminders between the pipes for the Flyers next year, one younger pupil, one steady veteran teacher? Stranger things have happened and being Cup-less for 35 years can make for strange happenings.
Although what happened to the Los Angeles Lakers is eerily similar to what transpired to the Flyers, at least the Flyers embarrassed themselves with their play, not with their decorum. In their Game 4 roll over and die performance, LA showed such a lack of class that anyone in possession of Lakers paraphernalia should hide it in their closet for the entire offseason. Both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum should be fined, suspended, and tarred and feathered for their actions. They will have to live with their actions for the rest of their careers. I just hope that none of their stench sticks to their coach. The four game sweep is forever attached to Phil Jackson's record. It cannot and should not be erased. Perhaps a couple of his players believed they could act like idiots and punks because their coach is walking away from the game. It doesn't matter; the greatest coach in NBA history should not have to finish up his Hall of Fame career this way. Big Chief triangle says he's walking off the NBA reservation for good this time, I'll take him at his word. Believe that several league GM’s will try and talk him out of it, if not immediately, than going into the 2012-2013 season. Although I don't think Phil is a Philly kind of guy so it probably wouldn't happen anyway, isn't it a little ironic that the greatest coach of all-time becomes available, and the Sixers don't really need a new coach? This availability couldn't pop up during the Doug Moe, John Lucas, Randy Ayers, Chris Ford, Tony DiLeo or Eddie Jordon eras??
We may see some movement or changes coming through the court rooms this week as to the NFL lockout situation. There is the possibility that the league may be forced to open its doors for business again, including free agent signings and trade possibilities. There is some scuttlebutt from anonymous agents that teams are tampering by talking to undrafted free agent players. Some squads are chomping at the bit to get back to the business of football. Are the Eagles among them? We may be able to find out in short order. Several media reports indicated this week that the ground work for a Kevin Kolb trade has been well laid. Peter King says Andy Reid has a first round 2012 first round pick in his back pocket from an NFC West team if he wants to ship Kolb there. Adam Schefter says the Arizona Cardinals are dying to get their hands on Kolb, although those who speculate the Cardinals may have selected former LSU standout corner Patrick Peterson with the purpose of sending him to Philly are over stepping their boundaries. Doesn't mean it can't eventually work out that way, as unintended as it may have been at the time. Let's expand the deal a little. Eagles ship Kolb and their third round choice corner Curtis March to Arizona for Patterson and their second year backup QB John Skelton. Skelton was a 2010 draftee out of Fordham in the fifth round. He did some nice things for the Cards coming off their bench last year. He also looked like a wet behind the ears rookie who was force-fed into the Arizona lineup before he was ready. The potential is there and he could sit behind Mike Vick and even Mike Kafka here in Philly. If a trade along these lines comes down shortly after the NFL lockout is lifted, we'll know Andy Reid was doing more than just picking out his draft day Hawaiian look the last month or so!!
Here's a good news bad news scenario for you. I fully intended to file a special non-Monday Jody Mc Sports Attack this past week to give you my thoughts on the Kentucky Derby. Shamefully, I forgot. MY bad!! That's the bad news. The good news is, I forgot. Because my selections and pre-race insights left a little to be desired. My selection, Master of Hounds got away from the gate much too slowly, languished behind horses for most of the race and made a belated effort to finish a respectable but not good enough 5th. The horse I liked to finish 2nd, Much Macho Man, ran a very good race and came up just a head short of finishing in that place position. My 3rd section, Soldat was a no excuse, up the track finisher. My 4th place selection, Shackleford finished right there, in 4th place. At least I got something right. Many Mac Man tickets were trashed not cashed. Be thankful for my forgetfulness. For those of you who did see my selections on either my Facebook page or my twitter account (@jodymacman) my apologizes. Undaunted by my lack of crystal ball Derby success, I will attempt to project the outcome of the Preakness in advance and will send a bonus "Attack" in late next week. Follow at your own fiscal risk!!