Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade winds

Ryan Howard will begin extended spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. He and Chase Utley will be in the lineup, but he won’t be running out his at-bats. The loss of the 2 infielders and Doc Halladay are heavy-conversation items, but missing Jose Contreras also is having an immediate impact.

 

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

 

Penthouse Occupancy for the 2-1 outcome:  1

                                              The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Cliff Lee.

He had a SO 2-hitter when he entered the 8th with 12 punch outs, and he also had a fielding gem.

Greenhouse Cholley had 3 visitors in the 1st:  Jimmy Rollins doubled, Juan Pierre stroked a sac fly, and Hunter Pence singled him home.

Freddy Galvis was a robbery victim in the 7th on a bunt-hit attempt, which earned him the Big House Key to lockup the thief.

The Leather Warehouse experienced tremors in the 8th. Lee fielded a bunt and cut down a man at 3rd. Pence nailed a runner at 3rd when he tried to take 2 bases on a single.

 

The Gashouse Gang featured another starter who went 1 inning too long. The General Lee was on empty and his mistakes led to 4 of his 6 knocks allowed. That’s why Rube Amaro needs a quality 8th-frame reliever to pair with Antonio Bastardo.

A House Call was ordered for Polly Polanco after he was spiked on his glove hand in the 8th.

 

WELCOME, NEWCOMERS:

I will publish after every battle that is not washed out. The Phillies finished last summer 42 games over .500, which equaled a year of many positives. I will have many season-long highlights of puzzle pieces, especially important after drubbings and defeats.

 

Check out Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade deliberations

 

SPECIAL REQUEST:

If you were directed here by a feed and this review does not mention yesterday’s contest, please go to my author archives or Phillies page for my most recent coverage. (Early morning readers may arrive before the latest post.) Scroll down to Tal’s Handy Links at the bottom. Thank you.

 

 

 

NITECAP INSIGHT

 

 

Potential Targets:

 

This is the 3rd in a series of an unknown number. Joe Blanton had 6 excellent innings and was clobbered in the 7th. Cliff produced 7 sterling frames before the wheels fell off in the 8th. This is where Contreras was beginning to cover 3 outs. The return of two big offensive weapons will help, but Amaro has his hands tied with adding another complimentary stick, like Hunter. That said, he has the money and the chips for a decent 8th-frame wing.

 

With 3 tiers during the postseason and 2 wild cards, most organizations won’t deal that guy for a work-in-progress prospect. According to the WC standings, the prime franchises would be the Pads, Cubs and Twins. Seattle (7 back), Oakland (7 out) and Colorado (6.5 behind) are At the fringe for 1 playoff game.  On these teams there are known commodities, like Grant Balfour and Rafael Betancourt. Both are closing, the asking price would be expensive, those GM’s will want to hold out for the best offer, and they are more than the Phils need.

There are many variables to distort the numbers. The Friers, A’s, Mariners, and Twinkies play in big stadiums, while the Rox use a humidor to compensate for the thin air. Wrigley Field is a whole story unto itself. Plus, there is the health factor, the splits, and what innings the reliever works in. My first glance at the rosters and stats of these 6 clubs didn’t reveal any diamonds on the surface. However, there are a few interesting characters I have to research. My effort is like using a stone knife, when I compare it to Rube’s laser scalpel.

 

 

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

 

 

Kyle Kendrick:

 

Since he settled into only 1 role, he has been a solid fill-in for the rotation. He is 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA as a starter, which includes a short-notice 1st outing. Without that only monstrosity, he is 2-2 with a 1.88 ERA. He has gone 7 full or more in 2 of 7 opportunities.

 

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	LHP Cliff Lee	1-6, 3.72 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Stephen Strasburg	11-4, 2.76 ERA	Tuesday, Night
2	RHP Vance Worley	5-6, 3.88 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Edwin Jackson	6-6, 3.52 ERA	Wednesday, Night
3	LHP Cole Hamels	11-5, 3.31 ERA	@ Nats	LHP Ross Detwiler	5-4, 3.24 ERA	Thursday, Night

 

 

Chris Capuano:

 

He is a soft-tossing lefty who revived his career in 2011 after injuries. He has lasted 6.1 innings plus in 6 of 11 tries with 2 clunkers. However, he is 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 6 away efforts, logging 2.1 frames more on the road than at home.

 

DELIVERY = PITCHER’S 2012	DEFINITION OF SEASON
Over The Top	Excellent
3-Quarter Sidearm	Good
Sidearm	Above Average
Short Arm	Approximately Average
Submarine	Below Average

 

 

Quality number of the pitcher:  1 – 5

Slot on his club:  1 – 5

Ranking is 1 to 5 & 15 for the less adventurous.

* As a starter

 

 

HURLER	Kyle Kendrick	John Lannan
NUMBER	A Five	A Five
CLUB SLOT	Four	Five
FOR 2012	Sidearm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	3rd of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Eephus Pitch	Slurve ***
LAST HIGH OR LOW	13th of 15 Categories	9th of 15 Categories

 

 

	PITCH	INN	ER - R- H		PITCH	INN	ER
1	Gyroball	9 (CG)	0 - 0 - 3	10	Screwball	6	4
2	Fastball	9 (CG)	0 - 0	11	Knuckleball	5	3
3	Cutter	9 (CG)	3	12	Forkball	0 - 4.2	Monstrosity
4	Split Finger	7	2	13	Eephus Pitch	0 - 2.2	Disaster
5	Curveball	7	3	14	*Palm Ball	Ejected
6	Sinker	6.1	3	15	*Spit Ball	**Ejected+
7	Slider	6	2		*Breaking Ball	Injured
8	Changeup	6	3		*Fosh	Rain Interrupted
9	Slurve	5	2		*Knuckle Curve	Pitch Count
	** = Suspended				* = A 2nd Pitch Also