Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade partners

Jonathan Papelbon is the only reliever with a role on the Philadelphia Phillies.  All the other jobs are up for grabs.  Can Antonio Bastardo handle the 8th by himself, or is a deal for a right-handed compliment possible?

 

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

 

Penthouse Occupancy for the 8-3 disappointment:  1

                                              The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Cole Hamels.

He was headed for his 9th victory but then the 6th happened. That said, he is on the top floor for his base running and his fielding. He, also, had a knock. He forced the issue in the 3rd with his legs, taking 3rd and scoring on a FC.

The Warehouse featured the spikes of Shane Victorino after he beat out a ball to short for a hit in the 2nd. Hamels bare-handed a long lob to 1st, and beat Flash Gordon’s son by a whisker in the 5th. He caught the ball and found the bag simultaneously.

Rally Tal & Cap waved home 3 in the 3rd:  3 singles and a walk combined with 2 boots kicked a crooked number on the scoreboard.

The Kangaroo Courthouse deliberated the case of Ty Wigginton for consecutive errors in the 4th. A 10-pitch 4th then required 23 bullets instead.

 

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: Targeted player

 

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

 

 

The Also-Rans:

 

The title refers to teams that already are out of the race for even a 2nd wild card. Three clubs have achieved that already:  San Diego, Chicago (NL) and Minnesota.  This is where a swap is likely to fill a hole from the outside.  Chad Qualls runs hot and cold, which isn’t good for the 8th inning; Bastardo is at 80% of 2011. Jose Contreras was perfect because he could be trusted with the crucial frame. Plus, he could close, if needed.

 

There are inexpensive wings on basically out-of-it teams, but there is no reason to move them, like a salary dump. Shawn Camp (Cubs), Ryan Cook (A’s), Tom Wilhelmsen (Mariners) and Jared Burton (Twins) have good stats, short resumes and minimum-type pay. Their franchises are done or nearly out of the 2nd WC standings in the games-behind column:  Chicago (13), Oakland (6), Seattle (6.5) and Minnesota (9).

Matt Belisle is signed for 2012-13 with a $4.125M AAV (Average Annual Value). If the Rox want to shed dollars, Belisle would be a candidate. Luke Gregerson is inked for $1.55M this summer, and would save the Pads about $1M. However, he is on the verge of bigger arbitration money. Brandon Lyon is on a payroll-pruning organization with a $5M AAV, which is $2.9M for 3.5 months. This is what Rube Amaro sees just under the surface, but he can go much deeper.

 

OUT = Games behind the 2nd WC

Appearances are broken into good, adequate and poor.

 

PITCHER	ERA	GOOD	OKAY	BAD	TEAM	OUT
Brandon Lyon	2.79	21	2	8	Astros	08.5
Luke Gregerson	3.78	19	8	8	Padres	13.0
Matt Belisle	2.03	24	5	8	Rockies	11.0
Aaron Crow	2.70	21	9	6	Royals	07.0
Tom Wilhelmsen	2.77	23	4	8	Mariners	10.0
Brandon League	3.69	21	4	7	Mariners	10.0

 

 

 

 

 

When the red pinstripes field their full squad, they are in the conversation. Fresh legs on some aging stars and better luck could alter the outcome. That said, the 8th-inning problem won’t solve itself. Losing and winning streaks will alternate and the wounded warriors will return. The second half will outshine April to July, but–baring a major in-house surprise–Rube will acquire a backend right arm.

 

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

 

 

Joe Blanton:

 

Last time out he was solid for 6 frames, ran into misfortune, and he ended up with a clunker due to his 7th inning.  Hopefully, the mechanical problem was fixed at that time, but the relief corps won’t allow him the luxury of only 18 outs.

 

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	RHP Vance Worley	4-4, 2.92 ERA	@ Mets	LHP Jon Niese	6-3, 3.55 ERA	Tuesday, Night
2	LHP Cliff Lee	0-5, 4.13 ERA	@ Mets	RHP Chris Young	2-1, 3.30 ERA	Wednesday, Day
3	LHP Cole Hamels	10-4, 3.08 ERA	@ Mets	RHP R.A. Dickey	12-1, 2.15 ERA	Thursday, Night

 

 

 

Jake Arrieta:

He is their one, which is based on seniority.  There is a rookie, a Colorado castoff and a hurler with a half year on the books.  Areeta is 1-4 with a 6.43 ERA at home.  He has lasted 6.1 frames or more in 6 of 12 attempts with 7 monstrosities.

 

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.

 

 

HURLER	Joe Blanton	Ian Kennedy
NUMBER	A Four	A Three
CLUB SLOT	Five	One
FOR 2012	Short Arm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	4th of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Split Finger	Sinker
LAST HIGH OR LOW	4th of 15 Categories	6th of 15 Categories

 

 

DISPLAY NOTE:  Non-listed results can go up or down by

* 1 notch & ** 2 clicks (This note will only appear when it’s relevant.)

* 1 Tick DOWN

 

 

	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