Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Jettison mode

Joe Blanton became the third member of the Philadelphia Phillies to switch coasts. But is there a place for Juan Pierre in Philly?

TAL’S HANDY CAPS

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Check out: Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade debate

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT: 4-2 Outcome

TYPE	PLAYER	REASON
The Crystal Champagne Toast	Kyle Kendrick	Four-Star Performance
The Penthouse	Darin Ruf Kyle Kendrick John Mayberry Jr. Jeremy Horst	Smoked A 2-RBI Triple To Open A 2-0 Lead In The 2nd During His 1 For 2 Night With An IBB Nursing A 2-Run Advantage, Punched Out Werth With A Runner At 3rd To End The 5th, & Escaped A Harper-At-3rd One-Out Jam In The 6th Fired 7 Scoreless, 4-Hit Innings Made A Superb Catch Of A Blooper In A Critical Spot During The 8th Ended The 8th-Inning Threat With A Called K On The 4-Hole Stick
House Call	Jimmy Rollins	Has A Calf Issue

Big John Beat The Tag But Not The Ball Or The Call In The 5th

NITECAP INSIGHT

Dollars And Sense:

Everybody knows that baseball is a business, but many fans fail to grasp the full scope of that. The idea is to make a profit and produce a more appealing ledger. The Phillies have revenues in the millions minus expenses, like payroll, which is why they deducted another $3M from their cost by moving Kentucky Joe. The 3 traded players were owed $9.47M in 2012 dollars, and not the AAV (Average Annual Value) figured for the competitive-balance tax. When the postseason becomes out of reach, the GM adds proceeds by subtracting expenditures: Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Blanton.

Rube Amaro’s next step is to offer opportunities for young talent in the field and on the mound. This will provide 56 games to evaluate them and coach them for future returns. After the campaign, he will search for his biggest needs, which would be third base and 2 backend relievers. He will assemble the 2013 version by April. Then, he will assess his shortcomings at the half. He won’t spend all of his budget during the off-season; he’ll set aside $5M for July 31.

Cholley Catches The Photographer During His 7th-Inning Talent Evaluation For 2013

Magic Juan, however, falls into a separate category. He has value but he isn’t a drag on the bottom line. He signed for $800K, which is less than double the minimum of $480K. He is owed $266K, which means he may be worth more here. Plus, at $1M he would be a fit to replace any injured outfielders–like Dom Brown–provide offense with a .300 average, and speed off the bench. That stated, how often does he play with LH Nate Schierholtz, LH Brown and RH John Mayberry Jr. in center? Schierholtz and Brown will occasionally patrol center, which would allow Pierre to start against right-handers when the dust settles.

Amaro will need 2 outfielders next year: Nate and Dom have the first shot to win those jobs. The others are: Mayberry, Pierre, Laynce Nix and Michael Martinez. Schierholtz is hitting second against right-handers for observational at-bats, because he is the one they know the least about. If none of them wow the brain trust, Pierre would be the leftfielder, and he is a veteran presence for the youngsters. Is he a find, like R.A. Dickey was for the Mets? That said, if two succeed, Rube will put 100% of his bank at third and in the ‘pen. You want to know what the GM will do? Watch Schierholtz, Brown and Mayberry.

Doc Kicks Into Gear On July 29 In Atlanta

PRECAP PITCH

Doc Halladay:

He continues to round into form, like he would in April. He will be limited to 110 bullets on the high end, and could eat up 7 innings.

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
3	LHP Cliff Lee	06-08, 3.12 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Edwin Jackson	09-11, 4.13 ERA	Wednesday, Day

Joe Saunders Dials Up A 4-Seam Fastball At Home On July 29 Against The Mets

Joe Saunders:

He has toiled for 6.1 frames plus in 9 of 17 efforts with 2 clunkers. And he is 1-2 with a 2.44 away ERA, which is 2.28 lower 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.

*** = Approximately equal to after plus-and-minus computation

HURLER	Doc Halladay	Ricky Nolasco
NUMBER	A One	A Five
CLUB SLOT	One	Three
FOR 2012	Short Arm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	4th of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Eephus Pitch	Split Finger
LAST HIGH OR LOW	13th of 15 Categories	4th 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

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