Okay, I know it's not quite 2K5 but it's close enough, plus I need to vent. Hence, "impending disaster" (subject to change, of course).

Today's news items regard the impending trade with the Yankees to get Kenny Lofton. Quoth the Phila. Daily News:

Are they out of their minds? Lofton is old. His on-base percentage isn't much better than last year's centerfielders. This is stupid. I'd take either Podsednik or Freel in a heartbeat.

If it goes as expected they'd be trading Felix Rodriguez to get Lofton, thus weakening their bullpen and likely keeping Ryan Madson there instead of the expected ascent to the starting rotation. Which would be fine, except that the starting pitcher free agents aren't going to be signed by the Phils unless they're cheap and won't require draft pick compensation. Meaning, fat old David Wells is the only real possibility.

On another front, it's also expected that the Phils will sign Sandy Alomar Jr. to be the backup catcher, as they apparently don't want Todd Pratt anymore. This would be a Charlie Manuel move, since he has a history with Alomar from Cleveland.

And oh yes, after just one year in the new park and even though they're not adding to the payroll, they've already raised ticket prices in about 25 percent of the seating sections (though not mine, fortunately).

On the bright side, they had a special merchandise sale for season ticketholders, with a lot of 2004 giveaway items being sold at reasonable prices and things like DVDs, yearbooks, etc. at discounts. I bought the Randy Wolf and Mike Lieberthal bobblehead dolls that were only given to kids on their giveaway days (Lieby's has a removable catcher's mask!) as well as....a Jim Thome baseball bat.

This means I can feel up the Anaconda's wood any time I want. Take that, Jim Allen!!!

[ April 11, 2005, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]

And it's now official: Felix Rodriguez to the Yankees for Kenny Lofton...and some cash! Cash that won't be spent on anything I want, that's for sure.

It seems like all the off season aquisitions revolve around what makes Charlie Manuel feel good. Both Lofton and Alamar have played for Manuel and both are cheap. The Phillies are going all out on these KMART bluelight specials.

The only bit of good news I hear is that the Phillies still seem to be in the hunt for Carl Pavano according to Pavano's agent. All I can say is I will believe it when I see it.

[ December 03, 2004, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]

Okay, what is up with Kenny Lofton? In the past few years he's been with the Indians, Giants, Yankees, and I think the Pirates and the White Sox. Why does he move around so much? Is he a head case or something?

Yes, Yes, sink further into the depths of NL East mediocrity, my pretty. Watch as the Braves coast into the playoffs on the wings of the resurrected careers of Pete Incaviglia and Bob Tewksbury (in other words, insert names of cheap but effective cast offs or retirees that lose steam come October). BUAHAHAHAH! Is hell never having a shot at a World Championship or constantly being teased with one?

- A Smiling on the outside, crying on the inside Braves Fan.

p.s. if history teaches us anything it is that any team with Kenny Lofton can't win the World Series (just ask Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Yanks)

A physical on Sandy Alomar Jr. revealed lots of scar tissue in the knee and the Phils got scared, so the talks with Alomar fell through and they re-signed Todd Pratt instead. I'm not displeased by this, although we are just talking about backup catchers here. wink

The Phils re-signed Rheal Cormier to a two-year deal, and now it's reported that they're trying to sign Jon Lieber, even though the Yankees offered him salary arbitration and the Phils would have to give up a draft pick if they sign him...contrary to their previously stated stance.

The only Phils free agents offered arbitration were Placido Polanco and Doug Glanville -- not Eric Milton, which is a minor surprise because it seems likely that he's going to the Yankees, but they don't want to be stuck with an expected salary of $11 mil for him if he were to not go elsewhere, so now they'll get no compensation for him.

[ December 08, 2004, 05:28 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

The latest botched maneuver actually dates back to July of 2004. It was widely expected that the Phils would trade Placido Polanco before the trade deadline and install Chase Utley full-time at second base. Didn't happen. Polanco's contract was up so he figured to sign elsewhere.

But the Phils offered arbitration to Polanco so that when someone else signed him they'd get draft picks as compensation. Polanco said that teams that had been interested in him changed their minds because they weren't willing to give up draft picks. So he accepted the arbitration and is now expected to return to the Phils with a deal in the range of $5 million to sit on the bench.

Are they even attempting to resign Eric Milton? I know the ERA wasn't great but he has a great record. The free agent pitchers still available won't provide much, if any, upgrade. From what I've been reading and hearing, the Phils are perfectly willing to let him go. What's the deal?

I think they felt he wanted too much money. (And considering that he still hasn't signed, perhaps he is.) They didn't even offer him arbitration, foregoing any draft pick compensation, fearing that he'd do what Polanco just did and accept it.

As bad as it appears to have resigned Polanco you just never know when injury may strike, and he is a good backup for second or third base. David Bell is injury prone. I know 5 million is alot but I bet that will try to trade him before the the July 30th trading deadline. If he has a good first half some team in the race may want to rent him for the rest of the year.

[ December 22, 2004, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]

The ballpark is only going into its second year of existence but they're already having to change its look a bit, thanks to its naming sponsor...

Meanwhile, spring training tickets go on sale Thursday. Anyone want to head for Clearwater? Also, tickets go on sale for two exhibition games at The Vault...

And Greg Gross, fired as hitting coach of the Phils, will now be...hitting coach for one of the Phils' class-A minor league teams. Yeah, screw up the young players before they get to the upper levels.

[ January 04, 2005, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

If that isn't a sign of poor team management, I don't know what is....which is good news for all the other contenders in the NL East, including the Nats ....btw, from all the local stories and pics, it looks like the $13 Million renovation of RFK is coming along nicely and right on schedule....with the exception of the visiting team dugout, which still does not exist -- yet.

~Joe

Phillies officials strike out looking

A sample:

Sigh....

[ January 11, 2005, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

The Phils avoided arbitration with Vicente Padilla, Placido Polanco and Jimmy Rollins. They've been said to be trying to make a long-term deal with Rollins but it still hasn't happened. This might become a problem down the road.

Meanwhile, after the debacle in which Polanco ended up accepting the Phils' arbitration offer (since no team would sign him as a free agent and give the Phils draft picks), he's now going to make $4.6 million plus incentives for being a backup to Chase Utley. However, if they can somehow trade Polanco they now have another option: the latest Phils free agent signing is....Jose Offerman! A minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! What fun!

[ January 19, 2005, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Joe, I don't mean to be a stickler, but with Cattledog out of the country I can't help but correct you on an egregious spelling error you made. As I believe Philly Phanatic arch-nemesis Tom Lasorda said, your new free agent's name should be spelled, "O-F-F, E-5" Please make a note of it. Thanks!

Here's a fun article about Brett Myers, who seems well on his way to wasting his talent due to his own stupidity... Myers knocks his critics

Early prediction: the Phillies will be in the thick of a close race.

With Washington for fourth place.

Meanwhile, a note at the end of the same article says that Larry Bowa's going to keep working for ESPN, at least for 2005. I'd love to hear what he has to say about his former club this year...

[ January 28, 2005, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

The Phils' no. one draft pick in 2002, Cole Hamels, broke a bone in his left (pitching) hand during a fight outside a nightclub in Clearwater. He won't be able to pitch for 3 months. He's already rehabbing from elbow problems that limited him to 4 starts last year in single-A ball.

Ironically, he was designated driver for his friends that night, so apparently he was completely sober.

Man sues Phillies.

He tried to catch the ball. He knew it was coming and tried to catch it. Not only should the suit be laughed out of court, he should be made to stand in front of a crowd and be pelted by eggs! Or snowballs, but since it's over 50 degrees today and for the next 2 or 3 more, the snow is going awayyyyyy... wink

The headline on this article says, \"Phillies hope to make this a happier new year.\" But in the article itself it says this about Pat Burrell's wrist:

The wrist was supposed to be fully healed before spring training, remember? I'm beginning to think that Washington has the slight inside track on 4th place.

On the other hand, not only are the Phillies actually at home on my birthday (which almost never happens) but they might be giving all fans 15 and older a baseball cap. I say "might be" because it's listed on a printed schedule they sent me but not on their website, so I don't know which is more up-to-date. But anyway, all I need now is for my boyfriend to take me to the game...never mind.

They also have no bobblehead giveaways but do have "collectible figurines" listed. Is the bobblehead craze over? wink

Joe

Bobbleheads are soooooo 2003! A home game on one's birthday is a must attend, especially if the team gives you a little something as a present. And by then, you'll definitely have a boyfriend.

~Adam

I'll definitely have a boyfriend? Do you know something I don't, Adam? wink

The Phils' big problem with Burrell is his multi-million dollar contract. After his 2002 season they signed him for 6 years. Not counting signing and award-related bonuses, it was a backloaded deal. He only earned $1 mil in 2003 and $4 mil in 2004. But now the price goes up: $7 mil in 2005, $9.5 mil in 2006, $13 mil in 2007 and $14 mil in 2008. All guaranteed money, and he has a no-trade clause. If he doesn't stay healthy and produce, the Phils are screwed big-time.

Joe

Well, there's still this Jim Thome 18 inch eek! bobblehead on MLB.com shop... for $69.99(!)

How many of us I wonder clicked the link hoping for something anatomically correct?

Well I guess the joke is on the fans then. The only thing the Phils brass is happier about are increased ticket prices. Too bad they will make less anyway with less fan support. Perhaps Pat Burrell can use his sore wrist to his advantage by cutting down on strike outs which will pain him, and try walking more.

While most people on this board would probably not pick the Phillies higher than third place in the division, one John Brazer, says he will put his butt on the line predicting the Phils will make the playoffs.

Those who attended the Outsports convention in Philly last year, will remember John as one the guest speakers along with Rhea Hughes. He is the director of fun and games for the Phillies.

John was on the WIP sports talk show this morning, and bet the morning crew (Angelo, Rhea, Al Morganti and Keith Jones of hockey fame) that they would have to get a Phillies logo tattooed on their butts if the Phillies made the playoffs. John would get a RedSox tatoo on his butt if they did not make the playoffs. Surprisingly, only Keith Jones took up the offer. I don't know why the other hosts chickened out. Either John knows something we don't about the Phillies, or he has been drinking too much.

[ February 17, 2005, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]

I'll vote for "he's been drinking." Any chance we can watch while he gets tattooed? wink

I notice that Pat Burrell's hair is longer than he's worn it in the past and rather wavy-looking. Not sure if I like it or not.

Joe

Today's Phila. Daily News has a column that, for the most part, consists of an e-mail rant against the Phillies. The writer has dropped his season tickets and makes a lot of valid points, so the columnist ran it in the paper in addition to forwarding it to the Phils...

On the failure to make any significant trades prior to the deadline last summer:

There's a minor leaguer named Chris Roberson who's on the 40-man roster and is probably going to end up at the AA level. This is from an article in today's Phila. Daily News:

Ooooooooooooooooookay! wink

Vicente Padilla has been shut down with what's believed to be triceps tendinitis. He missed two months with that last year. David Bell is seeing a back specialist. He hasn't worked out with the team since arriving in Clearwater. He had a miserable 2003 in large part because of back troubles. And so it begins.....

Ok so how might the Phillies spin this so that in the words of John Brazer "we should be a fountain not a drain" ? Well, I envision something like "Now that Vincente is out, phenom Gavin Floyd may get to break camp".

Also on the positive spin cycle, the Phillies have posted that the 2005 payroll is their highest ever at 94.6 million. Yeh! a whopping 1.4 million more than last year, thank you Placido Polanco!

Info from this article: season-ticket sales dropping. I can't imagine why!

And the exhibition season opens with a 9-1 loss to Detroit. Starters Cory Lidle and Brett "My ERA was over 5 and I was fat and out of shape but I was 11-11 so don't you DARE say I had a bad year" Myers each pitched an inning and each gave up 3 runs. Feel the excitement!

O for spring and counting as the Phillies lose their 4th straight, so when should we hoist the white flag? frown

Who cares that they're losing? What's important is that the atmosphere is so much more relaxed this year!

The Phillies have signed a 4-year deal to broadcast all 162 games on the radio in Spanish.
\"Esta no regresa!\" - \"That one's not coming back\" -- in other words, that ball's outta here!



[ March 15, 2005, 06:53 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

I don't know, call me a homer or a blinded optimstic, but for some reason I think we are actually going to be pretty good this year. Maybe that "relaxed" atmosphere has me thinking this team will be loose and just go out and win or able to win almost every game or just call it a gut feeling like I had right before the '93 season when I just knew we were going to be good. All I can say Phellow Phillies Phans is have a little faith!!!

Well, when you put it that way.....sorry, I can't. wink There is so much that would have to go right for them to win the division, not to mention the other teams' moves backfiring. But I guess I haven't given up entirely since I bought the partial season ticket plan again. wink I have an extra ticket from time to time if you want to go to a game, plus the various times (such as Gay Night at the Phillies) a group of us get together, in case you want to join us.

Yeah I got my partial plan D and the Sunday too but I'm always up for an extra game here and there. Also I do apologize for sounding like a dorky cheerleader but that's the beauty of Spring Training, you honestly never know!

Dallas Green: now is the time (to borrow last year's ill-fated slogan)...

After a slow start in his rookie year Marlon Byrd finished very well in 2003 and seemed to be well on his way to being the centerfielder for years to come. But he started slow again in 2004 and never rallied. Seeing as how Jason Michaels isn't the answer, the Phils went out and got 57-year-old Kenny Lofton, who naturally hurt a hamstring and missed plenty of time in the spring.

Byrd worked hard and revamped his swing, and was hitting .390 before dislocating a finger. He was expected to be healthy enough for Opening Day, though.

So what happens? He's been sent to the minors so the Phils could keep 62-year-old Jose Offerman on the roster.

So not only are they giving away these baseball caps (sponsored by McDonald's, if you care), but yesterday I learned that night is...College Night. So, who wants to spend a nice evening ogling frat boys at the ballpark? wink

Now Now Joe, it this anyway to treat the senior citizens of MLB? The AARP has a strong lobby whose rath you don't want to stir

I do think Marlon should given another opportunity to start given his spring. I mean whatever happened to earning a starting spot in based on spring training performance not seniority.

From the Phila. Inquirer:

Now we'll find out once and for all if all that Moneyball stuff is an utter load of crap. wink

I really loved and hated that book. That book made me say, "Screw you Billy Beane" every time Dave Roberts stole a base in the AL Championship Series last year.

Although I think its good for scouting and understanding what a player is capable of, I don't think its good to go by for what to expect for an upcoming season.

Meanwhile, I heard on Comcast Sportsnet that Placido Polanco, NOT Chase Utley, will start at second base tomorrow. Charlie Manuel hasn't actually said Polanco is the starter (apparently he's taking the stance that he's going with the hot hand) but it seems obvious. So Utley's going to sit again, at least for a while. Ridiculous.

So far, so good! An opening day win on a breezy day, although my seats were in the left field bleachers, in front of the structure containing the scoreboard and Harry the K's restaurant so I didn't feel it. There was quite a bit of debris blown onto the field and at one point there was a sudden odd roar by people in my area at some debris floating down into left field. I couldn't figure it out until my brother said, "That's MONEY!" I don't know if it was real or not but if it was, someone was really careless. A while later a couple more dollars floated by. Very weird.

Pat Burrell went 3-for-3 with a couple RBI and a couple walks. Of course, he got off to a great start last year and look what happened.

I was thinking, though, no matter what the result, it's great to have baseball back!

Glad you enjoyed oepening day, I had to listen on the radio at work. So here is the first omen of the year for the fightin Phils; The 1980 Phillies won the first two out of three against those Montreal Expos.

I heard that this is the first time the Phillies have won a season opener at home since 1980. A hint of things to come?