Post by bigbuhner on Feb 6, 2013 18:49:09 GMT -5
Welcome to the first edition of the Philly Phanalytic, your monthly Phanzine to all things Phillies!
It's been quite a strange season so far in Philadelphia! It seems nearly every week there are changes being made to the club, and it is hard to tell if the brass are playing for the now, or looking to the future! Take one look at the opening day lineup, and then compare it to the lineup that will take the field the next time the Phills strap em up:
OPENING DAY:
C Benito Santiago
1B Gregg Jeffries
2B Ryne Sandberg
SS Barry Larkin
3B Todd Zeille
LF Moises Alou
CF Lenny Dykstra
RF Jay Buhner
TODAY:
C Benito Santiago
1B Todd Zeille
2B Ryne Sandberg
SS Omar Vizquel
3B Scott Rolen
LF Reggie Sanders
CF Brian Giles
RF Jay Buhner
That's quite a turnover in just two months time!
Just when the Phills look like they are about to go all in for their future, by trading guys like Dykstra for two prospects, and Larkin and Alou in the blockbuster deal that landed even more picks and specs, they go and trade a spec and a pick away to land a veteran infielder like Omar Vizquel!
Omar seemed completely content to get out of Cleveland after what insiders are calling the "Mistake on the Lake Part II".
"I loved the fans in Cleveland, but when you see guys like Thome and Ramirez clear out their lockers, it makes you wonder what is going on around you."
Omar received quite a cheer from the fans as he walked off the field in Cleveland for the last time, and fans in Philly have been assured that he will roam the infield for years to come, and will not be traded away.
While it may also be a little early, there are two players who are putting up some All Star type numbers, one expectantly, and one that nobody saw coming!
Jay Buhner has been all that was promised, and more! His 1.015 OPS is near his career best, and he is currently batting .333 with 13 homers and 38 RBI. He should be a strong consideration for the NL All Stars.
Terry Mulholland has helped anchor down the one part of the team that seems to be unchanging, the pitching. Who knows what may have gotten ingested into Mulholland this season, but at age 35, posting a 7-3 record with a 2.78 ERA, he might be playing his way into a long term deal as he enters FA this offseason, or perhaps into the path of another club (rumors have been running rampant of him moving to the AL Central!).
Going into June, the club finds themselves owners of a 29-26 record, which is keeping them in the conversation for a wild card spot, as they are currently 3 games behind. At one point, the club had a 3 game winning streak and was 8 games over .500! Hard to believe coming just days after Larkin and Alou were jettisoned to Minnesota.
"The general feeling is that we feel we were able to replace super players like Moises and BLark with guys who can play a step below them in Vizquel and Giles. Giles could really come on strong, given starting playing time now, and he needs to show us he is worth that 6 mil contract he signed with the "interesting" general management in Cleveland."
Surely, if Omar can continue to hit .315, 3, 23, 12.... the Philly fans won't be missing Larkin as much as they have the last month. Add in the minor league spec pieces of Valverde, Jacque Jones, Rivas, and multiple draft picks, and those two deals put together are looking pretty solid!
So strap em up fans... grab your favorite Philly style sammich, and see what comes up next for the club in the month of June! Could the club be adding one more solid veteran... will Scott Rolen and Brian Giles come of age in their starting roles.... will long time vets Zeille, Jeffries, and Mulholland finish the year as Phillies? Can the club stay in the Wild Card hunt?
Stay tuned! It's only June! Bring it on!
