Last year must have been a bittersweet one for Aaron Rowand. On the one hand, he had hit the jackpot when he signed a $60 million, five-year deal with the Giants after finishing 2007 in Philadelphia - a deal that probably would not have been possible when the national economy went south the following year. On the other hand, although the San Francisco center fielder does have a World Series ring from the '05 White Sox, he did have to watch from the outside as his former National League team won the 2008 world championship.
While Rowand was extremely popular in Philly, the Phils' front office certainly had no regrets. Rowand's replacement, Jayson Werth, had an excellent season hitting .273 with 24 home runs in just over 400 at-bats. Rowand hit just .271 last year with 13 home runs. And Werth came much cheaper. Even after his solid '08, Werth signed a two-year deal for only $10 million.
This year, Werth and Rowand, are having solid years. The latter is hitting around .300 in the leadoff spot. Werth has been maddeningly inconsistent at the plate but with his recent spurt is batting about .270 and is on pace to surpass 30 home runs. They both strike out too much but are excellent in the field. So again, they are equally productive, but the Phillies are getting Werth at a fraction of the cost.
But irony is lurking. If the Fightin's don't win their division, they are going to be in a real dog fight for the wild card. And if the Giants don't overtake the Dodgers in the Western Division, San Francisco is shaping up to be one of the primary wild card contenders. Either way, Rowand could end up playing a key role in preventing his old teammates from repeating.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Brad Lidge vs Michael Bourn
The acquisition of Brad Lidge from the Astros has, to date, been one of the best trades in Phillies history, as no other player was more responsible for last year's championship season. And the cost appeared minimal - Mike Costanzo, Geoff Geary and Michael Bourn. Costanzo, a career minor leaguer, is now in the Orioles' system. Geary had a so-so 2008. This year he had an ERA of more than 8 when he went on the DL with tendinitis. Recently he came off the DL and was immediately optioned to the minors.
That leaves Bourn and this is where it gets a little more interesting. Bourn never got many swings with Philadelphia, serving primarily as a utility player and pinch-runner. In his one full year with the Phils, in 2007, he batted .277 in just over 100 at bats. Last year, in 467 at bats with his new team, the Houston center fielder hit only .229 and he didn't give the coaching staff much reason to believe that he was a long-range solution to the their needs in the outfield.
But in 2009, through June 21, he is hitting .300 with 15 doubles, 5 triples and 24 stolen bases. The Astros started the season miserably and were 8 games under .500 at the end of May. But currently they are only 3 games under .500 and are only 5 games out of first place in the rugged National League Central Division.
And Michael Bourn has played a key role in this revival. According to Houston manager Cecil Cooper, quoted in the Houston Chronicle, Bourn is the team's MVP: "... he's played terrific baseball really from opening day. He's been very consistent, and he's played great defense. He's done what we've needed him to do from the top of the lineup. He's been huge all year."
In the meantime of course, Lidge has been a shadow of last year's self, whether due to knee problems, mechanics, post-World Series syndrome, or all of the above. He is expected to return to form and for now he still has to be considered part of one of the most successful transactions in Philly baseball history, perhaps second only to obtaining Steve Carlton in the notorious Carlton-Rick Wise trade. But for the first three months of the '09 campaign at least, Bourn is out-producing Lidge. It should be added that Eric Bruntlett, the other half of the Lidge package, who was so valuable last year in a utility role, has made a much smaller contribution this year, although this is mainly because Raul Ibanez doesn't need defensive help the way Pat Burrell did.
Is Bourn an emerging star? Is he capable of being an impact player in Texas the way Lidge was in Philadelphia? It's way too early to tell. But the career of Michael Bourn bears watching.
That leaves Bourn and this is where it gets a little more interesting. Bourn never got many swings with Philadelphia, serving primarily as a utility player and pinch-runner. In his one full year with the Phils, in 2007, he batted .277 in just over 100 at bats. Last year, in 467 at bats with his new team, the Houston center fielder hit only .229 and he didn't give the coaching staff much reason to believe that he was a long-range solution to the their needs in the outfield.
But in 2009, through June 21, he is hitting .300 with 15 doubles, 5 triples and 24 stolen bases. The Astros started the season miserably and were 8 games under .500 at the end of May. But currently they are only 3 games under .500 and are only 5 games out of first place in the rugged National League Central Division.
And Michael Bourn has played a key role in this revival. According to Houston manager Cecil Cooper, quoted in the Houston Chronicle, Bourn is the team's MVP: "... he's played terrific baseball really from opening day. He's been very consistent, and he's played great defense. He's done what we've needed him to do from the top of the lineup. He's been huge all year."
In the meantime of course, Lidge has been a shadow of last year's self, whether due to knee problems, mechanics, post-World Series syndrome, or all of the above. He is expected to return to form and for now he still has to be considered part of one of the most successful transactions in Philly baseball history, perhaps second only to obtaining Steve Carlton in the notorious Carlton-Rick Wise trade. But for the first three months of the '09 campaign at least, Bourn is out-producing Lidge. It should be added that Eric Bruntlett, the other half of the Lidge package, who was so valuable last year in a utility role, has made a much smaller contribution this year, although this is mainly because Raul Ibanez doesn't need defensive help the way Pat Burrell did.
Is Bourn an emerging star? Is he capable of being an impact player in Texas the way Lidge was in Philadelphia? It's way too early to tell. But the career of Michael Bourn bears watching.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What Would Ted Williams Tell Jimmy Rollins?
Ted Williams famously said that "hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports". Hitting barely above the Mendoza line heading into the midpoint of the season, Jimmy Rollins would no doubt agree. Rollins has been struggling pretty much since opening day, but whenever he shows any sign of life, we are more than ready to pronounce the slump over - but it isn't.
J-Roll recently detected a flaw in his swing which he thought might explain his offensive drought. It seems he had been dropping his bat through the hitting zone causing him to come under the ball producing weak pop-ups. Unfortunately, since the discovery, Jimmy's batting average has dropped another 10 or 15 points.
Rollins and Charlie Manuel are undaunted, convinced the shortstop is making better, more consistent contact. Perhaps. But even with both hands tied behind his back, Jimmy Rollins should not be hitting .220 in late June.
There is another, even more fundamental flaw that J-Roll has exhibited, even in good years, which probably should be addressed first. This is his occasional tendency to move his back foot during his swing. Striding with the front foot, even lifting it, are of course acceptable. It is the picking up of the back foot (as opposed to rotating it), causing the entire body to spin around, which is the real enemy - kind of like trying to hit a baseball while riding a skateboard. It robs the hitter of power and makes it impossible to wait on a ball. And as for hitting an outside pitch, well - don't ask.
When Rollins is going well, maybe he can get away with it. Right now, there is just no margin for error. Again to quote the great Ted Williams: "A good hitter has slow feet and quick hands".
J-Roll recently detected a flaw in his swing which he thought might explain his offensive drought. It seems he had been dropping his bat through the hitting zone causing him to come under the ball producing weak pop-ups. Unfortunately, since the discovery, Jimmy's batting average has dropped another 10 or 15 points.
Rollins and Charlie Manuel are undaunted, convinced the shortstop is making better, more consistent contact. Perhaps. But even with both hands tied behind his back, Jimmy Rollins should not be hitting .220 in late June.
There is another, even more fundamental flaw that J-Roll has exhibited, even in good years, which probably should be addressed first. This is his occasional tendency to move his back foot during his swing. Striding with the front foot, even lifting it, are of course acceptable. It is the picking up of the back foot (as opposed to rotating it), causing the entire body to spin around, which is the real enemy - kind of like trying to hit a baseball while riding a skateboard. It robs the hitter of power and makes it impossible to wait on a ball. And as for hitting an outside pitch, well - don't ask.
When Rollins is going well, maybe he can get away with it. Right now, there is just no margin for error. Again to quote the great Ted Williams: "A good hitter has slow feet and quick hands".
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Prognosis for Brad Lidge
First it was Brett Myers saying he was getting stronger and stronger, and then a week later saying his hip had made it unpitchable. Now we have Brad Lidge, who has been insisting for weeks that his knee is fine, being forced on to the DL by management. Is everyone in denial?
But even if Lidge is judged physically sound, whether he can regain the aura of invincibility he established last season remains to be seen. It is difficult to duplicate perfection. But there's no reason why he can't be a very effective closer this season in spite of a very slow start and the two excruciating failed saves against the Dodgers over the weekend. He had in fact been pitching much better in the weeks prior to the setbacks on the West Coast.
However, Lidge may have to make an adjustment. As a number of observers, including the right-hander himself, have acknowledged, batters are taking a more patient approach with him, knowing the majority of his strike-out pitches are out of the strike zone. And not just marginally out of the strike zone but miles out of the strike zone. Last year, it was not uncommon for hitters to swing out Lidge sliders that bounced in front of home plate. By contrast, closers like Mariano Rivera, perhaps the greatest of them all, also depend on off-the-plate sliders, but ones that are much closer to the strike zone, so a hitter cannot be so discerning.
It dawned on hitters that the percentages were with them to take the pitch if it looked anything like a hard slider. Then if they worked the count in their favor, they could sit on a fast ball or work a base on balls. Although Lidge throws 94-95 mph heat, it's still hittable, particularly if it's not on the corners.
So Lidge has to be able to pinpoint his fastball consistently and he has to throw his slider closer to the plate more frequently. He may also have to experiment with a different mix of pitches so as to become less predictable. And most importantly, he has to beat back the demons of self doubt which is why Charlie Manuel knows he has to stick with him as long as he possibly can.
Yes a healthy knee should play a part in all of this, but just a part.
The hitters need to do their part as well. In the two losses in Los Angeles, the Phillies had numerous opportunities to tack on additional runs but came up empty. In spite of their potent offense, this was a common occurrence last year as well - squandering opportunities with men in scoring position. A few insurance runs are a reliever's best friend.
But even if Lidge is judged physically sound, whether he can regain the aura of invincibility he established last season remains to be seen. It is difficult to duplicate perfection. But there's no reason why he can't be a very effective closer this season in spite of a very slow start and the two excruciating failed saves against the Dodgers over the weekend. He had in fact been pitching much better in the weeks prior to the setbacks on the West Coast.
However, Lidge may have to make an adjustment. As a number of observers, including the right-hander himself, have acknowledged, batters are taking a more patient approach with him, knowing the majority of his strike-out pitches are out of the strike zone. And not just marginally out of the strike zone but miles out of the strike zone. Last year, it was not uncommon for hitters to swing out Lidge sliders that bounced in front of home plate. By contrast, closers like Mariano Rivera, perhaps the greatest of them all, also depend on off-the-plate sliders, but ones that are much closer to the strike zone, so a hitter cannot be so discerning.
It dawned on hitters that the percentages were with them to take the pitch if it looked anything like a hard slider. Then if they worked the count in their favor, they could sit on a fast ball or work a base on balls. Although Lidge throws 94-95 mph heat, it's still hittable, particularly if it's not on the corners.
So Lidge has to be able to pinpoint his fastball consistently and he has to throw his slider closer to the plate more frequently. He may also have to experiment with a different mix of pitches so as to become less predictable. And most importantly, he has to beat back the demons of self doubt which is why Charlie Manuel knows he has to stick with him as long as he possibly can.
Yes a healthy knee should play a part in all of this, but just a part.
The hitters need to do their part as well. In the two losses in Los Angeles, the Phillies had numerous opportunities to tack on additional runs but came up empty. In spite of their potent offense, this was a common occurrence last year as well - squandering opportunities with men in scoring position. A few insurance runs are a reliever's best friend.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Brett Myers Injury Mystery
The loss of Brett Myers for the remainder of the season is irreversible and was probably unavoidable. But isn't it at least curious that two months into the season, nobody in the Phillies' organization, perhaps including Myers himself, had any idea that the right-hander was dealing with a significant physical problem?
When Myers started the season so poorly, it might have been reasonable to speculate that something was going on. But there was no such speculation forthcoming. After all, the other starters were struggling as well and Myers didn't seem overly concerned.
Then the pitcher proceeded to throw quite effectively, home run balls not withstanding, in five successive starts in May, so surely there was no reason to suspect anything. But after his last game, against the Marlins on May 27, Myers said: "This (the hip) has been bothering me as long as I can remember. I never knew what it was. It just became unpitchable this season."
But after his outing against Atlanta on May 10, Myers said he "felt more in control than ... in the past.... a little stronger. Everything went well for the most part".
Against Washington on May 16, Myers gave up 2 earned runs and struck out 8 in 7 innings. The Phils gave him the lead and he "just threw fastballs for strike one and (went) from there".
And then came his best game of the year against the Yankees in New York on May 22 when he went 8 innings with no walks in a 7-3 win. After the game, he was enthusiastic: "I'm getting better and better with each start."
So in just one week, Myers goes from "getting better and better" to "it just became unpitchable this season". This is not to suggest there is something sinister going on, but there is a rather strange inconsistency here.
When Myers started the season so poorly, it might have been reasonable to speculate that something was going on. But there was no such speculation forthcoming. After all, the other starters were struggling as well and Myers didn't seem overly concerned.
Then the pitcher proceeded to throw quite effectively, home run balls not withstanding, in five successive starts in May, so surely there was no reason to suspect anything. But after his last game, against the Marlins on May 27, Myers said: "This (the hip) has been bothering me as long as I can remember. I never knew what it was. It just became unpitchable this season."
But after his outing against Atlanta on May 10, Myers said he "felt more in control than ... in the past.... a little stronger. Everything went well for the most part".
Against Washington on May 16, Myers gave up 2 earned runs and struck out 8 in 7 innings. The Phils gave him the lead and he "just threw fastballs for strike one and (went) from there".
And then came his best game of the year against the Yankees in New York on May 22 when he went 8 innings with no walks in a 7-3 win. After the game, he was enthusiastic: "I'm getting better and better with each start."
So in just one week, Myers goes from "getting better and better" to "it just became unpitchable this season". This is not to suggest there is something sinister going on, but there is a rather strange inconsistency here.
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