It's ironic that the Phillies, the current world champions and on the verge of running away with their division this year, have been the ones making national headlines in the trade and free agent markets whereas their neighbors in South Philly, the going-no-place-fast Sixers, have been in hibernation for the summer - the best they could come up with so far was signing a shooting specialist with a lifetime 7.5 ppg average, hiring a journeyman coach with a sub-.500 winning percentage, and a failure to re-sign their point guard.
Of course, the structures of major league baseball and pro basketball are very different and the Phillies have far more options. And last year, it was the Sixers who made the blockbuster deal. The deal to acquire Elton Brand may have been defensible at the time but unfortunately it ended up blowing up in the team's face and the fallout from that explosion could last for years to come.
Even in the worst case scenario, it is hard to foresee the acquisitions of Pedro Martinez and now Cliff Lee undermining the baseball franchise. In fact, it's hard to see how Lee in particular does not make the Phillies a better team. But enthusiasm should be tempered. A National League pennant is not a slam dunk. More on that in the next post.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Hamels and Lidge for Halladay?
Even as the Phillies have accumulated their longest winning streak in nearly 20 years, much of the news flow has dealt with the team's efforts to acquire a prime time pitcher or two before the trading deadline.
And all the while, the current much-maligned staff has been nothing short of stellar, and deep. Happ, Blanton, Moyer and Lopez have been solid starters; Condrey, Durbin and Park have been exceptional as middle and long relievers; Madson seems to find an extra mile/hour in his fastball in each outing. And waiting in the wings, there are some very exciting minor league prospects.
But how's this for irony? The Phillies' two most unreliable pitchers may be their most celebrated hurlers - Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge. Hamels, while the victim of some bad luck and lack of offensive support, has been inconsistent since day 1, unable to hold leads and unable to get to the late innings.
Lidge has been doing a pretty good Mitch Williams/Flash Gordon imitation, digging a hole for himself with walks or hit batsmen as we close our eyes while he tries to climb out. It's becoming evident that his early season struggles were not injury-related as management tried to make out.
How about Lidge and Hamels for Roy Halladay? OK, just kidding.
And all the while, the current much-maligned staff has been nothing short of stellar, and deep. Happ, Blanton, Moyer and Lopez have been solid starters; Condrey, Durbin and Park have been exceptional as middle and long relievers; Madson seems to find an extra mile/hour in his fastball in each outing. And waiting in the wings, there are some very exciting minor league prospects.
But how's this for irony? The Phillies' two most unreliable pitchers may be their most celebrated hurlers - Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge. Hamels, while the victim of some bad luck and lack of offensive support, has been inconsistent since day 1, unable to hold leads and unable to get to the late innings.
Lidge has been doing a pretty good Mitch Williams/Flash Gordon imitation, digging a hole for himself with walks or hit batsmen as we close our eyes while he tries to climb out. It's becoming evident that his early season struggles were not injury-related as management tried to make out.
How about Lidge and Hamels for Roy Halladay? OK, just kidding.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sixers Running In Place in the Off-Season
In the aftermath of the disappointing 08-09 season, the Sixers were faced with three major issues - the respective futures of Sam Dalembert, Elton Brand and Andre Miller.
The team reportedly tried to shop Brand and Dalembert, to no avail. The former's market value is severely diminished because of contract size, age and injuries. And even the Yao Ming-less Rockets were not sufficiently tempted to make a play for the seven-footer from Haiti.
As for Miller, if you believe the press reports, the Sixers have not even made a serious offer. It may be that what we've been hearing from both sides is negotiating posturing. And perhaps a significant sign-and-trade deal could be constructed.
But the fact remains that while numerous teams around the league have already made significant improvements, Eddie Jordan's squad is excrutiatingly similar to that of Tony DiLeo.
The personnel moves made in the last few months have been marginal at best. Jason Kapono is a fine long-range shooter and that was a Sixer shortcoming. But Kapono is still a limited minutes role player. In the right situation, he could be a difference-maker the way John Paxson and Steve Kerr were on the great Bulls' teams but this Philadelphia ensemble will never be confused with those Jordan-led Chicago teams.
And despite the glowing scouting reports of draft pick Jrue Holiday, his resume is just too limited to plan your future around him. He could turn out to be the Wachovia Center's version of Paul Pierce - or he could be the reincarnation of Rodney Carney.
In the meantime, Ed Stefanski says the team needs a guard, a swingman, and two bigs. Oh is that all? A wish list like that doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the immediate future.
Right now we're looking at last year's team but with Lou Williams replacing Miller at point which is certainly not an upgrade. No doubt some new role players will be added up front and in the backcourt but the Sixers don't have a lot of bargaining chips with which to deal from a position of strength.
What we're left with is the audacity of hope, and Eddie Jordan's motion offense.
The team reportedly tried to shop Brand and Dalembert, to no avail. The former's market value is severely diminished because of contract size, age and injuries. And even the Yao Ming-less Rockets were not sufficiently tempted to make a play for the seven-footer from Haiti.
As for Miller, if you believe the press reports, the Sixers have not even made a serious offer. It may be that what we've been hearing from both sides is negotiating posturing. And perhaps a significant sign-and-trade deal could be constructed.
But the fact remains that while numerous teams around the league have already made significant improvements, Eddie Jordan's squad is excrutiatingly similar to that of Tony DiLeo.
The personnel moves made in the last few months have been marginal at best. Jason Kapono is a fine long-range shooter and that was a Sixer shortcoming. But Kapono is still a limited minutes role player. In the right situation, he could be a difference-maker the way John Paxson and Steve Kerr were on the great Bulls' teams but this Philadelphia ensemble will never be confused with those Jordan-led Chicago teams.
And despite the glowing scouting reports of draft pick Jrue Holiday, his resume is just too limited to plan your future around him. He could turn out to be the Wachovia Center's version of Paul Pierce - or he could be the reincarnation of Rodney Carney.
In the meantime, Ed Stefanski says the team needs a guard, a swingman, and two bigs. Oh is that all? A wish list like that doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the immediate future.
Right now we're looking at last year's team but with Lou Williams replacing Miller at point which is certainly not an upgrade. No doubt some new role players will be added up front and in the backcourt but the Sixers don't have a lot of bargaining chips with which to deal from a position of strength.
What we're left with is the audacity of hope, and Eddie Jordan's motion offense.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Phillie Notes: Howard's Malaise, Rollins' Sabbatical
Howard's Malaise:
In the last month and a half, Ryan Howard's strikeouts have been increasing, and his batting average, slugging and on-base percentages have been declining. Last night was his first home run since June 20 and he has hit only three since June 11. It was also his first four-bagger to the opposite field since June 7. This last factoid may be most telling.
Howard was reported to have worked intensely on going the other way at the plate in spring training and the fruits of this were seen in April and May with a higher batting average and fewer K's. When the homers started to come in bunches, a high percentage was to left and left-center. But that has not been the case in recent weeks.
We have seen this movie before, usually several times each season. Howard is productive and consistent when going with the pitch; far less so when he doesn't. Perhaps the absence of Ibanez is allowing opposing pitchers to give the first baseman less to hit but it's time for Howard to make some adjustments. Maybe last night was a sign that he is.
Rollins' Sabbatical:
Charlie Manuel sat Jimmy Rollins down for 4 games last week as a form of therapy for the shortstop's extended hitting slump. Upon his return, Rollins had 2 hitless games, but then followed up with a solid series against the Mets. So did Manuel's treatment work? Maybe, but
it was probably just coincidental. Did anyone think that Rollins was going to go 0 for 300 in the next three months?
After his sabbatical, J-Roll was probably the focus of even more attention with everyone examining his every move to detect signs of change - different batting stance, more relaxed, less relaxed, smiling, not smiling, etc. Better to sit him for one game, then return him to the lineup toward the bottom of the order where there's a little less attention than in the leadoff spot.
In the last month and a half, Ryan Howard's strikeouts have been increasing, and his batting average, slugging and on-base percentages have been declining. Last night was his first home run since June 20 and he has hit only three since June 11. It was also his first four-bagger to the opposite field since June 7. This last factoid may be most telling.
Howard was reported to have worked intensely on going the other way at the plate in spring training and the fruits of this were seen in April and May with a higher batting average and fewer K's. When the homers started to come in bunches, a high percentage was to left and left-center. But that has not been the case in recent weeks.
We have seen this movie before, usually several times each season. Howard is productive and consistent when going with the pitch; far less so when he doesn't. Perhaps the absence of Ibanez is allowing opposing pitchers to give the first baseman less to hit but it's time for Howard to make some adjustments. Maybe last night was a sign that he is.
Rollins' Sabbatical:
Charlie Manuel sat Jimmy Rollins down for 4 games last week as a form of therapy for the shortstop's extended hitting slump. Upon his return, Rollins had 2 hitless games, but then followed up with a solid series against the Mets. So did Manuel's treatment work? Maybe, but
it was probably just coincidental. Did anyone think that Rollins was going to go 0 for 300 in the next three months?
After his sabbatical, J-Roll was probably the focus of even more attention with everyone examining his every move to detect signs of change - different batting stance, more relaxed, less relaxed, smiling, not smiling, etc. Better to sit him for one game, then return him to the lineup toward the bottom of the order where there's a little less attention than in the leadoff spot.
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