How Will Carlos Ruiz’s Suspension Affect the Philadelphia Phillies?

Carlos Ruiz’s suspension means much more than missing 25 games. The Philadelphia Phillies are losing their field general and leader for the entire month of April.

Philly.com reported that Carlos Ruiz tested positive for the drug Adderall, a substance banned by Major League Baseball.  Jim Salisbury also tweeted this must have been Chooch’s second failing since the first failing does not warrant a suspension.

What does this mean for Phillies?

Unfortunately, this is a blow for the organization.

April games are just as important as September and October. It’s not easy to climb back from the basement of a competitive NL East.

April is also an important month for a pitchers and catchers to find their chemistry.

Even though we are talking about major league players, it still takes time for a pitcher and catcher to develop into regular-season form. Yes, the Phillies have spring training, but the beginning of the regular season is where longer innings occur and every pitch counts.

Chooch missing this first month stalls this process and can potentially weigh heavily on the pitchers’ psyches. Pitchers are known to be fragile creatures and become comfortable with their battery mate.  Anyone remember the Adam Eaton-Chris Coste relationship?

Ruiz’s suspension also means missing a much-needed right-handed batter in the lineup. Simply put, he fit nicely in the fifth spot.  Ruiz safely hit behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard and had many opportunities to produce runs.The fifth spot could be a “sore spot” come April.

Erik Kratz will likely fill in during Ruiz’s absence, which he is no stranger to doing, but he cannot replace Chooch—even if it’s only for one month.

Last, this is a black eye for the organization. Ruiz appeared to be a clean, intelligent player, but this will taint his career and the Phils organization for some time.

The Phillies are not in panic mode, nor should the club be, but Ruben Amaro Jr. and the organization must now understand the importance and disappointment that comes along with the Ruiz suspension.

In an offseason where the Phillies look to regain elite status, this is a step in the wrong direction.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Who Should Be the Starting Third Baseman?

The Philadelphia Phillies have a tough decision when it comes to third base. Will the team build from within or test the free market?

And no—the team will not trade for a third baseman.

The main focus this offseason has been center field and rightly so. The outfield talent swimming in the free-agent waters far outweighs the limited third base talent attempting not to drown—it just so happens the Phillies are in desperate need of a center fielder.

But are the Phillies desperate at third base?

Earlier this month, the team avoided arbitration by signing last year’s second-half starter, Kevin Frandsen, to a one-year deal. Frandsen compiled a nice season, ending with a .338 batting average and .383 OBP—yet only two home runs and 14 RBI. He was average, at best, in the field.

Does this warrant a starting spot next season?

Maybe.

First, let’s look at the third base talent the Phillies could realistically pursue.

Kevin Youkilis, Eric Chavez, Marco Scutaro or Jeff Keppinger—not the most exciting list of ball players.

Let’s get Keppinger out the way. He is basically Kevin Frandsen with a few more years of experience. Granted Kepp is the better fielder, it would be a lateral move for the Phillies. In other words, he’s a waste of money. 

Marco Scutaro has developed into a solid ball player and adding a World Series championship to his resume makes him worth that much more. He’s always been a consistent, average, utility-type player, but his past two seasons have been above average. 

Scutaro, 37, will be looking for larger dollars and longer years. The Phillies would be getting a solid player, but not a long-term investment. More than likely, he re-signs with the Giants.

Eric Chavez is far too risky of a signing. The veteran third baseman enjoyed a nice comeback season, but who knows if he can repeat the performance. The last time Chavez played in 100-plus games was back in 2006. Injuries have slowed his once promising career, and the Phillies would be overpaying him this offseason.

This leaves the only free-agent third baseman left on the table—Kevin Youkilis.

Youk’s play has declined over recent seasons, but he still remains an above-average player. He is a patient, right-handed power hitter, who could be inserted nicely in the Phillies lineup. Youk would also serve as the reserve first baseman, behind Ryan Howard.

The issue with Youk is he wants a multi-year contract, and the Phillies are hesitant.

Who could blame them?

With Cody Asche tearing up the minors and Freddy Galvis being groomed as the next best utility player, why would the Phillies sign the aging vet to a multi-year deal?

The Phillies executives need to determine if signing a free-agent—at the right price—is necessary to win a championship next season.

If the Phillies could ink Youkilis to a one-year deal, he would be the ideal choice for the club next season.

Otherwise, Kevin Frandsen is your Opening Day starter, and the Phillies will ride him, as far as he can go.

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Lance Berkman: Why Berkman Would Be a Bad Signing for the Philadelphia Phillies

Joseph Duarte of Ultimate Astros reported the Philadelphia Phillies have interest in free-agent veteran Lance Berkman, and the vet would only sign for the “right deal.”

The Phillies need to pass on any deal.

Berkman, 36, is ideally looking for a two-year deal with his next team and prefers batting third. If the Phillies are going to sign a multi-year contract, it should be with a younger, more talented player with the potential for many seasons.

The Phillies have specific needs this offseason, mainly center field, third base, relief pitching and reserve first baseman—the latter being the least important. Berkman’s only option in the field is first base, but his career as a fielder has passed. He is better suited in the American League as a DH.

The Phillies also have current options with John Mayberry Jr. or Darin Ruf, who could potentially play first base behind Ryan Howard. A signing of Kevin Youkilis would kill two birds with one stone—covering first and third. Signing Youk makes more sense than a limited, injury-prone Berkman.

Berkman did have a “fountain of youth”-type season two years ago, but knee surgery limited his play with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. 

All in all, this is far too risky of a signing for the Phillies.

Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to concentrate on filling center field with a stud, since it appears most of the elite outfield free agents will likely land in the NL East this upcoming season.

Berkman’s had a great career, and it may be time to hang the cleats and begin his coaching career at Rice University.

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Comparing the ’93 and ’08 Philadelphia Phillies: Who’s Better?

The Philadelphia Phillies broke their city’s heart in 1993 and years later won it over in 2008. 

During their respective seasons, these two distinct Philadelphia teams and fans took an emotional ride from spring training straight through to the World Series. 

The 1993 Phillies were known for being “loose-cannons” or “wise-guys”—where the 2008 Phillies were a more disciplined and focused team. 

Their results may have ended differently, but there is no denying both Phillies teams were incredibly talented and left us with High Hopes.

Using the Phillies’ Game 1 World Series lineup from their respective season—here’s a position by position comparison of the two legendary teams.

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Should the Philadelphia Phillies Sign Michael Bourn or B.J. Upton?

The Philadelphia Phillies drastically need a center fielder next season. Michael Bourn and B.J. Upton are star free agents and high on the Philadelphia Phillies’ radar. Ruben Amaro Jr. understands this is the most important signing during the offseason. So, who should the Phils pursue?

 

Scenario 1: Michael Bourn leads the Phillies

There is no denying the former Phillies outfielder, Michael Bourn, is a gifted baseball player. He is a natural leadoff hitter, with 40-plus stolen base potential. Not to mention a two-time Gold Glove winner. 

The Phillies lack a true leadoff batter, as Jimmy Rollins is not the answer. Bourn is a natural at the spot, although last season his strikeout totals reached a career-high (155), as well as his homers (nine). Unfortunately, this is the same route J-Roll took at leadoff—swinging for the fences.

Bourn did have a respectable on-base percentage last season, and has throughout his brilliant career. 

There is one major snag with signing Bourn—super-agent Scott Boras.

This will cost the Phillies. According to Philly.com reporter Matt Gelb, the Phillies and Boras have a murky history, dating from grumblings with J.D. Drew, so many years ago, and not signing Ryan Madson—though Boras claims he has moved on from the past.

Bourn will be looking for mega-dollars this offseason, and Boras will likely wade in the free-agent pool for the right deal to strong-arm the Phillies.

Potential starting lineup with Bourn:

CF Bourn

SS Rollins

2B Utley

1B Howard

C Ruiz

LF Ruf

3B Frandsen

RF Brown/Mayberry

 

Scenario 2: B.J. Upton mans the field in center

Upton is potentially a five-tool player. He could hit for power, steal bases, hit for percentage, knock in runs and play defense. Key word being “potentially.”

Upton has not lived up to his athletic ability or hype, yet he still produces above-average stats.

Last season, Upton had a career-high in homers (28), but also in strikeouts (169). Needless to say, he would bring a right-handed power presence to the lineup—another glaring need for the Phillies.

CSNPhilly.com, Jim Salisbury, reported Ruben Amaro Jr. and Upton’s agent, Larry Reynolds, have been in recent communication. Salisbury also reported that the Phillies newly signed hitting coach, Steve Henderson, was Upton’s hitting coach in 2007—his career-best offensive season. Coincidence?

Upton should come cheaper than Bourn, but the Phils will still have to cough up plenty of money to sign the unproven veteran.

Potential starting lineup with Upton:

SS Rollins

2B Utley

CF Upton

1B Howard

C Ruiz

LF Ruf

3B Frandsen

RF Brown/Mayberry

Personally, B.J. Upton is the man for the job—shocker, I know. Upton is two years younger than Bourn and should come cheaper. Yes, the Phillies will still lack a leadoff hitter, but Upton’s power presence is more than capable of helping this team. Bourn may have already reached his full potential, whereas Upton is still on the rise. Signing Upton could also save money, allowing the Phillies to sign a veteran third baseman or relief pitchers. 

Both players would bring strong and different abilities to the Phillies. Management must now decide which style of play is necessary to win a championship. Ruben Amaro Jr. has a difficult task this offseason, as this signing could make or break World Series status or future signings.

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Philadelphia Phillies Early Potential Opening Day Starters

The Philadelphia Phillies’ main focus is to put the best lineup on the field Opening Day and reclaim Word Series contender status through the season.

In order to achieve this goal, management must make tough decisions to sign top free agents or build from within. 

Either way, fans will demand a winning lineup on Friday April 5, 2013—it’s right around the corner.

Here are the predicted starters.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Who Will the Club Move and Keep This Offseason?

Disappointing. Grotesque. Unexpected. Just about any unpleasant adjective your brain can fabricate would accurately describe the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Phillies owned the best record in baseball over the past two seasons and sat atop the NL East for the past five—so, naturally, expectations were higher than the Comcast Center building.

However, this elevator never reached the fourth floor.

Fans turned bitter, blaming everyone from Jesus Tiamo to Ruben Amaro Jr. for the failed season, yet expectations remain high for the upcoming season.

Third base, center field and relief pitching are the glaring weaknesses on the roster, and there are plenty of talented ballplayers available to fill the gaps.

So which players will not be wearing their Sunday whites next year?

We’ll start with third base.

This should come as no surprise. The Phillies have declined Placido Polanco’s option, making him a free agent next season. Along with Polanco, the team also decided not to retain Ty Wigginton. This leaves a vacancy at third base and at reserve first base behind Ryan Howard.

The Phillies will face arbitration with Kevin Frandsen, who filled in nicely towards the end of last season. He has the potential to be an everyday starter and should compete for the spot, but he needs improvement defensively.

Philadelphia also considered moving Chase Utley from second to third so the team could have budding star Freddy Galvis start at second, but management has since squashed this project.

The team could look outside of the organization to aging-yet-productive free-agent Kevin Youkilis. This signing would make sense, covering needs for both a third base starter and reserve first baseman. He would add power to the right-handed side of the plate—which is much needed in this lineup—and provide average defensive skills.

Youk’s style of play could fit perfectly into the city’s admiration for the blue-collar, hard-nosed athlete—even if it’s only for one season.

Signing a third baseman also greatly depends on how the organization prioritizes the outfield positions.

Currently, the team has incredible promise from within, as John Mayberry Jr., Domonic Brown and Darin Ruf should all be returning next season.

But which outfielders will not make the cut for 2013?

CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury believes the Phillies should let outfielders Juan Pierre and Laynce Nix walk, leaving a hole in center field. Nate Schierholtz, the disappointing outfielder from San Francisco, is up for arbitration and is also a non-tender candidate. According to Salisbury, Schierholtz may not be around either.

The Philadelphia Inquirer believes that center field will be the team’s main focus this offseason, with a strong list of potential candidates to man the position in Citizen’s Bank Park next season.

This list includes Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton and Josh Hamilton—all of whom would add some form of depth to the lineup. The Phils must grab one of them to be a contender next season.

Finally, a team’s bullpen is often overlooked each season. They are the “special teams” of baseball—but, as we all know, special teams can decide games.

Antonio Bastardo is eligible for arbitration and will return to the Phils next season, but the same cannot be said for Jose Contreras. The team has announced that they will decline to pick up his option for next season.

Philly.com looks at several players the Phillies could look at this offseason to boost the pen—Ryan Madson could even be reunited with his old team.

It’s pretty clear who the team is willing to let go, but fans are still uncertain of the team’s direction. Will they chase a World Series title in 2013, or invest for the future sans Howard, Utley and Rollins?

There is one guarantee: The Phillies Phans will not tolerate another failing season.

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