I know Charlie Manuel has been labeled as a “player’s coach” and displays loyalty to his players, but what in the world has convinced him that Michael Martinez deserves to play for the Philadelphia Phillies?
At the start of the season, Martinez was someone I watched closely after he earned a spot on the final roster. But the Rule 5 draft pick has done as bad as many of GCobb.com’s readers would have done; in fact, I wouldn’t call it a long shot that a few people on this site could probably do what Martinez is doing.
When Martinez plays, he always finds a way to mess up. Manuel decided to put him in centerfield one game; that plan backfired after Martinez ran in on a high pop only to discover that the ball would sail nearly 20 feet over his head.
As for his hitting, it’s brutal to watch. But you could already decipher that from his .184 batting average. He is 9-for-49 at the dish and he’s got a lower average than two pitchers: Cliff Lee (.192) and Cole Hamels (.286).
Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee, Kyle Kendrick, Vance Worley and Cole Hamels all have a higher on-base percentage than Martinez (.212). That right there means that Martinez has absolutely no eye at the plate and five pitchers have a better chance of getting on base.
If that’s the case, than why keep Martinez around when the Phillies can utilize his wasted spot with a bigger bat?
Being a Rule 5 pick, Martinez cannot be placed in the minors, which means the only way the Phillies could dump him is by releasing him.
Without Martinez, the Phillies could call up John Mayberry Jr., another prospect in the farm system, or acquire someone in free agency or via trade.
All of those options would bring in a player that would — 99% — upgrade the Phillies’ bench.
Martinez isn’t a great fielder, so that can’t be the reason for his staying on the roster. He is a brutal hitter, so that’s clearly not the reason. The Phillies would be better off using one of their pitchers as a pinch-hitter rather than Martinez. And he can’t even steal bases (he’s totaled zero steals this season).
The Phillies need to put him on waivers, call up Mayberry (or sign a player), and rid themselves of their 5’9″, 145 lbs. problem.
along with Martinez, what in the world is Kendrick still doing on the team?
Phillies probably showcasing Kendrick, wanted to do the same with Blanton, for a bat in this lineup, maybe even worley, but I agree, both Martinez and Kendrick need to go, pathetic, Kendrick, just flat out stinks
With Rollins injuring his knee the other night, it’s probably not a good time to release Martinez..
Losing 4 in a row to the Nats/Pirates is not good.. Do most of you still think the Phils are going to run away from the NL East and win a 115-120 Games some have predicted and expected.. Do most of you think that the Big 4 are all going to win 20 Games… I stand by statements made back in FEb/MArch that this Line-up is too weak in getting the big-hits to run away from anyone and that this club (even though it has the 2nd Highest Payroll in MLB behind the Yankees) has too many weaknesses to return or let alone, win the 2011 WS.. Lots of games and Season left and who knows, maybe Utley,VIctorino,ROllins,Ibanez,Ruiz, will all get hot hitting the ball, I don’t see it happeneing though, I see an old team who will struggle scoring more than 4 Runs a game and will have many of it’s older players bodies break down and spend time on and off the DL as the Season Progresses.. What’s worse is come next year when Ibanez,Oswalt,Lidge,Baes,Romero,Schneider, Francisco,Kendrick and possibly Rollins are gone from the Team, who replaces these players…
Are Mayberry,Valdez,Martiniez,Worley,Zagurski,Stutes,Sardinah,Orr really everyday MLB Players.. This Philie franchise looking down the road could be one of the those teams who fall from greatness to a mediocrity in a hurry while still having a very high Payroll…. Players like Hamels,Madson will command big $$$$ this off-season and the MLB Office just stated last week that the Phils were in the Top 5 of all teams in MLB with a very poor or high Debt Ratio… How can this be ? After almost 3 straight seasons of Sellouts and all the Merchandising $$$ that’s been rolling in…. Sounds like another Lehman Brothers Wall Street scam to me… I may have to move back to Philly to straightened this Franchise out… Good Grief…
As I said many times before on here, ” This teams bench, backups and bullpen are full of dumpster diving crap & rule 5 stiffs that Amaro’s infatuation with. Also as I stated many times what good moves other than Halladay & Oswalt has been good moves for this team. Martinez, Orr, Herndon, Mayberry, suck. Ibanez, Blanton, Lidge, Romero, & Baez are gigantic mistakes, Howard should never have gotten $25 million. He did not replace Burrell, Werth or Durbin, & Brown, Worley & Stutes are all overhyped no ones to get everyone chunked up! They are an old, overhyped & overpaid team. Please everyone don’t give me that they are still in first crap either. They just lost 4 of 6 to the f^@#ing Nats & Pirates. They shouldn’t even be AAA teams. With this team the way it is currently constituted will not go far in the playoffs, let alone win a World Series. This team is disgusting & unwatchable right now, & I love them & have been a fan for 35 years.
Get Martinez’s ass out of here! Bring up Beliard, he’s not going to set the world on fire, but he is a solid vet who’s been there done that. Martinez is a flat out waste of space!
DD you are overreacting. If youve been a fan for 35 years, then just enjoy the ride aand stop bitching. This is the best team they have ever had.
To Stopgat,
With “Great Teams” especially with all the hype that surrounded this 2011 Phillies Team, come great expectations, and thus far. 1/3 thru the Season,the Phils are not showing any type of dominance at all.. Yes they have the best record in the NL as of today (7 treams are within 3-4 games), but I believe, that DDCar’s frustration (as well as mine) is that the Team inproved their Starting Pitching,but at the expense of becoming weaker everywhere else, the Hitting, the OF, & the Bench are not MLB Quality and they did nothing in the off-season to strengthen the team in these areas and with the 2nd Highester Payroll in MLB, we expect a better team.. With the older age of most of th ecore players who have played a lot of baseball games over the last 4-5 years, many of these players bodies are breaking down and there are no wuality players to replace them..This Team will not get to a WS in 2011 as it is comprised right now, and to me, anything less than a WS appearance with this Starting Rotation is a major disappointment and almost to ‘choke” level…
Your overracting too. As you mentioned, look at the records in baseball. You think this team cant get hot? THey are a second half team, and they have lulls against poor teams, especially the Pirates. I dont care if they win 120 games, and I dont really care about your opinion Paulman. I am going to enjoy watching good baseball, and not complain every day, because in 3-4 years, we will have something to complain about. But as it stands now, they are ahead of the teams they need to be ahead of. Brown is going to keep getting better. Howard will get hot. Ibanez will be up and down. The person you keep reffering to as old is having a great season (polonco) Utley is coming on. Just enjoy the season. I guess you people forget the rollercoaster that is a baseball season, but Paulman you keep talking october. It is june, and the phils have the best record in baseball, so just chill. October takes luck to hit in. in 08 they had it, and last year the giants did. Do you think the giants thought pat burrell and cody ross would lead them to the ship in june? You DONT KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE HERE, and PLAYING WELL come October so give it up.
Stopgoat, how am I over reacting? I am not a stepford fan & ignore all of the problems this team has. How can I enjoy the ride when i’m popping Tums every game. Use your eyes. They are the oldest team in baseball. Rollins, Ibanez & Utley are baked. Howard is a shell of his self right now. Their so called young studs are either not ready or never gonna be’s. Not to mention their bench, bullpen & backups are disgusting. When you lose 4 of 6 to the Nats & Pirates, you have major problems. This isn’t the teams of 2 or three years ago, when they could bash their way back in every game. They have zero power other than Howard, when he isn’t striking out 3 times a game. Amaro hasn’t replaced Burrell or Werth, Rollins, Utley, Brown & Ibanez have warning track power. They never bunt guys over, don’t steal & can’t play small ball. How the hell is this the best team they ever had? Need I continue? Hey, Paulman at least someone agrees. Maybe I was wrong by feeding into all the preseason hype, & I expected too much.
BTW, Polanco is a great ballplayer. Right now he is on pace to win the Gold Glove & Silver Slugger for 3B. It would great if they could clone 4 more of him.
***Paulmans 1st Trade Alert for June 2011****
Phils Trade Pitchers, V Worley, M Stutes and OF D Brown to the NY Mets for
3B David Wright… (Phils then move Polanco to 2B and Utley out to the Outfield, Wright provides pop from the right side and has always hit real well at Citizens Ball Park.. he could easily be a 30 HR-100 RBI player in Philly)
The New Phils Line-up
#1) J Rollins — SS
#2) P Polanco –2B
#3) C Utley — RF
#4) R Howard — 1B
#5) D Wright — 3B
#6) R Ibanez — LF
#7) S Victorino — CF
#8) C Ruiz — C
#9) Pitcher
David Wright contract is coming up and it appears the Mets will be looking to re-sign SS J Reyes and are not able to afford both Reyes,Wright,Bay, Sanatna’s big contracts.. The yhave a young promising 3B in K Turner playing well in Wrights abscence as he heals from injury.. Met’s need some young promising Pitchers and OF D Brown will replace Current Mets OF C Beltran who also will be moved by the Trade Deadline. A win-win for both clubs, pull the trigger Reuben..
Paul, even though IMO, those 3 aren’t setting the world on fire, & all are overrated, that’s too much for Wright. He’s old too. Also in no way shape or form are they moving Utley to the OF. He has never played there & he will get hurt easier there than 2B. Now if you said Eithier or Pence for Brown & a couple of lesser prospects (Singleton, Rizzotti, Savery, any combination), then that would be great. But they have to move a contract too, & no one wants Blanton, Ibanez or Rollins. The Phils aren’t going to trade Stutes or Worley.
DDCar,
3B D Wright is 27 Years old and just entering his Prime right now and has a good 4-5 Productive years ahead of him.. Mets can’ afford him and are looking for quality but inexpensive players with potential… Phils are build to win now and no teams are going to in interested in olde,overpaid veterans in BLanton/Ibanez/Lidge,etc,etc… The only Trade Bait the Phils have are the young players (Brown,Worley,Stutes,AAA players..) It is what it is..
paulman… if the mets cant afford wright then why do you think the phillies can? This team is the best they have ever had, but it still needs improvments. The fact that we spent so much money on pitching makes us settle on crappy bench and bullpen. I think we need to get rid of blanton, kendrick, martinez, francisco, and orr and give people like worley, belliard, delwyn young chances to succeed. Also i think we should get rid of ibanez while he still has value and get a young solid OF to replace him.
The Phils will have the Following Payroll come off the Books next year
R Oswalt — $ 16 Million
R Ibanez — $ 12 Million
B Lidge — $ 12 Million
D Baes, – $ 2.75 Million
B Francisco -$ 1.75 Million
B Schneider $ 1.6 Million
K Kendrick $ 2.5 Million
J Blanton $ 10 Million
This is about $50 Million when you add it up.. Now the Phils still have to decide on J Rollins future and extend or resign core players like C Hamels,R Madson, A Bastardo..
Top 5 Teams in Payroll in the MLB
#1) NY Yankees — $196 Million
#2) PHILLIES — $173 Million
#3) Boston Red Sox $160 Million
#4) LA Angels $139 Million
#5) Chi White Sox $ 130 Million
#6) Chicago Cubs $ 126 Million
#7) NY Mets $ 120 Million
#8) SF Giants $ 117 Million
#12) SL CArdinals $ 96 Million
#15) Atlanta Braves $ 87 Million
#16) Brewers $ 85 Million
#19) Cincinnati Reds $ 76 Million
You can see how the Philles have a much Higher Payroll than every other NL Team by far… and how many long term overpaid deals that have not returned the productions from many players .. (Ibanez,Blanton,Rollins,Lidge to name a few)
What’s amazing to me is how can most in the media think that GM R Amaro has done a great job assembling the best roster for the amount spent on payroll.. It’s way out of wack and now there are 4-5 rising teams with half the PAyroll and have squads built with many younger players who are entering their primes like the Brewers,Reds,Rockies,Marlins while the Phils put their Hopes that Hallday/Lee can pitch until they are 40 years old and that Howard/Utley can live up to their promise of production with their $20 Million for Howard and $15 Million for Utley
Forgot to add
#24) Florida Marlins — $56 Million
#25) Arizona Diamondbacks — $53 Million
#26) Celveland Indians — $48 Million
#29) Tampa Bay RAys — $41 Million
I listed these last 4 teams for they are all in the playoff hunt with the Phils as well, What’s the Difference.. Are their Managers better, are their Players better, do the work harder, care more, have easier ball parks to hit in or pitch in .. I reallyl think that too many players and Coaches within the Phils Organization have become a little too comfortable and have lot that edge they have from 2-3 Seasons ago whaen they had the swashbuckling mentalitiy of doing whatever it took to win a game.. Now with all th recent success and media coverage and hoopla that surrouns the team, does anyone else think that some of these players and coaches have lost a little of that fire when they were out to make a name for themselves.. It seems that many of the players now have that stand-offish, cool, everything is ok with me and team and I am just here to do my job type of attitude …maybe it’s the pressure, the constant irks of the press and bloggers.. I don’t know, but what I do know is that many of th eplayers don’t seem to be having fun like they used to and That’s the part that concerns me moving forward.. They need to lighten up and have some fun once in a whole playing a boys game…
Brown is not going to be traded. The Mets want NOTHING to do with Jose Reyes. They are still the best team in baseball so thats why I say they are the best team they have ever had. They might get another player, but ibanez is hitting .385 in his last 16 games and cannot be moved out of left field. BTW Chase is not going to the outfield. This isnt MLB2k11. He is an infielder, and it takes a lot of work to just become an outfielder. Also, Blanton does not come off of the books, and neither does oswalt, unless they want to pay him 3 mil to go away.
Mets want and need SS Reyes who is having a MVP type of Season
who is only 27 years and just coming into his prime, He’s matured a lot and is finalyl healthy.. The issue is the Mets cannot afford him and with their ownership issues, Reynes may want to move on to a Winner and will command big bucks as a Free-Agent..
Sorry Stopgoat,
Oswalt will retire after this season, Blanton is under contract, but he won’t be with the Phils after this season, but I am sure they will have to eat some of his contract and as far as Utlyey converted to RF/LF, it’s not that big of adjustment and especialyl if your a decent athlete.. Pat Burrel was 3B before Phils moved him to LF, Matt Holliday of the Cardinals was 3B before going to OF, LAnce berkman was 3B/1B before going back to OF at age 34 and he hasn’t done too bad..
paulman, you are so so pigheaded.
Sometimes I am, but I am still usually right about things…
(very similar to Coach ARR’s Pass to Run Ratio 70%-30% of the time)