The Philadelphia Phillies lost the second game of their series with the Giants, falling 9-2 on Wednesday night. Their record drops to 50-57.
- Kyle Kendrick had what was easily his worst start of the season, lasting just two innings and allowing seven runs. Kendrick put the team down by four runs after the first inning, and was pulled in the third after allowing three runs and failing to record a single out.
- Kendrick’s era has now shot up to 4.29.
- Chase Utley went 1-4 with a solo home run, his 14th of the season.
- Michael Young went 2-4 with a couple of singles.
- Delmon Young went 0-4 with two strikeouts.
- Cody Asche got the start at third and went 0-4. Asche did make an excellent diving play in the field to get Hunter Pence out in the first inning.
- I’m still shocked that Raul Valdes is still a member of this organization, but he did give the team three scoreless innings with five strikeouts out of the bullpen tonight.
- J.C. Ramirez allowed two runs on four hits over two innings.
- Jake Diekman and Luis Garcia each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game.
Final Thoughts
The trade deadline came and went without the Phillies making a single move.
Cliff Lee, Chase Utley, Jonathan Papelbon, Michael Young, Carlos Ruiz, and Delmon Young are all still Phillies.
While I certainly think that Ruben Amaro deserves criticism for failing to add some talent to the team’s minor league system, there simply wasn’t much of a market for what the Phillies were selling. No team was banging down the doors to get Michael Young, Carlos Ruiz, or Delmon Young. Jonathan Papelbon wasn’t an attractive option for a lot of teams because of his high salary and declining fastball.
I’ll give Ruben credit for not dealing Cliff Lee. Lee is still pitching like an elite pitcher. He’s showing no signs of slowing down, and the Phillies are a better team with him next year than without him. Amaro wasn’t going to part with his ace unless he got something legitimately significant in return, and that offer simply wasn’t out there. If Amaro had caved, and dealt Lee just to make a move, he would have likely gotten back a package similar to the one he got for Lee back in 2009 (Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gilles, J.C. Ramirez). If there wasn’t a good deal on the table for Lee, why move him now? I’d rather take my chances that Lee will remain an elite pitcher for the next two years and help the Phillies return to playoff contention than settle for a handful of B-list prospects.
However, I have a serious issue with how Amaro and the organization have chosen to handle Chase Utley. Although Utley has an expiring contract and has played well enough to attract interest from contending teams, the Phillies never seriously entertained the idea of trading him. Instead, the team is preparing to throw a new contract at him worth about $13 million a year for the next two or three years. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t send Utley to a contender and get some value for him now, and then simply bring him back as a free-agent over the winter. Even though Utley may have not been good enough to fetch an elite prospect, I just don’t like the fact that the Phillies were so closed-minded to the idea of dealing him.
Totally agree with you Denny on Lee and Utley. I wouldnt have moved Lee just to do it. I wouldve wanted a MLB ready impact player with power and then 2-3 additional pieces… and with the $ on Lee’s deal it wasnt the right time for all parties. In my opinion pending his performance doesnt decline his value goes up next year and the same the year after when his remaining contract balance goes down.
and with Utley I am just blown away that are GM was that committed to the man not the player the man. I am 100% certain the Phillies wouldve easily acquired a top 25 prospect (not on a team in the entire prospect pool) but because our front office likes chase utley the person so much they wouldnt sell him for 3 months, its really horrid. and with this stance I now know our organization is not committed to winning future world series championships as I felt they once were..
sad
As a rental with an expiring contract they would not have gotten a top 25. No wAy
ok. you are wrong but ok. stud rental players have historically received a lot in return… do some research. there wouldve been no less than 7 teams fighting for chase and he wouldve been the most sought after and most desired asset on the market
You might be right. There has to be a plan we don’t know about. I really thought this was the time… There better be a plan to get a real bat or two in that line up next yeR
i hate to say it but say you add the old fossil beltran to this lineup and a few bullpen pieces and chase is resigned are we better than atlanta and the nats next year? can we be better than the reds, cards, dodgers?… i hate to say it because i want this organization to be going in a different direction but i think they can… baseball truely is one of the only old man sports out there…
I heard somewhere that beltrans 2 year 26 million contract is the template for utleys deal.
There is no plan. Amaro stated about a month back that he has no plan. This guy is running this team by the seat of his pants hoping against hope that these older players will revert back to what they were.
Why not add Beltran? Corner the market on aging injury prone ex superstars. At least he is a patient hitter who will take pitches and walk unlike most of the rest of the team.
I also agree with your assesment Denny. I am not trading a top 5 pitcher just to trade him. There’s not a soul out there that wants that loud mouth paps for his price tag. I’m sure a lot of these guys are going to be placed on waivers, lets see if anything can get done there? If your the Phil’s don’t you look to resign Ruiz for a year or two, think about what the alternative is? I’d let both of the Young’s go for whatever they can get in return.. I’m thinking once the waiver deadline gets here, the team that claims them will be desperate and pay a little more.
He has NO plan! He’s an moron! Get it through your heads! He missed huge opportunities, for 2 full years now, to rebuild, get younger & better. But, in his retarded, delusional mind, everything is going to be ok, because they have a time machine & a healing fountain! He’s predictably using the injury excuse as a crutch, AGAIN, conveniently leaving out their 12-18 start, fully healthy, & the last 2 hideous years! F^#@ him, & this team. They get what they deserve, until he’s sent packing!
*A moron*
Everyone is agreeing with you that he is a moron.
Not everyone. Apparantly ownership thinks that he is doing a bang up job or are just susceptible to his many excuses.
Well you got that rite bugs.. I was mainly referring to the people on gcobb
I know Frank. I was just being an ahole.
Ethan Martin and his 67 BBs in 115 IP to start on Friday. This guy walks more guys than Mike Williams.
They have no direction what so ever. Its sad actually.
It’s common knowledge that Ryan sanderg is the worst 3rd base coach in the mlb and by far worst in phillies history right?
LOL agreed