Pitch or Die: The Jamie Moyer Story

I think Ruben Amaro is a pretty good General Manager. He sees that the current team has about another three year window, he understands the importance of a strong farm system, and he has a mancrush on Roy Halladay, like we all should. However, his Achilles Heel seems to be unending quest to give too many years to veteran players.

First, it was two years for Jamie Moyer's Cretaceous-era left arm, then it was three year contract for Raul Ibanez that will take him through his 39th birthday. And this past off-season it was three years for Placido Polanco. Fortunately for the Phillies, they have the flexibility with budget and minor league replacements that they can afford to make big mistakes like these. But it is still a disturbing trend.

I don't think I'd be going to far out on a limb to say that Moyer is cooked. He's obviously lasted longer than anyone could have ever imagined, and he should be applauded for his ability to be a major league pitcher into his late forties. But sending him out there every fifth day is basically telling the offense that they need to score a minimum of seven runs. No pressure.

So what can the Phillies do?

1. Release him and eat the $6-7 Million left on his contract. I don't think this will happen, particularly with the dearth of left handed relievers out there. Guys like Alan Embree and Eddie Guardado have kept their careers going just because of the arm they throw with, so they may be able to extract some return on their investment by putting him in the bullpen.

2. Kindly ask him to retire. Not a lot of incentive for Moyer to do this as the Phillies wouldn't have to pay him his cash, and his reaction to Pedro replacing him last year pretty much demonstrated that he's already become an old crank. Pretty much rule this one out.

3. Pitch Halladay every other day. I'm sure he could do it.

The good news is, the Phillies are good enough to keep running Moyer and Kendrick out there for a few more starts until Blanton is healthy and Pedro is ready to start pitching again. But until then, there are going to be some games that are difficult to watch.

In Depth World Series Preview

New York Yankees? More like New York STANKees!!! Am I right?

Phillies in 3.

Three Quick Predictions About the Home Run Derby

1. I won't watch it.

2. There will be a number of similar blogs tomorrow that complain about Chris Berman. They will be very similar to the day-after the HR Derby posts from 2008 and 2007.

3. ESPN will work Mike & Mike into the broadcast in a clever, hilarious way.

This is SOOOOO John Gonzalez

From his column today:

Nice to have Entourage back

My Ears!

I hate Rick Sutcliffe. He adds nothing to any broadcast that he is a part of (at least when he is sober). But to make life worse, ESPN's broadcast geniuses figure he will be easier to listen to when paired with Berman. I hate you ESPN. Why can't Yahoo start a sports network?

Take Me Back to 2008

Phils lose. Hits would help.

Wish I could add more analysis of the game, but I didn't watch a pitch. In the past I could tolerate Jon Miller and Joe Morgan during ESPN games, though I would have to switch them off at times in order to cleanse my listening pallette. But the addition of Steve Phillips to the broadcast is too much for me to tolerate. So no Sunday night games for this guy. I'll try and catch them on Tuesday. CATCH THEM GET IT!!

Welcome Back

We are back from resting season. At least I am. Jim still may be on the streets of New York looking for his mp3 player.

So what have we missed? Someone, most likely Adam Eaton, slipped some Krytonite into Cole Hamels' Campbell's Soup. This probably had something to do with Eaton being released (that and the fact that he is a terrible pitcher). Geoff Jenkins also got the boot so the Phillies could flirt with Gary Sheffield. Chan Ho Park will be in the Phillies starting rotation which would be exciting news if it was 2000. Other than that, it was a pretty quiet Spring in Clearwater.

Here are some quick predictions by yours truly:

Ryan Howard will finally get off to a hot start. He'll have 30 home runs by the All Star Break.

Chase Utley will struggle early because he came back too soon from his crazy hip surgery. I don't think I'm going out on too far of a limb with this one.

Brad Lidge will blow a save. In fact, he may blow two.

Pedro Feliz will cause me to consider throwing my laptop into the middle of the street.

Shane Victorino will post a .700 OPS, which will cause the Phillies to make a move for another outfielder.

The Phillies will end up winning 88 games, which will be good enough for the Wild Card. Unfortunately, the Mets will win the Division.

NL Predictions:
East: Mets
Central: Cubs
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Phillies
NL Winner: Diamondbacks
MVP other than Pujols: Prince Fielder
Cy Young: Johan Santana

AL Predictions:
East: Red Sox
Central: White Sox
West: Angels
WC: Rays
AL Winner: Red Sox
MVP: Grady Sizemore
Cy Young: Jon Lester

Unfortunately for most of us, the Red Sox will win the World Series.

Raul Ibanez might not be the player that Pat Burrell was, but he is definitely a much better actor.