This morning, purely coincidentally, I pulled Trent's SoxandPhils bib out of the drawer. It says, "I'm not torn, I root for the SoxandPhils."
I thought it was appropriate.
He didn't see much of tonight's game, a 5-0 Phillies win. Josh Beckett was a little bit rusty coming off his stomach bug, five runs in six innings, while Cliff Lee was as smooth as he's been all month, a shutout with just two hits, two walks and five strikeouts. That's three straight shutouts, and his scoreless streak is at 32 innings. Watch out Orel Hershisher.
Game 1 goes to the Phils. I'm just glad I was home for it. I doubt I will be tomorrow.
Showing posts with label Cliff Lee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cliff Lee. Show all posts
Jun 28, 2011
Dec 14, 2010
Our heads are still spinning
So many thoughts flew through our heads, so little time to get them down.
The surprising return of Cliff Lee is like a good novel full of plot twists that has Philly fans psyched and Yankees fans crying.
The only way to improve that story is if it were true that there was a SoxandPhils trade for Joe Blanton that was motivated by the Red Sox helping the Phillies afford to add their fourth ace to keep him out of the Bronx.
That's probably a little far-fetched, but not so much more far-fetched than the Phillies signing a guy to a $120 million contract just about a year after they traded him away because they didn't think they could re-sign him.
Now, we have to worry about him matching up with Jon Lester in Game 2 of the World Series. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about the Game 4 John Lackey-Roy Oswalt matchup. We'll figure it out. Sox in 7.
The surprising return of Cliff Lee is like a good novel full of plot twists that has Philly fans psyched and Yankees fans crying.
The only way to improve that story is if it were true that there was a SoxandPhils trade for Joe Blanton that was motivated by the Red Sox helping the Phillies afford to add their fourth ace to keep him out of the Bronx.
That's probably a little far-fetched, but not so much more far-fetched than the Phillies signing a guy to a $120 million contract just about a year after they traded him away because they didn't think they could re-sign him.
Now, we have to worry about him matching up with Jon Lester in Game 2 of the World Series. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about the Game 4 John Lackey-Roy Oswalt matchup. We'll figure it out. Sox in 7.
Oct 13, 2010
Elvi
While waiting for the Phillies to begin the NLCS against Pat Burrell and the rest of the Giants, we spent last night watching Game 5 of the ALDS between the Rays and Rangers.
Former Phil Cliff Lee (are people still upset he's gone?) went the distance and induced a pop-up to shortstop Elvis Andrus to end the game.
It's an omen. The Phillies will beat Pat Burrell and his bulldog Elvis Burrell, while former Phil Cliff Lee and Elvis Andrus knock off the Yankees.
Then, the Phillies will have passed through two Elvi to win their second championship in three years.
Former Phil Cliff Lee (are people still upset he's gone?) went the distance and induced a pop-up to shortstop Elvis Andrus to end the game.
It's an omen. The Phillies will beat Pat Burrell and his bulldog Elvis Burrell, while former Phil Cliff Lee and Elvis Andrus knock off the Yankees.
Then, the Phillies will have passed through two Elvi to win their second championship in three years.
Sep 22, 2010
Wacky Wednesday
One of Trent's Dr. Seuss stories is Wacky Wednesday, which is about a boy who finds lots of things askew, such as a shoe on the wall, a car with no wheels and two knobs on the door to the hall.Today felt like Wacky Wednesday looking at the SoxandPhils clips, most notably this Phil Sheridan column that calls the Cliff Lee trade logical.
Gee, all it took was Roy Halladay winning 20 games, Cole Hamels pitching like everyone expected after 2008 and Roy Oswalt pitching like an ace sniffing the playoffs after he was rescued from a morbid team.
And, it also helps that the Phillies have been the best team in baseball since July 21 and that the Eagles traded one of their stars and now have a dog killer quarterbacking.
Less wacky: There has been a lot of speculation about the Red Sox targeting Jayson Werth, so it's not that far-fetched to see a story about it. But it's a little wacky to read a Phillies-turned-Red Sox beat writer speculating about the current Phillies right fielder coming to the Fens.
I don't see it happening, but it did catch my eye this morning.
Today's games: The Braves and Phillies had a good duel. It was scoreless until the 8th when Raul Ibanez doubled in wacky Werth, who also caught the final out in the 9th. Magic number is now four; we hope it's down to one before Sunday's game. ... The Red Sox beat the Orioles 6-1. Wacky.
Jul 30, 2010
Ed Wade fleeced the Phillies
The Roy Oswalt era didn't get off to a thrilling start - five runs (four earned) in six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Nationals.
By the way, how come I haven't seen this factoid hammered home a million times: Through age 31, the pitcher most similar to Oswalt is Roy Halladay. Too bad this Roy didn't pitch like the good Roy tonight.
J.A. Happ, meanwhile, pitched six shutout innings against the Brewers in his Astros debut.
What does all of this mean? The Phillies should have kept Cliff Lee.
{And J.A. Happ.}
The Red Sox trail the Tigers 6-1 in the 9th. Jon Lester pitched like Roy Oswalt.
By the way, how come I haven't seen this factoid hammered home a million times: Through age 31, the pitcher most similar to Oswalt is Roy Halladay. Too bad this Roy didn't pitch like the good Roy tonight.
J.A. Happ, meanwhile, pitched six shutout innings against the Brewers in his Astros debut.
What does all of this mean? The Phillies should have kept Cliff Lee.
{And J.A. Happ.}
The Red Sox trail the Tigers 6-1 in the 9th. Jon Lester pitched like Roy Oswalt.
Jul 29, 2010
Phillies (yawn) land big-name pitcher before trade deadline
For the second consecutive year, the Phillies landed a big fish for their rotation. Of course, the celebration is muted for Roy Oswalt because only a few months ago the team had jettisoned a better, slightly younger ace who was very popular in the clubhouse and among fans.
That was my first thought, but then I considered this: What if, last year, the Phillies landed Roy Halladay midseason and Cliff Lee never came to town? Can you imagine the euphoria there would be today if the Phillies then acquired a matching Roy for the top of the rotation?
Under that scenario, Ruben Amaro Jr. would be viewed as a god in this town. But that's not the scenario we have, so he'll probably be remembered as the dolt who dumped Cliff Lee (even if the Phillies win more World Series).
We'll see what the new Roy has to offer when he debuts tomorrow.
The Phillies continued to roll tonight, beating the Diamondbacks 3-2 in 11 innings on 1980s night.
The Red Sox were off, but they were still rolling, too. It was Josh Beckett's charitable bowling event.
That was my first thought, but then I considered this: What if, last year, the Phillies landed Roy Halladay midseason and Cliff Lee never came to town? Can you imagine the euphoria there would be today if the Phillies then acquired a matching Roy for the top of the rotation?
Under that scenario, Ruben Amaro Jr. would be viewed as a god in this town. But that's not the scenario we have, so he'll probably be remembered as the dolt who dumped Cliff Lee (even if the Phillies win more World Series).
We'll see what the new Roy has to offer when he debuts tomorrow.
The Phillies continued to roll tonight, beating the Diamondbacks 3-2 in 11 innings on 1980s night.
The Red Sox were off, but they were still rolling, too. It was Josh Beckett's charitable bowling event.
Jul 17, 2010
Trent dirties diapers, Sox and Phils rally
Christine went to the store this afternoon, so it was just the little guy and me watching the Phillies game on TV. {I listened on the radio and was entertained by Larry Andersen's rants.} Well, he slept more than watched, until the Phillies had one out in the 9th, trailing the Cubs 1-0.
That's when Trent woke up needing his diaper changed. I forgot to put on a TV upstairs so I could listen to the ending while taking care of business. Because of a little spraying, it took a little longer than I expected. When I was done, I turned on the game expecting it to be over. Nope - the Phillies had the bases loaded and were winning 2-1. They added two more to win 4-1. Trent's pixie dust, which last night I proclaimed was gone, has returned.
The littlest SoxandPhil may really be getting the hang of things. Cliff Lee dominated the Red Sox and took a 2-1 lead into the 9th inning with about 90 pitches. But after changing another diaper, I was able to sit down and watch Kevin Youkilis rip a single to tie the game.
The game went into the 11th without any more diaper emergencies, but Trent decided to keep losing his pacifier to see how many times Christine and I would run upstairs to retrieve it for him. I think that was just his way of willing Youkilis to hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to beat the Rangers 3-2.
That's when Trent woke up needing his diaper changed. I forgot to put on a TV upstairs so I could listen to the ending while taking care of business. Because of a little spraying, it took a little longer than I expected. When I was done, I turned on the game expecting it to be over. Nope - the Phillies had the bases loaded and were winning 2-1. They added two more to win 4-1. Trent's pixie dust, which last night I proclaimed was gone, has returned.
The littlest SoxandPhil may really be getting the hang of things. Cliff Lee dominated the Red Sox and took a 2-1 lead into the 9th inning with about 90 pitches. But after changing another diaper, I was able to sit down and watch Kevin Youkilis rip a single to tie the game.
The game went into the 11th without any more diaper emergencies, but Trent decided to keep losing his pacifier to see how many times Christine and I would run upstairs to retrieve it for him. I think that was just his way of willing Youkilis to hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to beat the Rangers 3-2.
Jul 16, 2010
No more pixie dust
I finished typing last night's post as the Phillies trailed the Cubs 12-2 in the 9th. We were getting nervous that Trent did have some magic charm over the Phillies as they started scoring runs. But he did not have a mystical 10-run inning in him - just four runs.
It seems as if his powers expired at the All-Star break because the Phillies lost another one today, 4-3.
The Red Sox are losing again too, 7-3 in the 6th to the Rangers.
Tomorrow, little Trent gets his first SoxandPhils double header as the Phillies play in the afternoon and the Sox are on a national broadcast at night, facing Cliff Lee.
It seems as if his powers expired at the All-Star break because the Phillies lost another one today, 4-3.
The Red Sox are losing again too, 7-3 in the 6th to the Rangers.
Tomorrow, little Trent gets his first SoxandPhils double header as the Phillies play in the afternoon and the Sox are on a national broadcast at night, facing Cliff Lee.
Mar 22, 2010
Numerical musings
There is not one stat in this post.
When the Red Sox recently brought back Alan Embree for a looksie, they gave him No. 43 again. Since he left midway through 2005, Chad Harville, Mike Holtz and Devern Hansack have worn that number.
I guess despite tossing the last pitch in the great 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox clubhouse guy didn't feel a need to freeze that jersey number, as is the custom of the Phillies clubhouse guy Frank Coppenbarger.
Comcast SportsNet's Jim Salisbury had a fascinating piece the other day on how the Phillies dole out uniform numbers for newly acquired players and how Roy Halladay wound up with Cliff Lee's No. 34.
Basically: Hallady wore 32 in Toronto, but that is retired for Steve Carlton in Philly. Last summer, the team decided he would wear 34 but had to reverse plans when Lee became the midseason acquisition. This year, when Halladay-to-the-Phillies was imminent, the staff decided he would get back the 34 he never had and gave Cliff Lee the No. 31 he had worn previously. But that wasn't necessary once Lee was shipped to Seattle.
Interesting SoxandPhils number notes from the column: In 2008, when there was a Manny Ramirez for Pat Burrell trade rumor (which Christine has completely forgotten about), the Phillies special-ordered a pair of long pants for Manny.
After drafting J.D. Drew, the Phillies reserved No. 39 for him, which he wore in college.
Curt Schilling's No. 38 was frozen for a while after he left. Pat Burrell's No. 5 is currently frozen, and they didn't know what they were going to do if Nomar Garciaparra joined the Phillies last year.
When the Red Sox recently brought back Alan Embree for a looksie, they gave him No. 43 again. Since he left midway through 2005, Chad Harville, Mike Holtz and Devern Hansack have worn that number.
I guess despite tossing the last pitch in the great 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox clubhouse guy didn't feel a need to freeze that jersey number, as is the custom of the Phillies clubhouse guy Frank Coppenbarger.
Comcast SportsNet's Jim Salisbury had a fascinating piece the other day on how the Phillies dole out uniform numbers for newly acquired players and how Roy Halladay wound up with Cliff Lee's No. 34.
Basically: Hallady wore 32 in Toronto, but that is retired for Steve Carlton in Philly. Last summer, the team decided he would wear 34 but had to reverse plans when Lee became the midseason acquisition. This year, when Halladay-to-the-Phillies was imminent, the staff decided he would get back the 34 he never had and gave Cliff Lee the No. 31 he had worn previously. But that wasn't necessary once Lee was shipped to Seattle.
Interesting SoxandPhils number notes from the column: In 2008, when there was a Manny Ramirez for Pat Burrell trade rumor (which Christine has completely forgotten about), the Phillies special-ordered a pair of long pants for Manny.
After drafting J.D. Drew, the Phillies reserved No. 39 for him, which he wore in college.
Curt Schilling's No. 38 was frozen for a while after he left. Pat Burrell's No. 5 is currently frozen, and they didn't know what they were going to do if Nomar Garciaparra joined the Phillies last year.
Feb 9, 2010
Groundhog day
I felt some deja vu this morning, and not just because we're expecting another huge snowstorm (although we should stay under two feet this time).No, my feeling of we've been through this before was when I logged on to Philly.com and saw a blaring headline about an All-Star pitcher who revealed he had surprise surgery.
I had flashbacks to Brad Lidge, but then I remembered that the pitcher in question, Cliff Lee, is no longer a Phillie. No sweat off our backs.
Procrastination: If you need an excuse to put off shoveling for awhile longer, check out Chad Finn's year-by-year look at prospect rankings in the 1990s. It's a long read, but a funny look at how you never can trust how prospects are valued.
The 1998 class provides fodder for those who say the Phillies should have kept Cliff Lee (never mind his injury) or those who were concerned about giving up Kyle Drabek:
TINSTAAPP defined: If ever you needed evidence that There Is No Such Thing As A Pitching Prospect, here's your motherlode.
These are all of the pitchers among the top 30 prospects on this list:
Kerry Wood (4, good career but got Dustied), Matt White (6, paid a ridiculous bonus by Rays), Kris Benson (7, his wife made more headlines), Ryan Anderson (23, "Space Needle" blew out his arm in the minors, is now a chef), Matt Anderson (24, No. 1 overall pick who hurt his arm flinging an Octopus at a Wings game), Eric Milton (25, slop-balling lefty who had some success), Bruce Chen (27, we apologize to Eric Milton -- this is a slop-balling lefty), Scott Elarton (28, meh), Grant Roberts (29, most notable accomplishment was being photographed with a bong).
You half-expect David Clyde, Kirk Dressendorfer, and Mark Prior to show up with this raggedy-armed crew.
Hope shoveling doesn't turn you into a raggedy-armed, washed-out pitching prospect.
[Photo credit: Philadelphia Inquirer]
Feb 7, 2010
Pondering baseball on snowy Super Sunday
Before tackling the snow again, I had a minute to read Nick Cafardo, who suggests the Red Sox won't re-sign Josh Beckett because of health concerns. That's not entirely startling, except when reading about one of the paths the Red Sox could take instead:
Wouldn't that be an interesting twist of fate for SoxandPhils followers? Imagine Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez teammates again, this time in Boston.
Of course, as John Tomase points out, that could be just a fan's dream - like a rotation topped by Lee and Roy Halladay. It seems the big 2011 free agent class that everyone has been salivating over may not come to fruition thanks to the extension for Halladay and likely deal for Joe Mauer. It could be that the big names heading to market will be departing Boston: Beckett and V-Mart, meaning we should soon start hearing speculation about Martinez pairing up with Beckett and/or Lee in the Bronx.
If there weren't two feet of snow in my driveway, I'd say that would be the worst thought of the day.
Pigskin picks: Usually, I get turned off by the team everyone is rooting for, but the Saints really do have a fan base that deserves a winner - even before Katrina struck. I'd like to see a huge Mardi Gras celebration, but I don't think Peyton Manning will allow it to happen.
Puppy picks: I'm going with Bear to chew up the competition; Christine thinks Blaze is ready to pounce, but could see Kiva in an upset.
Which is why the Sox should wait on a Beckett extension and even explore the possibility of a free-agent-to-be like Cliff Lee. He was a pitcher the Sox looked into at the trading deadline, and he has a history with pitching coach John Farrell from their Cleveland days.
Wouldn't that be an interesting twist of fate for SoxandPhils followers? Imagine Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez teammates again, this time in Boston.
Of course, as John Tomase points out, that could be just a fan's dream - like a rotation topped by Lee and Roy Halladay. It seems the big 2011 free agent class that everyone has been salivating over may not come to fruition thanks to the extension for Halladay and likely deal for Joe Mauer. It could be that the big names heading to market will be departing Boston: Beckett and V-Mart, meaning we should soon start hearing speculation about Martinez pairing up with Beckett and/or Lee in the Bronx.
If there weren't two feet of snow in my driveway, I'd say that would be the worst thought of the day.
Pigskin picks: Usually, I get turned off by the team everyone is rooting for, but the Saints really do have a fan base that deserves a winner - even before Katrina struck. I'd like to see a huge Mardi Gras celebration, but I don't think Peyton Manning will allow it to happen.
Puppy picks: I'm going with Bear to chew up the competition; Christine thinks Blaze is ready to pounce, but could see Kiva in an upset.
Dec 18, 2009
Heart and soul
On an otherwise slow news day, two surprising stories broke late in the afternoon involving two of the longest-tenured members of the SoxandPhils:Jason Varitek laced them up and went ice skating at Fenway Park, and the Phillies picked up their 2011 option on Jimmy Rollins.
According to reports, Tek seems content to be coming back and serving as the backup to Victor Martinez. That's good. He is no longer an asset as a starting catcher, but I'm certainly pleased to have him stick with the team in a more appropriate role given his diminished ability.
Varitek knows he's going to be skating on the second line, but if called on to provide more, he'll be prepared:
"Just seeing it in a different role and seeing how my body adapts to maybe the less pounding, the less physical grind, that might be a good time for me to transition," Varitek said. "I'm preparing as I always do, to be able to handle as much as i can. So I'll prepare for a full-time role even though it's dictated in another way. That way if something happens, I'm ready to go.
"I don't think I'll change my pride in my work. I don't think that's going to change, just maybe the playing time is going to change. It's also some dynamics of flexibility. We have a pretty dynamic lineup [with] a lot of moving parts. Don't know exactly how that's all going to play out. Know that going into it that Vic's going to play the majority of the time. For me, I kind of got in that role last year, so I had two months to kind of get used to it."
One more year: J-Roll, meanwhile, gets $8.5 million to stay with the Phillies in 2011. Christine and I often forget how underpaid he has been. Even last year, one of his worst, J-Roll was worth $10.8 million, according to FanGraphs. He was paid $8.5 million.
The signing isn't all rosy, however, because it means the Phillies have nearly $110 million committed to 11 players - leaving $30 million to fill out the roster in 2011. I don't think you should get used to seeing Jayson Werth in right field after this year.
Speaking of cost control: I thought Cliff Lee sounded really uppity when ESPN's Mike Missanelli pressed him during an interview for details about the contract the Phillies offered him. He sounds like someone who was jilted and won't take any responsibility for the breakup.
[Photo credit: Boston Globe]
Dec 17, 2009
Ruben beats Theo; Ellsbury bests J-Roll
MLB.com announced today the fan-selected winners of a bunch of cheesy awards.
The Phillies won four categories; the Red Sox won one.
Two of the categories won by a Sox or Phil featured a head-to-head matchup between our teams. Jacoby Ellsbury beat Jimmy Rollins for defensive player of the year, while Ruben Amaro Jr. beat Theo Epstein for executive of the year. And this was before this week's big-time pitching acquisition. Clearly, John Lackey would have pushed Theo over the top.
The other This Year in Baseball Award winners were Jayson Werth for unsung hero (Christine says they're a year late on this one), J.A. Happ for rookie of the year, and the little girl who threw the foul ball her father caught back on the field won for oddity of the year.
Christine was surprised that Eric Bruntlett didn't win anything for his unassisted triple play, but the former Phillie was beat out by potential Phil DeWayne Wise for his great catch that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game.
Oh, there's one more meaningless award, this one from the masters of the obvious at the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America. Jon Lester was the best pitcher on the Red Sox last year.
Cliff Lee speaks: He's not happy:
Good luck, but just please don't make the best of it during the one or two starts you face the Red Sox.
The Phillies won four categories; the Red Sox won one.
Two of the categories won by a Sox or Phil featured a head-to-head matchup between our teams. Jacoby Ellsbury beat Jimmy Rollins for defensive player of the year, while Ruben Amaro Jr. beat Theo Epstein for executive of the year. And this was before this week's big-time pitching acquisition. Clearly, John Lackey would have pushed Theo over the top.
The other This Year in Baseball Award winners were Jayson Werth for unsung hero (Christine says they're a year late on this one), J.A. Happ for rookie of the year, and the little girl who threw the foul ball her father caught back on the field won for oddity of the year.
Christine was surprised that Eric Bruntlett didn't win anything for his unassisted triple play, but the former Phillie was beat out by potential Phil DeWayne Wise for his great catch that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game.
Oh, there's one more meaningless award, this one from the masters of the obvious at the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America. Jon Lester was the best pitcher on the Red Sox last year.
Cliff Lee speaks: He's not happy:
"Disbelief. Shock. Initially I was disappointed," Lee said when asked to expound on his emotions. "Obviously, it was great being part of a team that went to the World Series for the second year in a row and I was looking forward to trying for a third. That's a great group of guys. I enjoyed every second I was there. Now I'm in Seattle and I have to make the best of it."
Good luck, but just please don't make the best of it during the one or two starts you face the Red Sox.
Dec 16, 2009
First impressions
Well the dealing is done. (Maybe.) And our general managers publicly unveiled their new trophies today.Combined, Roy Halladay, John Lackey and Mike Cameron have played for 35 seasons. Halladay has never been to the playoffs. Cameron has been four times, but has only won two series he has been in. After winning the World Series as a rookie, Lackey hasn't had much success, as the Angels have won just two of six playoff series since 2002.
So do you think they're excited about joining two of baseball's elite teams?
Halladay:
This is a dream come true. The longer you play in your carer the more important (winning) becomes. I've been able to establish myself, achieve things. The more I play, the more I realize how important that is for me. To see a team do it in back-to-back years and have that success says a lot about the players in the clubhouse and people that are putting the team together. It's not an accident. I want to be a part of that. I've heard great things about the people and great things about the organization. That is big for me.
The biggest thing is having a chance to win and hopefully do it a couple of times. For me, that was the biggest factor.
Lackey:"Obviously, I've been here for some big names," said Lackey, who has made four postseason starts against the Red Sox and pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the American League Division Series in October, setting the tone for an Angels sweep. "I'm here to win. The bottom line is that I've always had a lot of respect for this organization from the other side. Winning is the biggest thing for me and I know the organization has a great chance to do that. Hopefully, I can help."
And Cameron:
From my past visits here, I kind of understand the passion people have here toward the game. I feel the same way. As much as a player, I've been a big fan of the game. When you go to different place you see the excitement and passion people have. I had a chance to go somewhere special and play in the World Series.
Hopefully, we'll see all three in the 2010 World Series.
Cliff Lee odds and ends: Christine reminded me that, this summer, I said people were stupid to buy Cliff Lee jerseys and T-shirts because even if he stuck around, he could have switched numbers from 34 to 31. Now, all those Lee fans must be wondering whether it's OK to just slap Halladay over their No. 34s. No, it's not. ... Not only did Doc take his uniform number, the Phillies didn't wait to replace the Cliff Lee bobblehead giveaway with a Roy Halladay bobblehead giveaway. This might set a record for the quickest bobblehead announcement.
Finally, I'm sure the debate whether the Phillies should have kept Lee will continue through the season. Here are two more views: one on why he doesn't fetch more in trades, the other on why the last two years of dealing make sense for the Phillies.
[Photo credits: Associated Press]
Dec 15, 2009
The Phillies are not the Yankees
This offseason may be remembered not as the one in which the Phillies traded away their recently acquired Cy Young award winner for a potential Hall of Famer, but more as the time in which the Phillies officially left the National League to join the Red Sox and Yankees in some ridiculously higher level of baseball maneuvering.
The big trade is still not completed, but a little clearer. Yes, Kyle Drabek will be dealt, but the Phillies will keep the three prospects from the Mariners they will get for Cliff Lee. I've warmed to the idea of trading Drabek for Halladay, especially because the Phillies are keeping top outfield prospect Domonic Brown and getting salary relief this year from the Blue Jays.
What I don't understand is jettisoning Lee for lesser prospects than those going to Toronto:
I think that's where I'm at with this one. Why not have the uber rotation of Halladay, Lee and Hamels, even if you know it's just for one year. If he walks after 2010, then the Phillies would get two high draft picks to restock the farm.
Of course, if they had done that, they would have gone from being the Yankees' peer to being the Yankees. It's fun to think about, but during the year, would we feel guilty, or even hypocritical, for encouraging one of our teams to embody what we hate about the Empire?
It'll just give me greater satisfaction after John Lackey wins the clincher in the ALCS and then is matched up against Doc in Game 7 of the World Series.
Amen: Sometimes I'm a stathead stuck in a traditionalist's body. I've had an innate dislike of Mike Cameron as a player. Rob Neyer, in a post nicely titled, "Red Sox spend less, win more," points out why we should love the decision to use him as Jason Bay's replacement:
So, J-Bay, thanks for the memories, and I hope you enjoy the millions the Empire is about to heap on you.
The big trade is still not completed, but a little clearer. Yes, Kyle Drabek will be dealt, but the Phillies will keep the three prospects from the Mariners they will get for Cliff Lee. I've warmed to the idea of trading Drabek for Halladay, especially because the Phillies are keeping top outfield prospect Domonic Brown and getting salary relief this year from the Blue Jays.
What I don't understand is jettisoning Lee for lesser prospects than those going to Toronto:
The Cliff Lee to Seattle portion of this trade just seems very light in return for the Phillies. They're getting two power arms with a lot of questions marks and a speedy center fielder without a lot of power. None of these guys are top tier prospects. This is the best Philadelphia could have gotten for Lee? Really? A pu-pu platter of interesting, high-risk guys not really close to the majors for a Cy Young-quality pitcher who is already well on his way to Type A free agency?
And, even if that's true, why clear $8 million from the books by trading Lee? Surely, you could have moved Joe Blanton without eating any of his salary, even if you didn't love the deals being offered. Or, how about this – don't sign J.C. Romero, Brian Schneider, and Ross Gload, whose 2010 salaries are about equal to Lee's. Replace those three reserves with league minimum guys and you've saved enough money to keep Lee around.
I think that's where I'm at with this one. Why not have the uber rotation of Halladay, Lee and Hamels, even if you know it's just for one year. If he walks after 2010, then the Phillies would get two high draft picks to restock the farm.
Of course, if they had done that, they would have gone from being the Yankees' peer to being the Yankees. It's fun to think about, but during the year, would we feel guilty, or even hypocritical, for encouraging one of our teams to embody what we hate about the Empire?
It'll just give me greater satisfaction after John Lackey wins the clincher in the ALCS and then is matched up against Doc in Game 7 of the World Series.
Amen: Sometimes I'm a stathead stuck in a traditionalist's body. I've had an innate dislike of Mike Cameron as a player. Rob Neyer, in a post nicely titled, "Red Sox spend less, win more," points out why we should love the decision to use him as Jason Bay's replacement:
He certainly isn't as expensive. As for productive ... Well, that depends on how you define "productive."
Over the last two seasons, Cameron produced 8.4 wins above replacement.
Over those same two seasons, Bay produced 6.4 wins above replacement.
The Red Sox are going to pay Cameron roughly half of what someone's going to pay Jason Bay. We try to make these things so complicated. But they're not, really. The Red Sox have figured out how to simplify everything. And I just can't wait to read all the columns in the Boston newspapers questioning Theo Epstein's intelligence and ownership's commitment to winning ...
So, J-Bay, thanks for the memories, and I hope you enjoy the millions the Empire is about to heap on you.
Dec 14, 2009
Aces high on wild day
Wow.
The slow offseason certainly picked up today for the SoxandPhils.
In a couple of huge surprises, the Phillies are on the verge of swapping Cy Young aces Cliff Lee for Roy Halladay in a stunning three-team deal among the Phils, Mariners and Blue Jays, while the Red Sox have cloned Josh Beckett by signing John Lackey.
On the undercard, meanwhile, the Red Sox are close to signing Mike Cameron to replace Jason Bay and have offered $15.5 million to Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, the 21-year-old lefty with a 102 MPH fastball.
This morning, I thought my blog post would be ripping David Murphy for not updating his blog since last week.
A lot has changed in the last several hours.
Here's my gut reaction on the day's news:
Philies: I don't think Halladay gives them much more than Cliff Lee this year. I don't know if it is better for the team in the long run, but I understand the logic on the theory that they were pretty sure they would lose Lee after this season while they will lock up Doc for several years under this deal.
I heard an analyst say recently that Halladay is Ruben Amaro's white whale. Well, he finally harpooned the bugger, and remarkably it looks like it won't cost top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek or outfield prospect Domonic Brown.
But some reports are saying that it might cost them Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and Domonic Brown in what we think could be a straight-up deal between the Phillies and Blue Jays. Would that mean the Phillies get to keep Lee? {Halladay, Lee and Hamels? Whoa. But I'd be disappointed to see homegrown Happ leave.}
Update: Now Jayson Stark says the deal will likely include Drabek. I give up trying to figure out this one tonight. I'll just say I'll be less enthused if the Phillies wind up paying $60 million and giving up Drabek just to upgrade from Lee to Halladay.
The best part is they kept Halladay out of New York. It was enjoyable listening to all the distraught Mets fans call WFAN.
Doc, welcome to Philly. Clifton Phifer, thanks for the short but sweet memories.
Red Sox: I'm not a big John Lackey fan, but I've warmed to him in the last several hours. Especially after learning that his career is most similar to Josh Beckett. Heck, each of them won a World Series clincher when they were 23 years old.
Check out these numbers:
John Lackey - 8 seasons, 3.81 ERA, 234 G, 1501 IP, 1519 H, 636 ER, 151 HR, 441 BB, 1201 K
Josh Beckett - 9 seasons, 3.79 ERA, 228 G, 1401 IP, 1280 H, 590 ER, 151 HR, 426 BB, 1330 K
I'm comfortable with those two behind ace Jon Lester. It's clear Theo Epstein isn't going to overpay for offense and is concentrating on run prevention. Or maybe the Lackey signing leads to a trade of Clay Buchholz for Adrian Gonzalez or another premier bat.
Whether or not that deal occurs, I'm comfortable with how our team is positioned. I've never been thrilled with Mike Cameron, but I have a good feeling that in the end we'll be a better team.
Let the Mets overpay for Bay.
The slow offseason certainly picked up today for the SoxandPhils.
In a couple of huge surprises, the Phillies are on the verge of swapping Cy Young aces Cliff Lee for Roy Halladay in a stunning three-team deal among the Phils, Mariners and Blue Jays, while the Red Sox have cloned Josh Beckett by signing John Lackey.
On the undercard, meanwhile, the Red Sox are close to signing Mike Cameron to replace Jason Bay and have offered $15.5 million to Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, the 21-year-old lefty with a 102 MPH fastball.
This morning, I thought my blog post would be ripping David Murphy for not updating his blog since last week.
A lot has changed in the last several hours.
Here's my gut reaction on the day's news:
Philies: I don't think Halladay gives them much more than Cliff Lee this year. I don't know if it is better for the team in the long run, but I understand the logic on the theory that they were pretty sure they would lose Lee after this season while they will lock up Doc for several years under this deal.
I heard an analyst say recently that Halladay is Ruben Amaro's white whale. Well, he finally harpooned the bugger, and remarkably it looks like it won't cost top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek or outfield prospect Domonic Brown.
But some reports are saying that it might cost them Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and Domonic Brown in what we think could be a straight-up deal between the Phillies and Blue Jays. Would that mean the Phillies get to keep Lee? {Halladay, Lee and Hamels? Whoa. But I'd be disappointed to see homegrown Happ leave.}
Update: Now Jayson Stark says the deal will likely include Drabek. I give up trying to figure out this one tonight. I'll just say I'll be less enthused if the Phillies wind up paying $60 million and giving up Drabek just to upgrade from Lee to Halladay.
The best part is they kept Halladay out of New York. It was enjoyable listening to all the distraught Mets fans call WFAN.
Doc, welcome to Philly. Clifton Phifer, thanks for the short but sweet memories.
Red Sox: I'm not a big John Lackey fan, but I've warmed to him in the last several hours. Especially after learning that his career is most similar to Josh Beckett. Heck, each of them won a World Series clincher when they were 23 years old.
Check out these numbers:
John Lackey - 8 seasons, 3.81 ERA, 234 G, 1501 IP, 1519 H, 636 ER, 151 HR, 441 BB, 1201 K
Josh Beckett - 9 seasons, 3.79 ERA, 228 G, 1401 IP, 1280 H, 590 ER, 151 HR, 426 BB, 1330 K
I'm comfortable with those two behind ace Jon Lester. It's clear Theo Epstein isn't going to overpay for offense and is concentrating on run prevention. Or maybe the Lackey signing leads to a trade of Clay Buchholz for Adrian Gonzalez or another premier bat.
Whether or not that deal occurs, I'm comfortable with how our team is positioned. I've never been thrilled with Mike Cameron, but I have a good feeling that in the end we'll be a better team.
Let the Mets overpay for Bay.
Oct 29, 2009
It's Cliff Lee's world, we're just living in it
I used a similar title after Game 1 of last year's World Series about Cole Hamels, who has now officially been supplanted as the Phillies ace by Clifton Phifer Lee.Lee's great night (complete game, 10 strikeouts) against the Yankees has been well-documented. It was a thing of beauty - especially against the Yankees, whose fans were surely taking the defending champs lightly.
Last year, we enjoyed watching Cole dominate the playoffs as Josh Beckett did the year before. Now, it's Cliff Lee's time. Hopefully, he can repeat either Beckett's World Series (he was used just once as the Red Sox swept) or Hamels (started Games 1 and 5 in the 4-1 win series win).
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Last night is over. Today is a new day and it's time to see whether Pedro Martinez (who used to own the universe) can follow up yesterday's rambling, but amusing, press conference with a virtuoso performance like he had against the Dodgers in the NLCS.
As a Red Sox fan, I've enjoyed many Pedro starts in which his opponents had no chance - it was just a matter of how few hits and many strikeouts he would get.
But also as a Red Sox fan, I've sat through some of the later-year Pedro starts where you wondered if he would last through three innings.
Through five, it's been closer to the former Pedro than the latter Pedro. He's allowed one run, a solo home run to Mark Teixeira, on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Unfortunately, A.J. Burnett, who I thought would be even more of a crapshoot than Pedro, is matching him. In the middle of the 6th, it's tied 1-1.
Look back at 2008: Christine and I took a look back at our experience during the first half of Game 5 as we headed back to watch the finale. I'd tell you how it turns out, but that's not posted until tomorrow's look back.
[Photo credit: US Presswire]
Oct 28, 2009
An epic battle begins
When I initially considered the PhilsandYanks World Series, my first thought was that it pitted the team of last century against an early contender for the team of this century.
But I might have been ahead of myself - Jayson Stark took a more measured look at the epic matchup:
(And you thought I'd have trouble working the Red Sox into a Game 1 post.)
Anyway, Stark concluded that if the Phillies win, the Red Sox get the title, but if the Empire wins, they get it. Have I mentioned yet that the fate of the free world depends on the Phillies?
I'll keep repeating it until Tony Massarotti gets the message. I know I've mellowed in my fandom since the Red Sox have won World Series(s), but my blood still boils at the sight of the pinstripes (black ones, not red ones). I don't need to win every time - just against the Yankees. I will never, like this joker, root for the Yankees in a World Series. (The only time it is acceptable to root for the Empire is if they're out of the playoff picture and playing a team we're competing with for a playoff slot.)
Today's game: The players were introduced to strains of Star Wars. The Yankees must really be oblivious to how they are perceived because they played Empire music for the Phillies and Rebel music for their own. Idiots.
After the pregame festivities, the Phillies loaded the bases against CC Sabathia in the first but couldn't capitalize. Cliff Lee looks good in the early going. The Phillies struck first with a solo home run by Chase Utley in the 3rd. The Phillies are currently up 1-0 in the 5th.
Look back at 2008: Holding pattern; we had no idea when Game 5 would resume.
But I might have been ahead of myself - Jayson Stark took a more measured look at the epic matchup:
... the winner of this World Series -- whether it's the Yankees or the Phillies -- will have a legitimate case that it is the Team of the Decade.
The winner, regardless of who it is, is going to have two titles to show for itself in the '00s. And that will tie that team with the Red Sox, who also won twice -- while obliterating curses, inspiring approximately 1.8 zillion New England poets and altering baseball life as we used to know it in the process.
(And you thought I'd have trouble working the Red Sox into a Game 1 post.)
Anyway, Stark concluded that if the Phillies win, the Red Sox get the title, but if the Empire wins, they get it. Have I mentioned yet that the fate of the free world depends on the Phillies?
I'll keep repeating it until Tony Massarotti gets the message. I know I've mellowed in my fandom since the Red Sox have won World Series(s), but my blood still boils at the sight of the pinstripes (black ones, not red ones). I don't need to win every time - just against the Yankees. I will never, like this joker, root for the Yankees in a World Series. (The only time it is acceptable to root for the Empire is if they're out of the playoff picture and playing a team we're competing with for a playoff slot.)
Today's game: The players were introduced to strains of Star Wars. The Yankees must really be oblivious to how they are perceived because they played Empire music for the Phillies and Rebel music for their own. Idiots.
After the pregame festivities, the Phillies loaded the bases against CC Sabathia in the first but couldn't capitalize. Cliff Lee looks good in the early going. The Phillies struck first with a solo home run by Chase Utley in the 3rd. The Phillies are currently up 1-0 in the 5th.
Look back at 2008: Holding pattern; we had no idea when Game 5 would resume.
Oct 12, 2009
Phillies make baby kittens cry - and then squeal with joy
{OMG. I told Greg that he could start writing this post as the Phillies were blowing it in the bottom of the 8th because the game was over. The ultimate reverse psychology worked. Phillies 5, Rockies 4. On to the NLCS.}
While logging on to begin comparing Cliff Lee's postseason dominance with Josh Beckett in 2007 and Cole Hamels in 2008, the Phillies fell apart.
Lee, cruising with a 2-1 lead, started the 8th inning with an out, then a walk to Dexter Fowler. Then Lee induced what could have been an inning-ending double play, but the ball and Fowler reached Chase Utley at the same time. Fowler jumped over Chase who tossed the ball to Jimmy Rollins who muffed it.
I don't have to go on. The Rockies scored three runs and won 4-2. Tomorrow, Christine, for the first time in her life, will watch a playoff game in which the Phillies either move on or go home.
Unless the Phillies give Cole Hamels a big lead early, it's not going to be a pleasant night in our house tomorrow.
I wonder if I can schedule that dentist appointment I've been putting off.
It could be worse. At least her team's newspaper isn't resorting to cheap tricks to cheer up the fan base:
[Photo credit: Boston Globe]
While logging on to begin comparing Cliff Lee's postseason dominance with Josh Beckett in 2007 and Cole Hamels in 2008, the Phillies fell apart.
Lee, cruising with a 2-1 lead, started the 8th inning with an out, then a walk to Dexter Fowler. Then Lee induced what could have been an inning-ending double play, but the ball and Fowler reached Chase Utley at the same time. Fowler jumped over Chase who tossed the ball to Jimmy Rollins who muffed it.
I don't have to go on. The Rockies scored three runs and won 4-2. Tomorrow, Christine, for the first time in her life, will watch a playoff game in which the Phillies either move on or go home.
Unless the Phillies give Cole Hamels a big lead early, it's not going to be a pleasant night in our house tomorrow.
I wonder if I can schedule that dentist appointment I've been putting off.
It could be worse. At least her team's newspaper isn't resorting to cheap tricks to cheer up the fan base:
[Photo credit: Boston Globe]
Oct 7, 2009
Dominant-Lee
I got in my car just in time to hear the last half inning of the Phillies game. Christine was able to leave a bit earlier and got home during the 7th inning.
We missed some game as Cliff Lee shut down the Rockies, 5-1, with a complete game that was a shutout for 8 2/3 innings.
I won't complain about the game time. I'll let Cole Hamels, who became the people's champ today, take up the cause:
Hopefully, Cole backs up those words with a gem of his own tomorrow. Christine and I changed our minds and StubHubbed some tickets. We couldn't bear not going to a single playoff game this year - especially the way this series started.
Making his playoff debut, Lee gave up just the one run on six hits with five strikeouts. He needed just 113 pitches in conditions that Jayson Werth called the second worst he ever played in in Philadelphia (besides that little bit of rain during Game 5 of the World Series). The entire lineup had a hit, including two each from the heart of the lineup. Lee became the fourth pitcher ever to steal a base during the playoffs. I'm very glad we had to beat CC Sabathia and not this guy in the 2007 ALCS.
As good as he looked on the mound, Lee sounded just as good in his post-game press conference with some good, but subtle, humor. I caught most of it on the radio, and Todd Zolecki recapped it, including the best line by a Phillie in a playoff game since Matt Stairs talked about pounding ass:
We're 13 wins away from the SoxandPhils Series.
Red Sox: The roster's still not finalized, but it will be Paul Byrd over Manny Delcarmen for the final pitching spot. And sorry Phils fans, but you may have to see Terry Francona's mug on a bronze plaque in Cooperstown one day.
We missed some game as Cliff Lee shut down the Rockies, 5-1, with a complete game that was a shutout for 8 2/3 innings.
I won't complain about the game time. I'll let Cole Hamels, who became the people's champ today, take up the cause:
Being the defending world champs, I think it's kind of a little weird that we kind of get both games at 2 o' clock. I don't think it's fair. I definitely don't think it's fair for the fans because this is all about the home-field advantage or just baseball in general.
Hopefully, Cole backs up those words with a gem of his own tomorrow. Christine and I changed our minds and StubHubbed some tickets. We couldn't bear not going to a single playoff game this year - especially the way this series started.
Making his playoff debut, Lee gave up just the one run on six hits with five strikeouts. He needed just 113 pitches in conditions that Jayson Werth called the second worst he ever played in in Philadelphia (besides that little bit of rain during Game 5 of the World Series). The entire lineup had a hit, including two each from the heart of the lineup. Lee became the fourth pitcher ever to steal a base during the playoffs. I'm very glad we had to beat CC Sabathia and not this guy in the 2007 ALCS.
As good as he looked on the mound, Lee sounded just as good in his post-game press conference with some good, but subtle, humor. I caught most of it on the radio, and Todd Zolecki recapped it, including the best line by a Phillie in a playoff game since Matt Stairs talked about pounding ass:
Lee on pitching in windy conditions. He was asked about getting blown off the mound: "Did I get blown off the mound? ... Oh, the wind. I thought you were talking about them stroking me."
We're 13 wins away from the SoxandPhils Series.
Red Sox: The roster's still not finalized, but it will be Paul Byrd over Manny Delcarmen for the final pitching spot. And sorry Phils fans, but you may have to see Terry Francona's mug on a bronze plaque in Cooperstown one day.
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