For all intents and purposes, the 2014 Philadelphia Phillies season is over. The team is way out of the division race even if they put together a five-game winning streak and try to fool themselves into thinking there is still a chance things could turn around. I am sick and tired of hearing about the Phillies hoping to turn things around. Every time the team does win we hear that maybe this is what turns things around. It is time to move on from that.
@phillies eff you
— Mike Meech (@meechone) July 25, 2014
I am not going to turn off the Phillies for the rest of the year, because I cannot help myself. I still love baseball and I still love watching the Phillies even through the down times. Sticking through all of this is what makes moments like the 2007 and 2008 season so special. Things can be turned around, but the Phillies need to go into total reconstruction mode.
2015 #Phillies Wish List – New GM – Outfield that can play defense – Lineup that can get a ball past the infield – Oakland A’s
— Kevin McGuire (@krmcguire) July 24, 2014
There are just a few precious days remaining before the trade deadline in Major League Baseball, and the Phillies are running out of options to make any sort of difference for 2015. Maybe the team moves Antonio Bastardo, but the return on any move would have minimal impact on turning thing around. This week could not have come at a worst time for Jonathan Papelbon, although his save Thursday afternoon was reassuring. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly has been suggesting the team is evaluating options for Ryan Howard, but how many teams are going to entertain that option. Howard’s comments lately have been sad to hear, but it really is a frustrating situation for him, the team and the fans. What happens with Howard remains to be seen.
I have said before I am perfectly fine with any player on this team being moved if it means building a new foundation for future success. Players like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Howard will forever be recognized as Phillies for life and will one day be added to the team’s Wall of Fame. The memories will always be there, but the whole goal here is to make new memories that will last a lifetime. If moving any of these players — as well as Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett or Carlos Ruiz etc. — is a possibility, the Phillies would be wise to do so without much hesitation, as hard as that may be for the leadership of the franchise.
The Philadelphia Eagles open training camp today across the street from Citizens Bank Park. Whatever the Phillies do from here on out will likely be overshadowed by even the least interesting updates from the NovaCare Complex. With the right moves and better decision-making from the front office, the Phillies can make sure the team is not forgotten so quickly next summer.
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