Phillies let a win get away, but some positives could be seen. The team gets back at it today with another game against the Yankees as Alex Rodriguez makes his return to the field.
1. Phillies blow Grapefruit League opener, tie Yankees 5-5
Yesterday, with the Phillies leading 5-1 late in the game, I jokingly tweeted this. I was only half-kidding. Mario Hollands had a rough Grapefruit League opener by giving up four runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning pitched in the ninth inning. Other than that though, things looked pretty good for the Phillies, especially from Ryan Howard. Howard went two-for-two, including a single to left in his first plate appearance of the year. He is also visibly trimmed down and showed off some good defense. It’s only one game in the spring, so let’s not get carried away, but it was a good one game in the spring.
2. Red Sox trade rumors continue as spring opens
As the spring schedule opens up the rumors and speculation revolving around the Phillies and Boston Red Sox continues to heat up. That ramped up on Tuesday with reports saying the Phillies sent one of its top scouts to check out Red Sox prospects. The speculation is Cliff Lee would be more likely to be traded before Cole Hamels, which makes sense for the Phillies. However, the return in exchange for Lee would not be the same as it would likely be for Hamels if the Phillies manage to pull a trade with Boston or another club.
3. A-Rod to make spring debut vs. Phillies
The big story during Wednesday’s spring training game will be the return of Alex Rodriguez for the Yankees. It has been a while for A-Rod of course, after sitting out the 2014 season under suspension. He is scheduled to be the designated hitter for the Yankees this afternoon, and he says he will be a little nervous when he steps in.
4. The Eagles did what?!
Across the street, the Philadelphia Eagles made some big roster decisions on Tuesday. Releasing Cary Williams was the right decision every way you look at it. Cutting ties with Trent Cole is interesting. Moving LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills and getting a young linebacker in return is flat out amazing. And somehow the Sixers added four draft picks through 2019 in the flurry of moves.
5. Rollins will lead off for Dodgers
I am not sure how much of a shock it is, but now former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be the leadoff hitter for his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly confirmed that lineup decision while saying the Dodgers do not have any other option that fits the role as well as Rollins.
I still love Rollins.
6. Now’s the time to put some money on the Cubbies
If the Chicago Cubs win the World Series this year, just as Back to the Future Part II predicted, one lucky fan will win a DeLorean complete with flux capacitor from a Chicago area museum.
Chicago area museum to give away DeLorean time machine if Cubs win 2015 World Series http://t.co/4NUDPvz6dI pic.twitter.com/HEj3u2msW8
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) March 2, 2015
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7. The Pirates have some sweet batting helmets
I am not sure how many of you are familiar with my college football uniform critiques, but I happen to love the growing trend of matte helmets in college football. The Pittsburgh Pirates have brought that idea to spring training and are sporting black matte batting helmets. They are spectacular, but I do not think they would look good with either of the Phillies batting helmets.
8. The Outside Corner previews the NL East
Over at The Outside Corner, Bloguin’s baseball site, the crew previewed the entire NL East on a team-by-team basis. The big question for the Phillies boils down to whether or not Ruben Amaro can move enough of the veterans eating up big contracts to pave the way for the future. Fair enough. The 2015 season is not expected to be one that sees the Phillies contending for anything of note, and with the way the local teams seem to be cleaning house now is as good a time as any to turn a page if possible. Here are the previews for the Phillies, Nationals, Braves, Mets and Marlins.
9. What will Manfred do next to annoy you?
I have to hand it to new commissioner Rob Manfred. As he is still breaking in as the new man in charge, Manfred has showed no restraint in openly discussing potential new ideas for baseball. I happen to be open to some of his ideas, but not everybody seems to think everything he says is gold. The Outside Corner explores some other topics Manfred could dive into that would cause a stir.
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