Phillies planning for the future, when do we stop expecting more from Brown and Phillies Wall of Famers heading to spring training
1. Phillies working Cody Asche in left field
Pitchers and catchers are not due in Clearwater for another two weeks, but third baseman Cody Asche is already in town and working on his outfield skills. That’s right, the Phillies are working Asche in the outfield before spring training to evaluate whether or not he will be capable of picking up the position. Why would they do this? Because Maikel Franco is tearing it up in winter ball and on his way to Philadelphia in the somewhat near future.
2. When do we stop discussing if Dom Brown will bounce back?
If any one player can best represent the worst of Ruben Amaro‘s general manager profile in Philadelphia, it might just be Domonic Brown. Amaro has gone out of his way to keep Brown and he just has not blossomed the way many of us were led to believe he might. Hey, maybe he breaks out this year, but I will play the odds and suggest that is unlikely to happen.
I was caught a little off guard when I read the headline from CSN Philly for this story written by Corey Seidman, who I will say is far more knowledgeable with the numbers than I am. Seidman says the recent history suggests Brown won’t bounce back in 2015. I ask, what exactly was he bouncing back from in the first place?
3. Manuel and Schmidt helping out at spring training
As is usually the case in spring training, the Phillies will have some guest instructors helping out with training. This year the Phillies will once again welcome Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt. Schmidt has been a regular around Clearwater for a while now, and it is always good to see him involved in any way possible.
The Phillies will also welcome back former manager Charlie Manuel. It has now been a season and a half since the Phillies relieved Manuel of his managerial responsibilities to pave the way for Ryne Sandberg, but he has always wanted to stay involved. After being considered by the Baltimore Orioles, Manuel will be back in a Phillies uniform. He and Schmidt will naturally be working with the hitters.
4. Papelbon trade talks still alive
Jim Salisbury of CSNPilly.com offers some recent news regarding the status of Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon. The bottom line, as Salisbury reports, the door is still open for the Phillies moving Papelbon. The Milwaukee Brewers have kept a line of communication with the Phillies open, but Ruben Amaro tells Salisbury he has been talking to more than one team.
I will say again, I am all for the Phillies trading Papelbon or any other player if a good deal is on the table. The only way the Phillies can get better and improve the farm system is to make the moves that yield the best possible return. Don’t start selling pieces off just to sell them off unless things start to get really bad. (But Kevin, how could they get much worse?)
5. Why not Like Macho Row on Facebook now?
If you did not know already, there is an official Facebook page for Macho Row. You can find it here, and Like the page while you are at it. The Facebook Like total is low right now. Let’s see if we can bump that Like total over 100.
6. Barry Z wants to make a comeback too
Former Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton is not the only pitcher looking to make a return to the mound this season. Barry Zito, a former teammate of Blanton’s in Oakland, is scheduled to throw in front of a few teams today. No word on whether the Phillies are among them.
Anyone else remember the time when Phillies fans wanted the team to make any move it could to get Zito in the starting rotation? Now he might be able to be had if the price is right. The Phillies are already taking a chance on Chad Billingsley though, so going out on a limb for another pitcher that did not throw a pitch in 2014.
7. More praise for the Phillies?
In a recent installment of Out of the Batter’s Box I took note of some praise being directed at the Phillies for offseason moves. Today there is even more possible optimism for the Phillies, this time from The Outside Corner. This time the potential of the starting rotation is highlighted and described as sneaky good.
8. Chooch a top ten catcher
The Outside Corner had even more positives to say about the Phillies. Catcher Carlos Ruiz may not be one of the best catchers in the game, and he may not be as good as he was years ago, but he remains one of the top 10 catchers in baseball according to The Outside Corner. That is two positives from The Outside Corner in one morning round-up, which likely exceeds the limit for the day.
9. Stanton will wear a face guard
Last season saw Miami Marlins star Giancarlo Stanton get nailed in the face with a baseball. It was a scary sight to watch, to say the least. The good news is Stanton will be ready to play this season, and he should be as dangerous as ever. He will also be stepping to the plate wearing a little extra protection attached to his batting helmet. Good move. You can never be too safe, right?
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