Fire Sale Or No Fire Sale That Is The Question

[PhillieFever]

The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies are quite frankly a General Manager's worst nightmare. They are a club filled with players past their prime who make a lot of money, they have a poor farm system, and their best player(pitcher Cole Hamels) is due to be a free agent at season's end. Plus their #3 and #4 hitters, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are out with injuries until roughly the all-star break. Despite all of this however they still have a chance at one more run to glory. Do I take that chance and go for broke, or do I blow it up and risk alienating the fans and the veteran players as I attempt to rebuild for the future? The story begins here.....

[pstrickert]

The key will be to edit the schedule and play 162 games against Milwaukee.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Do I take that chance and go for broke, or do I blow it up and risk alienating the fans and the veteran players as I attempt to rebuild for the future?

I can't wait to find out!

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

The key will be to edit the schedule and play 162 games against Milwaukee.

That Milwaukee series was knid of neat, because the hallmark of this particular group of guys was their ability to always come back, regardless of the score. Now that they're older, and their power has waned that's really no longer the case so to see it one last time(I truly believe Ruben is going to break up the club) was nice.

[Big T]

I say dump everyone and rebuild....

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Big T

I say dump everyone and rebuild....

Just one more championship would be worth 10 years of pain, it would. What scares me is going for it, then losing(sorta like last season and this for that matter) and then having to hold a fire sale.
***Update*** I'm just about set to get rolling, I've adjusted the modifiers, got the logos, facegens, photos, and uniforms ready. Now it's a question of putting it all together. Look for me to start later today or tomorrow!

[PhillieFever]

April 1st, 2012

Phillies Finalize Opening Day Roster

Philadelphia- When the Phillies signed Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, they had hopes he could be their left handed specialist out of the bullpen. When Willis didn't cut it, it opened a door that Joe Savery walked through.
Savery was one of the 12 pitchers to make the Phillies roster for the start of the 2012 Major League season which begins tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Along with 12 pitchers, the Phils will carry two catchers, six infielders, and five outfielders.
The pitchers for this year's club will be right-handers Joe Blanton, Roy Halladay, David Herndon, Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick, Chad Qualls, Michael Stutes, Jonathan Papelbon, and lefties Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Antonio Bastardo, and Savery.
The catchers handling one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider.
The infielders are rookie Freddy Galvis, Pete Orr, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Ty Wigginton, and Jim Thome.
Finally in the outfield will be Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, Laynce Nix, Juan Pierre, and John Mayberry Jr.
Also announced yesterday, the Phillies placed pitchers Jose Contreras and Justin DeFratus along with infielders Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Michael Martinez on the DL retro to March 26th.
Sent to the minor leagues were 1B Hector Luna, OF Scott Podsednik, and left handed pitcher Raul Valdez

[PhillieFever]

Montero Steals The Show As Mariners Roll To Sweep Of Athletics In Japan

Tokyo- Despite most of the talk prior to the series being centered on either the homecoming of Ichiro Suzuki or the debut of Oakland's $36 million dollar man Yoenis Cespedis, it was 22 year old Seattle catcher Jesus Montero who stole the show here in Tokyo, leading the Mariners to wins of 3-2 and 10-3. During the two game set, the former Yankees farmhand went 5 for 11 with 2 homers, 5 RBI, and 2 runs scored, easily overshadowing Cespedis, who's lone hit was a 4th inning homer in the game two blowout.
As for Ichiro, the national hero could do no wrong, and although he's lost a step over the years he still managed to put on a good show for the fans, collecting three hits including a double, scoring twice and knocking in a run. All in all the series, which was put on to help rebuilding efforts here in Tokyo, was a huge success, with both nights easily selling out the Tokyo Dome.

[beachbomer]

Good luck, will be following!

[PhillieFever]

Cards, Wainwright Crash The Party, Defeat Marlins 4-3

Miami- New players, new Manager, new uniforms, new name, even a brand new stadium, this was supposed to be the newly christened Miami Marlins night. Instead however the night belonged to Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, who helped lead the defending World Champion Redbirds to a 4-3 victory over the Marlins on America's Opening Night. Having not made a big league start since September 24, 2010 due to elbow surgery last spring, Wainwright was simply fabulous, holding the Marlins scoreless for seven innings before an 8th inning RBI double from Emilio Bonifacio and a two run homer by Jose Reyes ended his night. His final line would read three runs allowed on 8 hits with a walk and six strikeouts over seven and two thirds innings pitched, good enough for the win thanks to some stellar relief work by Eduardo Sanchez and especially closer Jason Motte.
Motte, who saved five games during last year's postseason picked up right where he left off, fanning all three batters he faced to earn his first save of the year.

[PhillieFever]

vs.
PNC Park
April 5th - 8th, 2012

Aces Up!
Phils Take Two Of Three From Bucs

Thursday April 5th: Pirates 2 Phillies 1
LF Alex Presley's game tying 8th inning homer off of Chad Qualls set the stage for Clint Barmes, who's two out walk off single off of Kyle Kendrick in the bottom of the 9th spoiled a fantastic performance by Roy Halladay and gave the hometown Pirates a thrilling 2-1 victory over cross-state rival Philadelphia.
Halladay, who allowed just five hits while striking out six over seven strong innings could only watch as relievers Chad Qualls, Antonio Bastardo, and then Kendrick imploded with the game on the line. Following an off day tomorrow, the clubs are back at for two more over the weekend.
WP: Jason Grilli(1-0) LP:Antonio Bastardo(0-1) HR: Pit, Alex Presley(1)

Saturday April 7th: Phillies 1 Pirates 0
A 7th inning homer by rookie 2B Freddy Galvis was all the Phils could manage off of Pirates starter Jeff Karstens, but it proved to be enough, as Cliff Lee and then Jonathan Papelbon stifled the Bucs offense, giving the Phils the 1-0 win.
Picking up right where Halladay left off, Lee pitched eight shutout innings, allowing five hits and a walk while fanning five before turning the ball over to the Phils new $12 million dollar a year closer who in first first action with the team needed just eight pitches to record his first save.
WP: Cliff Lee(1-0) LP: Jeff Karstens(0-1) S: Jonathan Papelbon(1) HR: Phi, Freddy Galvis(1)

Sunday April 8th: Phillies 4 Pirates 0
LF Juan Pierre had three hits and three RBI, Placido Polanco added an RBI single, and Cole Hamels did the rest, dominating the Pirates over 8 shutout innings, as the Phillies blank the Pirates for the second straight day, this time by the score of 4-0. A free agent at season's end, Hamels made quite a statement today, scattering just five hits while walking none and striking out six, making it 22 straight scoreless innings to start the season for the Phils trio of aces.
WP: Cole Hamels(1-0) LP: James McDonald(0-1)

News & Notes From Around Baseball

-Phils LF John Mayberry Jr.wrenched his back on opening day and has been placed on the 15 day DL.

-Off to a shocking start, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero is batting .450 with 5 homers and 12 RBI in just 20 at bats this season, helping lead Seattle to their impressive 4-0 start. For his efforts, Montero has been named the AL player of the week.

-Put in the unenviable position of replacing Prince Fielder, Brewers 1B Mat Gamel has gotten off to a great start, earning NL player of the week honors with a .333 batting average, 2 homers, and 4 RBI over the first weekend of play.

-Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury had to leave in the 8th inning of Boston's 8-6 loss to the Tigers on Sunday due to an undisclosed injury. More news will be forthcoming.

******Just a note, once the season gets in full swing, I'll do a weekly round-up of the league, including standings, news, injuries, great games, and the like. As of now it's still too early!

[PhillieFever]

Well regardless of what I do, it's become pretty evident what Ruben is doing...FIRE SALE!!!

[Big T]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Well regardless of what I do, it's become pretty evident what Ruben is doing...FIRE SALE!!!

Yep, it certainly was..

[PhillieFever]

vs.
April 9th to 12th, 2012
Citizens Bank Park

Papelbon's Blown Save Saves Marlins From Sweep

[SIZE=4]April 9th: Phillies 9 Marlins 5
SP: Ricky Nolasco(0-0) vs. Vance Worley(0-0)
[SIZE=4]A two run double by Placido Polanco and a two run single by Ty Wigginton were the key hits in a h[SIZE=4]uge seven run 5th for the Phil[SIZE=4]s who overcame a shaky start by Vance Worley to [SIZE=4]win their home opener by the score of 9-5 over the new look Marlins. Managing just one hit in 11 at bats against the Pirates, Wigginton looked much better today, going 2 for 4 with a game high 3 RBI and a run scored. On the mound, reliever Chad Qualls made up for his shaky outing in Pittsburgh, retiring all six batters he faced, four by strikeout.
WP:[SIZE=4] Vance Worley(1-0) LP: Ricky Nolasco(0-1) HR: None

April 11th: Phillies 8 Marlins 4
SP: Josh Johnson(0-1) vs. Roy Halladay(0-0)
[SIZE=4][SIZE=4]A two out two run 8th inning double by Hanley Ramirez was quickl[SIZE=4]y negated in the bottom of the frame as the surging Phils tagged Marlins relievers Edward Mujica and Mike Dunn for a combined six runs including two bases loaded walks by Dunn as the Phillies won for the 4th straight time, defeating Miami by the score of 8-4.
WP: Antonio Bastardo(1-1) LP: Mike Dunn(0-1) HR: None

April 12th: Marlins 7 Phillies 6
SP: Anibal Sanchez(1-0) vs. Cliff Lee(1-0)
Leading by the score of 6-3 with two outs and nobody on in the top of the 9th, Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon suddenly imploded, allowing a single and two straight walks before back to back doubles by Emilio Bonifacio and Omar Infante gave the visitors a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th where the shellshocked Phillies were easily put down in order by closer Heath Bell as Miami avoided the sweep with a shocking 7-6 victory here at Citizens Bank Park.
WP: Chad Gaudin(1-0) LP: Jonathan Papelbon(0-1) S: Heath Bell(2) HR: None

News And Notes From Around Baseball

-Phillies LF John Mayberry Jr. has officially been placed on the DL retroactive to April 6th, in his place the Phils have recalled veteran OF Scott Podsednik.

[SIZE=4]-29 year old White Sox righty Gavin Floyd was fantastic on Thursday, holding the Tribe to just 6 hits and 3 walks while fanning 3 in a complete game 6-0 shutout at Progressive Field.

-Suffering a big blow to their World Series hopes, the texas Rangers have lost 3B Adrian Beltre for as much as 4 months due to a torn back muscle.

-In more injury news, the Yankees have lost promising 25 year old starter Ivan Nova until at least September with a torn rotator cuff while in Milwaukee, the Brewers have announced the closer Jon Axford will miss three months with an ulnar nerve irritation.

-Looking to bolster their pitching staff, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed veteran free agent hurler Roy Oswalt to a one year deal worh just over five million dollars.

-A victim of a kidnapping over the Winter, Nats catcher Wilson Ramos seemed no worse for the wear today, going 5 for 5 with two doubles, a homer, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored in an 11-5 pounding of the Mets at Citi Field.

-Finally, just prior to going live we've gotten confirmation of a huge trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers in which the Rangers have traded 30 year old superstar CF Josh Hamilton and 20 year old Minor League 3B Christian Villanueva to the Jays for 31 year old slugging 3B Jose Bautista and 21 year old Minor League OF Michael Crouse

[Big T]

Wow the Jay's are loading up to fight in the AL East.

[PhillieFever]

Sorry about the different font sizes guys, not sure what happened there so I just uninstalled and then re-installed Firefox to see if that was the issue.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

-Finally, just prior to going live we've gotten confirmation of a huge trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers in which the Rangers have traded 30 year old superstar CF Josh Hamilton and 20 year old Minor League 3B Christian Villanueva to the Jays for 31 year old slugging 3B Jose Bautista and 21 year old Minor League OF Michael Crouse.

Wow! That's interesting.

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

-Finally, just prior to going live we've gotten confirmation of a huge trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers in which the Rangers have traded 30 year old superstar CF Josh Hamilton and 20 year old Minor League 3B Christian Villanueva to the Jays for 31 year old slugging 3B Jose Bautista and 21 year old Minor League OF Michael Crouse.

An interesting & blockbuster way to open the 2012 season.

Good luck to you with the Phillies.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by captaincarl

An interesting & blockbuster way to open the 2012 season.

Good luck to you with the Phillies.

Thank you sir, good to see you again, it's been a while!

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Wow! That's interesting.

I can see the deal from Texas' end, they need a 3B due to the injury to Beltre who's out until roughly September, plus Bautista is signed until 2016, whereas Hamilton, as great as he is, is a free agent at season's end so the possibility exists that the Rangers could resign him after the season. All Toronto did was get a one year rental(a good one!) and salary space at season's end. Plus a good prospect(ranked 5th in Toronto's system). So for me, Texas is the winner here