It's a Philly Thing: A 1987 Phillies Save

[frankgatti23]

Phillies: End of Year Organizational Report - 11/11/1987

AAA - Maine Guides (IL) Record: 58-82, Last place, 40 GB Power Ranking: 7/8
THey are changing their name to the Maine Phillies and moving the newly formed IL East.

#4 Prospect (MLB Rank #163)- Keith Miller (30/30) - .290, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 8 SB, .800 OPS, 1.8 WAR
#5 Prospect (#170)- Gary Varsho (20/20) - .296, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB, .839 OPS, 1.7 WAR
#6 Prospect - Steve De Angelis (30/30) .291, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 3 SB, .904 OPS, 0.9 WAR
#9 Prospect - Rob Nelson (30/30) - .257, 17 HR, 43 RBI, .889 OPS, 1.6 WAR
#10 Prospect - Jim Olander (20/20) .262, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 8 SB, .682 OPS, -0.7 WAR
#12 Prospect - Howard Nichols (20/20) .350, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 7 SB, .958 OPS, 2.8 WAR
#18 Prospect - Ken Dowell (20/20) .238, 0 HR, 15 RBI, .607 OPS, 0.4 WAR

AA - Reading Phillies (EL) Record: 83-57 1st Power Ranking: 1/8
Won Eastern League divison title. EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPS

Player of the Year: 1B Ricky Jordan
Gold Glove Winners: 1B Ricky Jordan, SS Walt Weiss
League Leaders:
AVG: .345 1B Ricky Jordan
HR: 35 LF Steve De Angelis
RBI: 121 1B Ricky Jordan
SB: 36 LF Jose Leiva
WAR: 4.3 1B Ricky Jordan

#1 Prospect (MLB Rank #102)- Kevin Ward (20/25) .311, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 9 SB, .950 OPS, 3.3 WAR
#3 Prospect (#129)- Walt Weiss (25/35) .302, 3 HR, 54 RBI, 9 SB, .737 OPS, 3.3 WAR
#8 Prospect - Jose Leiva (20/20) .251, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 36 SB, .659 OPS, -1.1 WAR
#11 Prospect - Tony Brown (20/20) .285, 14 HR, 62 HR, 10 SB, .801 OP0, 0.6 WAR.
#13 Prospect - Gib Seibert (20/20) .250, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 2 SB, .704 OPS, -0.1 WAR
#14 Prospect - Ricky Jordan (25/25) .345, 33 HR, 121 RBI, 12 SB, .946 OPS, 4.3 WAR
#17 Prospect - Ken Jackson (20/20) .221, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 5 SB, .689 OPS, 0.1 WAR

A - Clearwater Phillies (FSL - North) Record: 91-52, 2nd, 4 GB Power Ranking: 2/14
The Clearwater Phillies won a wild card spot this season and lost the first round of the playoffs to the Dunedin Blue Jays 4-2.

Player of the Year: 1B Bill Stevenson
League Leaders:
HR: 38 1B Bill Stevenson
WAR: 5.3 1B Bill Stevenson
ERA: 2.98 SP Warren Magee
W: 19 SP Scott Service
K: 174 SP Scott Service

#15 Prospect - Rick Parker (20/20) .279, 11 HR, 65 RBI, 17 SB, .746 OPS, 2.4 WAR
#20 Prospect - Bill Stevenson (20/20) .354, 38 HR, 98 RBI, 1.233 OPS, 5.3 WAR

A - Spartanburg Phillies (SAL) Record:74-69, 4th, 9 GB Power Ranking: 5/12

Gold Glove Winners: LF Jeff Stark

#2 Prospect (MLB Rank: #124)- Jim Vatcher (35/35) .289, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 8 SB, 1.015 OPS, 1.7 WAR
#16 Prospect - Shawn Abner (20/20) .325, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 4 SB, .886 OPS, 0.9 WAR

B&C - Utica Blue Sox (NYPL-East) Record:52-28, 1st [I]Power Rankings:[/B] 1/12
Won the NYPL East Division. WON THE NYPL CHAMPIONSHIP [/COLOR]. They are changing division to the McNamara Division and becoming the Batavia Clippers next year.

League Leaders:
AVG: .361 1B Jimmy Barragan
WAR: 3.8 1B Jimmy Barragan

#7 Prospect - Kevin Appier (25/70) - 3-1, 4.04 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 35.2 IP, 6 HR, 28 K, 3 BB, 1.01 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 0.7 BB/9, 0.7 WAR.
#19 Prospect - Dave Willes (20/20) .215 with 4 HR, 13 RBI, 12.2 BB%, 5.6 K%, .319 wOBA, .729 OPS in 19 games.

B&C - Bend Phillies (Northwest - North) Record:38-32, 2nd, 6 GB Power Ranking: 3/8
They are moving to Applachain League - North Division and becoming the Martinsville Phillies next year.

Gold Glove Winners: SS Nicio Martinez, LF Dwyane Smith
League Leaders:
SV: 18 CL Chris Limbach

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Owner Review - 11/30/1987
The majority owner of the Phillies, William Giles called me into his office for an end of season review. He started off by reviewing the goals he had wanted me to accomplish this year:

Team Record
Making it to the playoffs was your main goal for this year and you didn't get the job done. I would expect we won't be having this same conversation next year, one way or the other. Ouch Bill. This team was not talented enough to win.

Extend your player
I'm disappointed that you decided against signing Kent Tekulve to an extension. Did I not make it clear that this was more than a simple suggestion? Bill this was the dumbest idea you have. Lets give a 2 year extension to a 40 old year who is under contract for another year. What could go wrong with that? Granted I could have gotten a better return but Jesse Orosco is basically a 30 year old version of 'Teke' .

Increase Profit
Fiscal management is important in a General Manager, and you seem to have a very good acumen for it. Well done at getting the team's books in order, and ending with the profits I asked of you. Money is good, Bill.

Long Term
I gave you the task of building me a contender last year. I understand there will be bumps along the way. I hope that you can learn from what happened this year, and don't let it repeat itself. You don't have a lot of time left to complete the challenge I gave you, so I hope you have a trick up your sleeve for this off-season! My trick is to hopefully acquire more talent.

I am good with your performance in accomplishing the goals I have given you. I feel similarly about your handling of the team's on-field and front office management.

Next year is a new year, though. Here's what I'd like to see you accomplish going forward:

Play .500 ball - This should be doable.
Acquire a Team Leader - I can handle this.
Increase team attendance from 21830 to 31200 per game - THis may be tough as I have to trade some vets.
Find a top 13 prospect - [COLOR="MAROON]I'll keep trying to get better prospects. [/COLOR]
Bring more of your drafted players to your team - We wont' have a draft until June, so this won't happen.
Reach the World Series in the next 2 seasons - If you untie the purse strings and let me spend in free agency, I can do this.

I will check in with you again next season. Good Luck!

Notes
Mr. Giles also decreased my budget from 16M to 13.7M, which will cause my payroll to drop from about 10M to 8.5M. I will need to shop around some combination of Mike Schmidt (1.5M), Juan Samuel (760K), Jesse Orosco (530K) or Edwin Nunez (260K) as they are free agents after the season. I do have about 1.5M that I can use in extensions.

He also renewed my contract for 2 years at 150K a year.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Offseason Report - 11/30/1987

Transactions::

• Nick Armstrong agrees to 3 year contract at $42K a year to be pitching coach for AA Reading
• Jonathan Vazquez agrees to 1 year contract at $15,800 to be manager for B&C Martinsville
• Josh Heydt agrees to 2 year contract at $24K a year to be hitting coach for AAA Maine
• Traded 2B Juan Samuel (65/65) and 2B Jim Vatcher (25/25) to Toronto for 1B Cecil Fielder (20/65), RP David Wells (50/65) and minor leaguers RP Willie Blair (20/35), RP Cesar Mejia (20/30) and RP Darren Hall (20/40)
• Traded 2B Ron Oester (20/20) to Cleveland for minor leaguer CF Dave Gallagher(45/45)
• Released minor leaguer RP Mark Littel (20/20)
• Released minor leaguer RP Mike Norris (20/20)
• Released minor leaguer RP Bruce Long (20/20)
• Released minor leaguer RP Ramon Carabello (20/20)

Major League Free Agents:
The following major league players are now free agents:

• SP Odell Jones - No contract offered
• RP Dave Romeza - No Contract offered
• RF Greg Gross - No Contract offered
• C Brian Harper - Want 4 years at 650K a year. I offered arbitration, but he declined.
• SP Joe Cowley - No arbitration offered
• SS Steve Jeltz - No arbitration offered
• RF Jeff Stone - No arbitration offered
• 3B Rick Schu - No arbitration offered

Minor League FAs:
The following minor league players are now free agents:

• RP Rich Carlucci - I offered arbitration but he declined.
• RP Stan Kyles - I offered arbitration but he declined.
• SP Jose Bautista - I offered arbitration but he declined.
• LF Jim Olander
• CF Ron Jackson
• 1B Al Lebeouf
• SS Mark Wagner
• SS Ken Dowell
• 1B Rick Lancelotti
• RF Darrell Brown
• 3B Dan Rohn
• C Joe Cipolloni
• RP Dar Smith
• RP George Riley

Minor League FAs:
The big news is the trade of Samuel. I really wasn't thrilled about trading him but with the owner slashing the payroll, I needed to shed salary. I have about 1.5M for extensions but none for FA and I would like to extend some players but Schmidt is a free agent after this year and I most likely will need to keep him. While he had a good offensive year, Samuel was not great at 2B and I didn't want to shift him to the outfield. I shopped him around and Toronto offered Fielder. He looked to be an average hitter with a the potential of power, no speed (.250 6 HR 21 RBI, 39/20 K/BB) and terrible defensive. Wells average over a strikeout an inning at AAA and needs to work on control. Blair pitched at 4 levels last year and in 66 IP walked 28, struck out 63, allowed 70 hits including 7 HRs. The other 2 show promise with control and are basically lottery tickets.

Notable MLB News:
Kansas City signs CL Dan Quisenberry (75/75) to 2 year extension at 442K per year
Detroit signs SS Alan Trammell (75/75) to 6 year extension at 1.8M per year with a player opt out after 3 years
Boston signs RF Dwight Evans (75/75) to 2 year extension at 1.38M per year
LF Brian Downing (65/65) signs with Boston for 2 years at 1.84M per year
RF Dave Winfield (75/75) signs with Cincinnati for 2 years at 1.16M per year
The Milwaukee Brewers put out new TV commercials promoting the upcoming season. They started locally but were so popular that the MLB execs announced they plan to show the commercials nationally on the MLB Network.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Offseason Report - 1/1/1988
Happy New Year! A new year and spring training looms around the corner! December was a relatively quiet month for the Phillies. Most of the moves that were made revolved around the 40 man roster as there were alot of players eligible for the Rule 5 draft.

Transactions:

• LF Jose Leiva was waived and designated for assigment.
• 2B Greg Legg was waived and designated for assigment.
• 2B Tom Barrett was waived and designated for assigment.
• RP John McLarnan was waived and designated for assigment.
• SP Len Watts was waived and designated for assigment.
• Demoted LF Jose Leiva to AAA Maine
• Demoted 2B Greg Legg to AAA Maine
• Demoted 2B Tom Barrett to AAA Maine
• Demoted RP John McLarnan to AAA Maine
• Demoted SP Len Watts to AAA Maine
• Drafted RP Steve Howe in Rule 5 draft.
• Added RP Steve Howe to 40 Man roster
• Added RP Rob Hicks to 40 Man roster
• Added SP Joe Bitker to 40 Man roster
• Added SP Israel Sanchez to 40 Man roster
• Added CL Todd Frowirth to 40 Man roster
• Added SP Marvin Freeman to 40 Man roster
• Added 1B Ricky Jordan to 40 Man roster
• Added 3B Mickey Hatcher to 40 Man roster
• Added CF Dave Gallagher to 40 Man roster
• Added RF Gary Varsho to 40 Man roster
• Drafted SP Paul Gibson to a minor league contact with

Notes:
With the Rule 5 draft coming up, I wanted to protect some prospects that I didn't want to lose. So I DFA'd 5 players that I didn't think would be taken and would not have been too upset if they were. Watts was one of my options for the rotation, but I needed a spot when I drafted Howe with the 5th overall pick in the Rule 5 draft. He spent all of last in AAA where he was 8-3 with 6 saves. In 46 innings, he gave up 41 hits, 22 BBs, 32 Ks, 3.52 ERA, 3.67 FIP and 0.6 WAR. He's 29, but on a minor league contract and my scouts graded his control potential at 70. If nothing else, hopefully he does well enough to trade at the deadline. He'll slot in the bullpen as a middle reliever. I wanted to add another SP through FA and had identified Mike Morgan as my target. He initially wanted 350K a year. I offered him 330K, he cam back a week later and asked for more. I offered 350K, he then asked for more another week later. Then I offered 380K and he asked for 400K. So i really debated it and then offered it him and he again came back and said the Yankees offered him more. At this point I declined to offer him more, but I didn't withdrawl my offer. I ended up signing Gibson to a minor league contract instead. He's a 27 year old lefty with decent control and stuff. He went 8-2 with a 4.27 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 70 Ks, 33 BBs, 1.3 WAR in 111 IP at AAA last year. He'll be invited to camp as non roster player. He can opt out if he is not promoted to the majors within 30 days.

None of my players were selected in the Rule 5 draft.

Notable MLB News:
SP Bryn Smith signs with Boston for 2 years at 1.12M per year
SP Pascual Perez signs with Boston for 2 years at 1.13M per year
C Rick Cerrone signs with St. Louis for 2 years at 770K per year
SP Tommy John signs with California for 1 years at 316K
SP Frank Viola signs with California for 4 years for 5.16M overall
2B Ryne Sandberg signs with California for 6 years for 6.96M overall
1B Kent Hrbek signs with California for 7 years for 9.28M overall
RF Jesse Barfield signs with California for 4 years for 3.6M overall
3B Tim Wallach signs with California for 7 years for 5.18M overall
SP Dennis Eckersley signs with Toronto for 1 year for 260K
CL Jay Howell signs with Dodgers for 2 years at 1.12M per year
C Brian Harper signs with Dodgers for 1 year for 344K overall
CF Chet Lemon signs with Dodgers for 4 year for 3.72M overall
SP Dennis Martinez signs with Houston for 2 years for 1.18M overall
CF Brett Butler signs with Houston for 7 years for 4.08M overall
3B Buddy Bell signs with the Houston for 2 years for 1.44M overall
CL Tom Henke signs with Kansas City for 3 years for 2.34M overall
3B Howard Johnson signs with Kansas City for 5 years for 5.1M overall
CF Dave Henderson signs with the Yankees for 4 years for 3.6M overall
SS Dickie Thon signs with the Yankees for 1 year for 366K overall
LF George Bell signs with Oakland for 3 years for 1.18M overall
C Bob Boone signs with Cubs for 1 year for 398K overall
SP Mark Langston signs with Seattle for 3 years for 2.91M overall
3B Brook Jacoby signs with the Mets for 7 years for 3.6M overall
3B Carney Lansford signs with the Orioles for 4 years for 2.69M overall

Cubs trade SP Rick Sutcliff to Cincinnati for minor leaguers RP Rob Dibble, RP Steve Oliverio, SP Joe Turek, SP Sam Chavez, CF Chris C. Jones
Cubs trade RP Scott Sanderson to California for minor leaguers SP Tim Burcham, SP Brandy Vann, C Erik Pappas, 2B Wiley Lee
Giants trade SP Mark Davis to Cincinnati for minor leaguers SP Anthony Young, 2B Jeff Gardner, SS Alex Diaz
Giants trade RP Jim Gott to Cincinnati for LF Lance Johnson, minor leaguers SP Len Picota, SP Robert Faron, SP William Bivens
Giants trade RP Jim Gott to Cincinnati for RP Melido Perez, CF Jacob Brumfield, minor leaguers SP Bob Scanlan, SP Chris Rauth

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Offseason Report - 2/1/1988
Spring Training is just a few weeks and hope is in the air. Spring is the time of year where every team feels good about the upcoming season and thinks this is their year!


Transactions:

• None

Notes:
Mike Morgan finally signed but with the Royals and not the Phillies. I offered a contract to RP Juan Agosto. Its for 1 year at 193K. In 9.2 IP for Houston, he give up 2 runs on 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out 3.

Notable MLB News:
2B Bill Doran signs with Oakland for 1 year for 363K
CL Dave S Smith signs with Los Angeles for 3 years for 1.3M overall
SP Mike Morgan signs with Kansas City for 3 years for 1.79M overall
1B Pete O'Brien signs with Boston for 3 years for 1.74M overall
CF Willie McGee signs with Detroit for 4 years for 1.75M overall
3B Denny Walling signs with Cincinnati for 4 year for 2.1M overall
C Tony Pena signs with the Yankees for 4 year for 2.56M overall

The Hall of Fame results are in and no players were eleceted this year. The top 2 vote getters were Willie Stargel (47.6) and Luis Tiant (32%).

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Offseason Report - 3/1/1988
Spring Training is just a few weeks and hope is in the air. Spring is the time of year where every team feels good about the upcoming season and thinks this is their year!


Transactions::

• Activated LF Chris James off of 60 day DL
• Assigned LF Chris James to active roster
• Signed 3B Mike Schmidt to a 3 year extension worth 4.8M

Notes:
The owner lowered my budget again from 13.7M to 13M, which prevents me from signing every low level free agents. Instead I signed Schmidt to an extension. It is always a risk to sign a 38 year old, but I felt for our fans that we needed to do this. The last 2 years are team options so the risk is for 1.7M for the '89 season.
RP Juan Agosto signed with the Cubs instead of the Phils.

Here our the players invited to Spring Training:
C - Daulton, Prince, Rick Lundblade(*), Darren Loy (*)
IF - Cecil Fielder, Ricky Jordan, Rob Nelson, Mike Gallego, Mickey Hatcher, Mike Schmidt, Brian Giles, Walt Weiss, Greg Legg(*), Garry Templeton(*)
OF - Chris James, Carmelo Martinez, Milt Thompson, Von Hayes, Louie Meadoes, Keith Miller, Kevin Ward, Gary Varsho, Dave Gallagher
SP - Kevin Appier, Britt Burns, Steve Cummings, Kevin Gross, Mike Maddux, Steve Ontiveros, Bruce Ruffin, Israel Sanchez, Paul Gibson(*), Freddie Tolliver(*), Len Watts(*), Greg Hibbard(*)
RP - David Wells, Jesse Orosco, Michael Jackson, Steve Howe, Marvin Freeman, Rob Hicks, Jim Corsi, Joe Bitker, Jeff Calhoun(*), John McLarnan(*), Craig McMurtry(*), Wally Ritchie(*)
CL - Ed Nunez, Jim Campbell, Todd Frowirth

(*) - Denotes Non Roster Invitee

Notable MLB News:
CL Dave Schmidt signs with Milwaukee for 1 year for 1.26M
C Gary Carter signs with San Fransisco for 1 years for 434K
RP Gene Harris signs with Yankees for 1 years for 486K overall
RP Juan Agosto signs with the Cubs for 1 years for 390K

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 3/13/1988
Record: 7-5, 2nd Place 2 GB (4-2)
Power Ranking:
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided

Injuries:

• CL Ed Nunez (30/45), tired arm, dtd 2 weeks

Transactions:

• Sent C Darren Loy (20/20) to AAA camp
• Sent SS Garry Templeton (20/20) to AAA camp
• Sent 2B Tom Barrett (25/25) to AAA camp
• Sent SP Freddie Toliver (20/20) to AAA camp
• Placed SP Steve Ontiveros (25/25) on waivers
• Sent RP Jeff Calhoun (20/20) to AAA camp
• Sent SP Marvin Freeman (20/20) to AA camp
• Sent CL Todd Frowirth (35/55) to AA camp

Two weeks into spring training we had our first cut down day. The AA guys and some non roster guys were sent to their minor league camps. Ontiveros is out of options and had to be placed on waivers. The battle for the last OF spot is intriguing as Dave Gallagher is hitting .500 in 14 ABs, while Kevin Ward is just 1 for 13, Gary Varsho is hitting .222, Meadows is hitting .154 and then Keith Miller is hitting .185 with 4 SBs. Its possible I could keep a sixth as Gary Varsho and Keith Miller can both play multiple infield spots as well. SS Walt Weiss is 0-6 which is worrisome after his 1 for 23 start to last year. FA signee Paul Gibson has pitched OK but 6 walks in 8 IP is concerning. Greg Hibbard, 8 IP, 1 BB, 1 ER, 2 K; Isreal Sanchez, 8 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K; and Kevin Appier, 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K are holding thier own.

Notable MLB News:
Padres SP Greg W. Harris (35/55), torn labrum, out 10 months
A's SP Scott Garrelts (75/75), torn labrum, out 12-13 months
Blue Jays RP Oswaldo Peraza (30/55), torn meniscus, out 4-5 months
Royals RF Danny Tartabull (75/75), herniated disc, out 4 weeks

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 3/24/1988
Record: 13-10, 1st Place (tie) (6-5)
Power Ranking:
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided

Injuries:

• None

Transactions:

• Sent SP Steve Ontiveros (25/25) to AA camp
• Sent RP Jim Campbell (20/25) to A camp
• Sent RP Rob Hicks (20/20) to AAA camp
• Sent RP John McLarnan (20/20) to AAA camp
• Sent RP Wally Ritchie (20/20) to AAA camp
• Placed RP Craig McMurty (20/20) on waviers
• Sent SP Israel Sanchez (25/25) to AAA camp
• Sent 1B Rob Nelson (25/25) to AAA camp
• Placed 2B Greg Legg (20/20) on waivers
• Sent RF Kevin Ward (25/25) to AAA camp

With 7 games left, we had our second cut down day. Ontiveros cleared waivers and was sent back to AA Reading. Cambpell pitched decently, but was a longshot to make the club and he went back to A Clearwater.Hicks and Sanchez were knocked arouns over the last 2 weeks and were sent to AAA Maine. Same with McMurtry, but since he was out of options, I had to place him on waivers. I'd assume he'll clear waivers and be sent to AAA Maine. NOn roster invitees John McLarnan and Wally Ritchie pitched well, not enough to add them to the 40 man and they were sent down to AAA.

THere might be a surprise at catcher, as the expected backup Tom Prince is 2 for 25 with 3 walks and 7 Ks. One of his hits is HR. Rick Lundblade is doing a little better going 3-15 with 4 BB and 4 Ks, but no extra base hits or RBIs.

1B Rob Nelson, a long shot to make the club is hitting ,207 with 3 HR and 7 RBIs with 7 walks, but he was sent AAA Maine. Non roster invitee, Greg Legg, who is out of options, was placed on waivers. Walt Weiss has picked it up a little bit, but he may end up starting the season in AAA.

Rookie RF Kevin Ward has struggled mightily so far, hittnig .160 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and an OBP of .260. He will begin in AAA, as will Gary Varsho (20/20)

Notable MLB News:
Mariners 2B Harold Reynolds (65/65), strained hamstring, out 4 weeks
Pirates CF Andy Van Slyke (75/80), plantar fascitis, out 6 weeks
Expos CF Claudell Washington(60/60), torn labrum, out for 9-10 months
Giants 3B Matt Williams (40/70), radial nerve compression, out 5 months

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 4/1/1988
Record: 17-13, 1st Place (tie) (4-3)
Power Ranking:
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided

Injuries:

• SP [B]Britt Burns (20/30), partially torn UCL, out 7 months

Transactions:

• Placed SP Britt Burns (20/30) on 60 Day DL
• Sent RF Keith Miller (25/25) to AAA Maine
• Sent RP Craig McMurty (20/20) to AAA Maine
• Sent 1B Ricky Jordan (20/20) to AAA Maine
• Sent C Rick Lundblade (20/20) to AAA Maine
• Sent 2B Greg Legg (20/20) to AAA Maine
• Sent RF Gary Varsho (25/25) to AAA Maine
• Sent CF Dave Gallagher (25/25) to AAA Maine
• Sent SP Greg Hibard (30/50) to AAA Maine
• Sent SP Len Watts (20/20) to AAA Maine
• Sent SP Kevin Appier (35/70) to AA Reading
• Traded minor leaguers SS Gary Templeton (25/25), RP Chuck Malone (20/20) and SS Steve McDevitt (20/20) to Houston for minor leaguers RP Randy Hennis (20/20) and SP Donald Dunster (20/20)
• Assigned SP Donald Dunster (20/20) to AA Reading
• Assigned RP Randy Hennis (20/20) to A Clearwater
• Added SP Paul Gibson (40/40) to 40 man roster

Spring Training has finished and we ended up with a respectable 13-10 record and we made our final cuts. Greg Legg and Craig McMurtry both cleared waivers and were assigned to AAA Maine. At catcher, Tom Prince out hit Rick Lundblade to win the backup job. For the backup infielder job, Walt Weiss will stay with the team while Ricky JOrdan will still at AAA. Keith Miller and Dave Gallagher were the odd men out in the outfield. The latter only because he has options while others did not.

Greg Hibbard and Len Watts are non roster invites and were sent to AAA as expected. Kevin Appier pitched well but I want him to start in AA and most likely will bring him up mid-season. Paul Gibson will be added to the 40-man roster and will be the 5th starter.

Here is my active roster:

LF Louie Meadows
2B Mike Gallego/Mickey Hatcher
CF Von Hayes
3B Mike Schmidt
C Darren Daulton
RF Milt Thompson/Chris James
1B Cecil Fielder
SS Walt Weiss

Bench: Carmelo Martinez, Brian Giles, Tom Prince

SP1 Kevin Gross
SP2 Bruce Ruffin
SP3 Mike Maddux
SP4 Joe Bitker
SP5 Paul Gibson

LR Steve Cummings
MR Jim Corsi, Steve Nunez, David Wells
SU Jesse Orosco, Michael Jackson
CL Ed Nunez


Notable MLB News:

[frankgatti23]

BBN Annual Preseaon Prediction - 4/1/1988
Baseball Network News (BNN) released its annual preseason predictions on the opening day and they do not like the moves I made this year.

Division Winner Predictions:
AL East - Red Sox (103-59)
AL West - Royals (96-66)
NL East - Mets (99-63)
NL West - Padres (97-65)

They had the Phillies at 60-102 and the worst team in the majors. Screw that. We won 75 games last year and only lost Juan Samuel. He is good but not worth that many games. I think we are around a 75 win team again. We moved up from the worst minor league system to the 20th. We have three players in the top 100. The top system is the New York Yankees, who have 5 top #100 prospects including # 1 SS Bernie Williams

Top Phillies Prospects:
#48 SP Kevin Appier
#52 SS Walt Weiss
#66 RF Keith Miller

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 4/11/1988
Record: 3-3, 5th Place (tie) (3-3)
Power Ranking: 12th, 91 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided

Injuries:

• CF Von Hayes, broken elbow, out 9 months
• RP David Wells, strained oblique, dtd for unknown

Transactions:

• Placed CF Von Hayes on 60 Day DL
• Placed RP David Wells on 15 Day DL
• Purchased contract of CF Dave Gallagher from AAA Maine
• Claimed SP Bill Kruger off of waivers from Oakland
• Added SP Bill Kruger to 40 man roster
• Added SP Bill Kruger to active roster

We won on opening day only to lose Von Hayes for the season in the process. That was a tough blow. We started the season by taking 2 of 3 from Pittsburgh before dropping 2 of 3 to the Mets. After losing Hayes, it was an asy call to bring up Dave Gallagher as he was my last cut and the position fit. I claimed Bill Kruger because he was league minimum and has been improving on his control. 3.4 BB/9. WI was going to waive him and try to send him to AAA, but with the Wells, I just added him to the active roster. Pitching is going to be an issue this year as in the 3 losses we gave up 26 runs, compared to only 6 in the 3 wins.


Notable MLB News:
SP Shane Rawley signed a contract with the Mets for 1 year at 1.14M
ExposSP Brian Holman, torn rotator cuff, out for season

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 4/18/1988
Record: 5-7, 6th 2.5 GB (2-4)
Power Ranking: 21st, 72 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided
Attendance: 27,477 per game

Injuries:

• None

Notes:
I am going to change this to a more informal list of transactions. I activated Lance Parrish and David Wells from the DL and sent Tom Prince (1-5, 2 BB) and SP Joe Bitker (0-2, 13.03 ERA, 8.75 FIP, 2.75 WHIP in 9.2 IPs) to the mniors. He was the obvious choice to send to the minors to open a spot.

We lost 2 of 3 to Pittsburgh and then 2 of 3 to Montreal Mike Maddux throw 7 shutout innings and Chris James hit his 3 HR of the year in the win against Pittsburgh. Bruce Ruffin throw 7 shutout innings allowing 2 hits in the win against Montreal. Lance Parrish hit a HR in his first game back.


Notable MLB News:
Nolan Ryan signs a contract extension with the Houston Astros for 1 year

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 4/25/1988
Record: 8-10, 3rd 4.5 GB (3-3)
Power Ranking: 16th, 81 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided
Attendance: 25,502 per game

Injuries:

• None

Notes:
It was a week of sweeps, we started the week getting swept by the Mets. All 3 were low scoring, close games including an 11 inning loss. My starters Kreuger, Maddux and Gross combined to give up 4 runs in 21 innings, but my closer, Nunez gave up 3 runs in 2.2 IP, blowing 2 saves. The offense only managed 5 runs on 16 hits in the series, highlighred by Schmidt's pinch hit 2 run HR.

Then we swept Montreal scoring 17 runs in the 3 games. Meadows went 7 for 10, with 3 3Bs, HR and 5 Rbis. The bullpen pitched better giving up 3 runs in 10 IP.

I decided to shakeup the bullpen and move Nunez to middle relief and anointed Jesse Orosco the new closer.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 5/2/1988
Record: 12-11, 3rd 3.5 GB (4-1)
Power Ranking: 12th, 102 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided
Attendance: 25,002 per game

Injuries:

• 3B Mike Schimdt, dead arm, out 5 days

Notes:
We started the the week by spliting a two game series with Astros. We lost 1-0 as Kevin Gross went the distance giving up 1 run on 2 hits, walked 1 and struck out 1. The Phils could only manage a single, a double and 3 walks in the game. Then we won 2-1 in 10 innings. Mike Maddux went 8 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits, stirking out 6. Jesse Orosco went 2 perfect innings in relief. Darren Daulton hit a game winning HR in the 10th.

Then we swept Atlanta outscoring them 17-9 in the 3 games. Lance Parrish and Mike Schmidt both went yard.

[frankgatti23]

BNN Monthly MLB Report - 5/2/1988
Baseball Network News presents its monthly MLB report

AL Standings:
See screen shot below

AL League Leaders:
Ave: Paul Molitor .379
HR: Jose Canseco, Pete Incaviglia 8
RBI: Brian Downing 24
SB: Rickey Henderson 12
WAR: Dick Schofield, Mike Greenwell 1.4

W: Jeff Ballad, Jim Clancy, Ron Guidry 4
SV: Dennis Eckersley 9
ERA: Jose Rijo 1.09
K: Mark Langston 44
WAR: Frank Viola 1.6

AL Awards:

• AL Player of the Month: Red Sox LF, Brian Downing, .337 average,4 HRs, 24 RBIs and 13 runs scored
• AL Pitcher of the Month: Yankees SP, Ron Guidry, went 4-0, fanned 33 in 38.1 innings, logged an ERA of 1.41 and allowed opponents to hit .188 against him.
• AL Rookie of the Month: Brewers 1B, Joey Meyer, .202 with 3 home runs and 17 runs batted in.

NL Standings:
See screen shot below

NL League Leaders:
Ave: Lenny Dykstra .396
HR: Nick Esasky 7
RBI: Fred Lynn 25
SB: Vince Coleman 11
WAR: Lenny Dykstra 1.3

W: Mike Scott, Dwight Gooden 5
SV: Lee Smith 8
ERA: Mike Maddux 0.87
K: Nolan Ryan 47
WAR:Nolan Ryan 2.1

NL Awards:

• NL Player of the Month: Dodgers LF, Randy Milligan, .337 with 5 home runs, 21 RBIs and scored 19 runs and 10 walks
• NL Pitcher of the Month: Mets SP, Dwight Gooden, went 5-0 with a 1.03 ERA; and fanned 38 in 43.2 innning and held batters to .211 average.
• NL Rookie of the Month: Cubs CF, Jerome Walton, .265 with 0 HRs and 7 RBIs

Achievements:
4/8/1988 - Cleveland CF Joe Carter hits 3 HR in a game against Baltimore.
4/8/1988 - Cleveland CF Joe Carter 6 hits in a game against Baltimore.

Power Rankings:

• Los Angeles Dodgers (146.8, o)
• Boston Red Sox (132.6, ++)
• New York Mets (127.7, -)
• Cincinnati Reds (118.2, o)
• Toronto Blue Jays (116.5, ++)
• Kansas City Royals (111.4, ++)
• Seattle Mariners (109.0, ++)
• Detroit Tigers (106.7, o)
• Houston Astros (106.7, ++)
• California Angels (104.0, --)

[frankgatti23]

BNN Prospect Watch - 5/2/1988

The first month baseball is in the books, so we are going to check in on the top prospects in each team farm systems. This column will focus on the Philadelphia Phillies.

#1 - Kevin Appier RHP (AA) - 0-3 3.18 ERA, 25 K, 13 BB in 34 innings.
#2 - Walt Weiss SS (MLB) - .164, 0 HR, 1 RBI
#3 - Keith Miller RF (AAA) - .303, 2 HR, 10 RBI
#4 - Rob Nelson 1B (AAA) - .225, 6 HR, 15 RBI
#5 - Steve De Angelis RF (AAA) - .308, 1 HR 9 RBI
#6 - Tom Prince C (AAA) - .175, 1 HR, 11 RBI
#7 - Bill Stevenson 1B (AA) .213, 3 HR 7 RBI
#8 - Ricky Jordan 1B (AAA) .308, 2 HR, 4 RBI
#9 - Howard Nichols 3B (AAA) - .291, 0 HR, 11 RBI
#10 - Jose Leiva 3B (AA) - .177, 0 HR, 2 RBI

[frankgatti23]

Steve Carlton Night - 5/4/1988

The Philadelphia Phillies are proud to announce the May 4th, 1988 will be Steve Carlton night. The veteran lefty retired last year after a long and distinguished career. We will honor our former ace by retiring his number 32.

Carlton has collected 241 wins and 161 losses over his Phillies career with a 3.09 ERA. The 42-year-old hurler also has struck out 3031 batters in 3697.1 innings and allowed 3224 hits.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 5/9/1988
Record: 13-17, 5yh 6.5 GB (1-6)
Power Ranking: 18th, 77 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 71/Below Average
Owner Mood: Satisfied
Attendance: 24,306 per game

Injuries:

• None

Notes:
We started the the week by being swept in a two game seriess with the Astros and the Reds, getting out scored 23-17. The we lost two of 3 to Atlanta. David Wells and Steve Cummings pitched well giving up a combined 2 runs in 11.2 IP with 9 Ks. Chris James hit the only HR of the week driving in , meanwhile Brian Giles went 1 for 19 and Mike Schmidt went 3 for 27.

I released a couple of fringe minor league relievers and made a waiver claim on Kenny Rogers. He only pitched 1 inning this year but in 17 IP at AA last year he walked 4 and struck out 14. He grades out with a plus sinker and an average fastball and curveball. He has plus movement and average control. Plus he had options left so he is worth the risk. He needed to be on the 40 man roster. so I waiver Freddie Toliver and removed him from the 40 man roster.

In other news, the San Francisco Giants fired their manager Roger Craig after 3 plus seasons. They won 69 games last year and started 3 and 19 this year. He was replaced with Brad Van Ness, 42, who managed the Visalia Oaks of the California(A ball) last year. They went 62-100.

The Chicago White Sox also fired Jim Fregosi after a 6-20 start. He was replaced with Brendon Vanderhoff, 42, who managed the Burlington Expos of the Midwest League(A ball) last year. They went 84-56 and won the championship.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 5/16/1988
Record: 14-22, 5th 10.5 GB (1-5)
Power Ranking: 22nd, 60 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 70/Below Average
Owner Mood: Satisfied
Attendance: 22,610 per game

Injuries:

• SP Paul Gibson, elbow strain, out 2-3 months.
• RF Chris James, strianed ab muscle, out 4 weeks

Notes:
We started the the week by losing two fo 3 to Cincinnati, the first game a 7-6 loss in 18 innings. The Reds scored in the top of the 14th, 16th and 17th and we matched them every time. Then we finally lost in the 18th. Our 1 win was a 8 inning 2-0 gem by Steve Cummings.

Then we were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing 14-1, 4-2 and 7-3. We committed 7 errors in the series including 5 in the finale. In the blowout, Bill Krueger gave up 4 runs in 5 IP; Jesse Orosco 4 getting no outs and Steve Howe gave up 6 in 2 IP. Bad pitching and bad fielding not a good combo. Paul Gibson has an elbow strain and was placed on the 60 day DL. I was deciding between Kevin Appier, Greg Hibbard and Tom Newell and went with Tom Newell because I went the other get more seasoning before coming up this summer.

We are 9th or worse in every offensive category. Trading Juan Samuel hurt, but Von Hayes injury hurt even more. Chris James had 4 of the teams 18 HRs when he got hurt. I brought Kevin Ward to take his spot.They may be some more roster changes coming soon.

[frankgatti23]

Phillies Phodder: Weekly Report - 5/23/1988
Record: 16-26, 5th 11 GB (2-4)
Power Ranking: 23rd, 59.6 points
Fan Interest/Loyalty: 62/Below Average
Owner Mood: Undecided
Attendance: 22,610 per game

Injuries:

• None

Notes:
We begain the week against one of the teams worse than us, the San Francisco Giants. We took the first game 3-2, behind another strong outing from Steve Cummings, 6 Ip, 2 ER, 4K. Rookie Keith Miller chipped in two 2Bs and run. We lost the second game, 2-1. Kevin Gross (6 IP, 2 ER, 3 Ks) and Bill Krueger (2 IP, 1 hit, 1 K) pitched great, but the offense was held to 4 hits. We flashed some power in taking the finale, 6-2, as Mike Schmidt, Lance Parrish and Cecil Fielder all went yard.

Then we were swept by the San Diego Padres, losing 4-3, 5-4 and 10-1. In game 1, Tom Newell made his major league debut, giving up 3 runs on 4 hots, 5 walks and 2 Ks. The walks need to come down. Lance Parrish had 2 hits including a HR. THe second game went 13 innings. Bruce Ruffin pitched well (5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K). THe bullpen went 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 hits, 2 BB, with Nunez blowing the save.

I needed to shake up the roster as some of my younger players, Mike Gallego, Walt Weiss, Darren Daulton and Brian Giles to name a few, have struggled. I wanted to cut salary and shop some of my veterns. The Boston Red Sox were interested in Mickey Hatcher, which opened up talks between. I asked for a young RF Mickey Pina, a 22 year old, who hit .287 with 6 HR at AAA this season.He's an average defend with an average eye, contact and power. He may turn onto a 4th OF later this year or next year. I then asked the BostonGM, if RP Curt Schilling was available and he was. After some back and forth, it cost me Jesse Orosco, who was an upcoming FA, Lance PArrish, who was making 1.5 M and hitting .240, Brian Giles (.184, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 SB, .662 OPS) who has struggled to reach his potential and Carlos Martinez (.245, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, .591 OPS). He was the one I tried to keep, but Boston's GM insisted on him.

I put both new players on the 40 man roster along with Tom Barrett. I assigned Pina to AAA Maine and Schilling to Philadelphia. I purchased the contracts of Varsho, Tom Prince, Dave Gallagher and Tom Barrett