Right-handed bat or reliever? This is the big question facing Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. with the July 31 trading deadline fast approaching.
Fans have been clamoring for a bat since Jayson Werth left the team to sign a mammoth deal in free agency. The bullpen has lost three closers to injuries and have relied on a 24-year-old rookie (Stutes) to setup and a 25-year-old (Bastardo) to close games.
Both have been great surprises, especially Bastardo who recently had a stretch in which he allowed just one hit in 49 at bats against him.
If you ask manager Charlie Manuel, he wants both.
“I think we can definitely use a reliever, I think without a doubt. But also I think we could use a good bat,” Manuel said. ”And when I say a reliever or a bat, I’m talking about a good one. If we can find a good bat and we don’t get a good reliever, well then we’ll take the good bat, if that makes sense. I want somebody good. If we are going to get somebody, I’ll tell you guys like I would tell them, I want somebody good. Somebody that is going to help us. I don’t want what we’ve already got.”
Manuel, never afraid to speak his mind, clearly wants guys who will make an impact and jump start a team whose offense has been inconsistent at best and a bullpen that has three or four guys who should be in the minors.
But with the Phillies' payroll constraints it may be more difficult than just trading for a veteran outfielder or reliever. The team is also reportedly looking for guys who they will be able to control beyond 2011, which is why Padres reliever Mike Adams is a likely target.
Ken Rosenthal, from FOX Sports, says the team likes Adams more than teammate Heath Bell because Adams won’t be a free agent until after the 2012 season. The 33-year-old Adams would provide insurance if Ryan Madson (his agent is the greedy, evil Scott Boras) bolts the team during free agency this offseason.
Adams, who would be owed less than $1 million after July 31, has been nearly unhittable over the past 3.5 seasons, compiling a 9-5 record with a 1.70 ERA in 212 innings as San Diego’s setup man. He doesn’t walk many batters and averages a strikeout per inning.
This season he has 1.17 ERA and a WHIP of .72 in 46 innings. He’s been downright disgusting and would give the Phillies a formidable look in the late innings.
I have no expectations for Brad Lidge, who is scheduled to make one last rehab appearance before he rejoins the club this weekend. Anything he gives ole Cholly is a plus. Jose Contreras is very questionable to return this season. Danys Baez and David Herndon should not be on a major league roster and neither should Drew Carpenter.
Juan Perez has been promising but as seen Sunday, when he walked the only three Mets he faced, is a work in progress as the second lefty behind Bastardo.
Clearly, the Phillies need a bullpen arm and Adams would provide quite a lift. Imagine facing Bastardo, Adams and Madson after Halladay, Lee or Hamels. That’s just not fair.
Manuel wants a right-handed bat, too. The team has gotten very little production out of the corner outfield spots. Raul Ibanez is streaky, but he’s been good lately batting .279 with four homers and 16 RBI in 18 games in July.
Dominic Brown took the right field job from a disappointing Ben Francisco in May and although he has shown promise, batted .165 in June and .249 overall. John Mayberry Jr. is getting a chance to prove he is that right-handed bat.
The lanky big man is hitting .289 (13-for-45) since his July recall when Shane Victorino went on the DL with an injured thumb. He’s had some big hits and has 13 RBIs with nine of his 13 hits going for extra bases.
It will be interesting to see what Manuel does with the outfield with Victorino being activated last week against the Cubs.
But there are very few options out there who would be significant upgrades. Carlos Beltran is the best player of this small group, and would slot right behind Howard. But the Mets are demanding top level talent in return for Beltran since they are willing to pay his remaining salary.
Does Amaro want to deplete the farm system for a two-month rental?
In my opinion, Philadelphia should snag a reliever, but stick with what they have offensively. If Ibanez can stay away from his 0-for-25 streaks and Howard has his typical second half, I think this team will be OK.
Victorino needs to stay healthy and continue to provide protection for Howard and, hopefully, Polanco can get back to being the hitter he was early this season before back issues derailed him.
He’s currently on the DL and there is real concern about whether he will be healthy at all for the rest of the season. He may have to play through pain down the stretch and into October like he did last year when he had elbow issues.
I know those are a lot of if's but this is a veteran lineup who is known to produce down the stretch. The 2011 season shouldn’t be any different.
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