Monday, June 13, 2011

Are Phils offensive enough?

Okay, not really offensive, but do they have enough offense to support their stellar pitching staff? The notoriously impatient fanbase doesn’t think so, openly clambering for GM Ruben Amaro to trade for an established bat.  But, money matters aside (and they can never really be put aside), who would they get and where would he play?  Realistically, all the infield spots, catcher, and centerfield are locked in with well established, and well-beloved players.  Rightfield is the province of phenom Domonic Brown who has hardly been given the chance to prove or disprove the hype so…we are left with leftfield, currently manned be Raul Ibanez, whose high salary and advanced years make him practically untradeable. Additionally, after a horrendous start, Raul has produced steady, if unspectacular, numbers, in fact, numbers that are quite similar to those produced by any of the available “names” that have been bandied about, names such as Michael Cuddyer of the Twins or Carlos Quentin of the White Sox.  Personally, I’d rather see them platoon Raul with current Iron Pig John Mayberry. Each has holes in his swing, but is capable of more than adequate major league production if used properly.   Mayberry just kills lefthanded fastball pitchers and can handle lefty breaking ballers, which are currently giving Ibanez fits. Plus, he provides far superior speed and defense than any Phillie outfielder this side of Victorino.  Ibanez, while aging, can still be productive if placed in positions he is more likely to succeed. Best of all, both are here already. Mayberry can be recalled by eliminating the "finished" human walk machine, J.C. Romero and going with 11 pitchers ( a twelfth is really unnecessary with this starting staff and, of course, secret weapon Wilson Valdez), or, if the twelfth is a must, then returning versatile, if overmatched, Michael Martinez to the Nationals. Players like him are a dime a dozen, and with the current lack of offense, can be sacrificed on the altar of production.

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