GaryMrMets
06-01-2004, 03:20 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/8806369.htm
Posted on Tue, Jun. 01, 2004
Phillies Notes | After successful May, Wade's caution blooms
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies finished May yesterday without a healthy closer, second baseman, shortstop, and two-time 14-game winner.
They played at times last month without their first baseman. And their 2003 all-star. And a righthander with 320 career saves.
But other than that, no problems. The Phillies were 17-11 in May, overcoming a 1-6 start to their season.
Starter Vicente Padilla and closer Billy Wagner are on the disabled list, but the staff has the best earned run average in baseball at 3.65. And the Phillies scored more runs in May than any other National League team.
"We're playing pretty well right now," general manager Ed Wade said.
But Phillies fans always have their questions and concerns. Wade addressed some of them yesterday.
Are there any trades on the horizon?
Wade said the Phillies weren't exploring anything right now.
"There's always a possibility we may have to do something at some point, but I don't think we're there yet," Wade said.
"I understand that certain guys in our lineup aren't performing up to their capabilities at the moment," he said, "but at the same time, after getting off to the 1-6 start, we've played pretty good baseball.
"I don't think you shift left to right or push panic buttons when you're playing well. I think you keep your confidence in guys who have rewarded you for your patience in the past."
What will happen with second baseman Chase Utley when Placido Polanco returns from the disabled list?
Wade repeated the words of manager Larry Bowa.
"Like Bowa told you guys 10 days ago, a guy like Polly, who was one of our most valuable guys last year, doesn't lose his job because he has a quadriceps problem," Wade said.
"We're not going to please everybody, no matter which decision we make," he said. "And I know that. That's not the goal. The goal is to try to get it right."
How many at-bats would Utley need to stay?
"I haven't made a decision about what we're doing with Chase," Wade said, pointing out that a pair of bench players, Shawn Wooten and Jason Michaels, had few at-bats in the first month of the season.
Wade, who doesn't see a platooning situation in the infield, didn't want Utley wasting away on the bench when he sent him to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season.
Are there any chances for a 12-man pitching staff?
"We're playing it by ear," the general manager said. "We're not saying we won't do it... . Coming out of spring training, we liked the idea of 11 pitchers and 14 position players. We thought it was our best club. We still feel it's our best club."
Extra bases. Righthander Elizardo Ramirez is expected to return to the minors when the Phillies activate righthander Josh Hancock for Thursday's start in Atlanta. But Ramirez, who had been in single-A Clearwater, likely will join double-A Reading. In three appearances, he has allowed one run in four innings. Hancock, who replaces Padilla, is expected to make two starts before Padilla returns after having suffered tendinitis in his right biceps... . Wagner threw from about halfway up the bullpen mound. His return wasn't imminent.
Posted on Tue, Jun. 01, 2004
Phillies Notes | After successful May, Wade's caution blooms
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies finished May yesterday without a healthy closer, second baseman, shortstop, and two-time 14-game winner.
They played at times last month without their first baseman. And their 2003 all-star. And a righthander with 320 career saves.
But other than that, no problems. The Phillies were 17-11 in May, overcoming a 1-6 start to their season.
Starter Vicente Padilla and closer Billy Wagner are on the disabled list, but the staff has the best earned run average in baseball at 3.65. And the Phillies scored more runs in May than any other National League team.
"We're playing pretty well right now," general manager Ed Wade said.
But Phillies fans always have their questions and concerns. Wade addressed some of them yesterday.
Are there any trades on the horizon?
Wade said the Phillies weren't exploring anything right now.
"There's always a possibility we may have to do something at some point, but I don't think we're there yet," Wade said.
"I understand that certain guys in our lineup aren't performing up to their capabilities at the moment," he said, "but at the same time, after getting off to the 1-6 start, we've played pretty good baseball.
"I don't think you shift left to right or push panic buttons when you're playing well. I think you keep your confidence in guys who have rewarded you for your patience in the past."
What will happen with second baseman Chase Utley when Placido Polanco returns from the disabled list?
Wade repeated the words of manager Larry Bowa.
"Like Bowa told you guys 10 days ago, a guy like Polly, who was one of our most valuable guys last year, doesn't lose his job because he has a quadriceps problem," Wade said.
"We're not going to please everybody, no matter which decision we make," he said. "And I know that. That's not the goal. The goal is to try to get it right."
How many at-bats would Utley need to stay?
"I haven't made a decision about what we're doing with Chase," Wade said, pointing out that a pair of bench players, Shawn Wooten and Jason Michaels, had few at-bats in the first month of the season.
Wade, who doesn't see a platooning situation in the infield, didn't want Utley wasting away on the bench when he sent him to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season.
Are there any chances for a 12-man pitching staff?
"We're playing it by ear," the general manager said. "We're not saying we won't do it... . Coming out of spring training, we liked the idea of 11 pitchers and 14 position players. We thought it was our best club. We still feel it's our best club."
Extra bases. Righthander Elizardo Ramirez is expected to return to the minors when the Phillies activate righthander Josh Hancock for Thursday's start in Atlanta. But Ramirez, who had been in single-A Clearwater, likely will join double-A Reading. In three appearances, he has allowed one run in four innings. Hancock, who replaces Padilla, is expected to make two starts before Padilla returns after having suffered tendinitis in his right biceps... . Wagner threw from about halfway up the bullpen mound. His return wasn't imminent.