GaryMrMets
06-30-2004, 03:11 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9042754.htm
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phil Sheridan | Phillies aren't quite a powerhouse yet
By Phil Sheridan
Inquirer Columnist
The Powerball billboard in the bullpen in right-center promised a $10 million jackpot. How high does the number have to go before the Phillies buy a ticket?
Are they in, or are they out?
Uneasiness about this team might seem a little odd. After all, the Phillies blew out the Montreal Expos again last night, 17-7. They've scored 31 runs in two nights. They are a fraction of a percentage ahead of Florida for first place in their division.
But:
They are one full game behind the 2003 Phillies. At this same point a year ago, the Phillies had a 41-34 record. They are 40-35 after last night. And yes, it's nice to beat up on a 22-year-old pitcher making his big-league debut, but there aren't going to be many of those the rest of the way.
A year ago, Ed Wade and Larry Bowa talked about how the team was talented enough. The Phillies just had to play up to their capabilities. A year ago, Wade and Bowa cited injuries and those unexpectedly hot Atlanta Braves as reasons their team seemed lacking.
Here's Bowa from the June 22, 2003, Inquirer, explaining why he believed his struggling team would hit better: "I think track records, for the most part, don't lie."
Here's Wade from yesterday's Daily News: "I think this team has the ability to play at a higher level... . You look at their track records and you expect them to do better."
A year ago, you could give Wade and Bowa the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the Phillies would heat up with the summer, putting together some kind of run at the Braves. When Wade essentially stood pat at the trade deadline, he deserved a little bit of slack. After all, the historically small-thinking Phillies still had vertigo from throwing big money at Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood.
This year, the slack is gone. The rope is taut, and it is stretched over a deep, wide chasm.
Maybe the Phillies will get hot - the long homestand that began Monday is a pretty good opportunity - but their "track record" (to borrow a phrase) says they won't. And if Wade doesn't do something significant to help this team before July 31 - the sooner the better, frankly - he will not be able to ask the fans, the manager or the current players to trust his judgment.
He was wrong last year. The Florida Marlins proved that beyond a hint of a doubt. They were aggressive while the Phillies were passive, and that's why the Phillies got to sit in front of their TVs and watch the Marlins celebrate a World Series title.
The Phillies were not players in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes last week. The centerfielder went to Houston. But even though he's a Scott Boras client, Beltran's combination of speed and power would look a lot better in the Phillies' lineup than Jason Michaels'.
That's the kind of move it's going to take to get the Phillies over the hump. Kelly Stinnett - last year's Aug. 31 acquisition - just ain't going to cut it this year.
It's one thing to be cautious, as long as cautious means smart. The same people who would have Wade trade every decent prospect for quick help are already starting to rip Wade for shipping Johnny Estrada to Atlanta for Millwood.
So be careful what you wish for, but wish for something.
Wade has said a number of times that he will not trade Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels, the Phillies' two best pitching prospects. He's also made it clear he won't rush Floyd to the majors.
Meanwhile, Dontrelle Willis was on the mound for the Marlins last night. Willis was 21 last season - same age as Floyd - when the Marlins brought him up from double A to join their rotation. All he did as a rookie was go 14-6, pitch in the All-Star Game, and play a key role in a world championship.
The Phillies will feel pretty good about their offense after last night, but a week ago Montreal starter Shawn Hill was pitching against Altoona. Still, the kid struck out three of the first four hitters he faced, including Bobby Abreu and Jim Thome. Hill got Thome the next time he faced him, too.
Maybe Floyd is ready, maybe he isn't. The point is, top prospects have this way of becoming almost mythical. People talk about Floyd and Hamels, who is injured, like some magical solution to all the Phillies' problems. Bring them up. Trade them for a superstar.
It's not that simple. It is, however, this simple. There are a million reasons not to make a bold move. There's only one reason to do it: to win.
This year, that one reason is going to have to be enough.
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phil Sheridan | Phillies aren't quite a powerhouse yet
By Phil Sheridan
Inquirer Columnist
The Powerball billboard in the bullpen in right-center promised a $10 million jackpot. How high does the number have to go before the Phillies buy a ticket?
Are they in, or are they out?
Uneasiness about this team might seem a little odd. After all, the Phillies blew out the Montreal Expos again last night, 17-7. They've scored 31 runs in two nights. They are a fraction of a percentage ahead of Florida for first place in their division.
But:
They are one full game behind the 2003 Phillies. At this same point a year ago, the Phillies had a 41-34 record. They are 40-35 after last night. And yes, it's nice to beat up on a 22-year-old pitcher making his big-league debut, but there aren't going to be many of those the rest of the way.
A year ago, Ed Wade and Larry Bowa talked about how the team was talented enough. The Phillies just had to play up to their capabilities. A year ago, Wade and Bowa cited injuries and those unexpectedly hot Atlanta Braves as reasons their team seemed lacking.
Here's Bowa from the June 22, 2003, Inquirer, explaining why he believed his struggling team would hit better: "I think track records, for the most part, don't lie."
Here's Wade from yesterday's Daily News: "I think this team has the ability to play at a higher level... . You look at their track records and you expect them to do better."
A year ago, you could give Wade and Bowa the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the Phillies would heat up with the summer, putting together some kind of run at the Braves. When Wade essentially stood pat at the trade deadline, he deserved a little bit of slack. After all, the historically small-thinking Phillies still had vertigo from throwing big money at Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood.
This year, the slack is gone. The rope is taut, and it is stretched over a deep, wide chasm.
Maybe the Phillies will get hot - the long homestand that began Monday is a pretty good opportunity - but their "track record" (to borrow a phrase) says they won't. And if Wade doesn't do something significant to help this team before July 31 - the sooner the better, frankly - he will not be able to ask the fans, the manager or the current players to trust his judgment.
He was wrong last year. The Florida Marlins proved that beyond a hint of a doubt. They were aggressive while the Phillies were passive, and that's why the Phillies got to sit in front of their TVs and watch the Marlins celebrate a World Series title.
The Phillies were not players in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes last week. The centerfielder went to Houston. But even though he's a Scott Boras client, Beltran's combination of speed and power would look a lot better in the Phillies' lineup than Jason Michaels'.
That's the kind of move it's going to take to get the Phillies over the hump. Kelly Stinnett - last year's Aug. 31 acquisition - just ain't going to cut it this year.
It's one thing to be cautious, as long as cautious means smart. The same people who would have Wade trade every decent prospect for quick help are already starting to rip Wade for shipping Johnny Estrada to Atlanta for Millwood.
So be careful what you wish for, but wish for something.
Wade has said a number of times that he will not trade Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels, the Phillies' two best pitching prospects. He's also made it clear he won't rush Floyd to the majors.
Meanwhile, Dontrelle Willis was on the mound for the Marlins last night. Willis was 21 last season - same age as Floyd - when the Marlins brought him up from double A to join their rotation. All he did as a rookie was go 14-6, pitch in the All-Star Game, and play a key role in a world championship.
The Phillies will feel pretty good about their offense after last night, but a week ago Montreal starter Shawn Hill was pitching against Altoona. Still, the kid struck out three of the first four hitters he faced, including Bobby Abreu and Jim Thome. Hill got Thome the next time he faced him, too.
Maybe Floyd is ready, maybe he isn't. The point is, top prospects have this way of becoming almost mythical. People talk about Floyd and Hamels, who is injured, like some magical solution to all the Phillies' problems. Bring them up. Trade them for a superstar.
It's not that simple. It is, however, this simple. There are a million reasons not to make a bold move. There's only one reason to do it: to win.
This year, that one reason is going to have to be enough.