There are too many questions for me to feel confident that this year's Phillies can challenge for a wild-card playoff spot. Although many things went wrong in the first half, many things must go well in the second half for this team to contend.
The inconsistent offense has been maddening, and the pitching has been missing. This listing ship must right itself quickly or it will sink. During winning streaks, the bats exploded, but during some tight games, the team went down meekly. Leaving runners on the bases and relying on a struggling pitching staff are an ugly combination.
The Phillies have relied too much on the long ball, but teams with average pitching staffs must manufacture runs. Since there are no superstars in the Philadelphia rotation, this strategy should be emphasized and implemented.
As for the pitching, the idea was for the young starters to hold the fort until Cole Hamels and Randy Wolf arrived to bolster the staff. Hamels has turned out to be human, thus far, and Wolf suffered a few setbacks while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The loss of Jon Lieber (injury) and Brett Myers (leave of absence) for several starts didn't help matters any.
Charlie Manuel's post-game media session was different on Sunday. It was almost as if he thought that it might be his last one as the Phillies manager. Some of the questions centered on the talk that he'll be replaced during the break.
"The speculation about me losing my job affects my (coaching) staff and the players," said Manuel. "The way I look at it is, I have a contract. I don't ask for anything and I don't look for anything. I'll never quit. I'll come to the park every day and do the best I can."
The manager also pointed out that injuries and inconsistent play were the main reasons for the Phillies' disappointing first half. I agree. I also admired the way Manuel stood up for himself on Sunday.
However, I've become ambivalent about his situation. Although I didn't always agree with his strategy, I've learned to live with Charlie. Whether he's back after the break won't matter much to me. Manuel has always maintained that this year's club was short of quality pitchers, and he's right. I'd hate to see the guy lose his job for being honest.
As for possible trades, the current rumors center on Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu, both of whom are difficult to move because of large contracts. Last winter, general manager Pat Gillick held out for a front-line pitcher when he fielded inquiries about either of those two. He didn't get one then, and he won't get one now. A contending team looking for an outfielder isn't going to weaken its pitching staff during a stretch run.
Brett Myers is supposed to rejoin the team on Friday. When he returns to the rotation is still undecided. It will be interesting to see the fan reaction when he next pitches in Philadelphia.
One reader reported that Myers was "arrogant and rude" when he appeared at a meet-and-greet session with the fans a few years ago in Clearwater, Fla. Myers can be the same way when he's talking to reporters. If his current predicament has not humbled him, nothing will.
Since I'm always pulling for the underdog, I'm wondering what will happen to the popular Chris Coste when catchers Mike Lieberthal and Sal Fasano return. After starting his big-league career by going 0-for-14, Coste smacked 14 hits in his next 31 at-bats. He entered the break with a .311 average.
"I never know what's in the future, especially after what happened to me after spring training," said Coste, who had made the team until the Phillies acquired outfielder David Dellucci in a last-minute deal.
The affable player has demonstrated that he can hit and catch at this level. He even guns out base runners from his knees! He also plays the infield corners.
Lieberthal is on the option year of his contract and is probably playing his last season in this city. He could also be traded by the July 31 deadline. Carlos Ruiz is the catcher of the future because he's not quite ready to be a regular at this level. The Phillies should find a way to keep Coste.
My suggestion? I say trade or release Abraham Nunez and keep Coste as a reserve infielder and third catcher. After hitting .285 for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, Nunez was supposed to improve the Phillies' bench, but he's been a bust. Sunday's 0-for-5 left him with a .136 average.
What do you think?
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