We're off to a late start again this year, but there is a reason. An ill-timed injury (fractured ribs) and illness (flu) have kept me on the disabled list all season, but life goes on. Opening day, the World Series ring ceremony and the tributes to the late Harry Kalas went on without me. That's not to say I haven't been observing things, nor have the phone calls and e-mails stopped.
One of the more animated phone conversations that I had was with a buddy from the Northeast when the Phillies were finalizing their roster at the end of spring training. He and I shared a partial-season ticket plan at Veterans Stadium for years. My job elevated me to the press box 10 years ago, and his job transferred him to Arizona a few years later. As an avid fantasy league participant, my friend knows baseball personnel, and he doesn't hesitate to let me know if he disagrees with my opinions.
In this case, I was lamenting the Phillies' decision to release outfielder Geoff Jenkins and to keep Matt Stairs as the left-handed bat off the bench. Not only did the Phillies have to eat about $8 million that is owed to Jenkins, I thought that the team had left itself vulnerable by breaking camp with just four outfielders — starters Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jason Werth and Stairs.
At age 41, Stairs won't be starting too many games — he had one start in right field in April — and that could have serious consequences if any of the other outfielders are hurt.
Two factors are worth mentioning. In a pinch, both Eric Bruntlett and Miguel Cairo can play the corners, but if Victorino is injured, the only option at this point is to move Werth to center field and to use Stairs, Bruntlett or Cairo in right. It should also be noted that the Phillies are actively shopping for a right-handed outfielder who can hit for power.
On the same day that Jenkins was released, the Detroit Tigers did likewise to outfielder Gary Sheffield, and Philadelphia was one place that the veteran slugger was interested in settling. Unfortunately, he was also looking for playing time, and the Phillies had none to offer.
Consequently, Sheffield signed with the New York Mets. He is not yet hitting (.176 avg., 1 HR in games through May 3), and his defense is a little shaky, but that's understandable because he spent the last few years in the American League as a designated hitter. He is also 40 years old.
"If the Phillies could sign Sheffield and if he could have the year that he did three years ago, that would be great," said my friend.
Sheffield was limited to 39 games in 2006, but he averaged 35 homers and 122 RBIs in '04 and '05 while playing for the New York Yankees. However, I fail to see the logic in signing a 40-year-old veteran on the chance that he could duplicate a season that he had when he was younger.
All players fade with age. It's normal. If not, one could argue that the Phillies should sign Hank Aaron and Willie Mays and hope that they can still hit like they did in the 1960s.
Getting back to Jenkins, I was hoping that the Phillies had kept him. While he did have an off year in 2008 (.246 avg., 9 HR), Jenkins is 34 years old, and he would have been a better defensive option if any of the starters are injured or need a day off. Even with last year's disappointing power numbers, Jenkins still averages 19 home runs over an 11-year major league career.
"But (manager) Charlie (Manuel) wants a guy who can win a game in the late innings with one swing of the bat," said my friend.
True. Stairs became a folk hero when he won the pivotal Game 4 of the 2008 National League Division Series with a two-run swat in the eighth inning in Los Angeles. He did likewise in the 7-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on April 12, which was Kalas' last home run call, but this also points to the one thing about Manuel that irks me. The manager's inability to see beyond nine innings is a topic that I've written about before, and it has already cost the team one win this year.
When closer Brad Lidge blew his first save on April 18 against the San Diego Padres, the Phillies had taken a 5-4 lead in the eighth, and Greg Dobbs made the last out while pinch-hitting for catcher Lou Marson, who started the game hitting eighth.
Charlie had to replace his battery for the ninth, but he put catcher Chris Coste in the eighth slot and Lidge in the ninth spot, even though the pitcher would lead off the bottom of the ninth had the Phillies lost the lead. Not only did Lidge give up the tying run in the top of the ninth, but he also served up a three-run homer to Kevin Kouzmanoff, and the Phillies trailed, 8-5, going into the bottom half.
As expected, Stairs hit for the pitcher, but not even he can get three runs back with one swing of the bat while leading off an inning.
The Phillies may already have the right-handed, power-hitting outfielder that they are seeking. John Mayberry Jr. is off to a good start down on the farm.
The son of the American League slugger from the 1970s has a .284 batting average with seven doubles, six homers and 19 RBIs (through May 3) for the Phils' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
He might need a little more seasoning, but don't be surprised to see Mayberry in a Philadelphia uniform soon.
That's my opinion. What do you think? Click on the "Comments?" link below and let me know.
Next post: May 20.
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