No panic at second base
Chase Utley's impending right hip surgery won't affect the Phillies' offseason plans, at least while the team remains hopeful that there second baseman will return sometime in April. Eric Bruntlett filled in for Jimmy Rollins at shortstop last season, and could do the same for Utley at second. The team also may be obliged to promote prospect Jason Donald, who flourished in the Olympics and in the Arizona Fall League.
"I think we have coverage with Bruntlett and the emergence of Donald at this stage of the game," general manager Ruben Amaro said. "That doesn't mean that we wouldn't look to add, but I think we're covered fairly well."
Also, the Phillies gave themselves a dark horse candidate in left field by acquiring John Mayberry Jr. from the Rangers for OF Greg Golson. Mayberry represents more power and could fill an corner outfield, though scouts feel that he's not yet Major-League ready.
"I think we have coverage with Bruntlett and the emergence of Donald at this stage of the game," general manager Ruben Amaro said. "That doesn't mean that we wouldn't look to add, but I think we're covered fairly well."
Also, the Phillies gave themselves a dark horse candidate in left field by acquiring John Mayberry Jr. from the Rangers for OF Greg Golson. Mayberry represents more power and could fill an corner outfield, though scouts feel that he's not yet Major-League ready.
I like the idea of promoting Donald to play second until Utley gets back, but I wonder if they will try him at third afterwards?
Not a fan of trading Golson, I thought he would give the Phillies a crazy fast outfield defensively with Golson, Victorino and Werth at times. Not that he would be an everyday player, but I think he was major league ready. I saw Golson, Marsen, and Donald all contributing next year.
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Even before it was announced that Utley would undego hip surgery, I was very much in favor of signing FA Nick Punto. The former Phillie hit .285 with the Twins last year and started the majority of their games at SS. He started quite a bit at 3rd base as well. Nick is an extremely fundamentally sound ball player who can play any IF position as well a corner OF. He handles the bat very well and can steal you a base also. In short, Punto is Eric Bruntlett with a much better bat. While my gut tells me Utley will be at 2nd base on opening day, if he should have to miss the first 2-3 weeks, Punto would do an excellent job at 2nd base. Players with his kind of versatility are rare. He would also fit our budget nicely. Acquiring Punto would give us a solid back-up anywhere on the field.
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The Phillies do not need to stress.....everyone knows whats going to happen. The Phillies will start out slow, the mets will be hot and the media will be all about them...then June will come around...the mets flame will be starting to burn out, Utley will be back and the Phillies will ROLL!!! By the way, why not just bring up Brad Harmon....2nd baseman already and why spend money on a guy that is going to take the bench after June....
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signing punto, or someone who can add strength to our bench might give us 2 or 3 more wins before utley comes back. 3 extra wins in the spring, plus the return of utley, and a deep bench is worth the money. Even three wins in april and may, could be the difference in a tight race in september. The phillies have money. But I'd much rather pick up a pitcher or two, because bruntlett is good enough to fill in for utley for a couple weeks, he proved that last year.
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I agree with Glover19, Phils will have there usual slow start anyway and ride it out in mid-summer! Destroying the competition when it counts. I saw Chase Utley in Whole Foods yesterday on South Street, and screamed World F'in (the full word) Champs at him and got a nice smile. Others congratulated him and got autographs. I wished him luck with the hip surgery and cant wait to see him back on the field in '09! Go Phillies!
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There is a Taguchi-sized hole that I would have liked filled with Golson. Donald will be a fine fit also. One of the goals has to be to save the salary necessary to meet arbitration demands, and (I hope) re-sign Burrell and Moyer. Last year wasn't all August-September, they did establish enough credit early on to remain above .500 and in contention till their late season run.
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What about Tadahito Iguchi who filled in for Utley when he broke his wrist 2 years ago. They sent him down to Triple A. I would like to see him split time with Donald until Donald proves that he is ready to fill in until Utley comes back.
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