I don’t want to imagine a world in which Ryan Howard isn’t the first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely out of the realm of possibility. Once his contract expires at the end of the ‘11, the greatest slugger in all the land is gonna demand some major scratch, and if the Yankees feel they need a DH, the Cardinals part ways with Pujols and feel like bringing in their hometown boy, or (God forbid) the Mets throw some cash in his face, he could be gone.
So, if that’s the case, then who, pray tell, would fill his void? Howsabout some Chase Fucking Utley.
From Jim Salisbury’s ‘State of the Phillies: First Base’ column:
Chase Utley? Isn’t he an all-star second baseman? Yes, he is. But don’t be surprised if he succeeds Howard at first base if Howard moves on after 2011.
Utley, who is signed through 2013, has played some at the position already and shouldn’t have trouble with the transition if that’s the way the organization goes. There could be some pluses to moving Utley to first. He’s a very physical player. On top of getting hit by a couple of dozen pitches per season, he throws his body around in the infield and subjects himself to contact turning the double play at second.
Getting away from the second base pivot, and moving to a less physically demanding position such as first base, might help Utley’s offensive production late in his contract and extend his career. Of course, keeping Howard long-term would be the ideal.
While Chase would probably be the ONLY person who could take over for Howard without hearing non-SABR dudes complain, I still agree with the last sentence in Jim’s last paragraph there.
Salisbury’s State of the Phillies: First Base | CSN Philly
117 Comments on “Phillies future first baseman… Chase Utley?”
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General
January 27th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmm…
January 27th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Realistically, if Howard goes, fuck it, why not.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
In my opinion this would be a waste of The Utley. He certainly has the incredible bat to hold up at the position, but by moving him to a less premium defensive position, you’re reducing the value of his production.
More importantly, Chase is the best defensive second baseman in baseball, and has been for a while now. All the metrics hold this up. He would be elite at first base also, but you’re just not getting all you can out of him. From a team standpoint, it would be more valuable to just promote some scrub from AAA who can hold it down, or find a cheap FA until a more long term solution presents itself.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Well, really, who else?
John Mayberry? I’d prefer someone who could hit over .220 at a major league level. Other than that, they really don’t have a long term replacement for the big guy in their system right now.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Technically, Phylan, isn’t Pumpkinhead Polanco the best rated 2B in the league?
January 27th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
If the Phils let the Big Man go, they’re going to have some bigger problems than this…. Like who is going to fill the giant hole that will be left in the 4-spot.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
meech, no, but he is very good. Rated 5th by +/- for 2006 through 2008, was 3rd in UZR/150 last year, just .3 runs behind Utley.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Unless you are a dummy that complain about Ryans strikeouts you must realize that it is almost impossible to replace what Howard has done. Unless you are replacing him with a player the caliber of Pujols, texiera,fielder or Berkman you are going to miss his production.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Utley can fill the cleanup spot!
January 28th, 2010 at 12:01 am
And isn’t it going to be easier to find a new 1B than a new 2B?
January 28th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Yeah I was basically trying to say that zambonirodeo except I used 3x as many words
January 28th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Must keep Howard.
I don’t mind the past couple offseason’s castoffs of Burrell, Myers, Feliz, and those types. With those guys departing there are improvements or balances to be made. But if the next two offseasons see Werth AND Howard go elsewhere, I will straight up beat Rube wit’ a bat.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Well at the very least, we get 2 more seasons of him. I’m not stressing about it now.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:09 am
I love Howard, but his skill set and body type doesn’t age well, and he isn’t young. Usually 1Bs with power hang around the league because they walk a lot, and Howard doesn’t.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:30 am
But in reality, it’s likely going to come down to signing either Howard or Werth.
And as good as Werth has played, I don’t know if you can justify passing up on Howard.
There’s a few Jayson Werths in the game, while there’s just one Ryan Howard.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:32 am
If we lost both Werth AND Howard, you can kiss goodbye to making the playoff’s until we can get replacements for both, with similiar production. Were we to lose just one of Werth or Howard, we will STILL probably miss the playoffs without a capable replacement with great production. Utley could probably play 1st,2nd, OR 3rd well, but we would be in a BAAAAAAAAD way without a Ryan Howard type player to support Utley and the others.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:37 am
why the fuck are we even talking about this? chase is second base, howard is first, thats the way it is, ok? now everyone stfu
January 28th, 2010 at 12:39 am
why do people not like talking about the Phillies on Phillies blogs
January 28th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Eat a fucking dick, John.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:13 am
People don’t seem to realize there are these things called “hypotheticals” which are fun to talk about but don’t really matter because they probably won’t happen, but it’s interesting to see what would follow if they did.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:33 am
I don’t know maxL…there is a very real possibility that we could be without both Werth AND Howard within the next few seasons, and Amaro would have to find a few very good players to take over for them, if we are hoping to stay competitive, and make another run for a division title or more. We really don’t have too many POWER guys in our minors right now, and almost certainly none who would be ready by the time Howard’s contract is up, assuming if he were to talk.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:34 am
We’re already getting too far ahead of ourselves with Werth, let alone Howard. Personally I don’t see why Howard would even want to leave, we have the majority of our team locked up for a while and there’s no reason he wouldn’t spend the rest of his career here. Mike Schmidt did after all, of course contracts and payrolls weren’t as big but I’m sure a team like the Yankees probably would of, or did offer him a lot of money.
And aside from that fact, if Werth is gone this offseason, and Howard the next, Ruben’s job will also be gone. He won’t let that happen. If he isn’t fired then he would be hated by all Phillies fans.
By the way, am I the only one who hates Salisbury with a passion?
January 28th, 2010 at 1:34 am
walk*
I meant to say walk, not TALK
ugh
January 28th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Well it’s very likely that Ruben’s job would be gone. You don’t go out and get the best pitcher in baseball for the next 3-4 years and let your main run producer(s) leave.
Personally I think, and have very high hopes that both Werth and Howard will remain Phillies in their respective offseasons(if they aren’t extended before then).
Sorry for the double post, just wanted to correct myself.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:39 am
What Tug said.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:43 am
I really hope that Werth and Howard stay too, because it would seriously hamper the Phillies without one or both. Neither one of them is the whole team on their own, but both have been HUGE difference makers for us in many different games, although the same could also be said for Utley and a few others, but you get my point. You don’t want your team to lose any of it’s KEY players, and Howard definitely falls into that category, but I feel that Werth does as well.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:01 am
why the fuck are we even talking about this?
Roy pitches every first day. Cole pitches every second day. blanton pitches every third day. happ pitches every fourth day. moyer pitches every fifth day. ruiz and schneider platoon behind the plate. howard is at first. utley plays second. jimmy plays short. polanco plays third. raul is in left. victorino is in center. werth is in right. charlie is the manager. milt is the batting coach. dubee is the pitching coach. lopes is the first base coach. perlozzo is the third base coach. mackanin is the bench coach. billmeyer is the bullpen coach. Dr. ciccotti is the director of medical services. sheridan is the athletic trainer. andersen is the assitant athletic trainer. dong lien is the conditioning coordinator. amaro is the general manager. montgomery is the general partner. betz is a limited partner. the bucks are limited partners. middleton is a limited partner. giles is a limited partner and chairman. clothier is a senior vp. stiles is a senior vp. clark is vp communications. deats is vp enterprises. killian is vp employee and customer services. nickolas is CFO. shenk is vp alumni relations. strouse is vp and general counsel. weber is vp ticket sales and operations. proefrock is assitant GM. looper is assistant GM player personnel. lamar is assistant gm, player development and scouting. dallas green is sr. advisor to the gm. gillick is senior advisor to the president/gm. charley kerfield is special assistant to the gm. wolever is director of scouting. lakey is director of major league scouting. noworyta is director, minor league operations. papneri is director of baseball administration. artiaga is director, latin american operations. ondo is pro scouting coordinator. mclaughlin is baseball information analyst. coppenbarger is director of team travel and clubhouse services. holiday is asst director of scouting. mcdaniel is asst director of minor league ops. macdonald is adminstrative assistant of baseball operations. wright is director of payroll services. curtin and fetsick are accountants. esquerdo is accounts payable. steinhour is visiting clubhouse manager. dede angelillis is the receptionist of their florida operations.
thats the way it is, ok? now everyone stfu, I’m trying to eat this dude’s ass.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Is it wrong that I believed that entire thing until the final sentance?
January 28th, 2010 at 7:08 am
/looks at watch
Yup, it’s 2010.
/realizes Salisbury should write about Wing Bowl if he is hurting this much for material
January 28th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Civil, in his defense, he’s writing about the ‘State of the Phillies’ (which he does for each position) where he looks at 2010, then the near future, then the future-future. I just thought it was interesting (and definitely possible) so I figured I’d post.
I didn’t mean to get everyone in a tizzy.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:21 am
John.. also, Dewey beat Truman.
Plus, you’re talking about January 2010. TheFightins is talking about April 2012.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:43 am
I’ll play first base…?
January 28th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Signing Howard to a long term deal would be dumb, so if they have to do that to keep him I’d rather tip my cap for what he’s given to the Phillies and wish him well. He’s great now but he’s totally one dimensional. He strikes out like crazy and his pitch recognition is terrible. If his power drops from “awesome” to “good” as he gets older, guys stop pitching around him, he loses the walks, and all the sudden he’s Mike Jacobs.
I don’t like the idea of moving Utley to first, though, at least until he can’t play a good second base anymore. Like Phylan said it’s not that hard to find a first baseman who can hit. It is hard to find a guy who can play a good second base and hit like he does. He’s a fitness freak, so maybe he’ll be able to keep it up for a while. Jeter is still playing shortstop at 36, and he takes a beating.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:29 am
moving utley to first wouldn’t be the first option, it would be the fall back option. I wouldn’t like it either, but not everyone can be “jeter.” Hes one in a billion, a very rare ball player with every tool imaginable.
Utley is similiar.. but his previous injuries dont indicate he’s indestructible.. eventhough he a tough SOB. The injury he played with for 5 months in 2008 might take a toll later down the road.. which, maybe.. maybe might move him to a less demanding position. Unless the Phillies move to the American League, its possible Ryan Howard will become horny for dollar signs and jet the first day FA arrives.
Hopefully we’re wrong about him and he does something rare and genuine–stays put.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:09 am
If, theoretically, Howard were to not return after ‘11, I think it makes the most sense to keep Utley at second base, given the extent to which he excels both offensively and defensively at such a keystone position. Especially since it’s a lot easier to find an offensively adequate first baseman than second basemen. The difference in production between Utley and an average (or even above-average) replacement is much greater at 2nd base than it would be at 1st base.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Tim… no homo?
January 28th, 2010 at 10:58 am
@Don…I have to say I agree. There is far too much risk involved in signing Howard long-term. The Phillies did the right thing last year by buying out his arby years because those should be his best of his career. After that it’s a roll of the dice.
@will…Jeter’s defensive #’s are on an incredible decline. His range is pretty awful now and his arm is going south.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Also, if Utley took throws like he is in first on a regular basis we’d have problems. Yes I know that had to be a bunt. It would be funny if he moved to first and took throws like that though.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Meech.. Will there still be “The Fightins” around for April 2012.. I can deal with the losing if Howard walks away.. But I don’t think I could do it without your insight and humour…
January 28th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Joe D lets just assume after 14 or so seasons that’ll happen to anyone. I think utley is going into his 7th or 8th. Jeter is on the decline i bet in every area due, but what he brough to the field was unmatched. he was the total package and i hate the jerk. no not really, ok maybe a little.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
*due to his age, that is.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:57 am
If anyone thinks Ultey is the best defensive 2b in the league, then you are out of your cotton pickin mind.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
The window of opportunity is closing on these guys. To win championships, you need your core group in the prime of their careers, which the Phillies have. And these guys aren’t pulling a Benjamin Button on us. If Jayson Werth puts up numbers like he did last year (and he will), he will not be in Philadelphia next year. So if you truly believes Howard will be back after 2011, you’re dumber then I thought. The Phillies will NOT pay him the money (A-Rod figures) he is going to demand.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
No way in hell we can afford Howard’s asking price. NQA. But Salisbury’s piece is stupid for a number of reasons, not least of which: decent 1B’s are much easier to find than decent 2B’s. It’s January filler.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
@will.H
Jeter’s crap defensively, though he was less crap last year, which was a pleasant surprise.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I don’t think anyone’s going to pay Howard what he thinks he’s worth. 31 year old Ryan Howard is not 25 year old A-Rod.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Darren Daulton says that none of this is going to matter in 2012.
Check your Mayan calendars, people.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Last time I checked, April 2012 precedes December 2012. Check your Gregorian calendar, Suz.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
The Yankees may not be in the market for a regular DH at the time anyway. Their best prospect, Jesus Montero, projects almost exclusively as a DH in the majors and really should be ready for that job in 2012. The Mets have Ike Davis ready to take over 1st maybe at the end of this season or beginning of 2011. So that hopefully would take out 2 of the big bidders and regardless of where Pujols ends up, that would take out 1 more team too.
I see Werth walking since we have a handful of OF prospects and resigning Howard. I think most teams would have an aversion to signing Howard to an very long contract over 5 years. I would think we could get a slight hometown discount in the length area of a deal and maybe sign him to maybe a 4 year deal close to $100 mil with a 5th year option. $25 mil per isnt a huge raise for our payroll, and certainly is worth what he provides.
I think Singleton will be good too. He almost has to be since hes our only real corner IF prospect. If hes coming along well in the next 2 years, we could survive without Howard for a season or 2 with just a holdover.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
“Meech.. Will there still be “The Fightins” around for April 2012.. I can deal with the losing if Howard walks away.. But I don’t think I could do it without your insight and humour…”
Holy shit, that might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me. Thanks.
If you really wanna know, Squirrel Boy, I was ready to give up this blog after the 2009 World Series. I dunno if the loss depressed me that much, or if I just felt like spending less time on the computer or what, but I’m actually really proud of what this site has become. And because of you guys, I don’t see myself stopping anytime in the near future.
It’s difficult to find the time to write (or “post”, since I’m such a shitty writer), but I certainly do enjoy it.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Watching the Phillies lose the World Series then losing this blog would have sucked mightily. Thanks for not giving up the ship, meech.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Meech… I’m lonely. Can we talk contracts for helping out this great site?
(Ed Wade won’t respond to my calls)
January 28th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Meech, I think the real reason you wanted to give up the blog was that Spankee fans were doing their best to ruin it. Now that they have gone back in their caves its one big party around here again. Keep up the good work.
Also, like Mr. Eaton above me I am currently unemployed since I just graduated. If you ever need a mindless post to fill the void, I gotcha covered. I have actually been thinking about writing up a post about why the Phillies would have been better if we would have just kept Lee this year (/sportsradio’d)
January 28th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
yea i dont see the phils keeping both werth AND howard. i think the multiyear signing of victorino seems to indicate that werth maaaaay play himself into a bigger contract than the phils can afford. victorino’s tools are basically replaceable by farm-system guys, so why else would they make that kind of committment to vic? either way, i would love to see werth stay, but i want howard here more. you can find more ‘werth-type’ players than ‘howard-type.’
January 28th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I couldn’t go on a computer or watch TV for two months after the WS; it made me sick to my stomach.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
It didn’t have anything to do with Yankee fan(s), Big Miles. That was like three dudes with different commenters names, anyhow.
It might look like it, but even if I put up a post with a screenshot, some blockquotes and some half-assed commentary — it’s still awfully time consuming to make everything look so cot damn pretty.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Lynnie, that’s pretty weird that you even check
January 28th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
oh meech, it is pretty, oh so pretty… and gay! Sorry, flashback to technical theater stuff from high school.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Meech, please don’t ever give up on this site! I enjoy coming here so much….especially during the off season. I think it’s the only thing that keeps me (somewhat) sane while I wait for baseball to start again.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Does meech make any scratch running this blog? I see the banner for Benny the Bum’s and the partnership with Birdland…he has to get something from those two places right?
January 28th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Nothing life-changing, Joe D, but enough to cover server costs and buy a Domonic Brown jersey.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Hahahaha I knew it wouldn’t be a lot but I was just hoping you got something for the public service you are doing.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
He donates all of the profits to a very special feline aids charity. It’s the number one killer of domestic cats.
/debbie downer’d
January 28th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Meech, you’re the meaning to my life. You’re my inspiration.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
meech i feel your pain. i have been unable to even talk in “wheeler” since the loss. sad times
January 28th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
If we want to completely kill his defensive value that he has at second base, AND his offensive value as the best 2B in baseball, then sure, move him to first. He will become an average hitting first basemen.
Utley needs to stay a second baseman if he wants a shot at the HOF and if the Phillies want a shot at more success. I will be furious if they move him to 1B.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Philly Cuban said: “I see Werth walking since we have a handful of OF prospects”
Yes, but most of those OF prospects are of the CF variety, where their biggest strength is speed, and not power. We have no real Power guys in our minors right now, to fill Werth’s role on the team.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
What does Luis A. Rosado have to say about all of this?
January 28th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I’ll write a free post about who Luis A. Rosado really is.
Hint: Tyrone Hill’s face.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
will.H: Weird is as weird does, so you know, yeah.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
BRING BACK THOME!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
that ‘who’s on first’ joke never gets old
classic!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Chances are, Jdog, he’d start off with a rousing commentary on how impossibly, yet clearly tiny your ball bag is.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Well not only do we have more OFs farm, but their production is just easier to replace in general. Its really only Gose and Gillies as CF prospects (Berrys essentially lost prospect status, Dugan probably has to shift to LF, Collier or Hudson are a long ways off) and its obviously not a guarantee that either one would pan out. If both happen to turn into everyday players, you could do worse than Gillies in a corner if his OBP is as high as it could be. He also has a great arm to go with great range that could hold runners back and throw some out. You can always shift CFs into the corners if need be, while the opposite isnt true.
Many young players develop power last, so you dont really have the whole picture yet anyway. Brown has enough, although hes essentially Rauls replacement. Mayberry has nothing but power, but hes a 4th OF at best. Domingo Santana has already shown decent power as only a 16 year old, but who knows how fast he’ll go through the system
January 28th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
lynnie, that’s so gump.
meech, if each reader pitches in 1 dollar we’d be golden.
me, stop it.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:29 am
dlhunter-do you mean the black skeletor?! Oh, how I miss watching Sixers games now that I don’t think there’s a monster on the team now…
January 29th, 2010 at 7:51 am
I do not know what I would do without this site. Particuarly after the loss but more importantly in the wait time between the start of the series. The LOLMets post got me through some dark dark days. The MLB Network keep shwoing the Cliff Lee press conference with the Mariners where he looks like he is able to burst into tears or running an endless loop about Johnny Damon.
Utley needs to stay where he is. And stop the hair gel.
January 29th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Come guys, Tyrone hill is a great guy with an awesome personality.
bigmyc, looks like you beat him to it. Maybe by spring training you could come up with some new material? Ehh, who am I kidding? That never gets old
January 29th, 2010 at 10:40 am
i hope Ryan stays…but i honestly can see him going to the Yankees for some big bucks
January 29th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Howard will be gone when his contract is up. The Phils will collect their two compensatory picks and move on.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:24 am
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/A_strong_bond_between_Contreras_Baez.html
Great article about our two new bullpen arms reuniting. I for one, hope that they fly Contreras’ mother in for Mother’s Day, like they do for someone every year.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I think if we lose Werth, we should just put Chase out in right. Why did we get Polanco when Chase could have played 3rd? How about when Rollins retires, we put him at short, too?
January 29th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Yay! Chase is the new Thomas Perez! (Said in the HK voice, of course…) Or, as I know him as-the One Man Rally. (As opposed to the One Man Rally Killer-David Bell.)
January 29th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
watrick, be fair when talking about one man rally killer- david bell.
marlon byrd helped
January 29th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
They should trade Chase Utley. That would free up some money to sign Jayson Werth and bring back Cliff Lee, and maybe Shane Rawley while we are at it.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
@Tap the Tab – find a way to clone Utley and I think we can play him at every position but pitcher and catcher.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
IDK Don, I think he could play pitcher and catcher too!
He certainly seems able to take enough punishment for the latter anyway.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Ummm…Jdogg is stoopid.
how’s that?
January 29th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Jdogg is stoopid.
/sicktastic burn
January 29th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I would be afraid to see what Mrs. Utley would do if he did not want to be traded. I somehow do not think that she would be like Mrs. Lee in her ‘wait -did something happen?” stance. It would be like unleashing hell.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Gonzo, Utley absolutely is the best defensive 2B in the MLB and has been for some time. Take a look here: http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/charts/sm1-leaders0608.gif . Notice by how many plays he leads the competition. If you go back other sets of years on that site ( http://www.fieldingbible.com ) you will find he leads them as well.
Now go here: http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2009&month=0 . Sort by UZR/150 and look at the top. Now go back each year – you’ll have to go back to 2006 to find a year when Utley isn’t on top. Also, jesus man, watch him play. The scouts agree with this too. It’s not really a question.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Gonzo and bigmyc are gayer than Cole Hamels
/honesty
January 29th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I think Tug is chomping at the bits…. getting close there…
January 29th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
The Phillies don’t suck… But their “fans” do. It’s a shame too because the Phillies would be a very likeable team if their fans weren’t total douche bags.
January 30th, 2010 at 12:33 am
I shouldn’t have given the impression that Utley was one of the worst fielders. But I think Hudson and Phillips are better fielders.
January 30th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Philly H8r: Are you some disgruntled former Phillies fan or something?
Or maybe just a depressed Nationals fan?
You aren’t a Yankees fan, or else you’d be rubbing just how “great” your team is in our faces.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:39 am
clarification;
with or without puppy pack?
January 30th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Philly H8r is prolly some smacked ass that got disses by Vic.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:34 am
dissed……. I mean
January 30th, 2010 at 11:37 am
100 beachessss
January 30th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Uncontrollable loneliness. Oh, and 101.
January 30th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
@bigmyc and Gonzo… I’ll show you the real Mr. Stoopid. See below.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=dxnys&s=3
January 30th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Hey meech-your favorite player is now ranked #14 from mlb.com’s prospects list: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100127&content_id=7985576&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi
January 30th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED SOME NEW MATERIAL!!!!!
January 30th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Winner winner chicken dinner @ BigMiles & JDashDogg
January 31st, 2010 at 1:14 pm
In the long term:
Werth>Howard
If I were the Phils I would sign Werth to a 50-60m/4yr deal like bay but he is better. In reality we have a bunch of good prospects but only one will probably be good enough for our WFC, and he will replace Raul, who I see declining after this year. Then we will need to find the Howard replacement…
But I agree that Howard is probably not the best long term deal; He is not worth 25m (see Manny R.). However, Werth is worth it. He can plan center if needed. He production is increasing, and he is clutch in the playoff. Not that Howard isn’t, but he shut down in two strait WS.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
For the record I think Howard is a lot better than Manny. I think Howard may actually be worth closer to 25m since he is a infielder in he peak not a post peak outfielder.
January 31st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Just a reminder 8008 Fan…
Since Howard’s partial rookie that led to the ROY honors, I believe he has finished in the top 5 in MVP voting every year. Werth had 1 good year, and really he only started to truly pick it up about 2-3 weeks before the All-Star break.
I’m not trying to say Werth isn’t that valuable because he certainly is a crucial part of the team due to his right handed power bat. I’m just saying I don’t think Werth > Howard in the long term is an accurate statement. I think Rhyno gives Pujols another good run at the MVP this year.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Ryan Howard has no business ever giving Pujols a run for the MVP. Pujols is the best hitter and all around player in baseball and the only one who could be remotely close is Chase Utley and Hanley Ramirez, and neither of them are close enough.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Pujols and Howard are really very different players, except for the fact that they are both leaders in power and HR’s. While Ryan Howard’s defense has definitely improved a lot, he’s still nowhere near as well rounded as a guy like Pujols. The Phillies best all around player is no doubt Chase Utley, but Ryan Howard is still a HUGE part of this team, and so is Jayson Werth for being our only real right handed power threat, and for being almost as well rounded as Utley.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:41 am
Rabbit Rabbit.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
prospect arrest… got drunk…blah blah blah
February 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
FACT: Mickey Morandini and Bryan Adams are one in the same person.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:51 am
Phylan I disagree somewhat. If Howard could hit lefties at all he would be pretty comparable to Pujols offensively; a little less patience, a little more power. Don’t forget the season he did win the MVP he hit .313/.425/.659 with 58 homers… you could certainly make an argument for Pujols that year too but that’s a hell of a season.
Long term I’d rather have Werth at $15M/yr than Howard at $25.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:37 am
After Gonzo’s comment about a chicken dinner..you can leave me out of the gay sweepstakes.
I can’t compete with that.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Inside sources tell me that Tyler Walker will be the Phillies first baseman when Howard leaves for greener pastures in 2012.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 am
Agreed, Iwill say if Howard doesn’t decide to resign( and i want it to happen Ruben!!!) Utley would be a good choose to replace the position.