Philadelphia Phillies's Philadelphia Phillies friend's fan blogs

I really like the direction this team is going but I'm not so sure they can really be a contender in the East this year.  The East has gotten a lot stronger over the last few years and while I think they can make the playoffs I don't really see any chance that they can really beat The Magic, the Heat, the Celtics, of the Bulls.  And I'm skeptical they can even beat teams like the 76ers or the Hawks.

What do you think? 

Continue reading "Can the Charlotte Bobcats be a contender in the East?"

As you probably already know, the Flyers acquired Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle from Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, their 2009 1st round pick, their 2010 1st round pick, and a conditional 3rd round pick.  I’ve been seeing a lot of mixed reactions regarding the trade. The majority of them tend to be that it was way too much to give up. My thoughts…we clearly paid a VERY heavy price, however, I am absolutely thrilled with this trade. I will admit, the thought of Pronger leaving after his one year is up, makes me cringe a bit, but I do believe Holmgren has every intention of signing him to an extension. Ideally, we can sign him to a reasonable 2-3 year deal (sadly, I think that’s optimistic) and we can lose the salaries of one of, if not both of, Jones and Carle. If those things were to happy, my grade of this trade would go from a B to an A.

Continue reading "Analyzing the Chris Pronger Trade"

Brad Lidge needs a lil rest, and some more rest between outings. The lat weekend of May, Charlie Manuel ran him out there on 4 consecutive nites, and then had him warm up two days later, and pitch in successive games after that. We all know he blew the successive games, and evidence of overuse were plentiful, including lack of location, bite on slider, and an overall velocity drop on all pitches. Manuel also used his closer on 4 consecutive days in May. He needs to immediately stop this idiotic maneuver and find his All Star some rest after consecutive days use the rest of the season, or Brad won't be there at the end.

Continue reading "Phillies Brad Lidge"

Ruben Amaro, Jr. has stated time and time again that the Phillies are looking to add a pitcher. A quality top end of the rotation pitcher. While thoughts of Peavy and Halladay and Bedard have danced in our heads, what will be the reality of it all come July 31st at 4 PM? With the current state of the economy, I don't believe that the Phillies will be looking to add a number one or number one-a contract to the salary. Maybe a two or three but definitely not anything above. And just to be clear Dan Haren is a one-a. Where he would definitely be a number one on most legitimate teams. This is pure speculation, but I don't expect more than a Doug Davis or Jason Marquis type of pitcher. If Bastardo can go deeper into games, Happ stays steady, and Moyer continues to improve, or atleast not decline, I believe the Phillies will stand pat with their rotation. They will say that they made the best effort possible for another top flight pitcher but no one would budge on their asking price. Also not to worry because Hamels, Blanton, Happ, and Moyer won it for us last year so they all have the playoff experience to make the team float. So where do the Phillies stand once the smoke clears? I think they look remarkably like they do now, And as far as the smoke goes, I think it is just being blown up our asses.

Continue reading "Where will the Phillies be when the smoke clears?"

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is reporting that the Phillies have been scouting Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny. The Red Sox supposedly asking for infield prospect Jason Donald. Brad Penny is not the power pitcher he used to be. He has averaged about 5.1 IP/9 this season for Boston. Donald has struggled in the minors this year and his value may decline if he continues sumping, but I would definitely NOT want Penny. Right now Happ and Bastardo are both throwing the ball better. Hopefully this just a rumor and the Phils are scouting others from the Sawx. Ruben realistically could wait until the All-Star break to acquire a front line starter. So for now it's just a waiting game.

Continue reading "Is Donald only worth a Penny?"

After starting sixth in all star votes, Phillies fans stepped up the in park and online voting to jump Raul Ibanez all the way to second place behind Ryan Braun. The usuals are occupying their places in voting with Utley, Howard, and Rollins all within the top 3. Third baseman Pedro Feliz is quietly putting together an All Star quality season. He currently is 5th in the voting.

The real story is Ibanez. Ibanez came to the Phillies this past offseason to replace Pat (the Bat, the Babe, Man or Machine, etc.) Burrell. Most fans were skeptical of what Ibanez could bring to the team. He would be the third lefty in the heart of the order. He was also 6 years OLDER than Burrell. So far, I would definitely say the Ibanez was well worth the draft pick we gave up. He is out homering a

Continue reading "Ibanez early favorite for All Star Game."

Here we are less than 100 days before the start of the 2009 college football season and it's time to break down the Texas Longhorns.

What we know about the Longhorns:

The Texas Longhorns are primed for a run at the national championship. With QB Colt McCoy returning for his senior season after breaking the record for completion percentage in a single season last year with a ridiculous 76.7%, topping Daunte Culpepper's previous record, the Longhorn's passing attack should be lethal. Texas graduated receiver Quan Cosby but return star receiver Jordan Shipley, along with Brandon Collins, James Kirkendoll, and deep threat Malcolm Williams. The running game was questionable at best last season for the Longhorns, but look for 240 lb. RB Cody Johnson to bring some consistency to the position, as he had a great spring before tweaking his hamstring. Fozzy Wittaker provides a great change of pace back to compliment Johnson, as will RB Vondrell McGee. FB Antwann Cobb is back from his injury and flashed some great blocking in the spring game. The O-line should be a strength for the Longhorns as they are a very mature group with a lot of experience. Pass blocking hasn't been an issue; however, one of the goals of the spring was to improve the run blocking and bring some "nastiness" back to the O-line. The Defensive side of the ball looks to improve this season after leading the NCAA in sacks last season. The Longhorns lost All-American DE Brian Orakpo, stud DT Roy Miller, and DE Henry Melton to the NFL draft, but they return DE Sergio Kindle who recorded 10 sacks last season and was a nightmare off the edge for offensive tackles and opposing QBs. Lamarr Houston and Kheston Randle should handle the both the DT positions but depth is a concern. The DE position should be stacked with Sergio Kindle, Sam Acho, Eddie Jones, Russell Carter, and freshman Alex Okafor all competing for playing time. The Longhorns are stacked at LB as well with seniors Roddrick Muckleroy and Jared Norton returning, along with speedy OLBs Keenan Robinson and Emannuel Acho. The big question mark last year becomes one of this year's biggest strengths. It may be one of the most athletic defensive backfields manned by secondary coach Duane Akina, just behind the 2005 all star cast. Look for CB Aaron Williams to be a breakout player and lead the team in INTs, as he has incredible ball skills. CB Chykie Brown will be a lock-down defender at the other CB spot while Curtis Brown and Deon Beasley provide good depth at the position. At the safety position the Longhorns return both of their starters in freshman All-American Earl Thomas, who had a great spring, and Blake Gideon. Look for hard hitting S Christian Scott to get a lot of playing time too, as he is just too physically gifted to keep off the field.

Continue reading "Texas Longhorns 2009"

The starting pitching was very good over the weekend in the bronx. It all seemed to be on Brad "Lit Up" Lidge as he blew the save and lost the game on Sat. and just blew the save Sun. Bright spot of the weekend was the first hit/HR of prospect John Mayberry, Jr. He got the traditional silent treatment from the rest of the team in response. Lidge's knee is causing such a problem that he is required to wear an orthopedic insert in his right shoe to alleviate the pain. That is a big red flag. He needs to have that taken care of for the second half of the season. I'd rather see him out now than later down the road during the playoff push.

Continue reading "Phils take two of three from Yanks."

Joe Blanton cruised thru the first four inning and hit the wall in the fifth. He gave up 5 runs in the fifth, but only cut the deficit to one run. The Phillies offense cruised, scoring atleast one run in every inning except the the fourth and ninth. Raul Ibanez tied the lead league in homers at 15 with his blast in the seventh. His three rbis (40) gave him the league lead. Up next the New York Yankees, who have been on fire as of late. I for see a couple of 8-7 games. I can't tell you who will be on top, but the fireworks will be going off in the Bronx this weekend.

Continue reading "Blanton Struggles, Pen scoreless in win in rubber match."

Even before the game started we had a little action. Charlie Manuel demoted Chan Ho Park from the rotation to the bullpen and promoted JA Happ to the rotation. Happ will get his first opportunity Saturday at the on fire as of late New York Yankees.

But onto the game. The Phillies took the lead early when Ryan Howard blasted his ninth of the season leading off the second inning. Jay Bruce tied it back up in the fourth with his twelfth round tripper of the year. This Phightins did take the lead for good in the fifth after Cueto gave up 3 runs. The Reds got two more off of Hamels in the sixth and it was over from there. Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge gave up a combined two hits, two walks, and two strikeouts over the last 3 innings. Lidge tight roped out of danger in the ninth. He got Darnell McDonald out quickly to start the ninth, but after a hit by Alex Gonzalez and a walk by Chris Dickerson, the game got a lot more interesting. Willy Tavares struck out swinging. Tavares and recently fouled of a couple of the same exact pitches, Lidges go to pitch, his slider. The game finally ended as Jerry Hairston, Jr. popped the ball up into centerfield for Victorino to end the game.

Continue reading "Two Aces in the Queen City: Phillies @ Reds 5/19/09"