Phillies tickets sales are at their lowest since the opening of Citizen’s Bank Park, writes Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Brookover wonders if the fans will return when the team begins to turn the corner in a few years. Philadelphia has a history of punishing noncompetitive teams. Other franchises like the Nationals, Indians, and Braves have seen a much more tepid fan response to winning. For what it’s worth, I’m fairly confident that ticket sales will return to previous levels once the team reaches the postseason.
- The Phillies will remain patient with top prospect Maikel Franco, writes Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. With the major league club scuffling and Franco off to a quick start (.343/.389/.537 at Triple-A), there is some pressure to get a look at him in the majors. Service time considerations and the performance of Cody Asche will affect when Franco is activated. Unlike the Kris Bryant situation, Franco appeared to need further development during spring training. It doesn’t look like the Phillies will keep Franco in the minors purely for service time considerations.
- The early returns from the Red Sox rotation have been bad, writes Joel Sherman of the NY Post. Boston starters have a collective 5.46 ERA entering today (and Justin Masterson is off to a poor start). The shaky performances have strained a “dubious” bullpen. Given the deep farm system, the team remains poised to acquire a top trade target like Cole Hamels.
- Boston has placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, writes Jeff Seidel for MLB.com. The club has recalled Matt Barnes in a corresponding move. For those wondering why Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo wasn’t called upon, he’s currently rehabbing a right shoulder injury. He’s expected to return to the Triple-A lineup next week.
“when the team BEGINS to turn the corner in a few years” The rebuild is going that slow???
Well, it kinda just started so…….
RAJ is still there, so…
The farm system isn’t great and the albatross contracts (Lee, Howard/Papelbon) are still on the roster. One look at their 25-man roster shows where the Phillies are at – Jeff Francouer? Grady Sizemore? Frenchy hasn’t hit since 2011 and Sizemore hasn’t been productive since 2009. Howard is toast. Freddy Galvis is a utility guy forced into starting. The rotation is just awful. Jerome Williams, really? It’s going to be a while to undo all this. I don’t understand why Philly doesn’t just start all the kids; I know, service time issues, but still – why not give them some experience?
I don’t mind the Frenchy deal so much. $950K – they are by no means locked into him, can put someone else out there when they find such a player. Maybe trade him for a low-to-mid prospect. He has a good arm, so there is SOMETHING to watch. The Sizemore deal is ludicrous, though. $2M guaranteed, $3M in plate appearance incentives? Exactly what they should NOT be doing.
Galvis is a guy that could increase his value. If he could provide plus defense and hit .250, there would be a market for his services.
Phillies are determined to get something of value for their vets; Notably Papelbon, move Howard for at least some salary relief, and not have to cut him. I’m not defending it, makes it go sooooo slow. But we’ll see in the long term if it works out that they get some usable parts, because their farm is not brimming, and once they promote the plus guys, it will be even more barren.
I just think guys like Francouer and Sizemore are a dime a dozen – there’s dozens of these guys hanging around in the upper minors of every organization. Very easy to replace for the league minimum. Galvis is a good defensive player; he’s like the new Rafael Belliard, ecept with some odd power occasionally. I think if the Phillies really want decent value for Papelbon it might not happen; I just don’t think teams value closers the same way anymore. And Howard’s a sunk cost. Nobody wants him. It might feel callous, but cutting him and letting Ruf play there might be the best option. Howard is done; his bat looks so slow this season. And only move Hamels for a couple elite-level guys. That’s the Phillies only real bullet, unless Utley agrees to be traded
I don’t disagree with any of that. Phillies spring training was full of dime-a-dozen outfielders looking to make the club; Bogusevic, Danks, Mastroianni, Canzler – who are now at LVIP. So, the lack of other options means they have to select from those, and hope to get a productive player from the scrap heap. Nothing new here, nor in the dearth of Phillies home grown outfielders.
Seems like time is standing still while we are awaiting the fate of Papelbon, Hamels, Howard, Lee. And to a lesser extent; Utley and Chooch, with the jury still out on Brown and Revere. So, not a pretty picture by any means.
I also would have liked to see Ruf at 1B regularly, but the ship will sail on his prime if Howard plays out his contract at 1B.
Agree completely. I’d rather see a guy like Mastroianni in the OF rather than Sizemore; at least Mastroianni plays good defense. Other teams have a bunch of AAA fodder that the Phils could have gotten for nothing, too. Guys like Kyle Blanks, for example, who may have some upside. I think Brown and Revere are such one-dimensional players that they should be moved, Ruiz has value because he’s a catcher. Lee and Howard have zero value, but Hamels and Papelbon should be able to fetch two or three legit prospects.
Since last year, I’ve said 2015 is about Ryan Howard and Cliff Lee. Just moving Howard, playing Ruf and opening up a roster spot would be a step in right direction.
Other GMs know RAJ is selling, so keep their offers low. He either accepts it or just grinds it out, and us along with it. His fault for getting us into this mess, but options are thin RIGHT NOW.
Phillies are adamant not giving anyone away and will do just that; grind it out. I think the dam breaks once Lee decides final status, and Howard is down to 1+ season, and Phils are ready to move.
I’m hoping to see fresh talent 2nd half, both farm, and perhaps trades. Once some player movement occurs, and holes open up Phils might accept deal for Hamels with prospects and usable vets.
The more I see of Ruf, the more I think he’ll never be an everyday player in the major leagues. He’s kind of the black sheep on the Phillies and I think they’ll end up trading him for whatever they can get. For his sake, I hope its to a team that will actually give him a chance to play.
I have lowered my expectation for Ruf as well this year. He needs to be put at 1B full time to be evaluated properly. Since that position needs high production, if he doesn’t get the opportunity from Phillies, I’m not sure another team gives it to him.
One of (Francouer or Sizemore) will probably be DFA’d when Domonic Brown rejoins the team. I’m hoping that its Sizemore, but fear that it won’t be because the Phillies owe him more money than Frenchy.
Agreed. I’m thinking Sizemore. He is scuffling along at .133. Francouer is RH and getting the bulk of playing time. Phillies value Frenchy’s veteran clubhouse presence. Sizemore has a $2M guaranteed contract and $3M more in incentives for plate appearances, so the money issue cuts both ways.
With Bogusevic and Danks at LV, Sizemore seems expendable. I thought Bogusevic even outplayed him in Spring Training. Darin Ruf could also be vulnerable, but him staying implies that Phillies expect to part ways with Howard midseason.
Jerome Williams is one of those guys who will never be an all star but usually pitches well enough to keep his team in the game with a chance to win. In other words, he’s good enough to be a #5 starter on a lot of teams. But guys like him don’t usually stick with one team for very long. I imagine that the Phillies won’t be his last stop as a journeyman major league pitcher.
he’s had a very interesting career, i’ll grant.Washed out of the league at 25, came back 4 years later to become a slightly below-league average starter for a couple years, been awful for the last few though
I think that’s the biggest issue with ticket sales and the fan support in general. This thing should have been off and rolling years ago. Now I’m the type that usually only goes to a handful of games per year and watches almost every game on TV. Give me a young, rebuilding team to support and I’d have something to be excited about and watch even if they lose 100 games. Give me a team with mostly old and/or overpriced players that are going to lose 100 games and it makes it painful to even turn the channel when I know the next one is the Phillies game
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems the Phillies intentionally traded ticket sales for TV revenue. They knew they were building a bad team, but were doing so in hopes it would help them make that TV money (which makes no sense to me, aren’t tv companies smart enough to see through this?). Now that terrible team is losing and they are still getting that TV money.
The deal was signed in Jan. 2014 but negotiations and completion for the rights started several years prior.
The TV $$$$ was going to be there for the Phils regardless.The largest TV market in the country with just 1 baseball team.
This destruction of the Phillies wasnt a plan to get TV $$$. This was inevitable due to ownership ineptness. The Phillies ownership group and management is a train wreck.
In 2013 the Phillies had the 5th highest value of all mlb franchises. Thru sheer dysfunction by 2015 they were the 10th most valued franchise in mlb, this despite signing a $5 B + TV deal with Comcast.
The SF Giants in 2013 trailed the Phillies in value by $100 M. By 2015 the SF Giants were worth $800 M more than the Phillies. SF value is $2 B.Phillies $1.25 B. Unbelievable.
That was kinda my point.
I wouldn’t get worked up about those rankings as they are estimates based on some basic criteria. The Phillies TV deal actually has a ton of hidden worth since they split advertising revenues and have a ownership stake in Comcast itself. Those estimates don’t account for factors like these, which are unique to the Phillies, because nobody outside of the owners knows what the exact numbers are.
Hidden worth as hidden in the owners portfolio and not on the field? I buy that.
Wouldn’t a Shane Victorino (way overpaid, but a fan favorite in Philly) for Jonathan Papelbon (way overpaid, but a fan favorite in Boston) trade make sense?
Make sense for whom? Victorino may have been a fan fav, but Phillies have no reason to pay $13M for his services. Only way he comes back is in a Hamels deal as salary relief for Boston. If he is released, I’m sure some contender could use his services for league minimum.
And honestly, the Phillies don’t need any more old players.
Boston is going to need to be realistic – they’re not going to get an ace for free, either in money or in prospects. You’re either going to pony up the A-list prospects, or try to get to the post season with the scrap heap rotation they’ve got.
Sure, if you’re willing to wait til next year, you can try to outbid everyone to pay for a free agent arm, but whoever it is, they’ll cost one hell of a lot more than Hamels and for a number of years that will likely go well past that pitcher’s prime.
For all of Amaro’s failings (and there are MANY), he’s doing the right thing with Cole and Pap. They’re available, but you’re not going to get either of them without losing something valuable. Teams aren’t going to be able to move spare parts for a keystone piece.
I totally agree with you, but not for Cole Hamels. He is no ace in my book. His numbers against American League teams, in particularly the AL East, are horrible. I think a trade for Papelbon is more pressing for the Sox before a SP. The Sox still have Brian Johnson who I love in AAA, along with Owens and Rodriguez who can help out. If a move needs to be made make closer to the deadline when other teams will be willing trade. And just to show you I am realistic…I would trade Xander Bogaerts to the Mets straight up for Noah Syndegard. 2 young players full of potential, filling a need for both teams. Both players cost controlled for years to come. BoSox have Devin Marrero who is having a great year at AAA…defensively much better than Boagerts, and he getting much better with the bat. Mixed in the fact that you also have super utility Holt who can play some short, and the fact that Bogaerts is a Scott Boras client who will never sign an extension he is the perfect trade piece.
“ace for free”? No one is asking for a free ace. And if they can’t find one at the right price, they can wait until ’16. The future is bright, it would be silly to panic now especially to satisfy non-fans.
Sure, they can forfeit the 2015 season and hope that they get the opportunity to pay $30 million per year for 6 or more years to an ace (if that ace doesn’t sign with the Yankees or Dodgers instead), and hope to contend in 2016.
Either they give up actual prospects and get an ace in his prime (under 35 for the entire contract) who’s locked in at under $25 million per season through the end of the decade, or they throw more money at a far less talented pitcher for years well past their prime.
At the end of the day, they need pitching, and they’re going to pay out the nose for it. The question is whether or not they think they have a shot at a championship in 2015, because it ain’t happening with this rotation.
I’m wondering if part of their game plan revolves around Matt Barnes. Why bring up another pitcher to replace an outfielder? They could have called up Bryce Brentz for now. If they love Barnes so much, drop a reliver to put him on the roster. Maybe it’s to showcase Barnes as a trade chip?
You’re reaching. They brought up another pitcher because they have too many outfielders to begin with. Barnes is the most advanced of their prospects and their bullpen has been taxed. Nothing to see here.
No point in returning to watch the Phils as long as RAJ is GM. I have zero hope that he will turn this team around.
I actually think RAJ is more of a problem then the losing. The phans have no confidence in him to turn the team around.Not going to the games is the only way to get him fired. It took a fan revolt to get Ed Wade fired and it will take the same to get rid of Amaro.
For what it’s worth, the Boston rotation has the 10th-best SIERA in the majors this year (3.50) with the T-8th-best K%-BB% (14.5) but have been done in by the 2nd-lowest strand rate (63.2%), the 8th-highest BABIP (.308), and the 8th-highest HR/FB rate.
I’m not going to argue they have the 10th-best rotation in baseball as their current SIERA suggests and players like Clay Buchholz with poor mental makeup are subject to lower strand rates, but the situation absolutely isn’t all doom and gloom. They’ve been pretty decent and while they’ve made some mistakes and some bad pitches, they haven’t had much of the random luck we hear about go in their favor.
Buch, Masterson, and Kelly have been hit by bad luck because there FIP and FIPX are all really low. Mid 2’s and mid 3 for kelly, but Porcello and Miley have been bad and 5th starter-ish respectively. It’s also april and Buch and Masterson have been prone to fail and it’s only April. Not saying they will but through April this rotation is what everyone thought it was. Just average. Masteron and Buch will not keep pitching like they have been by FIP standards, nor will kelly, Kelly’s not going to be more than a 4th starter and Porcello is at most a 2 starter. Bad Luck? Hell yeah. But this rotation will even out and it will be evident it needs an upgrade.
Glad you are waiting for it to get better before deciding its “evident it needs an upgrade.”
Shame the majors don’t place the standings based on SIERA.
It’s also been two weeks. Relax a little. Stats – team and individual – don’t mean anything at this point in the season.
They do mean something, especially at the team level. They just dont mean as much as they do with each passing game.
Even championship teams have two lousy weeks; I usually give a season 6 weeks or so to figure out where teams and players stand. Besides that I just watch the games.
As I’ve been saying since the off season, Boston has some great #3s. A weak AL East may get them in the playoffs, but their current rotation won’t let them be a legit threat to go deep.
The Red Sox will not be buying at the deadline, but selling. Aging core, LOUSY repeat LOUSY pitching, nice but overvalued prospects in my opinion. Would trade rosters with them in a second because RAJ is my GM, but I don’t see them contending.
The idea that they won’t be close enough to the second wildcard slot to be buyers seems far-fetched.
Aging core? Besides Ortiz, Pedroia and maybe Napoli, the Sox are playing guys in their early 20s at almost every position. Napoli is easily replaceable, and he’s still productive, as are the other two. Once the Sox release or trade Vic, the outfield won’t be particularly old, Sandoval is still in his 20s, Bogaerts is 23, Vazquez is still really young although injured, the rotation is al in its 20s, which is rare. The bullpen is an issue but bullpens are the easiest parts of a team to fix.
The Red Sox are quite the young team if you exclude their few older guys. They have a core centred around some older guys, and some younger guys. Most everybody is younger than 30. You may believe their prospects are overrated and that’s fine, but every evaluator (who gets paid to scout), would disagree with you. Overall, your comment is pretty foolish.
In my eyes, the Red Sox have a perfect mix of veterans and young guys with an outstanding farm system that will make them even younger in upcoming years.
Please, stop the Hamels to Boston talk. Been there, NOT done that, NOT going to do that. Its also nice to see that Barnes has now passed JBJ in Boston’s eyes. That should do wonders for any remaining trade value JBJ had.
Boston needed another arm because the bullpen has been overworked a lot lately. As well, there is no harm done by playing Craig, Nava, and Holt in the OF for now to give them every opportunity to prove themselves. This move had nothing to do with them viewing Barnes to be better than JBJ.
JBJ is on the 40 and he is hitting. What other reason would there be to NOT call him up?
Because they need a reliever.
Because Tazawa has pitched 5 of the last 6 days and they need a right handed reliever? Incidentally Barnes went down today and Hembree was called up. Did they pass up JBJ again? No, they needed a reliever. Even with Vic on the DL the Red Sox still have 5 outfielders in Craig, Nava, Betts, Ramirez and Holt.
My mistake! I thought Barnes was an outfielder. Apologies.
My mistake. I thought Barnes was an OF. Apologies all.
Haha, no problem. You are thinking of Brentz.
yep. I was. brain fart
Am I missing something on the average age of Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Ryan Hanigan, David Ortiz, and to a degree Pablo Sandoval when you factor in his body type? To say that the rotation is young is indeed a fact, they are in their 20s and all #3s and 4s. To include minor-league players in the core along with a hurt catcher who has barely played any MLB ball is what is foolish. I’ll give you Mookie Betts, but other than that you are dealing with the unknown. Most teams are younger when you exclude their few older players.
Average age of Boston’s players is 29.4 years old. Which is on the high end for baseball, but still not particularly old. Average/median age isn’t statistically pure, of course; the 150 games 22-year-old Mookie Betts will play far offset the 60 games 40-year-old Uehara will play, but their ages are weighted equally in the average age statistic. It would be interesting, at the end of a season, to actually see how many games/innings/outs were manned by every player on a roster to determine the actual “average” age of a team.
Good point