Sports and Rants with Brett and Pants : Chase Utley

Well, it is apparent that the Phillies season is for the most part over. The team has truly proven nothing this season. Every piece of the team has failed and they seem to lack talent all around. Ryne Sandberg seems to not have a hold on this team, and tempers seem to be flaring. The latest move that the Phillies have made is bringing Dominic Brown back up from the minors and sending down Darin Ruf. The Phillies will make more moves in the upcoming weeks, including most likely the moving of Cole Hamels. With continued struggles from members of this team it can now be seen that it is officially time to start over, to build from the bottom up. The question is however, what pieces if any are worth keeping.

Management:

It is time to get rid of Ryne Sandberg and Rueben Amaro Jr. At this point in the season, it is clear that Sandberg has no control of the team. Ryne Sandberg’s whole baseball philosophy is to preach fundamentals, however it can be seen the Phillies completely lack that. RAJ should be moved due to the fact that every move that he has made has been the wrong one.

Starting Pitchers:

None of them… Let’s be honest none of these guys have been productive this season. Cole Hamels can pitch; he is the only one that is truly good. The rest of the staff is for the most part serviceable 4 or 5 starters. Hamels should be moved for younger guys that could help put together a good team in the future. If the Phillies could move Hamels for a top-pitching prospect this team could have a bright future. Scouts seem to think as of right now Aaron Nola is an ace; however, it will be a waiting game.

Bullpen:

When looking at the bullpen it is obvious which guys the Phillies should keep around. The first and main guy is Ken Giles. There is no doubt that Kenny Giles has been the Phillies biggest piece in their bullpen. Though his velocity is down this season, he has proven to everyone that he knows how to pitch. This was a big step for Giles considering many people thought he was only a gunner. Another guy the Phillies should keep around is Elvis Araujo, this kid knows how to pitch. At only 23 he has proven he can get out any major league hitter, and he has great stuff. These two guys have proven that they know how to pitch and are young enough to be around when the Phillies become good again.

Infield:

When looking at the Phillies infield they really have nothing that is worth keeping. The Phillies need to start focusing on the future; they need to start putting together a younger infield. Franco has been the only impressive player. He has proven that he knows how to make changes, and I would continue to let this player grow as a hitter. Ryan Howard has been productive this season, even if fans don’t want to admit it. Howard is giving the team exactly what is expected and when it is all said and done, he will end the season with 30 homeruns. But, when it comes down to it he is too old to stay on this squad. Howard may however be moved for some lower level prospects that could help build the team for the future. The rest of the infielders have not done enough to show it is worth keeping them on the roster. Sadly, Chase Utley has not been able to hit this season. It is time that Chase Utley hangs up the cleats. Utley is not the only infielder not producing at the plate; the entire team has been a joke this season.

Outfield:

There are only two guys I would keep around in the outfield, and it is completely based off their young ages. Cody Asche and Odubel Herrera have not really proven anything with the bat. Both guys are under the age of 25, and may have upside. I have not been impressed with either guy at the plate. They are not pure hitters nor have they shown power or any ability to get on base. But, I would let these guys play and see what they can give me. If they don’t provide the team what they want, then they should be shipped off. These two players may have a bright future, and will be around when the young guys in the minors come up. Production may follow for these guys, but we have to wait and see.

Let’s be fair this team has not shown fans much. The team should in reality just call up the Reading Fightin’s and let them play. When it comes down to the dog days of summer, there may be no fans showing up to games. Let's hope the Phillies can turn into the Astros eventually.

-Brett

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The Phillies Spring Training begins in only a few days. That being said, many fans now have the question of how far towards the bottom will this team fall. Looking at this roster it does not look as though they have much potential, nor much of a future. But to get people excited, we will go through the few bright spots for this team.

Chase Utley

Chase Utley was the best player on this team, and has been for along time. Now that his star is fading, it is sad to see him decline. However, looking at this team as of right now he may once again be the offensive leader. Utley brings something to the table that a lot of these other guys don’t, and that is the desire to play. Utley will most likely hit above .270 and somewhere between 10 to 15 homeruns. As always Utley will be steady.

Ben Revere

You might hate him, but you can’t argue with his results. In his first two seasons with the Phillies he has batted .306 and .305. The guy gets on base and hits above .300. If he played for a good team, he would be a key component on the team. He is a speedster that can hit for average; if he performs like this again this season there is a good chance that the 27 year old will be here again.

Ken Giles

The fireballer has a great future here in Philadelphia. I will be honest; when Giles came up I thought he was a one trick pony. However, he proved this wrong when he was able to strikeout some of the best hitters in the league. The 100MPH man will be sticking around Philadelphia for a long time, going 3-1 with a 1.18 ERA this season.

Cody Asche

Asche had his ups and downs all season. But, he provided us many bright spots. Watching his game improve throughout the season has shown Phillies fans that he does have potential. Asche’s defense was a huge question, and it was very spotty at the beginning of the season. However, it improved greatly and now he may even move to the Outfield. Asche may have a good future in Philadelphia.

This team will struggle this season, there is no doubt about that. They are missing many pieces to make them competitive. However, they do have potential and several bright spots.

-Brett