Monday morning thoughts: Bench for breakfast

When it comes to writing a report card for Phillies GM Pat Gillick, the measure of a man is the way he assembles a bench.

Hypothetical question: If the Phillies win it all, how much credit can be placed at the feet of GM Pat Gillick? Many of the key pieces were already in place before Nov. 2005. To Gillick's credit, locking down three quality starters and extending another is no small feat in this market. But neither is the development of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Brett Myers and Cole Hamels, which had nothing to do with him.

Let's go back to the beginning. Gillick’s first order of business was to ship Jim Thome to Chicago, clearing room for Howard while acquiring center fielder Aaron Rowand. Most agreed it was the right call, and of course, it was. But then came a series of small misfires, which added together, became a significant problem: Alex Gonzalez; Sal Fasano; Julio Santana; Vicente Padilla traded for Ricardo Rodriguez; Ryan Franklin. Many of them had standing ties to Gillick. It wasn’t until late spring when Gillick finally acquired a worthwhile piece in David Dellucci. Along with Tom Gordon and Jamie Moyer, Dellucci represents the best, proven acquisition of the Gillick era. Freddy Garcia, Adam Eaton and other recent additions remain to be seen, along with the remaining two years of Gordon’s contract and Moyer's extension.

Bench is much more important in the National League, a lesson Gillick found out the hard way. The reservists were a major reason for the team’s first four months of futility. Gonzalez was so bad, he retired, and Fasano was the worst possible solution for backing up Mike Lieberthal’s broken body. Abraham Nunez couldn’t get his batting average above .140 until he became an everyday player. As a pinch hitter, he was embarrassing.

Bench is one area where Gillick has had some flexibility, especially on a team with as little minor league push as the Phillies. Usually, fourth and fifth outfielders become available with low price tags, much more than, say, bullpen, where the pickins were even worse than in 2006.

This year, Gillick shopped at the clearence rack. Jayson Werth was non-tendered by the Dodgers after missing all of last season with a wrist injury. Versatile reservist Greg Dobbs was claimed off waivers. There’s a chance both of these players could work, but there’s an equal chance any number of non-roster invitees around baseball could perform better. Either way, Werth and Dobbs are staring at wide-open opportunities.

In addition to Dobbs, Randall Simon, Karim Garcia and Chris Coste are the names mentioned most for the two openings; Werth is a lock if healthy. Simon and Garcia must be seen to believe, as will Coste's ability to play third base and outfield. Toolsy outfielder Michael Bourn may need more seasoning in Ottawa, but not much. His path to the majors rests on Pat Burrell’s foot and Jayson Werth’s wrist, which is to say, Bourn will arrive by mid-season, and slide into a significant role. Mark my words.

Links
-- Dobbs was the subject of an AP article that ran over the weekend. Here’s the link, and a highlight:

"While he is a contact hitter, Dobbs doesn't possess much power or base-stealing ability. That's why his ticket to the majors must be punched as a player who can play multiple positions (he can play both corner infield and outfield spots) and come off the bench late in games and make solid contact.

"Phillies general manager Pat Gillick believes Dobbs can do those things. Gillick was the G.M. in Seattle when Dobbs was signed in 2001, so when he saw Dobbs on the waiver wire, he took action.

" ‘I view him more as an N.L. player than an A.L. player because he can adequately play four positions," Gillick said. "I'm sure when he started his career he wanted to be a regular in the American League. But when it becomes apparent that it isn't meant to be, then this situation becomes more attractive here.’ "

Comments

[Paul]

I know he's not required to be there yet as a position player, but it's a tad troubling to see Werth not in camp early after having been out for so long with that injury.

[Tom G]

"Bourn will arrive by mid-season, and slide into a significant role. Mark my words."

If that is the case, then the Phils are in big trouble. I'm not saying Bourn will never be a useful player in the bigs, but he still needs to develop at the plate.

[The Iron Pig]

I have just one response for the bench that PG has assembled this year – YAWN!

What an underwhelming group of players. If Chris Coste does not make this club, it is a shame.

Chris Coste – folk hero, back-up catcher, legend!

[GM-Carson]

Based on past performance I would think Chris Coste HAS to make this team. Garcia and Werth haven't played in the Bigs in quite some time, and as we all know Abe is referred to as "No-Hit Nunez" for a reason. We need somebody on the bench that can hit, and although Coste only has about a half of season under his belt, he did hit plenty in that time.

[phanatics brother]

Chroid Coste

[Tray]

Padres just signed Oscar Robles, a backup infielder (second and third) who hit well for the Dodgers in 2005.

[J. Weitzel]

I was impressed with Robles two seasons ago. He had a nice swing and looked sound defensively. Surprising polish for a player who spent the previous four seasons in Oaxaca.

[J. Weitzel]

Jorge Julio (always liked that name) is available. He's expensive at $3.6 million. I think a team could get him for very little. Thoughts?

[fletch]

Jayson Stark wrote about the Phillies today.

[PhilliesCampAlumnus]

Julio has good stuff. He has a lot of problems when men get on base - which seems to be more times than not. He ended last season nicely, but has a lot to prove. He is not one you can put in jams, and he seems to be one you need to get the heck out of there once he gets himself into one..

but if we could get him cheap? heck, why not? we have nothing to lose.

[RickSchuBlues]

My thoughts on Julio are that he's been bouncing around an awful lot lately, and it lends a high degree of skepticism to his worth.

I agree with you that Gillick has come up well short in his construction of a viable bench. But I'd have to argue that the higher measure of a GM is how he constructs a starting rotation, and Gillick has at least given the Phillies a shot with his efforts in that department. Still, will it hurt the Phillies that he didn't see fit to improve the bench? Yes, it almost certainly will. So call this a half-hearted defense at best.

Finally, just had to give Conlin his due for this line, in reference to Mike Schmidt;s fielding ability: "Only Karl Marx went better to his left." Damn, that's good!

[dajafi]

I don't see Arizona trading Julio for Lieber, but who knows. He'd be a solid setup/backup closer option, an improvement over anyone we have now.

As for the bench, it's been a problem since before Gillick's arrival, but he certainly didn't help with the winter '05-'06 moves. Dellucci and Victorino were solid reserves, but they're now gone and starting respectively. Werth was a good risk, but certainly a risk. Coste deserves a job, but it seems a severe stretch to expect a repeat of '06. Dobbs? Garcia? Who knows?

I'd love to see the team bring in another outfielder who could start three times a week and be the first bat off the bench the rest of the time--Jacque Jones would fit the bill quite nicely.

[MG]

It's speculation but I am willing to bet that Gillick was given a budget last fall with a pretty hard target ($85 million?) and not much leeway. Gillick decided to spend most of that money on starting pitching by acquiring Garcia ($10 million) and signing Eaton ($8 million).

Additionally, I would not consider Helms or Barajas signings as bench acquisitions because they will likely see the majority of playing time at their respective positions.

Basically, meant that Gillick had to go dumpster diving to fill out the bench and the back of the bullpen. Gillick either brought in veteran retreads, minor league journeyman, and injury-plagued players.

Manuel will never be considered a master of strategy but it is pretty hard to look good with his limited options. Unless a trade changes something, Manuel will go into the season without a single viable threat off the bench. Plus, Manuel will have mix-and-match in the 7th and 8th innings until the bullpen sorts itself out a bit.

[ae]

you don't see *Arizona* trading Julio for Lieber? if Gillick were to even consider making that trade, he should be fired for negligence.

[dajafi]

The Diamondbacks don't need a starter, and Julio is their likely closer.