Game chat: Dire straits behind the plate for Phillies

The Phillies welcome another new face as they get set for their series with Washington.

The Phils have once again lost Brian Schneider to the disabled list, and with Carlos Ruiz lost to injury, and Sebastian Valle just getting his feet wet at Triple-A, out of necessity more than anything, the Phils have purchased the contract of one Double-A catcher Steven Larud, 27, who was a non-roster invitee with the Phils this spring. Larud, a career minor leaguer who was a third round pick of the Pirates in 2003, has appeared in just 35 games with Reading this season, hitting .235/.350/.304 in 120 plate appearances (lot of walks, pretty decent on base, whatever, this guy's not going to play). Recall the Phillies, volunterily, depleted their "ready" catching depth right before the trade deadline when they gave Tuffy Gosewisch to the Blue Jays for nothing. Gosewisch, an organizational good soldier, was a spring training staple and good handler. And recall that the Phillies signed veteran Jake Fox out of the independent leagues after Chooch wen to the disabled list, but appearantly, he wasn't an option here.

Needless to say, the catching situation is grim indeed. Good thing there's nothing riding on these last 37 games. Enter the Washington Nationals, owner of a 19.5-game edge over Larud and the Phillies.

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Comments

[Willard Preacher]

[pouting out some Olde English for Tuffy]

:(

[Willard Preacher]

JW, nothing riding on these games??? A sweep and we can cut the East lead to just 16.5, with 34 games to play!

[GTown_Dave]

"Game chat: Dire straits behind the plate for Phillies"

That would be awesome. A huge improvement over Spacehog, anyway.

[Phillies Dude]

An off the subject question if any Vermonter can answer-

After seeing this on a couple of recent beerleaguer threads about Aumont - I'm curious as to why Vermonters don't like people from Quebec?

[Willard Preacher]

Phillies Dude, just curious, have you ever met anyone from France?

[norbertods]

Think the Dodgers would take Utley, Howard, Lee, and JRoll? I keed, I keed.

Seriously, good thing David Stern isn't the commish of MLB or there would be no way he'd allow this trade to happen for sake of competitive balance for the league, oh wait, what's that you say? It's the Dodgers/Lakers not the Padres/Rockets. It's fine then.

Cool. Cool Cool Cool.

[lorecore]

Didn't we pick up Jake Fox just for this occasion? Or can he not catch anymore?

[stocky vance]

tbag and wheelswig wearing phils' polo shirts look like they are entering 5th grade.. all they needs are school bags..

[Wayne from Nebraska]

Don't forget that Lerud is also a good emergency pitcher.

[bay_area_phan]

Am I the only one who thinks that, if that Dodgers-RedSox deal goes down, the Dodgers have utterly and completely lost their minds?

[GTown_Dave]

vance: TBag still uses a Trapper Keeper.

[stocky vance]

Did anyone hear Ruin Tomorrow Jr's discussion and conclusion re: Tyler Cloyd on the Comcast Phils pregame show tonight?

Claims he never saw TC pitch and doesn't foresee a spot opening for him on the ML level.

Ruin is a weasel...

[MG]

My general experience with going to Vermont (been many times when I lived in Boston) is that the locals there don't like outsiders from NYC/Conn area or Boston area very much either.

Just kind of tolerate them because of the badly-need bucks the bring in especially in the more rural parts. Natives in Maine and NH though aren't much different.

As for French Canadians, lucky enough to go to Montreal a few times with people who spoke fluent French. Made all the world of difference.

[GTown_Dave]

b_a_p: No. I completely agree. And watch it somehow work out for them, anyway.

[SLO Phan]

Ahhh...a starting lineup with no Mini-Mart. Seriously hoping his botched play yesterday cost him any chance to play for the rest of the year.

[Willard Preacher]

Crawford/Ethier for 5 more years each. Kemp for 7 more years. The Dodgers in 2017 are going to make this year's Phillies team look like a farm club.

What's next, lifetime contracts?

[Fatalotti]

Solid job to fight off that ball by Harper.

[MG]

J. Suomi has actually hit a bit and is left-handed. Makes sense to call him up all things considered.

Amaro though has a preference for guys who have been in the majors though that borders on the pathological.

[stocky vance]

Are the Phillies in contention for anything

I mean REALLY in contention- that Amaro needs to worry about the pitching rotation

[CN]

Loney, Punto, Gonzalez scratched. Looks like it's just about done.

[Replacement Level Poster]

Rub some dirt on it and walk it off.

[bay_area_phan]

The closest Phillies analogy I can come up with for that trade would be:

Dodgers get:

--Ryan Howard and his entire contract;
--Jonathan Papelbeon and his entire contract;
--Mini-Mart; and
--Wheels, T-Mac, and Sarge

Phillies get:

James Loney, prospects and Vin Scully.

[clout]

Getting rid of Goosewurst was, arguably, the worst decision in the history of the franchise. We will pay for this for years. Larud can't hold Tuffy's jock.

[DH Phils]

That should not count as a hit-by-pitch.

[Chris in VT]

An off the subject question if any Vermonter can answer-
After seeing this on a couple of recent beerleaguer threads about Aumont - I'm curious as to why Vermonters don't like people from Quebec?
Posted by: Phillies Dude | Friday, August 24, 2012 at 06:52 PM

Well, the Québécois come to VT as tourists on a very regular basis...and they have all the arrogance of the French and none of the sophistication. IMO, they are the rednecks of the French-speaking world. Rude, condescending, and completely incapable of deciphering the difference between MPH and KPH...and drive accordingly.

[clout]

Re: The last thread. I totally agree with posters that there is scout and organizational bias against older guys who finally turn it around. I am certain some good players who could've been MLB players got passed over.

But there is also this: Of the older players who finally do get a chance, the overwhelming majority fail, thus reinforcing the bias.

[The Hook]

Hey nats karma for morse. We have been keeping tabs on all the guys you hit. Well chalk that up for the good guys. Got your natitude right there.

[Chris in VT]

bap - no, I completely agree...if the Dodgers take on all of those contracts l, give up a couple of decent prospects, and dont get a HUGE chunk of change from the BoSox to offset salaries, they are completely off their rockers. Just a ludicrous business decision. I know they have some cash to throw around, but that doesn't mean they need to set it on fire...

[lorecore]

Surprised the header didn't remind readers that KK is taking his 15IP scoreless streak as a starter into the game.

16IP now.

[lolwut]

where did morse get hit?

[aksmith]

Clout - Yes, Frandsen, Coste, Kratz have all been major failures for the Phillies. Career minor leaguers all.

The overwhelming majority of all players fail.

[bay_area_phan]

Chris: To me, it wouldn't even matter if the prospects they give up are any good -- although MLBTR does say that the deal includes one "top prospect."

[CN]

Deal hinges on Beckett giving up 10-and-5 rights and permission from Selig to trade a player that's on the DL (Crawford).

[GTown_Dave]

... if the Dodgers take on all of those contracts l, give up a couple of decent prospects, and dont get a HUGE chunk of change from the BoSox to offset salaries, they are completely off their rockers.

By my quick count those 4 guys (Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Punto) are due a combined total of ~$262 million over the remainder of their contracts. The amount of money Boston should be required to kick in has to be massive.

[wes covington's ghost]

If the trade goes through, Cherington has cleaned up most of the mess that ThEgo Epstein created with his wild assed spending sprees. My only hope is that our little boy wonder's successor can pull off a similar miracle.

[bay_area_phan]

Once upon a time, when he was 23 or 24 years old, Kevin Frandsen was a top 10 prospect in the Giants' system. He flopped. At least so far, he has been a lot better as a 30-year old AAA lifer pressed into major league duty than he ever was as a top 10 prospect.

[lolwut]

oh never mind, thanks gameday.

[Chris in VT]

Chris: To me, it wouldn't even matter if the prospects they give up are any good -- although MLBTR does say that the deal includes one "top prospect."
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 24, 2012 at 07:26 PM

Agreed, but the fact they are giving up anything of value AND taking back the vast majority of the money is outrageously dumb.

[lorecore]

aksmith: ah yes, the uber successful Chris Coste and his 91 career OPS+, how could the scouts be so blind to miss that future HoF.

[Chris in VT]

GTown - from everything I've read, the Sawx will be giving the Dodgers a very small portion of the total amount owed...but they will kick in some cash.

[lolwut]

vintage utley.

[GTown_Dave]

Chris in VT: That's mind-boggling.

[Fatalotti]

How far off the base was that shortstop? Didn't look like he even came close.

[stocky vance]

timely swing by domo

[SLO Phan]

Not scoring with a man on third and less than 2 outs. Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2012 Philadelphia Phillies!

[DH Phils]

If money is no object for the Dodgers, why wouldn't they leverage their financial position and improve their on-field product at any cost?

I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides.

[Cyclic]

That inning was definitely 2012 Phillies-tastic

[lorecore]

god motherf'n dammit DOM, thats three f'n times up with man on 3rd and 1 out (plus even more runners) and three consecutive complete dogshit at bats. What the F!#@$$, hes been doing everything right, but keeps choking like a little bitch. Pissing me the f off.

[MG]

If rally killing was a skill, the '12 Phils would have it in spades.

[stocky vance]

still think RAJ is a weasel for denying cloyd a chance to pitch at least 1 time in the majors,,,

[DH Phils]

Let me preface this by admitting that my understanding of the cable TV business is very limited.

With the online availability of TV increasing, the only thing keeping cable TV in business is live sports. Live sports rights are thus more valuable, causing an enormous amount of money to pour into baseball. This money will make it to the players, meaning we can expect widespread baseball salary inflation, meaning an albatross contract like Crawford's may look less albatrossy in a few years.

As for Gonzalez and Beckett: Gonzalez is not overpaid and Beckett isn't that overpaid.

[Docjoe]

Dom turning into a dp machine. Reminds me of Willie Valdez!

[Fatalotti]

Kendrick straight up mowing everyone down right now!

[Chris in VT]

"I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides."

Taking Gonzalez's contract, I can see. And if that's all they were doing I'd agree with you. But Beckett and Crawford are MASSIVELY overpaid. That's not "leveraging" their financial position, it's the equivalent of setting a pile of cash on fire.

Beckett's a useless lump who doesn't even give a crap. Crawford is a massive overpay and is about to have Tommy John surgery.

Where's the "leverage"?

[Phillies Dude]

Thanks (...or should I say merci Beaucoup!)for the answers on Vermont vs. Quebec.

Another poster asked me this question:

Phillies Dude, just curious, have you ever met anyone from France?

The answer is yes. I've been to school in both France and Quebec and def had an awesome time. I guess that's why I wanted to know the answer to that question.

[Conway Twitty]

Why would you trade for someone who just had a major operation? How does TJ surgery affect position players(recovery time)?

[wes covington's ghost]

Position players are 6-9 months recovery time. Much shorter than pitchers.

[Meyer]

No Ruf in the diamond tonight. Just watched Darin make a nice running catch in left-center.

[Chris in VT]

Phillies Dude - I've been to Montreal many times in my life and absolutely loved it. It's a fantastic city, extremely diverse and lively.

But most of the Quebecois who visit VT are not from Montreal. They are from rural Quebec, and they are not pleasant or open-minded people. In addition, I most enjoyed the people from Montreal who were not French-Canadian. As I'm sure you know, Montreal is an extremely cosmopolitan city, and has a ton of residents from outside of Quebec (or North America, for that matter).

[stocky vance]

ruff with another HR

[Meyer]

Ruf with another HR. Wow.

[Fatalotti]

What the hell do the Dodgers want with Crawford and Beckett, anyhow? Do they want Gonzalez THAT badly?

[bay_area_phan]

That was a painfully bad AB by Kratz. One of his few.

[stocky vance]

my guess is amaro will deny that he's ever seen Ruf hit just like he's never seen cloyd pitch..

[GBrettFan]

Hey, KK! Nice double!

[MG]

KK or his organizational designation: 'Enigma'

[BENTZ]

Would Boston now be a player for Lee in the offseason? Lee for Ellsbury?

[Cyclic]

Red light Rollins

[bay_area_phan]

If you think our defense was bad next year, wait til you see next year's version, with full seasons from Utley, Howard & Dom.

[Fatalotti]

BAP, I don't think Utley's defense is what it used to be, but do you think he's a liability out there?

[lorecore]

DOM's arm in RF is worth a stumble here or there, as long as he doesn't melt down completely like 2011.

[GTown_Dave]

b_a_p: No worries. Michael Martinez is a "top fielder". I know that 'cause Charlie says so.

[bay_area_phan]

Fat: I realize this is a distinct minority view, and unsupported by defensive metrics (which I don't believe in). But, to my eye, he is nothing short of awful.

[Luis]

Doesnt the Fox dude have MLB experience ? The Phils catching situation has been grim for a while. So in this case Rube is going with the inexperience. Strange Ruben....

[DH Phils]

BAP: I'm extremely skeptical of defensive metrics, but I don't see Utley being awful at all.

[MG]

Boston is desperately trying to flush the absolute mess that Epstein left there. I bet it hits a hiccup though and the bowl get clogged.

[bay_area_phan]

DH: As I said, it's a minority view. But I watch nearly every game & it feels like he makes a misplay in almost every one of them. Howard too.

[Cyclic]

4 stranded in scoring position through 3 innings. Hard to do.

[GTown_Dave]

4 stranded in scoring position through 3 innings. Hard to do.

Not for the Phillies.

[GBrettFan]

Seems to me that even when we were good, we stranded a lot of RISP. But that could be a misperception. Although I specifically remember Chase & Charlie addressing questions about it in years past by saying you have to have men on to score, and that at least they were getting men on.

[curt]

Howard at 2B isn't actually in scoring position.

[DH Phils]

I don't think Howard is that bad in the field either, usually. He's looked awful this year: partly because he can't throw, partly because he can't move, and partly because he hasn't been scooping bad throws. I don't remember him being worse than average before this year in the latter two categories.

[DH Phils]

"Changeup", per McCarthy, clocked at 92 mph. I guess it gets tiring correcting your own mistakes over and over again: he didn't bother this time.

[bay_area_phan]

DH: I actually agree about Howard. In the last couple years, I thought his defense was pretty decent. He makes too many errors, especially on throws, but he is more mobile than he looks & is exceptionally good at scooping throws. With his injury, though, his defense has been terrible this year.

[Phillies Dude]

to Chris in Vt:

You're right that Montreal is very cosmopolitan and I'm glad you had awesome times there. And thanks for answering my question. I actually lived for a summer in rural Quebec with a French speaking family in a village two hours northeast of Quebec City. It was really awesome and the people were def totally friendly.

To all others - I apologize for going off-thread and I don't mean to take away from the Phillies game in progress with the question I posed. I was just telling one of my bros - "The Phillies have some really good starting pitching. We gotta build on that!"

[Cyclic]

2 on, no out

over/under 1.5 runs?

[T Mac]

If the Red Sox do send Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, and Punto to Dodgers, that would be the equivalent of Phillies sending Lee, Howard, Blanton (assuming they still had him), and Mini Mart to Dodgers for some good prospects in return.

We would all jump at that deal. Why didn't we try to work out something with Dodgers?

[Fatalotti]

Jimmy!!

[Meyer]

Kendrick is the consumate team player. These are his runs to play with when he returns to the mound.

[Cyclic]

Samuel f*cks up again

[bay_area_phan]

He was out. Why can't the Phillies' announcers just say so?

[GTown_Dave]

b_a_p: Agreed.

[Conway Twitty]

T Mac: please don't equate Punto to MiniMart.

[Cyclic]

The way Utley rushed out from the dugout to tell him to slide, I feel like even he was thinking, 'WHAT THE HELL, JUAN!?'

[Conway Twitty]

Phillies Dude: This is a great site for diverse info besides baseball. Just stay away from religion, politics, racism, and Eagles scores.

[Sil Campusano]

Dom not looking so good today vs. Jackson.

[MG]

KK is kicking a$$ and taking names tonight with his sinker. Really has it working through 5 IP. Pretty good changeup too.

[stocky vance]

dom looks like hes limping

[Meyer]

Bat breaker just like Roy.

[NEPP]

***After seeing this on a couple of recent beerleaguer threads about Aumont - I'm curious as to why Vermonters don't like people from Quebec?***

Chris about covered it...they're the rude rednecks hicks of the French speaking world.