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Sunday chat: Replacements rising for impartial Phils

Jimmy Rollins rests for the first time in 62 starts as Charlie Manuel goes with a unique lineup blend in the rubber match between the Diamondbacks and Phillies. First pitch is 1:35 with Cliff Lee seeking his third win.

Notes: Say what you want about Manuel, but you can't say he isn't keeping an open mind. Erik Kratz, who accounted for two of the Phillies' three runs in Saturday's victory, isn't the only replacement earning his keep these days. Kevin Frandsen, who makes his seventh-straight start at third base Sunday afternoon, has provided a passable glove and bat since his promotion, hitting .273/.304/.409 and forcing Ty Wigginton into a pure 1B role. Meanwhile, Nate Schierholtz, who replaces Rollins in the lead-off spot, is off to a good start with his new club; he's 4-for-11 with a home run and has looked better, defensively, than the man he replaced, Hunter Pence. But Kratz takes the prize. The Triple-A veteran belted a screaming shot over the left-field wall for Saturday's first run and now has four home runs and eight RBIs in just 28 scattered, infrequent plate appearances. Kratz gets the nod again as the 32-year-old backstop appears to have leapfrogged oft-injured Brian Schneider in the depth chart. Michael Martinez, meanwhile, makes his first start at short for Rollins.

All things considered, Saturday ended on a high note following news that the Phils would be without Carlos Ruiz for the next 4-to-6 weeks. It was the best Roy Halladay we've seen in months in a game that followed a framework we were expecting to see more of this season.

Elsewhere, Joe Blanton makes his first start for the Dodgers. Have a great Sunday everyone.

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Saturday chat: Halladay seeks first win since May 17

Roy Halladay and left-hander Joe Saunders are set to deal when the Phillies and Diamondbacks continue their weekend set Saturday night at 7:05.

Notes: Earlier today, the Phillies lost their best player this season, Carlos Ruiz, with the possibility that he could be shut down until pitchers and catchers report in February. ... Meanwhile, earlier today, MLBTradeRumors.com polled readers, asking if the Phillies should let Cliff Lee go. Sixty-nine percent of readers voted 'yes.' The Dodgers were awarded claiming rights on Lee yesterday, which gives the Phillies the option of unloading the roughly $90 million remaining on his contract. I see their point, but flexibility via salary relief shouldn't be the Phillies' driving force behind dealing the left-hander. The time to do it is this winter when the records reset, the market opens up and the Phils can zero in on what they really need: top young talent. Plus, with uncertainty surrounding Doc these days, the Phils can't afford to weaken their rotation. ... I'm calling it right now: If the rotation and bullpen will allow it, BJ Roseberg is handed the ball Wednesday, not Tyler Cloyd. Cloyd has logged 141 innings, compared to about 70 for Rosenberg, who has been stretched out as a starter this month. ... Finally, look for the Phillies to sign catching on the cheap now that Ruiz is out. Veteran back-up Koyie Hill was recently released by the Nationals. Wil Nieves of the Rockies was also designated for assignment this week. [Jump to the newest comments]

Last good story ends as Chooch hits DL

There's seemingly no end to the misery known as the Phillies 2012 season. Carlos Ruiz, who had crafted an outstanding year and has been the Phillies' unrivaled MVP, will miss 4-to-6 weeks, essentially wiping out the rest of this season and all hope for qualifying among the final offensive leaders. An MRI on Chooch's foot revealed a partial tear, according the team Web site. The Phillies will go with Erik Kratz and Brian Schneider the rest of the way, and are likely to scour the waiver wire for help as well. Hector Luna has been recalled from Triple-A. Just another blow in a long list of terrible breaks for the Phils, as we run out of reasons to tune in for the final two months. For me, Chooch was far and away the top attraction in this trainwreck.

Report: Cliff Lee claimed on waivers (by Dodgers)

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets that a team has put in a claim for Cliff Lee. However, Leslie Guidel of Comcast SportsNet spoke with Ruben Amaro Jr. who said Lee isn't going anywhere. Still, the prevailing wisdom that Lee would go unclaimed because of his salary missed the mark. A team like the Yankees, for example, may have put in the claim to block a prospect rich rival, like the Rangers, the ability to deal for the left-hander. Update: The Dodgers put in the claim. Waivers are revocable this month, but Amaro got to see a team tip its hand for Lee, who could be a top trade target this off-season. [Jump to the newest comments]

Breaking news: Phillies deal Blanton to Dodgers

Another member of the Phillies' World Series team has been shipped out.

According to reports, the Phillies have traded Joe Blanton, who was claimed on waivers by the Dodgers. The Phils will reportedly receive cash or a player to be named later in the deal. Kyle Kendrick will take Blanton's spot in the rotation tonight. The club has also recalled right-hander BJ Rosenberg from Triple-A. Rosenberg had been pitching as a starter. We'll keep it here for the game chat and have more thoughts later. In the meantime, here's a nice look back at Big Joe from CSNPhilly.com [Link]

Game chat: Phils attempt sweep, make waiver noise

I'm sorry, but Michael Martinez in center field is just dumb.

Notes: Is it me, or is Charlie Manuel the only person on earth eager to get Michael Martinez into the starting lineup? Even Mini-Mart must be scratching his head. The Phillies reach for the brooms tonight, and go with Mini-Mart in center field, as their two-month experiment continues. First pitch is 7:05. Kevin Frandsen plays third and bats second. Carlos Ruiz returns to the lineup and bats fourth. Ty Wigginton gives Ryan Howard a breather at first and bats fifth. Howard's timing is all jacked up. Then it's John Mayberry Jr. (RF), Domonic Brown (LF) and Martinez (CF) ahead of Cole Hamels. Seriously ... why not see what Brown is made of in center field? It's just dumb.

Lee on waivers: News that the Phillies placed Cliff Lee on waivers rattled a few cages today, and may be nothing more than standard operating procedure, but if the left-hander clears waivers, as is expected because he is owed over $90 million, and a contender gets desperate for pitching over the next two months, the payroll-conscious Phils would undoubtedly listen to offers. Lee's name was bandied about in the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday's deadline. In other words, the July 31 deadline didn't really exist as far as Lee is concerned. Teams typically place everyone on waivers this month in order to gauge interest, but they are revocable. 

Technical difficulties: Trouble posting today. Firewall issue.

Game chat: Unrecognizable Phillies continue overhaul

Nate Schierholtz and Josh Lindblom have arrived, and Domonic Brown is set for his first start this season, when the Phillies continue their set with Washington. The Phils also recalled utilityman Michael Martinez and designated infielder Mike Fontenot for assignment.

Beerleaguer: If a tree falls in the woods, and there's nobody around, does it make a sound? That's how I define this Fontenot move. But since it's Beerleaguer, it's worth no fewer than 200 graphs of commentary and debate. I thought Martinez was the move to make when Placido Polanco went down since the Phils needed a glove. They must see something they like in Kevin Frandsen, who's started twice at third so far and has looked okay. Between Fontenot and Martinez, Fontenot is the better player, but maybe the Phils are hoping to pawn him off on someone. The Phils have undoubtedly put Fontenot on waivers with the idea of moving him, not demoting him, and for that reason alone, you make the move and get whatever you can take. Again - I'm no Mini-Mart fan, but he's a more versatile defender than Fontenot and probably a better fit for the roster at this point.

The Phillies also made two moves last night to clear room for Schierholtz and Lindblom by optioning Joe Savery and Jake Diekman to Triple-A. Both will benefit from regular work. Savery looked better in two appearances this month, while Diekman just unravelled in July and needs a minor league mulligan to work on his control. The Phils' bullpen hasn't settled into much of a routine all season and Diekman, as a specialist, was forced into some bad match-ups. That's the story of the bullpen - too many young players in over their heads.

Tonight's (crazy) lineup: Rollins SS, Schierholtz RF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Mayberry CF, Brown LF, Frandsen 3B, Kratz C. Vance Worley pitches.

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Five thoughts on the Phillies July 31 fire sale

1. Shane Victorino was one hell of a ballplayer. He was their playmaker. A five-tool talent. He made things happen. His career is also admirable in the sense that he willed himself to prominence. Comcast SportsNet has been running his highlights all morning and it’s the one time I wish we had video rights. Vic was a magnet for excitement; The laser-beam throw against Atlanta to preserve Brad Lidge’s perfect season in 2008. The grand slam against CC Sabathia in the NLDS – Vic set the tone for that entire run up to the postseason. Vic owns – for my money – the most underrated moment in Phillies’ history: the tying homer in Game 4 of the NLDS to set up Matt Stairs’ game winner. Not a good Phillie, a great Phillie. Decorated with three Gold Gloves, a pair of All-Star appearances and twice led the Phils in hitting. One could argue he was the Phillies’ best overall player in at least one of the last five seasons, particularly 2011. The Phils can’t replace the playmaking.

2. The biggest failure of the season is that the Phillies are 46-57 and shouldn't be. There are two excuses. First, the volume of injuries and the loss of major players to injury. Second, the remaining players underperformed. That list includes Victorino and Hunter Pence.

3. Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed the Phillies are under the luxury tax, which means the Phillies’ GM accomplished what he set out to do less than a week after securing Cole Hamels for six more years. Be satisfied and optimistic with what Amaro managed to get on July 31. No reason not to be. We've got time to see how it all pans out. Amaro was dealing with a finite number of clubs who wanted outfield help. The luxury tax issue wasn’t a secret to anyone. The packages were fair. In terms of the Victorino deal, it's pretty hard to sell to a contender and get a Major League player back in return, which they did in Josh Lindblom. Ethan Martin is a prospect, not a throw-in. The deal also included a player to be named later or cash. That's a fair haul for a two-month rental. As for Pence, catching talent is extremely difficult to find. The reports on Tommy Joseph range from positive to extremely positive. I don’t put much stock zeroing in on the stat line of a 21-year-old at Double-A. Nate Schierholtz is a league average baseball player. Seth Rosin is a bonus.

4. How badly must the Phillies have soured on Pence? No question – awkward player, very ugly at times. He’s had a brutal month. But are they taking .289/.357/.486 and 28 homers for granted, which is what Pence produced in 155 games as a Phillie? That’s nothing to sneeze at.

5. The rest of the 2012 season becomes a two-month fantasy camp for Domonic Brown.