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]
Carson: I'd say LindBomb got lucky in the 8th. Agree w/ the rest, though.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:44 PM
GJ Pap
Posted by: coolhandluke | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:45 PM
The real survey question: Papelbon: waivers....yes or no?
Posted by: The Evil Ed Wade | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:45 PM
no
Posted by: coolhandluke | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:45 PM
Carson: Thanks! And I was honored that you used my "5-tool pillar of suck" quote in the comments section of your blog the other day.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:46 PM
uh oh
Posted by: coolhandluke | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:47 PM
BAP- I like your brand of humor.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:49 PM
nice job
Posted by: coolhandluke | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:49 PM
T-vag
"You can't sleep on Goldschmidt."
Wheels
"Nope, he's too good. He's a professional"
Posted by: Wheels and T-vag | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Ya, that's fantastic. Last place team, 176 games out of first, and Mr. clutch comes in to hold down a three run lead. Isn't he the greatest? Just ask him.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:52 PM
some people have to be negative about everything
Posted by: coolhandluke | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:54 PM
T-vag
"There's nobody in the business better than Papelbon."
Wheels
"He's just that good."
Posted by: Wheels and T-vag | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:56 PM
Good win. Let's go eat.
Posted by: Sophist | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 09:56 PM
There is a spastic Hawaiian guy playing left for LA. I thought Kemp was keeping it.
Posted by: The Evil Ed Wade | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:00 PM
chollie loves kratz. that's a good sign.
Posted by: bullit | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:04 PM
This was pretty much a blueprint on how the Phils are going to win the rest of the year and next year:
- Get strong starting pitching
- Have that starter give them at least 7 IP
- scratch out 3 or 4 runs
- minimize the number of outs they need to get from their middle relief
- Papelbon closes it out
Posted by: MG | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:30 PM
What's our W-L record for games Kratz starts?
Seems like he should have our temporary #1 spot, but I'm expecting to see at RH/LH platoon from CM from here out.
Posted by: Bubba | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:31 PM
For next year Kratz should def be the back-up but be more than that. I mean...just how many games should Chooch even catch?
Posted by: Chuck A. | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:40 PM
If we have Kratz & Schneider, why is the phila FO looking for a scrap of heap catcher?
Posted by: Buy sell | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Phillies now just a half game out of 4th place... 4 out of 3rd. Gotta play good baseball for the last third of the season and finish strong.
Posted by: Chuck A. | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Polanco is eligible to come off the DL next week. But, I haven't seen much injury update or prognosis on him .
Any idea how long he really out for?
Posted by: Bubba | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Eeesh its only been a few games and already on the Kratz balls. Lets see how he bats after a few more starts.
Posted by: Luis | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Now we will win 10 in a row.
Posted by: Cyclic | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Kratz's emergence is great because that's one less need the Phils need to look for next year (backup C) and is an instant upgrade.
I don't think anyone understands why Schneider has kept him from getting a chance for two years in a row, but the important thing is he's here now and will be there next year if they have any sense.
Halladay was touching 92 which is a great sign. He looked like pitcher he was in the last three innings of his last start. Batters are starting to look overmatched by him again. Thank God.
Posted by: Iceman | Saturday, August 04, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Haven't heard a damn thing about Anthony Gose since his call-up: a guy some were lamenting giving up because he could be our 2013 CF.
Maybe that's because in 12 games his line is .175/.233/.200 (1 XBH) with 2 SB and an OPS+ of 18.
Posted by: Iceman | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:01 AM
RELEASE THE KRATZEN!!!
Posted by: Dragon | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:37 AM
Now that Kratz has turned into a full-fledged superstar, you are never going to hear me shut up about him.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:38 AM
Dragon: nice refenernce to that memorable bit of cheese, "clash of the titans." the original with harry hamlin, of course. not the unwatchable remake.
Posted by: bullit | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 01:38 AM
* reference
Posted by: bullit | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 01:40 AM
Schneider is liable to go down any day. The next man in the line up is Soumi. I guess they rather go with a catcher that has MLB experience than the other option.
Posted by: Luis | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 02:22 AM
12 games? Whelp, he must suck if he didn't have an awesome first 12 games. Hell, look at all that Utley, or better yet, Howard, had accomplished in the majors at his age.
Posted by: Dave | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 02:58 AM
Hard to believe how lazy ol' selfish mailing-it-in JRoll keeps playing every inning.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 06:45 AM
Beer leaguer is going to be insufferable for the rest of the year because the usual Debbie Downer's are going to just post their usual nonsense and the phillies will be out of it making those posters unable to look more foolish than they already do.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 07:09 AM
The Phillies are dead last in August after a season in which most of the 30+ aging stars of the previous decade spent significant time on the DL while our two youngest position players were traded at the deadline.
I'd say that the "Debbie downers" may have been on to something while the "Chrissy Cheerleaders" who defend the Amaro / Manuel regime may not be as intelligent as they believe themselves to be.
Posted by: Will Schweitzer | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 07:52 AM
"I don't think anyone understands why Schneider has kept him from getting a chance for two years in a row"
Apparantely, Uncle Charlie does because in his post game presser he said that Kratz' hitting as "improved 100% over the past two years."(paraphrasing)
So what he's basically saying is that Schneider was a BETTER option.
Okay....whatever, Charlie.
Posted by: Chuck A. | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 08:25 AM
My stupidity is only superseded by NEPP and JW.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 08:53 AM
The good thing about Schweitzer, curt, G-Town, etc. posting the exact same things that they've been posting since 2009 is that this year, the team is actually as bad as they claim it has been for years. Congratulations!
Posted by: Iceman | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 09:03 AM
I would say that 70% of posters share the same enthusiasm for baseball that Randy Quaid's character from Major League had, with a little bit of Art Howe from Moneyball sprinkled in for taste.
All jokes aside, I have to agree that this year has been awful, and many have prophesied the end of the "Golden Era" of Phils baseball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm looking forward to the offseason, Spring Training, and beyond. Granted the world is still here, Dutch.
Posted by: norbertods | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:06 AM
norbertods - I'm actually looking forward to the next 55 games. Playoffs are out of the picture but I want to see competitive, fun baseball ....like last night. Finishing 3rd and at .500 is realistic and worth rooting for.
Posted by: Mike Lieberthal | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I'm looking forward to Darin Ruf winning the Eastern League MVP and playing LF for the Phillies in September.
Posted by: Meyer | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:34 AM
***
My stupidity is only superseded by NEPP and JW.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 08:53 AM
***
I havent even been around in two days but hey, stay classy buddy.
Posted by: NEPP | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Today's Lineup: Schierholtz (RF), Frandsen (3B), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Mayberry (CF), Brown (LF), Kratz (C), Martinez (SS), Lee (P).
Usually I'd be all for Rollins out of the lineup. Not so much today.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:43 AM
NEPP: I didn't post that about you. Someone else did under my name.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Fair enough then.
Posted by: NEPP | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Looking on the bright side of that lineup, at least Manuel doesn't have Martinez leading off.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Kratz is 32 and has spent parts of the last 10 years in the minors. I think I'm willing to give Charlie a pass if the guy wasn't even on his radar...
Posted by: RT | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Really doesn't make any sense why the Phils didn't just dump Pierre for anything they could get before the deadline.
Posted by: Bill | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Hugh: While I appreciate the effort, there is no bright side to that lineup.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:02 PM
A few JW-baiting posts around here in the last few days. Good luck insulting your gracious host. What is wrong with some people?
On to baseball. It is and remains a criminal act to have allowed Carlos Ruiz to play with structural damage in his foot. To insult the single most valuable player on the team (and, hands-down, the most outrageous performance-to-salary bargain in all of baseball!) with such abuse is one of many ongoing medical issue foibles going on here. Other examples are the laissez-faire management of Utley's knees; cortisone shots to Ryan Howard's Achilles and Doc pitching with an injured shoulder.
Someone with decision-making authority regarding these problems should pay with his job.
On the plus side, the breakout of local boy Erik Kratz is a joy to behold. However, why was Mr. Kratz warehoused in the minors -- leading to the signing of Brian Schneider to a 2-year deal? What a waste of money!
What is wrong with the God-forsaken team's talent evaluation? Poor talent evaluation also led to the clearing out of what may be our last viable prospects for an extended cup of coffee with Pence. Geesh.
Finally, great to see Doc over 90mph on his fastball again. Speaks volumes that is was a Latissimus dorsi muscle injury. Rotator cuffs are not healed with rest.
Go Doc! Go Phils.
Posted by: cut_fastball | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:05 PM
The 'trade Cliff Lee' drumbeat is just a little hare-brained. This is not something you do, just to do, like the Blanton and Victorino trades. Or, even the Pence trade. You only do it to get back high value, major league talent that you can't find on the free agent market. The notion that they 'need to save money' to spend in other places is the dumbest reason to do it. They'll almost definitely end up paying a big chunk of Lee's salary if they get big value back and, will need to spend most of that to get a quality, next tier starter to replace Lee, which is what you need to do to if you want to win with their likely offense.
A wise man told me on the eve of the birth of my first child, "many times you'll want to say 'we need to spend less money.' Forget that. Make more." Put a good team on the field, spend the money, and you'll make more money. Trade Lee for 'salary relief' and watch the team and your revenues wallow in the middle of the pack.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Apologize if this info was posted already but from yesterday's game notes:
"Philadelphia's bullpen has an NL-best 1.22 ERA since July 20. ... "
Is that really true? Kendrick's streak?
"Jimmy Rollins was the only starter for the Phillies who was in the opening-day lineup."
Rollins is the Phillies healthiest player?
Posted by: PhxPhilly | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Kratz only has 28 plate appearances, right? So 28 PAs vs 10 years of scuffling in the minors. How could the Phillies be so dumb as to not see his greatness?
Posted by: gobaystars! | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:14 PM
PhxPhilly: Wasn't Mayberry also in the Opening Day lineup?
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Game Chat ==>
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Howard is by far the biggest problem the phils have - love the guy personally but he cant hit, is a strike out machine, is an enormous head case/stress animal, will get worse and worse, and is just half way thru year one of a five year contract thats possibly the worst contract in baseball right now! - put him on waivers immediately and pray someone claims him before everyone else becomes convinced of what we should already know and we just have to release him! - yrs from now he will go down as the biggest albatross in the history of the team! - sad thing is he seems like such a nice guy and i wish him so well and i hate to bash him like this!! - his contract was one of the best but also one of the worst things for him personally!
Posted by: keng | Sunday, August 05, 2012 at 12:42 PM