Perhaps the biggest story of spring training for the Phillies was a between starts bullpen session. That's where Roy Halladay ironed out some mechanics with pitching coach Rich Dubee before Thursday's game against the Pirates.
Is that a good development?
It certainly is if Halladay was simply "lethargic" in his outing where he gave up six hits (including two homers) and seven runs in 2 2/3 innings against Detroit on Tuesday. Halladay said he threw two bullpen sessions between his starts, which could account for the flat pitches and the pedantic velocity.
Dubee isn't worried as evidenced by his comments to reporters on Thursday following Halladay's bullpen work. In typical fashion, the curmudgeonly pitching coach says everything is OK.
“I was concerned with the (lack of) outs, not the health,” Dubee said Thursday.
So what about those lack of outs? And how can Dubee and the Phillies keep Halladay fresh between starts this season? If there is one major issue to come out of spring training this year, this is it.
Halladay goes back to the mound on Sunday when the Phillies go to Sarasota to play the Orioles. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, the Phillies head back to Port Charlotte to face the Rays for the last time this spring. Here's Friday's lineup:
1.) Ben Revere, cf2.) Kevin Frandsen, 2b
3.) Michael Young, 3b
4.) Dom Brown, rf
5.) Darin Ruf, lf
6.) Carlos Ruiz, c
7.) John Mayberry, 1b
8.) Josh Fields, dh
9.) Freddy Galvis, ss
Lefty John Lannan will start the game on the mound for the Phils against Matt Moore. The Phillies will also see Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Jamey Wright, Brandon Gomes and J.D. Martin pitch for the Rays.
'Lack of outs?' Dubee has had two less than stellar days talking to the media.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:07 AM
Concerned with lack of outs over health in a ST game? I'm sure Dubee just hates talking to the media, bu he comes off as pretty stupid.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:14 AM
I'm pretty sure what Dubee was saying was that he's not concerned that Halladay was laboring because he was unhealthy.
But he was laboring, and they need to find out what is wrong with him, whether it be poor mechanics, lethargy or whatever the case.
I'm pretty sure that Dubee wasn't saying that health concerns aren't of great importance.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:19 AM
Really looking forward to Dubee as whipping boy this year guys.
Posted by: RedBurb | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:21 AM
... pedestrian velocity?
Posted by: Mike | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:42 AM
lore, I think he's saying that he's not concerned about Halladay's health, only that he wasn't getting guys out.
Look at it this way:
Suppose Halladay is healthy and it's not an issue? Suppose this is the Halladay we're going to see going forward, because of the innings and mileage on his arm? Suppose we're going to see a Halladay who is no longer a #1, but because he's going to have more bad starts mixed in with the good ones, he's only going to be able to perform to the level of a #3?
I'm not defending Dubee, but maybe that's what he was saying.
"I'm concerned because Halladay is healthy but he's not getting guys out."
Maybe the concern is that Doc is entering a rapid decline phase, and erratic performance is what we're going to see going forward?
We're sure going to find out.
Posted by: rolo | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:44 AM
I believe the Phils play the Rays again on 3/26...
Posted by: Johanna Rowland | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Pedantic...it doesn't mean what you think it means.
Posted by: Heather | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10:59 AM
With an OBP in the lowest quarter of MLB teams, the Phils will never have to worry about the lack of outs, just their distribution.
Posted by: Andy | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:02 AM
I thought they would give Ruf a longer break from LF to see if his offense would continue improving. Either DH or even 1B.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:38 AM
I don't know about you guys, but I'm pumped for DomBro hitting cleanup...except with Ruf behind him, I wonder if he'll see a decent pitch all day
Posted by: Crasswhole | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:40 AM
It's pretty simple - either Halladay is like the guy who was 88-91 earlier in camp (first 2 outings) with good movement on his cutter/changeup and really solid command although not as good in the past or he simply isn't going to be that good this year.
I am really sure Dubee and the entire coaching staff/FO are concerned about Halladay. They just don't have a good idea of what he will give them going ahead forward.
If he's the guy earlier in camp, they are fine. If he is the guy who they had last year who labored through a bunch of his starts and missed a moderate amount of time, they are behind the eight-ball with a very minimal chance of making the playoffs.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Dubee has always been kind of standoffish with the media though. I would imagine he would skip it entirely if he could.
The only Phils' coach though I can remember though that had a really poisonous relationship with the Philly media in recent memory was Fregosi. I remember even Jayson Stark had real issues with him when he was still at the Philly Inquirer and the main Phils' beat writer.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12:01 PM
He only misused "pedantic" to see who'd correct him. Genius.
Posted by: Ignatius | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Jumped over to check out Fregosi's wikipedia page. I didn't realize that as a young man Jim Fregosi could pass for Cole Hamels doppleganger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Fregosi
Posted by: norbertods | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 12:59 PM
'Halladay goes back to the mound on Sunday when the Phillies go to Sarasota to play the Orioles.'
Aren't the Phils at home on Sunday?
Posted by: PJ | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:02 PM
I hate desmond jennings.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:18 PM
Is anyone concerned that Howard isn't starting?
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:25 PM
I assumed that he was hurt after he was started 1500 times in a row to start Spring Training.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:27 PM
BAP - It is a little odd that this is the 3rd day off now in the last 5 days (Monday off-day, Wed didn't play, out today)
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:32 PM
Interesting tidbit: Cole Hamels is our only projected SP with a ST ERA under 5.00 right now.
Totally meaningless and all but still interesting.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:39 PM
DOM singles, goes to 2nd on pickoff attempt error, 3rd on a ball to SS, home on Ruiz single. Move over Revere/Rollins.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:41 PM
Revere is just blazing fast. damn
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:47 PM
PO/CS...apparently not fast enough.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:53 PM
It was way closer than it should have been.
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 01:59 PM
I'm just getting the feed on my phone so I will take your word for it.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:03 PM
out is out
Posted by: jr | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:04 PM
How does Lannan look so far? Box score is encouraging, but can't always rely on that (especially in ST).
Posted by: R.Billingsly | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:11 PM
I hope BAP and MG know how hard most of us are laughing at their Howard panic just a few days after a week-long argument- championed by MG- that Howard should be getting more rest.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:12 PM
iceman: I said Howard should get time off, and he did. What exactly are you laughing at?
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Iceman: My comment was actually a joke. MG seemed serious, though.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Lannan can now join NEPP's club as a sub 5 ERA SP in ST.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:16 PM
Startin' to come together, Pepper.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:19 PM
Iceman - ridiculous exaggeration of what I posted and others posted. Fine with Howard sitting today. Just a liitle odd when just a week Cholly said Howard needed a lot of regular time this spring.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Forget Halladay. We win with Cookie and Lopey, don't be dopey.
Posted by: clout | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Anyone else get their season tickets yet? Did the Phillies purposely use ink quality from the 1980s for some type of retro-effect or did I just get a crappy set?
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:30 PM
Clearly Howard is dying.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:30 PM
lorecore: Maybe they sent you a crappy set as some sort of deliberate metaphor for what to expect from the coming season.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:32 PM
Ryan Howard's leg fell off.
Rich Dubee says he'll be fine.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:34 PM
For those not watching, Lannan looked really good.
15 outs, 4 Ks, 2 fly outs, 1 line drive, 7 ground balls (1 double play)
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:36 PM
On March 15, better to look good than look bad.
But still meaningless.
Posted by: clout | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:37 PM
On March 15, better to look good than look bad.
But still meaningless.
Posted by: clout | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:37 PM
Wait, are spring training stats meaningless?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:40 PM
The only thing that matters in ST is health.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:42 PM
Yuni at 3B... the versatility begins.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:42 PM
just one of those days we can't seem to hit it where they ain't.
Posted by: bullit | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:46 PM
So then, ST stats don't mean anything?
Completely and utterly meaningless?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:46 PM
Wasn't DeFratus re-assigned to minor league camp earlier?
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:46 PM
lorecore: No, I hadn't seen his name on that list yet.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:54 PM
Cameron Rupp 3 dingers in first two milb games.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:59 PM
lorecore - I thought he was earlier this week.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:04 PM
lorecore and MG: Perhaps you saw that Justin Friend had been reassigned.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:06 PM
lorecore- certainly not at you. Laughing that MG is doing exactly what everyone said he'd do in the event Howard would get some time off.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:07 PM
I also thought that DeFratus had been sent down. Glad that isn't the case. He's one of the few guys in camp that deserves a long look.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:09 PM
iceman - I largely give up when replying to you. I was fine with Howard sitting today especially since it was an away game.
That was exactly what I posted earlier this thread. You either take what someone says and completely over exaggerate what someone says in order to paint that person an idiot/scaremonger/etc or you just post pure BS.
Posted by: MG | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:10 PM
I guess hitting season is over?
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:10 PM
some good reading for people who like to check minor league boxscores:
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130225&content_id=41998650&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb
List all of the Park Factors in the minors, with totals for each league as well. Phils teams are in pretty nuetral leagues/parks with the exception of Lakewood, a heavy pitching favored park.
Something to keep in mind when any of their pitchers dominate/hitters struggle. Biggest potential I see would be Maikel Franco moving from a 0.850 adjusted park to a 1.086 adjusted park could be a big boost.
Lakewood HR adjustment was .518 vs 1.477 for Clearwater. Franco hit 14 last year.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:14 PM
just one of those days we can't seem to hit it where they ain't.
Posted by: bullit | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 02:46 PM
Seems like it
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:16 PM
Certainly don't like Bastardo walking the first hitter in the bottom of the 9th on four pitches.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:24 PM
Bastardo battles back to strike out the 2nd hitter. Although he missed his spot on strike three, he still got the call.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:26 PM
no tie?
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:34 PM
lorecore: There will be if no one scores this inning.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:36 PM
Who is Johnson?
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:40 PM
Cyclic: "Who is Johnson?"
The losing pitcher.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:47 PM
Jay Johnson is non-prospect minor leaguer spring training filler.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:51 PM
how is that scrub even in camp
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 03:57 PM
lorecore: This is Johnson's reward for his effort in the huge brawl between Canada and Mexico.
Posted by: clout | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:03 PM
Fangraphs 2nd base positional rankings:
Utley, despite his decline and advanced age, still puts the Phillies as 4th in the majors, and best in the NL.
THAT is how important he is to this team.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:07 PM
Gold Glove voting will now include a component called Saber Defensive Index.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:10 PM
lorecore: Most teams carry a couple of dead weight pitchers later in spring for just this kind of a game.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:11 PM
Thanks. I thought I followed the Phils pretty closely. Never heard of him.
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:22 PM
Cyclic: Played for Canada in World Baseball Classic
Posted by: clout | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 04:44 PM
"Utley, despite his decline and advanced age, still puts the Phillies as 4th in the majors, and best in the NL.
THAT is how important he is to this team."
Yep!
Posted by: rolo | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 05:11 PM
MG- this is ridiculous. You said its 'odd' he wasn't starting after complaining he should get some rest. There was nothing to even exaggerate. You need to chill out.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 05:54 PM
Torre is starting Zobrist at 3rd tonight. He only has 5 career starts there. Risky call, but one he ultimately has to make to keep the horrible Willie Bloomquist from having any part in an elimination game.
Zobrist is a player that I'd love to have on the Phils.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:03 PM
"Zobrist is a player that I'd love to have on the Phils."
Considering Zobrist's versatility, you'd think that RAJ would have cleaned out the farm to get him by now.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:14 PM
BAP, he walks too much.
And walks are for losers.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:16 PM
Fatti, however, the Phillies ranked 27th in the fangraphs postional power rankings of 3B. No. Misprint.
Posted by: rolo | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:17 PM
BAP- the problem is that Zobrist actually plays all the positions at either an average or an above-average level. There's no need for that. Plus he walks and stuff. Very anti-productive.
In all honestly, he'd have been a perfect player to have during this team's run of success. At this point, there are so many low-OBP guys on the team that it wouldn't change the culture of the team or anything. But from 2009-2011 he had a 125 OPS+, a .367 OBP and averaged 19HR/20SB while playing 150+ games in each season and logging innings at every position except pitcher and catcher.
The best part is that he's only cost the Rays $12.5 million over the last 3 years. You probably could've offered Tampa the moon for him and they'd have hung up on you laughing.
Posted by: Iceman | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:40 PM
rolo, we're 24th in 1B, and 4th in C.
Crazy thing about the catcher rankings is how strong the NL is at the catcher position right now. First 4 are NL teams, and 6 of the first 10 are NL teams.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:40 PM
I look forward to Howard being much better than 24th in the league.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, March 15, 2013 at 09:13 PM