So, former Senate majority leader George Mitchell has released his long-awaited report, a 409-page opus that names no less than 77 players who are linked to steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.Well, what more do we know?
I've skimmed the report (it may take a while to read it completely), and many of the players (Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Troy Glaus, Gary Matthews Jr., Jose Guillen, Rick Ankiel and even Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte) are guys that have been suspected users for quite a while. Locally, David Bell's possible involvement with performance-enhancers was reported several months ago by SI.com. Many of the other former Phillies that were named (Lenny Dykstra, Jason Grimsley, Ryan Franklin, Benito Santiago, Todd Pratt, Gary Bennett, Bobby Estalella and Paul Byrd) also have been previously linked to drug use.
What's interesting, of course, is the detail with which Mitchell describes the steroid use. Clemens is mentioned 82 times, and there's testimony from the person who allegedly shot him up with steroids. That's the stuff that's bound to catch people's attention, and the Rocket certainly has some explaining to do.
But will the Mitchell Report send shockwaves through the game? What will the long-term effect be? As I wrote last Sunday, I'm not sure it's going to have much long-term impact.
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For the next week, I will be on vacation, traveling far, far away from Citizens Bank Park. So, I'll be counting on y'all to keep The Blog fresh and lively. As I've written here before, it's your comments and interest that make this all worthwhile. Without you, I'd just be rambling about the Phillies to nobody in particular.
It's in that spirit that I'll leave you with a few questions. I'm eager for your responses.
1. So, Aaron Rowand is gone. What should the Phillies do to replace him?
2. If Kris Benson's workout goes well Monday, should the Phils sign him? For how much?
3. Who should be the Phils' opening-day third baseman?
4. Should the Phillies negotiate a long-term extension for Ryan Howard? Or, should they wait another year to see if he can cut his strikeout total?
5. Given their offseason so far, are you confident the Phils can repeat as division champs? Why? Why not?
15 comments:
The Phillies must make a run at Gil Valasquez, a proven power hitter.
id like to sign benson to 2-3 year deal, 4-6 mil guaranteed, another few mil in incentives.
on the bright side most of the phillies named got into steroids after leaving town.
1. So, Aaron Rowand is gone. What should the Phillies do to replace him?
The Phillies should add more offense at 3B and add a left-handed RF to help platoon with Werth, and to cover for him if he gets injured. Add in an extra month of Howard and Utley that was lost last season, and another 892-run season is easily possible.
2. If Kris Benson's workout goes well Monday, should the Phils sign him? How much should they pay?
He's certainly worth signing, but not at more than 7 or 8 million for the year. Instead of performance clauses, I hope they get a team option for 2009. Performance clauses do nothing for fans, since the team doesn't let one year's money carry over to the next year. What would be helpful is having some extra savings if he has a good year and turns out to be worth 12 million next year, and they can only pay him 7. That's how teams like the Indians construct a lot of contracts.
3. Who should be the Phils' opening-day third baseman?
Morgan Ensberg; on-base skill and power still there. A little more luck on balls in play and he should be as valuable as Lowell would have been and the best 3B performance in 5 years from a Phillie.
4. Should the Phillies negotiate a long-term extension for Ryan Howard? Or, should they wait another year to see if he can cut his strikeout total?
Now! If they wait until next year, he'll probably cut down on his strikeouts and cost tons more. He's got two years in a row around 50 homeruns and 100 walks. That's a feat he is likely to repeat and this is the time to buy low. If they wait until he's a free agent, they're going to end up signing him up for 7 years, and end up carrying him into his late 30s when he is less productive. Signing him now through his early 30s will lock in the end of his peak without requiring them to pay $25MM for his late 30s.
5. Given their offseason so far, are you confident the Phils can repeat as division champs? Why? Why not?
I think a lot of it depends on getting enough high-risk high-reward bets like Jenkins, Ensberg, Benson, Prior, etc. and hoping a few pan out will help a lot. Omar Minaya's willingness to send his top prospects away for weak hitting catchers and platoon OFs is going to be what keeps him from acquiring a frontline starting pitcher. If he somehow pulls off a big trade, the Mets could run away with it.
KEEP UP THE GREAT BLOG!
I'd give Benson a one year contract with a second year option. We have a bunch of hot hurlers in the minors that will be ready in 2009 and Benson is too injury-prone to be a long term solution.
I would definitely sign Ensberg for 3B. Looking at his split stats he has a career .400 AVG in 25 ABs in CPB. Not to mention a .281 AVG in Shea and a .275 AVG in Dolphin stadium. He has a huge chance of excelling in the NL East and probably for cheap!
As of now, I'm only confident the Phils can repeat NL East champs because of how the other NL East teams have so far only downgraded. Nothing about what the Phils have done has given them any more edge over the Mets or Braves.
1. Shane Victorino will be a great centerfielder with a far better range. Geoff Jenkins would be perfect to platoon with Werth.
2. If the workout goes well then a one year contract with option for renewal after so many innings. 3 Million with an option for 6 Million next year. Hope we try the same with Prior.
3. Crede or Inge if the cost in talent is resonable, and with Inge 2/3's of the contract is eaten.
4. A long term contract should be signed this winter. It is only fair, that is what Utley got. If you wait till next year it will only be higher, and you will alienate Howard so he automatically goes to the Yankees in a few years.
5. Given their offseason so far, are you confident the Phils can repeat as division champs?
Yes. We picked up the best Starter Available in Myers. Got a great bullpen piece in Lidge. A great utility man in Eric Bruntlett, and some interesting hitters and arms: T.J. Bohn, Chris Snelling, Travis Blackley, and Lincoln Holdzkom.
I think it is early and we will pick up a:
1) Reliever
2) A lefthanded Right Fielder
3) A good fielding 3rd Baseman who hits at league average.
4) A reclaim Starter.
And we will still have 6 Draft Picks in the first three rounds next summer.
The Braves so far have the best chance of doing well next year, and the Nationals will win more as the Marlins lose more, and the Mets will go as far as their pitching takes them, so far their off season has not scared me at all.
1) I don't think the 2008 version of Aaron Rowand would have been able to replace the 2007 version. Rowand had a career year. His leadership and clubhouse presence needs to be filled by the young guys like Hamels and Utely. Vic will do a great in job in CF.
2) No. Leave Benson and Prior alone. I am tired of rolling the dice on injured pitchers. Give JA Happ a chance.
3) Opening day third basemen should be Ensberg. I wouldnt mind seeing the Phils pick up McPherson provided he is close to being healthy or willing to accept a minor league deal while he recovers. Crede will probably cost too much.
4) Give Howard his money. He's earned it and will continue to earn it.
5) The Phils will be contenders, but haven't done enough to make them the clear favorites ... it will be a 3 horse race this year.
1. So, Aaron Rowand is gone. What should the Phillies do to replace him?
Simple. The Phillies should move Victorino to center, let Werthless take over in right and sign Jenkins to platoon with him and hopefully make the production from right-field at least league average.
2. If Kris Benson's workout goes well Monday, should the Phils sign him? How much should they pay?
I'd say they should give him a one-year deal with a club option for a second year if he pitches over 175 innings. Pay him about 5 or 6 million a year. I'd also like to see the Phillies sign Prior and let him come back when he's ready. He's got tons of potential and was always rushed back from injuries. Let him take his time and get 100% before they bring him in to games.
3. Who should be the Phils' opening-day third baseman?
Morgan Ensberg. He's a way better option than Helms (and hopefully Helms will get traded) and signing Ensberg would allow Dobbs to return to pinch-hitting duty, which is what he's best-suited for.
4. Should the Phillies negotiate a long-term extension for Ryan Howard? Or, should they wait another year to see if he can cut his strikeout total?
Sign him now. His numbers are gawdy and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Waiting until he cuts his K total will only cost them more money and further alienate Howard.
5. Given their offseason so far, are you confident the Phils can repeat as division champs? Why? Why not?
It's up in the air right now. They definitely need to get another starter and reliever, and find someone to platoon with Werth in right field. If they don't sign Jenkins, why not sign Mench? The guy mashes lefties. Third base is also a priority, and Ensberg should be signed and in a Phillies uniform ASAP.
1. Sign Geoff Jenkins to a one year deal to platoon with Werth. Victorino will be better in center than Rowand would've been this year anyway. I would also make a run at a speedy type outfielder, could be Roberson, just don't have him in the game late without his sunglasses and teach him how to read balls.
2. Possibly on a 1 year deal with a team option for a total value of around $10-12 million (including the option). My first choice would be to sign Josh Towers for a two year deal worth around $12 million.
3. If we can't get Joe Crede from the White Sox, I'd be fine with taking a flier on Dallas McPherson. I still see some potential there and he would come relatively cheap. Also, I believe he would still be under team control for a couple more years.
4. Absolutely. Get it done yesterday. Something similar to Pujols' deal from a few years ago, 7 years $100 million, sounds about right.
5. Very confident. Offseason is still young and I have tremendous faith that our young arms (Outman, Carrasco, Matheison, etc.) could step up if need be. Plus, only the Braves have maintained their position from last season. Everyone else has gotten worse.
Does anyone know when Montgomery, Gillick and Amaro will serve turkey dinner to the homeless? Every year I always love to see footage of this by Comcast because their aprons never have a speck of food on them, everything is pristine, the protection of clear gloves on their hands is hilarious, and if you look very closely, Bill Giles is in the back room watering down the cokes. I think they serve about 2 or 3 meals and when the photo op is finished, they scoot on out of there as fast as they can.
Just figured I would throw in a little update
Recent articles on different news sites (as well as on the Phillies website) indicate the team is interested in Geoff Jenkins and/or Mike Cameron.
I dont want Cameron. His OBS numbers arent as good as Vic's, and hes junk vs. right handed pitching.
Plus, the 25 games for the cheating.
The Phillies will once again drop to the bottom of the pile
Matt,
Isn't that a bit of an over-reaction? Seems kinda knee-jerk to me. Any reasoning as to why you think that?
Rob,
I did not make that comment about the Phillies dropping. Once again, a juvenile individual uses my nickname and makes silly comments. I don't believe the Phillies will drop to the bottom of the pile, but I don't see them being World Series contenders either.
It looks like the Phillies have signed Geoff Jenkins. Here's the exact report:
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that Geoff Jenkins and the Phillies have reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year deal worth about $13 million.
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