***The Official Philadelphia Phillies 2012 Thread***

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

But, with Utley out this is how I would make the lineup...

1.Victorino-CF
2.Polanco-3B
3.Rollins-SS
4.Howard-1B
5/6-Ibanez/Francisco depending on righty/lefty
7.Ruiz-C
8.Young-2B

If they do end up going through the first couple months without him, I could see them making a move for a dude like Keppinger. I like that move.

Who is Young? What do you think about that lineup? Utley makes a huge difference,

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

But, with Utley out this is how I would make the lineup...

1.Victorino-CF
2.Polanco-3B
3.Rollins-SS
4.Howard-1B
5/6-Ibanez/Francisco depending on righty/lefty
7.Ruiz-C
8.Young-2B

If they do end up going through the first couple months without him, I could see them making a move for a dude like Keppinger. I like that move.

Who is Young? What do you think about that lineup? Utley makes a huge difference,

Yeah, I know. Utley is hands down the most important person in that lineup. I don't care about Howard - the 3 hole hitter is your best hitter in your lineup.

Delwyn Young. There's a good shot he makes the roster.

And if that's the case, I gotta think they look somewhere. That's the possibility of losing a lot of production.

I like delwyn young too. Sucks that we are sitting here trying to talk ourselves into thinking that young will be capable if he has to start.

All I gotta say is mayberry better not make this team. Actually there could be a trade...mayberry and maybe a low level pitching prospect for keppinger.

The Fixer wrote:

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Who is Young? What do you think about that lineup? Utley makes a huge difference,

Yeah, I know. Utley is hands down the most important person in that lineup. I don't care about Howard - the 3 hole hitter is your best hitter in your lineup.

Delwyn Young. There's a good shot he makes the roster.

And if that's the case, I gotta think they look somewhere. That's the possibility of losing a lot of production.

I like delwyn young too. Sucks that we are sitting here trying to talk ourselves into thinking that young will be capable if he has to start.

All I gotta say is mayberry better not make this team. Actually there could be a trade...mayberry and maybe a low level pitching prospect for keppinger.

The biggest problem is that's not a power hitting lineup. They gotta start playing more small ball. As much as I like Francisco, it'd difficult to lose Werth AND Utley, if that's the case.

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Hypothetical question, if Utley is out for the year (worst case scenario), would you trade Oswalt for a bat? I think you would have to consider it, the pitching is great, but I can't see that lineup winning the world series. Then again, the Giants just did with their lineup but that does not happen often.

Man, sucks to even think about this. Would depend on who the bat is. Also not sure if oswalt still has a no trade since he got traded (he did with houston and it's same contract). I would think he still has veto power.

Could be a lot of 2 hour phils games this year. their pitchers all work quick and utley is one of the few guys in that lineup that works the count

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Cliff, as for trading Oswalt, I'd think about it - just because it frees up a lot of money for other moves. And I'm sure Blanton could become even more expendable as the year goes on. Either/or would make sense. I just don't wanna get too irrational about this yet. The season is soooooo long, and I really don't think Utley will miss the entire thing.

I hear you and you know me, I just like thinking about trades and what I would do in that situation. Yeah, Blanton is obviously more expendable, but that's not going to get you a decent bat. I hear you though, getting ahead of myself, I just like thinking about this shit. It is a long season.

The Fixer wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Hypothetical question, if Utley is out for the year (worst case scenario), would you trade Oswalt for a bat? I think you would have to consider it, the pitching is great, but I can't see that lineup winning the world series. Then again, the Giants just did with their lineup but that does not happen often.

Man, sucks to even think about this. Would depend on who the bat is. Also not sure if oswalt still has a no trade since he got traded (he did with houston and it's same contract). I would think he still has veto power.

Could be a lot of 2 hour phils games this year. their pitchers all work quick and utley is one of the few guys in that lineup that works the count

I don't think it sucks that much. You guys aren't in love with Oswalt (well at least as much as the other 3) and would still have a legit rotation, plus a much needed bat. I think you're right about the no trade though.

Cliffy6745 wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Hypothetical question, if Utley is out for the year (worst case scenario), would you trade Oswalt for a bat? I think you would have to consider it, the pitching is great, but I can't see that lineup winning the world series. Then again, the Giants just did with their lineup but that does not happen often.

Man, sucks to even think about this. Would depend on who the bat is. Also not sure if oswalt still has a no trade since he got traded (he did with houston and it's same contract). I would think he still has veto power.

Could be a lot of 2 hour phils games this year. their pitchers all work quick and utley is one of the few guys in that lineup that works the count

I don't think it sucks that much. You guys aren't in love with Oswalt (well at least as much as the other 3) and would still have a legit rotation, plus a much needed bat. I think you're right about the no trade though.

only meant that the scenario you laid out would suck.

this thread is making me want to drink

Is this the path Utley's career is going to continue to take every year ?

The sliding injury was flukey but the hip and now the knee

Just seems like every year it's something...bad luck ? or is he breaking down ?

The Fixer wrote:

Phantom Pain wrote:

Is this the path Utley's career is going to continue to take every year ?

The sliding injury was flukey but the hip and now the knee

Just seems like every year it's something...bad luck ? or is he breaking down ?

hate to say it, but probably some of each

Yeah, doesn't look like the guy is going to play into his 40's. Too bad because dude can hit.

good for chuck...

POSTED: March 10, 2011 It's official: Manuel and Phillies agree to two-year deal
By DAVID MURPHY

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- After months of negotiations, the Phillies and Charlie Manuel have finally agreed to extend his tenure beyond 2011. The two sides have agreed on a two-year contract that will keep Manuel in Philadelphia through the 2013 season.

The deal is believed to be worth between $7 million and $8 million.

“We are pleased to have come to terms with Charlie,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “He has been an integral part of the success we’ve had over the past several years. There was little doubt that he was going to continue to be our skipper past his current contract and we look forward to the next three years with the hopes of continued success.”

Manuel acknowledged yesterday that the two sides were close to a deal. In 6 years with the Phillies, Manuel has compiled a 544-428 record. He should pass Danny Ozark's 594 victories for third place on the franchise's all-time win list this season.

Gene Mauch is in first place with 646 wins, followed by Harry Wright with 636.

Manuel's teams have never finished lower than second place in the NL East. The Phillies have won at least 90 games in three straight seasons, including a major league-high 97 in 2010.

"I set the length of the deal because I'm going to be 69 years old or something when the deal runs out and I'll sit down and I'll kind of evaluate where I'm at and I'll talk to them and see where they are at," Manuel said. "As long as I stay healthy, I think I'm probably going to want to stay in the game. I'm going to manage as long as I can. I'm not ready for somebody to say, I'm going to retire Charlie. If I'm going to retire, I'm going to retire myself."

The seventh-year skipper entered the 2007 season in the final year of a 3-year contract. He did not sign an extension until after the Phillies rallied to win the National League East, overtaking the Mets on the final day of the regular season.

"In some ways, I'm kind of glad to have it over with, because I want to stay focused on what we're doing," Manuel said. "I never thought about doing anything else."

During Manuel’s tenure as manager (2005-10), the Phillies have had the best record among all National League teams at 544-428. He has led the club to four consecutive division titles (2007-10), two NL pennants (2008-09) and one World Series Championship (2008). Last year, despite six of his eight starting position players having stints on the disabled list, he guided the team to best record in the major leagues (97-65).

Manuel is one of only two managers in NL history, along with Bobby Cox, to win four straight division titles since divisional play began in 1969 (Cox won 14 straight with Atlanta, 1991-93; 1995-2005). Overall, Manuel has a career managerial record of 764-618. During the postseason, he is 27-19, which is tied for the third-most wins among active managers (with Jim Leyland), trailing only Tony La Russa (59) and Terry Francona (28).