Monkeyboy wrote:The player batting 8th is a part of the offense. The weaker that player is, the more you have to make up for him at the other lineup positions.

I never said anything about trading for ramirez, so I'm not sure where you got that.

I think it comes down to what Utley needs to do. We are on the outside. It may be that he's told them privately that he just can't play 2B every day. If that's the case, then they'll need to go the Galvis at 2B route and try to find the offense at the other positions.

I understand the eight hitter thing, but which team(s) out there dresses eight bangers every night? I also understand that you didn't talk about trading for Ramirez, but you're sort of all over the place. What is it you would want, exactly?

As for Utley not feeling he can play 2B well, that's pretty clearly what's happening.

Bucky wrote:MB, you're WAAAAAYYYYY overthinking this. There's nothing they "want" right now. Just seeing if they have options, like Barry said. (not the president, ours)

well of course I'm over thinking it. I'm bored and the season is basically over and I like trying to figure out what our GM is thinking.

I am merely giving my opinion about the options the Phils are exploring.

Grotewold wrote:

Monkeyboy wrote:Sounds like they want Galvis at 2B with Utley at 3B.

Great, so the improvement in offense surely isn't coming from the 3B/2B combo. I wonder if Galvis will be the worst offensive player in baseball next year, or if his back will keep him from playing full time, or if he's so bad offensively without the steroids that he won't even be able to make the roster. Like I said, I really like the kid (albeit less after he tested positive), but I really hope they are going to be realistic about what he brings to the table right now.

Of course, what Amaro says and ends up doing may be two very different things. Honestly, I would rather give Asche a shot at 3B than have Galvis playing full time coming off a serious back injury without the juice. Though neither option is particularly appealing.

Jeez man, Galvis would be batting eighth with tremendous defense at a key position. If he's that horrendous at the plate they could use Frandsen. And presumably this approach saves our powder for an impact outfielder(s)

As for Asche, at least this approach keeps the door open to him, versus, say, trading for Ramirez

I'd personally prefer using Utley at 2B and trying Frandsen at 3B with Utley at 3B and Galvis at 2B/3B as the fallback. Unless they can get Headley for a reasonable price, I just don't see there being any better options through FA. I think Frandsen has shown enough to think that he'd at least be an above replacement level player at third over most of a season. I don't think we've seen enough from Galvis to think that he would be above replacement level at either position, and he's coming off of a brutal injury.

I mean, he fractured his back... we don't know how that's going to impact his range of motion going forward. If we could've seen him play a little at the end of this season or if he could've played in the instructional league (I haven't seen anything suggesting he is but I could be wrong) and given some reason to believe he'll recover fully, it might be a different story. But if his defense is limited AT ALL by his injury, it'd be devestating to his value. Fangraphs had him as worth 0.5 WAR despite a wRC+ of 62.

ek wrote:i don't think he's told them he can't play 2B everyday

I agree with whoever said that he's trying to demonstrate additional value to the team as he's approaching his walk year.

ek wrote:i don't think they can get headley period and definitely not for a reasonable price

Agreed, which is why I don't really consider it an option. I mostly through it out there as a disclaimer.

Grotewold wrote:

Monkeyboy wrote:The player batting 8th is a part of the offense. The weaker that player is, the more you have to make up for him at the other lineup positions.

I never said anything about trading for ramirez, so I'm not sure where you got that.

I think it comes down to what Utley needs to do. We are on the outside. It may be that he's told them privately that he just can't play 2B every day. If that's the case, then they'll need to go the Galvis at 2B route and try to find the offense at the other positions.

I understand the eight hitter thing, but which team(s) out there dresses eight bangers every night? I also understand that you didn't talk about trading for Ramirez, but you're sort of all over the place. What is it you would want, exactly?

As for Utley not feeling he can play 2B well, that's pretty clearly what's happening.

For one thing, I could use a good piece of pizza. The pizza here stinks and I miss it.

I know teams don't have 8 bangers, but like I said, I think he could be the worst hitter in baseball next year if he gets enough ABs. Seriously, he was pretty bad this year and he'll be coming off a back injury. I think we also have to assume his jump in offensive production, all the way up to very mediocre, was largely fueled by unnatural means.

I'm not sure what I want, I'm just expressing my concern over using Galvis a lot at this point in his career.

RichmondPhilsFan wrote:I'd personally prefer using Utley at 2B and trying Frandsen at 3B with Utley at 3B and Galvis at 2B/3B as the fallback. Unless they can get Headley for a reasonable price, I just don't see there being any better options through FA. I think Frandsen has shown enough to think that he'd at least be an above replacement level player at third over most of a season. I don't think we've seen enough from Galvis to think that he would be above replacement level at either position, and he's coming off of a brutal injury.

I mean, he fractured his back... we don't know how that's going to impact his range of motion going forward. If we could've seen him play a little at the end of this season or if he could've played in the instructional league (I haven't seen anything suggesting he is but I could be wrong) and given some reason to believe he'll recover fully, it might be a different story. But if his defense is limited AT ALL by his injury, it'd be devestating to his value. Fangraphs had him as worth 0.5 WAR despite a wRC+ of 62.

That'd be fine with me. I was just saying I have no qualms with going internal for 2B/3B and spending on outfield. Given the free agent market and our 2B/3B prospects being closer to the show, I think it's the right approach.

Monkeyboy wrote:I think he could be the worst hitter in baseball next year if he gets enough ABs. Seriously, he was pretty bad this year and he'll be coming off a back injury.

Which is why Frandsen will probably be in the picture. They're not so in love with Galvis as to keep trotting him out there in an 0 for 50 skid or with an ailing back.

I would think they'd want Galvis as a back-up infielder at this point. I know he's young and the prevailing opinion may be he needs to play everyday to get better but how much better is he going to get as a hitter honestly? He's perfect as the super-sub utility guy that can play 2B, SS & 3B. Make him a late inning replacement for whatever mashing goon we get at 3B.

BUT CAN HE PITCH

stevemc wrote:I would think they'd want Galvis as a back-up infielder at this point. I know he's young and the prevailing opinion may be he needs to play everyday to get better but how much better is he going to get as a hitter honestly? He's perfect as the super-sub utility guy that can play 2B, SS & 3B. Make him a late inning replacement for whatever mashing goon we get at 3B.

wasn't he kind of shocking everyone with how his bat was suddenly getting somewhat up to speed with his glove last year? or did I imagine that

I'd prefer him to get more time in the minors than get very few at bats in the majors

Can Frandsen play a passable SS? If so, Galvis may be back in AAA next year

this picture is pretty entertaining

gonna be awkward when Cliff declines the invite

If I had to pick any three 3 human beings to be in a foxhole with, I would probably pick Billmeyer, Stairs and Washburn. Eyre would be first alternate

Wouldn't you rather Roy Halladay just kill them all single-handedly with katana blades while walking into the fire Gus Fring-style before you even took a shot in your direction, though?

Nah, if the temperature even touches 85 degrees he turns into a quivering sissy

There would also be some epic farts in that foxhole, but you take the good with the bad

In all seriousness, why DOES Roy look like he's going to have a heart attack by the second inning in every start? Red-faced as fuck

he's intense?

Woody wrote:In all seriousness, why DOES Roy look like he's going to have a heart attack by the second inning in every start? Red-faced as #$!&@

it's lupus