Help Wanted: Experienced Linebackers & Safeties

So far in free agency, the Eagles have done an outstanding job in addressing their defensive needs. Nnamdi Asomugha, DRC, Jason Babin, and Cullen Jenkins are key ingredients to a successful Eagles D. But even with these key additions, there are still some gaping holes the Eagles still need to address.

First and foremost the Eagles need to upgrade at linebacker. The Eagles starting linebackers this year will be Moise Fokou, rookie Casey Matthews and Jamar Chaney. Between them they have started 17 games, and they have little experience. Matthews seems to be Juan Castillo's main guy. Castillo thinks he is a natural leader and has the potential to be the quarterback of this defense. But that is a lot of faith to place in a fourth round pick even if he is the brother of All-pro Clay Matthews.

The Eagles need some veteran linebackers who know what it takes to be successful at the NFL level. Also having veterans as teachers and mentors to these young linebackers could benefit the Eagles in the future. Chaney, Fokou, and Matthews may prove to be the answer. But for now I think the Eagles need to add a free agent linebacker or try to trade for one. Linebacker Nick Barnett of the Packers is a free agent and is a guy the Eagles may be targeting.

Another gaping hole in this defense is at safety. From what I'm hearing, Nate Allen is 100% but the Eagles will be relying on rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett and Kurt Coleman to step up. I like what I'm hearing about Jarret but like Matthews he is a rookie and there's no telling if he will be able to have an immediate impact. Given the fact that the Birds have 3 lockdown corners, they probably won't look to add anybody else to their secondary.

All signs point to more moves coming. Hopefully the Eagles will address these needs to help bolster this already daunting Eagles D.

The Pence Effect

I know it's only been one game. And one monster performance by Ryan Howard in which he went 4-4 with 2 doubles, a homerun and 3 RBI's doesn't prove anything. But I feel that it's no coincidence that Howard had one of his best nights of the year in the same game as Hunter Pence's Phillies debut. Simply put, Pence makes Howard better, and I think the addition of Pence will begin a long stretch of success for the Phillies first baseman.

By having a legitimate number 5 hitter, Howard now has protection and will in turn see more hittable pitches coming his way. Teams that would normally throw Howard junk or just intentionally walk him, will now have to pitch to him with Hunter Pence threatening in the on deck circle.

Pence will be able to offer Howard the same kind of protection that Jayson Werth provided during his time in Philadelphia. Pence may not have quite as much power as Jayson but he does hit for a slightly higher average. (Excluding Werth's current season in which he is hitting .219, 11 HR, and 37 RBI's.)

Like I said before it's only one game, but even on a night when Hunter went 1-5 Howard still had success. Pence's presence alone makes Howard and the Phillies better, and hopefully Pence will be the missing piece that gets this team over the hump.

Back To The Old Utley

Philadelphia Phillies second basemen has been going through a lot of injuries during the past couple years and because of that he hasn't been the Chase Utley everyone expects him to be, it seems that Utley is finally back though.  After missing two months with a knee injury Utley made his debut and the Phillies expected him to just jump right back into the three hole and dominate.  That just doesn't happen, but Utley has been on fire of late and it seems like he has finally found his stroke.

The second basemen has been on a tear of late and the Phillies will need him to continue that if they would like to win a World Series.  Over his last ten games Utley has raised his average by thirty-five points, which now sits at .288.  His average is starting to be back at the level where it usually sits and if he can be around .300 for the year that would be big.

In Utley's first 45 games he was only able to hit four home runs and drive in eighteen runs.  During his last ten games he has hit four home runs and has driven in fourteen runs.  It seems that Utley's power is now back and with the Phillies offense lacking some power this year it is nice to see.

There is no doubt Utley seems to be back and at full strength.  He has been on fire of late and should continue to hit like this now.  He has his swing back and right.  He looks more comfortable at the plate and has his nice compact stroke working again.  The Phillies will need Utley a full go like this to win a World Series so it is nice to see that he is finally back to the old Utley.

Phils Notes: Polanco Back, Brown To Minors, Pence To Wear #3

For the Phillies it has been an extremely busy couple of weeks. They acquired outfielder Hunter Pence and just a few moments ago they made another roster move. SI's Jon Heyman reported that Domonic Brown will be sent to the minors so he can play everyday. The transaction will most likely be made official some time tomorrow.

Personally I like the move as it will enable Brown to fine tune his swing and get into a rhythm. I'm guessing that Brown will most likely be in triple AAA Lehigh for the entire month of August. Hopefully after a month in the minors Brown will come back to the big leagues ready to contribute at a high level.

In other Phillies news, according to csnphilly.com, Placido Polanco is expected to be back in the lineup tonight after being out with lower back problems. He hasn't gotten a hit in 2 rehab starts, but claims that he feels good and is seeing the ball well.

Pitcher Roy Oswalt could also rejoin the Phillies sometime next week. According to phillies.com, Oswalt will make one more rehab start on Monday night with Triple AAA Lehigh and could be back for the Phils series against the Rockies.

As for Mr. Pence, he will be in Phillies pin stripes tomorrow wearing the number 3. Just about an hour ago, Pence had this to say via his twitter account: "My time in Houston was Great. I'm extremely lucky to have the time I did, and now because of you I get to chase every players dream. See you tomorrow Philadelphia!" Hunter were happy to have you, welcom to Pence-sylvania.

Hunter Pence Officially A Phillie, Phils Get Their Man!

After weeks upon weeks of speculation and debate, Hunter Pence is officially a Philadelphia Phillie. Today the Phils will trade Jared Cosart, Johnathan Singleton, and two prospects to be named later to the Astros in exchange for the right handed bat that the Phils have been desperately searching for.

A career .290 hitter, Pence also brings a little pop to the Phils as he has hit 25 HR and 70 plus RBI's the last 3 years. Currently Pence is hitting .309 with 11 HR and 61 RBI's and will look to continue his plus .300 hitting for the Phils. Defensively Pence has an "awkward" throw but can still cover a ton of ground out in right field. The two time All-Star is much more polished than Domonic Brown and should give the Phils a better defensive presence.

The only downside to Pence is that he is a bit of a free swinger and doesn't have much patience at the plate. His career high in walks is 58 and he only has 29 walks so far in 2011. But I think that he will learn to become more patient on a veteran team like the Phillies, and in my mind he can be as aggressive as he wants if he stays around the .300 mark.

The Phils gave up two great prospects in Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton to acquire Pence. But clearly the Phils front office is in win now mode and they are willing to do what ever it takes to bring this city another World Series title. The two other prospects the Phils surrendered are not major.

The big thing in this deal is that the Phils didn't give up Domonic Brown or Vance Worley. They did give a lot up, but they also managed to hold onto two guys in Brown and Worley who have very bright futures.

Stay updated to the blog as we will have more on this trade later.

Corner Surplus

Now that the Eagles officially have three lock down corners in DRC, Nnamdi Asomugha and Assante Samuel, will they trade Assante or hold onto all three?

The Eagles could go in many different directions in trading Samuel. They could trade him for draft picks or they could trade him for a linebacker, offensive lineman, or safety that could have an immediate impact.

As good as this Eagles secondary now is, the Birds still have some glaring holes on defense at linebacker and safety. Trading Assante for a linebacker could really solidify this defense. Remember as of right now the Birds starting linebackers are Fokou, Chaney and rookie Casey Matthews who have 17 games of experience between them. And although the secondary now looks great with Nnamdi, DRC, and Assante, they still need safeties to cover the middle. I like Nate Allen, but aside from him the Birds are relying solely on young talent to step up at safety.

The Birds could also look to acquire a draft pick for Assante which would give them another pick in next year's draft. Although the draft pick wouldn't have an immediate impact, it would still give the Eagles flexibility come next year's draft.

The last option is the Birds could hold onto all three. According to Jeff Mclane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, "The Eagles plan is to carry all three CBs for the season unless they get a good trade offer." The possibilities are endless with these three corners and it enables the Birds to play Nickel defense which requires 5 defensive backs.

The acquisition of Nnamdi clearly means that defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has a plan. The Eagles could trade Assante, or they could hold on to all three corners to make up one of the most daunting secondaries in Philadelphia Eagles history.

Defense Wins Championships

Since you're currently on this site I'm assuming that you're some type of sports fan. And as a sports fan you have probably at one time or another heard the phrase "Defense Wins Championships." If the Eagles want to win the Superbowl, this is a phrase I think they should learn to live by.

Think about the Jim Johnson defenses of the past. Secondaries filled with guys like Bobby Taylor, Troy Vincent, Michael Lewis and hard hitting Brian Dawkins. The linebackers consisted of talents such as Jeremiah Trotter, Carlos Emmons, and Shawn Barber. Jevon Kearse, Hugh Douglas, and Corey Simon made up the D-Line that struck fear into opposing quarterbacks. The overall blitzes and schemes of Johsnon wreaked havoc on offenses for years and the defense led the Eagles to 5 NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance.

But ever since Jim Johnson's death in 2009, this Eagles defense has been searching for an identity. The secondary has been a mess ever since Dawkins left. Injuries to Stewart Bradley have disrupted the linebacking corps, and aside from Trent Cole, the defensive line has been just okay.

So far in this 2011 free agency madness the Eagles have addressed defensive needs by signing Jason Babin and acquiring DRC in the Kevin Kolb trade. With DRC the Eagles now have two outstanding corners and I feel a little better about the secondary. And Babin gives the Birds two pro bowler defensive ends which will help the entire defensive line.

But I still have my doubts about the linebackers and safeties. The Eagles need to bring in some proven veterans at these positions. While some experts may feel that the Eagles have enough talent already at linebacker and safety, I still feel the Eagles desperately need help especially in a year with new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.

Vick and the boys can put up as many points as they want but if they don't have a solid defense to back them up they aren't going anywhere. The Eagles need to get back to their defensive roots, and have other teams fear their defense as much as they fear their offense.

They Need A Bat

Last night the Phils did something they haven't done since June 19th; they lost a series. The series defeat to the Giants was filled with low scoring one run games and I'm probably the only Phillies fan who is happy the Phils lost. Think about it this way.

Before the San Francisco series the Phillies were flying high with the best record in baseball. Although the offense had been inconsistent at times, they were still winning series after series and getting the job done. Then the San Francisco Giants come to town and they do the same thing they did last October. They beat the Phils in low scoring, grind it out games that just left you frustrated as a fan. The Phils got very few hits, and when they did get base runners it seemed like the main guys namely Howard and Utley just didn't come through. Being at the game last night, I honestly felt as if I was at a NLCS game in October. The Phils were only able to produce one run and it was a frustrating game to be at.

But the series defeat came right at the trade deadline and I think it will serve as a wake up call to Ruben and the front office of the need to acquire a bat. If the Phils had swept the Giants in lopsided victories, maybe the Phils would have backed off on their quest to add another bat. Now it seems as if the Phils are doing all they can to go out and get Hunter Pence. According to Jim Salisbury, "Houston outfielder Hunter Pence remains the top target."

I just hope that as we near the trade deadline that the Phils front office remembers last October and the series the Phils just lost to the Giants.

Quiet Eagles Free Agency Thoughts

In an offseason where it was speculated that the Eagles could be one of the busiest teams, they have been extremely quiet. Many projected options and moves have not come to fruition, leaving many fans confused and frustrated as it is beginning to appear as if the team's "all or nothing" moniker is actually a lot of nothing. Kevin Kolb is still in an Eagle after it had been said that his trade could be the first move on day one. Plaxico Burress is scheduling meetings with teams, and the Eagles aren't one of them. Reggie Bush is in Miami. Albert Haynesworth is in New England. Ike Taylor stayed in Pittsburgh and Charles Johnson stayed in Carolina. It seems as if all of the Eagles targets are headed elsewhere, and, after all of the hype, that is simply unacceptable. This team has to make some moves, and do so sooner than later. Jason Babin is a nice addition, but he can't be the only addition, as there are still other holes to fill.

Aside from corner though, which must be addressed ASAP, the Eagles can afford to fill spots where they want to, and there are a few low key free agents at some interesting positions that I would love to see them approach and sign.

First is Malcolm Floyd. With all of the hype that surrounds Plaxico, I am shocked at the lack of discussion about this kid. He's younger than Plaxico, at age 29, and is a big target as well. Floyd is 6'5" 225lbs, and grew up in a solid San Diego system catching balls from a very talented quarterback in Philip Rivers, and yet noone seems to have him on their radar. I would rather the Eagles let teams bid on the unknown in Burress, and make an under the radar move to sign Floyd. He had 37 catches for 717 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, and could probably do even more damage in an offense where he is not the only one being covered, as he was last season while Vincent Jackson was out.

Second is Nick Barnett, who was recently released by the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles do not believe in putting a lot of stock into their linebackers, but Barnett could be a reasonably priced addition that could answer some questions the Eagles have at that position. He is 30, and had 24 tackles last season, but did so in only 4 games. In 2009, when he played a full season, Barnett had 105 total tackles and four sacks. Taking an inexpensive flyer on him could definitely pay off, as that kind of skill just doesn't disappear overnight.

My third player of interest is actually still a member of another team, but there is heavy speculation that he will soon be released. Barrett Ruud, linebacker from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would be an even better addition than Barnett, pending his release. He had 118 tackles last season as well as two sacks and two forced fumbles, and an interception. Ruud is younger than Barnett as well, as he is only 28 years old, and has produced more consistently than Barnett in the past. Adding Ruud could be huge for the birds, but, like I said, they never put much stock in their linebacker corps.

These three players are just a few smaller names that I'd like to see on their way to Philadelphia, but their are still a lot of players on the market. It will be interesting to see which direction they head in as the days go by, whether it is with signings or trades, like Kolb. If this year is really all-or-nothing, the Eagles really need to stop doing so much of the nothing.

Eagles Sign Babin

He was on my free agency wish list and clearly he was a guy the Eagles were targeting. Today it was announced that the Eagles have agreed to terms with pro bowler defensive end Jason Babin. The deal is reportedly a 5 year contract but it won't be official until Friday night.

The former Eagle recorded 12.5 sacks last year for the Tenessee Titans. Babin credits a lot of his success to his defensive line coach Jim Washburn. Now Washburn and Babin are reunited in Philadelphia and will look to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

I really like this signing as Babin is a guy I wanted the Eagles to get to help the pass rush. And although the value of the deal hasn't been released, I feel that the Birds got him for a relatively cheap price. Going into the season the Birds now have 2 pro bowler defensive ends. Look for the pass rush of Trent Cole and Jason Babin to open up the entire defense and pressure opposing quarterbacks into bad decisions.

And according to multiple reports, the Kevin Kolb trade could come within the next few hours. Stay updated to the blog for all your Eagles off season news and analysis.

Bring Back Andrews

According to multiple reports, the Giants and former Eagle offensive lineman Shawn Andrews will not agree to a new deal. Andrews will most likely be released by New York tomorrow and I think the Eagles should bring him back.

Even with the drafting of offensive lineman Danny Watkins, I still have my doubts about this offensive line. Bringing in Andrews would increase competition, and having a pro bowler as a guy who can step in if anyone gets injured is always a plus. Andrews also knows this offense and would have no problem readjusting with his former team.

Although it's unlikely, I feel the Eagles should at least consider bringing in the Big Kid. With Vick's aggressive style of play, protecting him is a top priority. Bringing in Andrews will at the very least give the Birds some depth.

If the Eagles could get Andrews at a relatively cheap price, I think they should do it. Andrews was a pro-bowler during his early years with the Eagles and he could still have something left in the tank.

Is Worley The Real Deal?

He's 7-1 with a 2.02 ERA and last night he threw his first career complete game against the San Francisco Giants but people still want him traded. Vance Worley, better known as the Vanimal, has been a pleasant surprise so far this year for the Phils and is a likely candidate for NL rookie of the year. But although he's been dominant this year, people (including myself) want to trade him for a bat. But should the Phils really trade a young pitcher on a starting rotation that isn't getting any younger?

It's still too early to tell whether or not Vance Worley is the real deal. He's only made 13 career starts and there's no telling how hitters will fare against him once they adjust. But you have to love what he's been able to do thus far and trading a number 3 or possibly even a number 2 guy for a bat could hurt the Phillies the remainder of this year and years to come.

“I’m not going out there thinking too much, I’m just throwing the pitches I have and it’s working out for me,” Worley said.

Attacking, plus the fact he has his own personal catcher could be the reason for his early success.“He stays with me and we’re having fun. What I like about him is he works fast. I can put a sign down and he’ll throw right away,” Brian Schneider said.

Vance has great stuff and a tremendous upside. If he continues to pitch at this high of a level then the Phils are going to have a tough time parting ways with the young righty.

I'm beginning to think the Phils should hold on to Worley but my mind keeps going back to J.A. Happ. Happ went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA for the Phils in 2009 and yet the Phils didn't hesitate in trading the lefty to the Astros in mid 2010. This year Happ is 4-12 with a 6.12 ERA. Could Vance be another Happ? Or is he the next Cole Hamels? Only time will tell.

NFL Lockout Over

Finally we can get back to football. As of today the NFL lockout is officially over and the new NFL year will officially begin on August 4th.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, teams will be able to sign their own free agents tomorrow at 10 AM as well as talk to other unrestricted free agents. Also according to Schefter's report teams can officially sign free agents on Friday at 6 PM.

In terms of reporting to training camp, teams will report on a staggered schedule. All teams will have 14 days before their first pre-season game.

The Eagles will report to training camp on Wednesday and reports are starting to come out that they could be interested in DE Ray Edwards.

We will have more on who the Eagles may sign and trade later. For now, just be glad football is back.

Drinking Played Factor In Carter & Richards Trade

Various Philly Sports websites such as crossingbroad, broad street hockey and many others are reporting that Richards and Carter's party life style may have played a factor in them both being traded.

According to crossingbroad, Laviolette had a "Dry Island" system in which players were asked to make a pledge to abstain from alcohol for a month during the season. Richards and Carter reportedly didn't participate.

The original report a Daily News article by Dan Gross, reports that news of Richards and Carter not taking Dry Island pledge soon reached GM Paul Holmgran. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"In a phone interview Thursday, Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren confirmed that Richards and Carter hadn't put their numbers on the board, but said there had been others who declined. "We carry 23 players and there wasn't 23 numbers up there."

These reports don't surprise me as I have been aware of Richards and Carter's drinking and partying life style for a few months now. Richards and Laviolette definitely had a strained relationship from the get go and Mike's unwillingness to participate in Dry Island could have been the final straw and ultimately landed him in Los Angeles.

As for Carter I personally saw him in Sea Isle earlier this summer surrounded by women on the beach. Something tells me they were most likely hitting the bars later that night, just a guess.

Richie and Carter were great players but if Laviolette or Holmgren felt that they were not totally committed to being team players and they were too preoccupied with partying, than trading them was the right move. Hopefully the trades will benefit the Flyers in the long run and not come back to hurt them.

Brown For Pence?

As the trade rumors continue to swirl, Domonic Brown's name is being tossed around with great frequency as a guy the Phillies may trade for Astros outfielder Hunter Pence. Someone who can relate to being traded to Houston is former Phillie Michael Bourn.

On November 7, 2007 the Phillies traded Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo to the Astros for Eric Bruntlett and Brad Lidge. In his first year with the Astros Bourn was a bit of disapointment. The young outfielder hit .229 with 5 HR and 29 RBI's. The next 2 seasons Bourn improved hitting .285 and and .265 in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Bourn made the All-Star team in 2010 and led the league in stolen bases in during those two years as well. Currently Bourn is hitting .298 and leads the league in steals with 37.

Is it possible that Dom Brown could be another Michael Bourn? I'm not suggesting that Bourn is a bad player but at the same time he is not a guy that you build your team around like a Chase Utley or Ryan Howard. People want to hold on to Brown because they think that he is a future franchise player, but is he? Let me drop some knowledge on you.

In his first 84 games Brown has hit .236 with 7 HR and 29 RBI's.

In Utley's first 84 games he hit .254 with 9 HR and 51 RBI's.

In Howard's first 84 games he hit .283 with 15 HR and 44 RBI's.

You have to take into consideration that Brown was called up at the age of 22 and Howard and Utley were both called up when they were 24. But still, people knew that Utley and Howard were undoubtedly the future of the franchise, and I'm just not so sure that Brown is a future All-Star like Howard and Utley.

Brown could possibly turn out to be another Michael Bourn who is in my mind a solid MLB player. He's not a star like a Hunter Pence, a guy that could come to the Phillies if the front office would only wake up and realize that their golden boy Dom Brown may not be that hot.

There is no telling how good Dom Brown will be. It is still way too early to tell and he could turn out to be the next big super star. But that's a risk I'm willing to take if in return you can get Hunter Pence who is young, proven, and will be here for at least 2 more years. I wouldn't trade him for a rental but I would trade him for a guy that is going to give you 2 more seasons at the prime of his career.

This is all speculation and I could go on all day about who the Phillies should trade and who they should keep. I just keep going back to the fact that the window of opportunity for this team to win another World Series is running out. If they are too concerned about the future, they may miss out on the chance to bring this city another parade down Broad Street.

The Pence Appeal

If you remember, I wrote an article back in late June proposing that the Phillies should be open to the idea of trading Domonic Brown for Hunter Pence. Now it seems that the trade I proposed could become a reality as reports are coming in that the Phils are interested in the Astros' outfielder. Although the Phillies would probably have to surrender a guy like Domonic Brown, take the following points into consideration.

Pence went to arbitration before the start of this season and was awarded 6.9 million. If the Phils were to somehow acquire Pence and are unable to reach a deal at the end of the year they still control him for the next 2 seasons as Pence will just go to arbitration in 2012 and 2013 and not become a free agent until 2014. According to brotherlyglove.com, "his arbitration salaries would probably end up at $9 million next year and $12 million in 2012." That is reasonable and the fact that he is controlled for the next 2 seasons makes him that much more desirable than Carlos Beltran.

Beltran is a free agent at the end of this year and his 2011 salary is somewhere in the neighborhood of 18.5 million. Simply put, the Phils don't have the money to resign Beltran and he is nothing more than a 3 month rental that will high tail it out of here once the season ends.

Although Pence doesn't have the same career success as Beltran, he is currently hitting .308 compared to Beltran's .291. And in my opinion Pence is much better in the field than Beltran.

Jim Salisbury of csnphilly.com has reported that to acquire Pence the Phils would most likely have to put together a package centered around Dom Brown and another prospect like Jonathan Singleton or Jarred Cosart.

Personally I would do the Dom Brown and Singleton/Cosart package for Pence in a heart beat. Pence will be here for the remainder of this season and the next 2 years. He is a proven major league All-Star and a guy that has hit 25 HR and 70 plus RBI's the past 3 seasons. I think that Dom Brown has an upside, but we are talking about a guy in Hunter Pence who maximizes your chances at a World Series this year and will be here for years to come.

Dom Brown has an upside no doubt. But I don't think that he has that big of an upside that the Phillies won't move him. He could be a .250 hitter the rest of his life and in the meantime the Phils should take advantage of his trade luster and get a proven guy in Hunter Pence.

Show Me The Money

Put yourself in Michael Vick's shoes for a second. He comes out of prison and the first thing he does is file for bankruptcy. His former team, the Atlanta Falcons, want nothing to do with him and after failed attempts to trade him, he is released. When it seems that all is lost the Eagles show interest and sign him to a 1 year deal worth about 1.6 million with a team option for a second year.

After a season on the sidelines in 2009, Vick put everything together last year. He climbed back to the top in a magnificent season that included incredible comebacks, flashy throws and scrambles, and of course a trip to the NFL post season. And just when he is regaining his footing in the league, the lockout happens and all off season workouts and mini camps are postponed. Devastating for all players but especially detrimental to a guy like Michael Vick who is still readjusting to the NFL and more importantly searching for that mega contract.

After earning 5.25 million last year, the Eagles applied the franchise tag to their star quarterback which means Vick will earn roughly 20 million this season. Basically this season is crucial to Vick because he desperately wants that long term deal.

Last year Vick put together a season of 3,018 passing yards, a rating of 100.2, and a completion percentage of 62.6 with 21 touchdowns. Rushing he accumulated 676 yards and 9 touchdowns in one of his best seasons ever. To make sure that he is the real deal, the Eagles tagged Vick so they have another season to see what he can do. In order to earn the big contract, Vick has to overcome the fact that there haven't been off season workouts, the fact that he hasn't had time to work on the offense, and overall he has to prove to this Eagles organization that he is the quarterback of the future.

Personally I feel that Vick is extremely motivated and that if he stays healthy, he can have an even better 2011 campaign. He wants to prove to everyone that he can still play, and a mega contract that keeps him in Philly for another 5-7 years and pays all his debts is pretty good motivation as well.

The Eagles want him here long term and I know Vick will be loyal to the only team that gave him a chance. Everything hinges on the upcoming season and whether or not Vick can repeat or top his amazing 2010 performance.

Who Should The Phils Get?

Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a long list of guys that the Phillies have reportedly been interesting in acquiring at the deadline. From Heath Bell to Carlos Beltran the Phils have been linked to a multitude of players from several teams. In case you're getting confused/frustrated with all of the rumors, here is a list (mostly from mlbtraderumors.com) of guys the Phils may add at the deadline.

Carlos Beltran: It's all over the radio, all over TV and it's been talked about on just about every sports web site. The Phils would definitely have to surrender some top prospects in exchange for Beltran. Vance Worley, Domonic Brown and others have been suggested in this deal.

Hunter Pence: I proposed this trade back in late June saying the Phils should be open to the idea of trading Domonic Brown to add Pence. The Phils have dealt with the Astros in the past and it would be great to add a guy like Pence who is hitting .316 with 11 HR and 61 RBI's. Last night during the game Jim Salisbury reported that Hunter Pence is the Phils top trade target. I will have more on the proposed Pence trade later as it seems to be gaining some steam.

Melky Cabrera: The former Yankee is currently playing for the Kansas City Royals where he is hitting .294 with 12 HR and 54 RBI's. Cabrera is cheap and the Phils probably wouldn't have to give up as much to get him. Also by electing to go after Cabrera the Phils could also try and go after another player like a relief pitcher.

Heath Bell: This trade has certainly lost a lot of steam. Last week Buster Olney reported that the Phils were front runners to land a San Diego reliever but in the past few days I haven't hear much surrounding this deal.

While there are still a ton of other guys being rumored as possible acquisitions, these are the main guys the Phils are looking to get. The next week is going to be filled all sorts of deals and I can't wait to see how it shakes out for the Phils.

The Beltran Conundrum

I keep going back and forth on this Beltran trade. Like Brett Favre contemplating retirement, I simply can't make up my mind. On one hand you add a bat with power, pop and overall a player who can make your team that much better. But on the other hand you're giving up a young starter in Worley with a starting rotation that isn't getting any younger. To help myself process the potential trade, I decided to write up the pros and cons of acquiring Beltran and possibly having to deal Worley.

Pros:

-Remember all the crap the Phillies front office got when they dealt J.A. Happ to the Astros last year? Happ went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 2009 and was 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA last year when the Phillies traded him. Happ was the lefty starty of the future with a huge upside. This year Happ is 4-11 with a 5.88 ERA and the Phils front office look like absolute geniuses. Could the same thing happen with Worley? Will hitters simply adjust? This is where the Phils scouts and talent evaluators will really have to step up. If they think Worley is a possible number 3 or 2 pitcher they should hold on to him. If however they think he is nothing better than a 4, I would do the Worley for Beltran trade in a heart beat.

-Beltran is hitting .293 with 15 HR and 61 RBI's this year. Putting him behind Ryan Howard in the lineup would open this offense up and give them endless possibilities. And when Beltran was traded to the Astros in 2004, he hit .430 with 8 HR and 14 RBI's in the 2004 post season. Simply put Beltran is a big time player who could maximize the Phillies' chances of winning the World Series.

-The Phils are in all likelihood going to make the playoffs. Once they reach the post season they don't need a 4th starter. The Phils used a 4th starter just once last year and could easily win the World Series with Halladay, Hamels and Lee.

Cons:

-Beltran is 34 years old and is extremely expensive. With Ryan Madson, Cole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins all awaiting extensions, there is no way they can re-sign Beltran at the end of the year. Basically Beltran would be a 3 month rental who would leave in November.

-The Phillies can do as much scouting and analysis on Worley as they want but at the end of the day nobody knows just how good this guy is. Will he end up like Happ? Or is he a potential ace? Only time will tell and the Phils would be taking a huge risk if they decided to trade the Vanimal.

-Who will be the Phils 4th if Vance leaves? Blanton? Oswalt? I have faith in neither and while the Phils can clearly get away with having Kendrick as their 4th, having Worley takes a ton of pressure off of the starting rotation. Plus Worley is a guy who can come out of the bullpen and I feel that the Phils need all the help they can get in terms of relief pitching.

At this point, I'm just glad I'm not in Ruben Amaro's position. Amaro and the Phillies front office are going to have some extremely tough decisions to make in the upcoming week. The Phils are going to make a move whether or not they decide to move a guy like Vance Worley remains to be seen.

Reports are starting to come in that the Phils are targeting Hunter Pence. Make sure you stay updated to the blog for all your Phillies deadline news.

Lidge Is Back, Hold Your Breath

Today the Phils sent Danys Baez to Triple AAA and activated closer Brad Lidge.

In all likelihood, Lidge will probably be eased into action as a set up man or mid reliever as he further attempts to get back to the big league level. Lidge has been sidelined all season with a rotator cuff injury.

I love Lidge and will never forget his magical 2008 season. But he is literally a toss up and I don't even think he knows how effective he will be. Hopefully Lidge can come back and just be a solid reliever and give this pen some consistency. I would not thrust him back into his role as closer. Charlie needs to take it easy at first just to get a gauge of where Lidge is at with his fastball especially.

With Lidge's activation comes the departure of Baez who will be greatly missed, but not really.

Some more good news came the Phils way as Roy Oswalt threw a simulated game today according to Steve Bucci of phillysportsdaily.com.

“I don’t feel any pain,” Oswalt said. “I can throw off my front side. Before I was throwing of my back side, just battling myself to get through the ball.” Oswalt has been sidelined since June 24th with back problems. This is definitely a good sign to see that Oswalt is feeling comfortable once again.

The Phils are finally starting to return to full health just in time for that early August push.

Phils Ready For Homestand

I like to make sports predictions, it's really fun. Like on Wednesday I predicted the Phils would rough up Ryan Dempster and they did just that exploding for 9 runs in their series finale victory.

I'm going to make a similar prediction for the Phils upcoming 10 game homestand. I think the Phils offense is going to explode during the homestand and average 6 plus runs a game. It's really not that bold of a predicition as the Phils have scored 86 runs in 15 games during the month of July or 5.73 runs a game.

During the homestand the Phils will take on the Padres, Giants and Pirates in what should be a great opportunity for the Phils to further expand their lead in the NL East. Late July is usually the time the Phils offense starts clicking and hopefully the Phils continue their hot play in the upcoming stretch of home games.

The Phils begin their homestand tonight against the Padres with Cole Hamels taking on Cory Luebke.

My Free Agency Wish List

All signs point to the NFL lockout ending sometime within the next few hours. When the lockout finally ends it's going to be a mad rush of trades and free agency acquisitions like we've never seen before. For the Eagles I want them be extremely active in trying to get value for Kolb and getting free agent talents that can put them over the top. Here is my free agency wish list for the Eagles.

Nnamdi Asomugha: Asomugha is going to be extremely pricy so I know he is a long shot. Still having Assante Samuel and Asomugha would give the Birds one of the best secondaries in the league and help out the young safeties on this team.

Albert Haynesworth: With his former coach Jim Washburn already on the team, Philadelphia may be an extremely appealing place for Haynesworth. Although he is not a free agent, the Redskins are reportedly interested in trading the defensive lineman or possibly even releasing him.

Jason Babin: Babin made the Pro-Bowl last year recording 12.5 sacks for the Tennessee Titans. Babin would also be rejoining his former coach Washburn and he could have a major impact on the Birds this season. Plus the Eagles could get him at a reasonably cheap price.

Plaxico Burress: I feel that Burress is an extreme long shot as the Eagles still have a ton of pressing needs to address before they even think about adding another wide reciever. But having Burress would make this already dangerous offense lethal and would help them out especially in the red zone. All reports I've heard so far is that the Eagles are not interested in Burress unless they could get him for next to nothing.

Ike Taylor: If the Eagles decide to shy away from the high priced Asomugha, Ike Taylor of the Steelers could be a great option. He is old which is a reason the Eagles may shy away from him.

Reggie Bush: I have hear multiple reports that Reggie Bush appeals to the Eagles. It makes sense as he is fast, versatile, and would be a great fit for this offense.

I know that the Eagles aren't going to get all of these guys, but if they go out and make the right moves, I feel that they can make and win the Super Bowl this year. The offensive is explosive, and the defense just needs a few tweaks here and there and the Birds should be set. Stay updated to the blog for more free agency and lockout news.

Beltran For Worley?

The MLB trade deadline rumors are beginning to swirl at a rapid pace. Everyday it seems like new trades and scenarios are proposed. Some are intriguing and others are just plain dumb.

One proposed trade that seems to have some truth to it is Carlos Beltran to the Phillies for prospects. The center piece of the Beltran deal would most likely be centered around Phils pitcher Vance Worley. The Phils would also probably have to part ways with another prospect like Jonathan Singleton or Jarred Cosart. I don't know too much about Singleton and Cosart as they are both minor leaguers and are still a few years away from making an impact at the major league level. The thing that worries me about the deal is possibly giving up Vance Worley.

While the verdict is still out on whether or not Worley is a star major league pitcher, I think the young righty has an extremely bright future and could have a huge impact on the Phils this season as they make their playoff push. Worley is currently 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 10 starts this year. With Blanton and Oswalt huge question marks I think the Phillies would be foolish to deal Worley for Beltran.

Having Beltran in the middle of the Phils lineup may seem appealing at first glance as he would make the Phils offense deadly. But when you're talking about dealing a possible ace for an outfielder rental, to me it just doesn't make sense. The Phils need that fourth starter in the playoffs, and I'm not confident in Roy Oswalt or Joe Blanton coming back and filling that role.

Among Cosart, Singleton and Worley the Mets are also reportedly interested in Domonic Brown. While I have approved moving Dom Brown in prior proposed trades, I would not move the young outfielder in this trade. The Phils won't have the money to re-sign Beltran at the end of the year and trading an outfielder of the future for a 2 month rental will hurt the Phils in the long run.

According to SI's Jon Heyman the Phils are the clear front runners to land the star outfielder. Adding Beltran to this already potent offense could possibly put the Phillies over the top. I just hope the Phils don't give up too much to acquire Beltran.

Will The Eagles Go After Haynesworth?

With the NFL lockout coming to an end, the Eagles are reportedly interested in acquiring defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth. New defensive lineman coach Jim Washburn worked with Haynesworth in Tenessee, and the two have a great relationship and enjoyed a lot of success together. Haynesworth credits a lot of his success to Washburn's brilliant coaching so in that regard Philadelphia would be a great fit for the controversial lineman. The Redskins have Haynesworth under contract for this season so the Eagles would probably have to give up a mid round draft pick as the Redskins reportedly aren't going to just release him.

The Eagles have also been linked to Tenessee defensive lineman Jason Babin who made the Pro Bowl last year recording 12.5 sacks for the Titans. Babin also credits his success to Washburn so he too would be extremely interested and excited to rejoing his former team and position coach.

If the Eagles could somehow acquire Babin and Haynesworth it would open up a ton of possibilities for this defense. It would take a lot of pressure off of Trent Cole who is usually double teamed. Cole would have a lot more opportunities to get to the quarterback and in turn would be more productive. Having Babin, Haynesworth and Washburn would also take a ton of pressure off of the linebackers and secondary both of which still need some upgrades before the season begins.

With a new defensive coordinator, the Eagles need to make defense a top priority once free agency begins. Go out and get Babin and Haynesworth which will in turn make this entire defense better.

Rubber Match In Chi-Town

As an avid baseball fan, to me there is nothing better than a day game at Wrigley Field. Having been to the historic stadium before, I know that a day game in Wrigley is one of the best traditions in all of baseball. And tomorrow afternoon, the Phils will take on the Cubs in what should be a very exciting finish to this series.

The Phils dropped the first game of the series as Roy Halladay had a rare bad outing. The mid-summer Chicago heat was clearly too much for Doc to handle as he left the game after just 4 innings with heat exhaustion. Roy gave up 3 runs and was replaced by Andrew Carpenter in the 5th. The lone run the Phils scored came from a Jimmy Rollins homerun in the 4th inning. The Phils managed a total of just 5 hits and eventually lost by a final of 6-1.

In Tuesday night's game, it looked as if the Phils offensive struggles were going to continue. Cubs' starter Matt Garza had the Phils off balance all night and the Phils were scoreless through the first 7 innings. On the mound Cliff Lee looked shaky in his first start since the All-Star break. Lee gave up 2 runs in the first but then managed to settle down afterwards going 6 innings. While the Phils couldn't solve Garza they did manage to handle Cubs' reliever Sean Marshall. In the 8th Chase Utley hit a 2 run double to tie the game at 2. The Phils then managed to take the lead in the 9th when Michael Martinez hit a 2 run double down the right field line. The ball ended up in the Phils bullpen and Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins both scored. Antonio Bastardo got the save and the Phils won the game 4-2 forcing a rubber match tomorrow afternoon.

Although Halladay and Lee didn't do awful in their starts, you have to wonder if the extra days rest did more harm than good. In my opinion I think that while the rest may not have benefited the two aces in this series, it will benefit the Phils down the road. Tomorrow should be a great rubber match as Vance Worley will get the start against Ryan Dempster. The Phils will go for their 8th consecutive series victory and look to end this road trip on a high note.

Win Now

It’s the year 2020. The core of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz and this fabulous pitching staff of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee are all gone. It’s a completely different team with completely different players, management and overall personnel. The Phillies are playing a home game against the Mets in a yet another beautiful opening day at Citizens Bank Park. The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the numerous white division title flags wave in the outfield breeze. But even though it is the year 2020, there are only two lone red World Series flags waving in the soft April breeze from 1980 and 2008. The Phillies went through their glory days of 2007 on and only came away with a World championship in 2008. They put together the mega pitching staff in 2011 but were unable to get over the hump once again. After 2011 they remained competitive making the playoffs every year and even making a few World Series appearances but were never able to bring home the parade.

In my opinion, if this Phillies team only comes away with the 2008 championship it will be a failure. Don’t get me wrong, 2008 was awesome as it finally brought this city its’ long awaited and well deserved championship. But when people look back and see that they only brought one parade to this city, won’t they look at it as a failure?

As of right now the Phils are certainly on pace to win another World Series. The starting pitching is outstanding, the offense has been solid, but I think if the Phils really want to win another title they have to make a move for a reliever at the deadline.

Flash back to 2009. It’s Game 4 of the World Series at home and the Phils and Yanks are tied at 4 in the 9th inning with Brad Lidge on the mound. Instead of maintaining the tie and giving the Phils a chance to win in the bottom of the inning, Lidge gave up 3 runs. The once close game quickly turned into a 7-4 affair in favor of the Yankees. New York goes onto win the game and takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. If Lidge doesn’t blow that lead who knows what happens. Maybe the Phils win and the series would have then been tied 2-2. Game 4 of 2009 was not the only instance in which bullpen lost post season games for the Phils.

Last year in Game 4 of the NLCS, the Phils had a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th with the Giants due up to bat. The bullpen gave up 3 runs in the final few innings and the Phils went on to lose by a final of 6-5 and the Giants went up 3-1 in the series. And in Game 6 it was all tied at 2 in the top of the 8th with Ryan Madson on the mound. Madson gave up a solo blast to Juan Uribe and the Giants won the game 3-2 and went on to win the World Series.

Flash forward to current day 2011. The relief pitching hasn’t improved much and I’m simply not sold on this bullpen. As good as Madson has been this year I don’t trust him in the clutch. Lidge is a toss-up as we could get 2008 Lights-out-Lidge or 2009 Close-your-eyes-and-start-praying-Lidge. Contreras injury leaves him as a huge question mark, Stutes and Bastardo are good but they have no experience. Who should I have confidence in, Juan Perez? Kyle Kendrick? This starting rotation is awesome but during the course of the playoffs they are going to start to wear down especially if they are going deep into games and going on 3-4 days rest.

The Phils need bullpen help. The bullpen has been good thus far, but will they be good enough in October? I had my doubts about the pen at the start of the season and I have my doubts even now. The Phils need a relief pitcher like Heath Bell who can come in and be that dominant closer or set up man. And just his presence alone will make this entire pen better. The Phillies should not hold anyone back when trying to acquire Bell or another reliever. Nobody should be labeled an “untouchable” especially when the Phils could acquire a guy who could put them over the hump.

I don’t feel that the Phils need offensive help because when everyone is healthy and September hits, the veterans on this team will flick that switch. The Phils will start putting up those huge 10 run games and everyone will forget about the Phils offensive inconsistency of the first half.

I say go for it all this year. Don’t hold back, don’t think about the future, think about winning now. Because if I’m sitting at opening Day in 2020 and there are still just two World Series Flags out in Ashbrun Alley, I’ll be pretty angry that the Phils didn’t do everything they possibly could to win another title.

Raul's Time To Shine

Raul Ibanez is proving to everyone that he still has a lot left in the tank. In his past 6 games (excluding today's debacle) he is hitting .380 with 4 HR and 14 RBI’s enough to earn him NL Player of The Week honors last week. Overall on the season Ibanez is hitting .244 with 13 HR and 48 RBI’s and he has made some dazzling defensive plays in the outfield.

But with Raul’s age of 39, a growing payroll, and the need to sign guys like Hamels, Madson and Rollins, in all likelihood this will be Raul’s final year in Philadelphia. With that in mind Raul is clearly seizing his opportunity and cherishing his time with this club.

Raul has never won a World Series so he is definitely going to give the Phils his all in the second half and try to lead them to the promised land. If Ibanez can step up and be the player he was in 2009 when he hit .272 with 34 HRs and 93 RBI's the Phils may not have to worry about acquiring another bat. Raul has the ability to be an All-Star outfielder and hopefully his hunger and to win a World Series and overall talent will benefit the Phils greatly in the second half.

NFL Lockout Almost Over?

The reports coming from the NFL lockout have been very positive during the past few weeks and it seems that the two sides are very close to reaching a deal. Today the NFL and the NFLPA issued this statement:

"The discussions this week have been constructive and progress has been made on a wide range of issues. Our legal and financial teams will continue to work through the weekend. We will continue to respect the confidentiality orders of Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan and will therefore refrain from commenting on specific issues or aspects of the negotiations. We will provide additional information as developments in this process continue."

According to Gregg Rosenthal of profootballtalk.com the only two issues that reamain are:

-The settlement details of the litigation,
-Player safety issues related to the offseason

Both sides will continue to communicate throughout the weekend and all through out next week. and a deal could be finalized as early as Thursday.

Mayberry Or Brown?

With Shane Victorino on the DL, both Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. have seen their playing time increase drastically. Both have done a solid job filling in and they seem to be heating up and finally reaching their full potential.

But Shaner is scheduled to return on Tuesday against the Cubs, so who will be the odd man out once Victorino returns?

First the numbers. Domonic Brown is currently hitting .252 with 5 HR and 16 RBI's. But in his last 10 games Brown has risen his average from .208 to .252 and has a homer and 5 RBI's during that time. Brown is starting to heat up and with the trade dead line approaching the Phils may want to showcase the youngster if they intend to move him.

John Mayberry is currently hitting .244 with 5 HR and 19 RBI's. But like Brown in his last 13 games Mayberry has 3 HR and 9 RBI's and has risen his average from .219 to .244. Mayberry is also a right-handed bat which gives him an advantage over Brown.

Right now it's really too close to call. Both players are swinging a hot bat and the Phils want to showcase them to other teams with the trade deadline fast approaching. In all likelihood the Phils will probably go with a platoon in right field with Mayberry and Brown.

With the trade rumors already beginning to swirl around the Phils interest in Heath Bell and other San Diego relievers, either Brown or Mayberry may be a goner by the end of the month. But for now enjoy the Brown and Mayberry show as they are two young players with very bright futures.

Sixers Allen To Play In France

Well at least one of the Sixers young guys understands the importance of playing during the lockout. According to an AP article, Sixers newcomer Lavoy Allen will be playing for Strausborg IG in the French professional league during the NBA lockout. His contract includes an opt-out clause which means that when the lockout is lifted, he can come back to the states and begin his NBA career with the Sixers. Lavoy is constantly looking to work on his game and this opportunity in France should be a great way for him to work on becoming an NBA player. As a second round draft pick, Allen is not garunteed a contract and so he must do everything he can to improve his game and try to make the team.

“I’ve pretty much improved at every aspect of my game,” Allen said. “I’m a completely different player from the last game of the tournament to now. When I went to my draft workouts the teams saw how much better I was than the last time they saw me. I have a stronger body. I’m in better shape. I have a sharper mind and I keep improving.”

In terms of the language barrier, Lavoy is not too worried. "I don’t really have any fears, I guess the language barrier, but I talked to my old high school coach and he said he’ll hook me up with some French teachers to teach me the language a little bit.”

I can't stress enough the importance of playing everyday especially for the young guys. The young guys need to be focused on staying in shape and constantly look for different ways to improve their game. Lavoy understands the importance of continuing to play even during the lockout and is embracing this opportunity to play overseas.

“But I’m still going to be playing basketball, which is something I love to do. It gives me a chance to experience a new culture. It’s more of a chance for me to become a man and mature, and I’m ready to take on that challenge.”

Best of luck to Lavoy as he is scheduled to head over to France sometime in mid-August. All signs point to a long lockout so hopefully once play resumes Lavoy will come back an even better player ready to make this Sixers team.

Lockout Especially Bad For Young Sixers

The NBA lockout is bad for all teams because teams can’t hold work outs, mini camps, and can’t do a lot of the things that a team needs to do to get prepared for the regular season.

The lockout is especially detrimental to a young team like the Sixers who need the offseason to continue to grow and develop into a winning squad. Things like the summer league that the Sixers would typically utilize to scout and develop their young players, is unavailable due to the lockout. Even worse is the fact that Doug Collins is unable further implement his system and winning philosophy during off season workouts and camps that would typically be mandatory.

The Sixers looked hot at the end of last season and were looking forward to a summer filled with hard and work and dedication to becoming even better. Now this young Sixers team is forced to sit on the sidelines and wait this thing out with the rest of the league as the two sides attempt to agree on a deal.

We can only hope that the young guys on this team realize the importance of playing everyday. Whether it’s going to the gym and getting up 200 plus shots a day or getting involved in some type of summer league, all of these guys especially Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday need to consistently playing the game.

If I were one of the young guys I would hire a personal trainer/coach if possible a former player that could help out with conditioning as well as becoming a better player. If anyone takes a long period of time off away from the game, they could end up extremely rusty and out of shape when and if play resumes.

The Big Bad Bryz

The Flyers dedicated their offseason to goaltending and in doing so acquired Ilya Bryzgalov, an elite goalie from the Phoenix Coyotes. Here is a quick little bio on the new Flyers starting goalie.

Bryzgalov burst onto the NHL scene in 2005 with the Mighty Ducks after years in the minors. Ilya appeared in 31 games in 2005 boasting a record of 13-12 and a GAA of 2.55. In 2006-07 Bryzgalov followed with an even better 10-8 record and a 2.44 GAA in 27 games. But during his time in Anaheim, Bryzgalov was a backup to Jean-Sébastien Giguère. When Giguere signed a 4 year extension with Anaheim in 2007, the Ducks attempted to trade the Bryz but eventually just placed him on waivers.

The Phoenix Coyotes swept him up early in 2007-08 and Bryzgalov went on to have 4 very successful seasons where he averaged 33 wins per season. Bryzgalov helped the Coyotes earn the 4th seed in 2009-10 season. His 42 wins were enough to get him voted to the All-Star game. Last season the Coyotes made the playoffs again this time as the 6th seed where they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Overall in his 4 years in Phoenix, the Bryz recorded 25 or more wins and had a GAA under 3.

Bryzgalov was an outstanding goalie on a mediocre team and I can’t wait to see how he fares on an elite team like the Flyers. Playing behind veteran defenders Kimo Timmonen, Chris Pronger, and Braydon Coburn should help the already talented net minder.

Bryzgalov is clearly embracing his new job as Flyers starting goalie. "I want to be the guy who can carry this team,” said Bryzgalov. “I want to help this team win the Stanley Cup because people in Philadelphia and the organization have waited long enough.”

He knows what’s at stake and he knows what the fans of Philadelphia want. They want a guy who can carry them back to the promised land and finally bring this city a long awaited Stanley Cup title.

State Of The Phillies

In our final installment of State Of The Phillies we take a look at the Phils as an overall team. In the first half the Phils have accomplished a lot mainly because of their ability to come together.

The great teams are the ones that when faced with obstacles and adversary find ways to not only adjust but to flourish. And so far this 2011 season, the Phillies have overcome countless obstacles and guys have stepped up when called upon. The Phils have won some big series and they have beaten the best of opponents. At 57-34 the Phils are doing more than just taking care of business as they continue to be the best team in baseball.

This veteran club is fueled with a deep desire to play in October but at the same time they know the importance of taking care business during the regular season. While a lot of the veterans on this team have their sights set on another World Series title they also know that in order to even reach the post season they have to win in the regular season.

I can’t stress enough the importance of guys stepping up in place of injured players. Ryan Madson stepped up as closer, Antonio Bastardo stepped up as lefty specialist, John Mayberry and Dom Brown are beginning to come around, and Vance Worley and Kendrick are filling in nicely in the starting rotation. All the pieces are coming together and the Phils continue to thrive as a team.

As great as the first half was for the Phils, the scary part is I think we have yet to see what this team is fully capable of. They have never been fully healthy so far and I feel that the offense has yet to hit it’s full stride. I think that once mid-August to early September hits we will be able to get a true feel for just how far this team is capable of going. But for now let’s kick back and relax and watch this team do work once play resumes on Friday.

State Of The Phillies: Pitching

In this feature of State Of The Phillies, we take a look at the pitching, both the bullpen and starting rotation to see how they have held up during the first half.

In terms of the starting rotation we have 3 starting pitchers in the All-Star game in Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay. All three could very easily be 20 game winners and they are all likely candidates for the NL Cy Young Award. The starting pitching has overcome injuries to Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton with great performances from newcomer Vance Worley and veteran Kyle Kendrick. Both have done a tremendous job of simply giving their team a chance to win. I can’t say enough about this starting rotation especially Lee, Hamels and Halladay. They are all pitching at an extremely high level and they are a huge part of the Phillies first half success.

As for the bullpen guys like Michael Stutes, Antonio Bastardo, Juan Perez have been huge in the absence of Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras and Brad Lidge. And when the Phils cut ties with JC Romero, Antonio Bastardo stepped in like it was his job all long. Although the Phillies bullpen is young, the guys come together and find ways to get it done. And the youthful bullpen could be a huge asset for the Phils come October.

Before the start of this season, Ruben Amaro Jr. invested a ton of money in the pitching and boy has it paid off. Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Cole Hamels are dominating while the youthful bullpen seems to be working even without key members. I look forward to the second half to see how many 20 game winners the Phils produce, and how much the bullpen will be able to grow before postseason begins.

State Of The Phillies: Offense

The first half of the season for the Phillies has been a time of sheer dominance. Through the ups and downs of the offense, the Phillies have rallied behind their fantastic starting pitching and have catapulted themselves to the best team in all of baseball. The All-Star break is upon us and I thought it would be appropriate to do a little state of the Phillies Address. I broke my analysis down into the 3 categories of offense, pitching, and overall team that will be featured on the site over the course of the next few days.

First up is the Phils offense. While many feel that the offense needs another bat to get over them over the hump, I feel that offense is fine and really starting to hit it’s stride. In the absence of Placido Polanco and Shane Victorino, young guys like Michael Martinez, Domonic Brown, and John Mayberry Jr. are really coming up big. The return of Chase Utley also helped this offense big time. And in comparison to last year, the offense is doing just about the same according to this article posted on philliesnation.com the other night.

The offense has done its job and has produced two 11 game winners in Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, and a 9 game winner in Cliff Lee. More importantly they have found ways to win and have accumulated a record of 57-34. Individually the only guy hitting .300 or better is Shane Victorino who has a .303 average. While that may be a red flag to some, to me it is a promise of what is to come. Once late July and early August hit guys like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley always tend to heat up. If we have a 3 game lead in first place with just one guy hitting .300, just imagine how much our lead is going to expand once these guys really heat up.

The offense has and will continue after the break to get the job done. People just need to relax and have faith that the veterans on this team will come through. My only hope is that the offense shows up come October.

Phillies Offensive Party

I think it's safe to say the offense came alive today. After Saturday's disappointing 1 run game in which the Phils mustered just 6 hits, today the Phils absolutely exploded for 14 runs and 20 hits.

The 1-4 of Rollins, Martinez, Utley and Howard dominated the game combining to go 11-19 with 2 RBI's. In the 5 hole, Raul Ibanez exploded for 6 RBI's capped off by a 3 run blast in the bottom of the 8th. Johny Mayberry went 3-5 with 3 doubles and 4 RBI's. Domonic Brown also had a 3 hit game and Michael Martinez went 4-5 in the 2 hole.

On the mound Cole was able to earn his 11th win of the year by keeping the Braves hitters off balance all day. After giving up a run in the second due to an error by Ryan Howard, Cole really settled down and finished with a line of 8 innings and 1 earned run. Cole improved to 11-4 on the year and dropped his ERA to 2.32. Braves starter Derek Lowe suffered the loss even though he tossed a pretty solid game. Lowe went 6 and gave up 4 while the bullpen of Cory Gearrin and Scott Proctor managed to allow 10 runs in just 2 innings of work.

While a series sweep would have been ideal, putting a 14-1 hurting on the Braves in the series finale is always fun. Now the Braves will be forced to contemplate this series defeat and embarrassing finale while the Phils can kick back and enjoy their 3.5 game lead over the break.

It was huge for the Phillies to buckle down this weekend and finish the first half of the season strong. The Braves were red hot coming into this series, and the Phillies did an awesome job of showing them who's boss in the NL East. While I'm extremely pumped by the Phils position of first place in all of baseball, I'm even more excited by their ability to beat other high caliber teams. They beat Boston, St. Louis and now they have beaten the Braves.

While people continue complain about the offense and try to campaign for another bat the Phils remain the best team in baseball. And the Phils were able to win a crucial series this weekend without Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco two members of their everyday lineup who were out with injuries. Guys are stepping up and the Phillies are coming together as a true team. Stay updated to the blog for a complete summary and analysis on the first half of the season.

Rubber Match Set For Sunday

Riding the momentum of Raul Ibanez's walk-off homerun, the Fightin' Phils came into today's game ready to pound the Braves and go up 2-0 in the playoff like series. And with Cliff Lee scheduled to start, the Phils chances at winning the series looked extremely bright.

Lee continued his hot stretch at home by mowing down the Braves in the first few innings. Through the first 4 innings Lee faced just 13 batters only surrendering a single to Alex Gonzalez in the first. Lee was dominant on the mound and even more so at the plate. In the bottom of the third, Lee blasted the 10th pitch of his at-bat into the seats in right-center to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. For Lee it was his first career HR but it would unfortunately be the lone run of the day for the Phils.

Braves starter Tommy Hanson locked down after the Lee HR and finished the day pitching 7 innings only surrendering 1. In the 5th, the Braves knotted things at 1 when Dan Uggla homered to left. Neither sides scored in the remainder of the game and for the second straight day, the game headed into extra innings. Eventually the Braves got to young reliever Michael Stutes by roughing him up for 3 runs to give them a commanding 4-1 lead. Unable to respond in the bottom of the inning the Phils lost the second game of the series setting up tomorrow's rubber match.

Basically if it weren't for a lucky Cliff Lee swing the Phils would have gotten blanked. Aside from the Lee homer, the Phils managed just 5 hits which is unaccaptable in such a crucial series. In their defense they were facing one of the best pitchers in the game, but they still need to play small ball and find ways to win even against a top notch pitcher. The 1-4 of Rollins, Mayberry, Utley and Howard went a combined 1-18 in today's game, the only hit being Mayberry's double in the 6th. Rollins, Utley and Howard the veterans and motors of this offense were non-existent today and need to figure things out for tomorrow.

Defensively Lee was great pitching 8 giving up just 1, and the bullpen of Bastardo and Perez were dominant once again. Although Stutes gave up 3 runs in the 11th, I can't get too mad as he has recently been outstanding in relief.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Phils have the opportunity to still win this series and still head into the All-Star break with a 3.5 game lead over the Braves. In the all important finale it will be Cole Hamels going up against Derek Lowe.