OT: Philadelphia Phillies (MLB): Wheels and Sarge out.

[FLYguy3911]

Michael Martinez?? He's in Pittsburgh

No. Harold. Played in Clearwater last year. Played at the University of Miami. Had a huge sophomore season and hasn't shown the same power since. Showed some signs of life playing everyday after Franco moved up to Reading. Not enough power or patience to be anything more than a filler at this point. Probably starts in AA this year.

 

[zarley zelepukin]

Also, Mikael Franco was told that he will primarily play 1st this year.

Because Howard is locked in for 3 years, lets waste this kid in the minors until they need a 1st baseman.

The sheer stupidity that surrounds this team is unbelievable. This team will be one of the worst for 5-10 years.

Amaro chimed in and said that wasn't the case. He says Franco will play some 1B but will still primarily play 3B this year.

 

[Hiesenberg]

Amaro chimed in and said that wasn't the case. He says Franco will play some 1B but will still primarily play 3B this year.

Odd, it was Franco who told a writer this. So somebody is incorrect.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

Odd, it was Franco who told a writer this. So somebody is incorrect.

Either way I don't see the problem. Now is the time to see if he can play both corners of the infield. If he can replace Howard in a couple years and we have someone else to take over third, there's no issue. It's not like playing games at first base is all of the sudden going to turn him into a scrub.

 

[JDinkalage Morgoone]

I'm so glad Michael Martinez is in Pittsburgh, although that's still closer to the Phillies than I want him to be.

 

[Hiesenberg]

Either way I don't see the problem. Now is the time to see if he can play both corners of the infield. If he can replace Howard in a couple years and we have someone else to take over third, there's no issue. It's not like playing games at first base is all of the sudden going to turn him into a scrub.

It devalues him though. Having a power hitting 3rd basemen and young is very very valuable.

Turning him into a 1st baseman, where most people have decent power, makes him a run of the mill ordinary player.

Unless he hits .300 and 40 hrs in the MLB, then he'll be in a different tier, but if he's a 3rd baseman that plays decent 3rd (which I think he is, low range, but has a cannon) and can hit .270 and 25-28 HRs, that puts him into a top tier of 3rd baseman.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Odd, it was Franco who told a writer this. So somebody is incorrect.

Franco doesn't speak perfect English. It could have been misinterpreted.

 

[zarley zelepukin]

Franco doesn't speak perfect English. It could have been misinterpreted.

That was my thought as well.

I don't have a problem with him getting reps at 1B. I'm sure he'll play there in the majors at least a little bit while we still have Howard. I'm glad the team isn't making the change permanently though. His bat is much more valuable at 3B than 1B.

 

[Chinatown88]

Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 42s

#Phillies have, indeed, reached agreement on a minor league deal with Bobby Abreu, source confirms.

 

[Phileeguy]

Ruben is actively trying to get fired methinks.

 

[JDinkalage Morgoone]

Oh wow. Ruben is doing very well.

 

[zarley zelepukin]

Bobby Abreu circa 2004 is exactly the kind of player this team needs. But Bobby Abreu circa 2014 probably won't make the team.

 

[The Couturier Effect]

BOBBY ABREU!?!?

 

[FLYguy3911]

I thought that was a joke. Ruben is out of his skull. How long can he keep his job?

Even if he can still hit, it's the NATIONAL LEAGUE!!!

 

[FlyersFan61290]

Oh wow. Ruben is doing very well.

Yup, clock is ticking.

 

[cheesesteakarmor]

Worst part about having Abreu back with the team? No more Harry to call his name.

"Bobby A-brey-u!"

 

[Chinatown88]

Todd Zolecki ‏@ToddZolecki 1m

The Phillies and LHP Antonio Bastardo have avoided arbitration, agreeing to 1-year, $2 mil contract, which includes performance bonuses.

 

[FLYguy3911]

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=110029

 

[JDinkalage Morgoone]

So Bobby... hmmmm.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

Did Abreu ever get busted for roids? I don't remember. I'm a little shocked about the signing, but if its just a minor league deal with ST invite, I'm not too worried. If he can still hit he could be OK coming off the bench or DH for interleague play (or trade to AL at deadline if he's playing well).

 

[cheesesteakarmor]

Did Abreu ever get busted for roids? I don't remember. I'm a little shocked about the signing, but if its just a minor league deal with ST invite, I'm not too worried. If he can still hit he could be OK coming off the bench or DH for interleague play (or trade to AL at deadline if he's playing well).

Nope, put up good/great numbers at the plate. Considered soft in the field.

 

[JDinkalage Morgoone]

I'm not worried about Abreu seeing a lot of playing time, it's just that this is such a weird move and makes me think that Ruben is either trying to get fired, or has run out of ideas to the point that he's trying to construct the 2004 Phillies. At least they were on the rise back then, maybe he thinks getting the same players will mean that!

 

[Beef Invictus]

When I first read the tweet up there, I thought it was a joke. I now see it's serious.


Why? Just, why?

 

[Taijuan Fedotov]

RAJ must have the world's first time machine in his possession.

 

[The Couturier Effect]

@magelb
Phillies used 18 position players in 2004. Just five are still active in baseball. All five are Phillies property.