Are Phils Sellers?

The Phillies lost 4-3 to the Dodgers Monday in Philadelphia.  They dropped to 28-28 on the year.  5-5 in their last 10.  Last place.  4 Games Back.

The Phils are within striking distance of 1st, yet don't appear, by any stretch, about to storm the hill.

They are, well, mediocre, unproven.  A story waiting to be told.

What if...?

Halladay comes back and looks like himself.  Howard comes back and makes the difference.  Utley rebounds into unlikely, heroic folklore glory.

GM Amaro Jr. can't be sleeping well these days

What if, instead, the Phils bases loaded hopes continue to rest on the shoulders of journeymen like Ty Wigginton and Hector Luna?

According to ESPN this week, the Phillies are presently the 16th best team in baseball-- out of 30.  Middle of the road.

With the injury to Halladay, rumors are flying about how the Phillies are going to be sellers at the trade deadline for the first time since 2006.

In '05, Future Hall of Fame 1B Jim Thome went on the DL and Howard emerged, winning Rookie of The Year.  Today, both Thome and Howard play for the Phils and both 1B reside on the DL.

The next year, '06, the Phils unloaded payroll at the trade deadline, since everyone had written them off as 'in need of rebuilding.'  Notably, stars Bobby Abreu (OF) and Rheal Cormier (RP) were sent packing.

However, Ryan Howard led the team to within an inch of the playoffs, willing them the best 2nd half record in baseball and winning the '06 MVP.

The next year, '07, Rollins won MVP and the Phils won their 1st of 5-straight division titles, highlighted by '08's World Series win and '11's club-best 102 regular-season victories.

So, is the sports world correct that the Phils will be unloading high-salary dead weight at the trade deadline, looking to rebuild?  Are you kidding?

A few months after setting the franchise mark for regular season wins and attendance, there is no way these Phils are built for anything but victory.

But can they fulfill that promise?

Manuel relieves Blanton and Phils fans

Cliff Lee still has no wins this season.  Utley-Howard have combined for 0 AB.  Mayberry Jr. is on-pace for 6 HR and 32 RBI FOR THE YEAR.  Rollins is batting .242.  Victorino .247.  Joe Blanton may be flipping burgers next year, after surrendering 25 runs on 37 hits in his last 19 2/3 innings.  (That's 2 hits an inning!)

Monday's Game 1 of a 4-game homestand against the dreaded Dodgers, consisted of no Matt Kemp or James Loney in the starting lineup.  Instead, Ivan DeJesus Jr., whose dad won the World Series with the '80 Phils and Bobby Abreu, who was one of the key players moved during the Phils '06 salary unload, appeared for the Dodgers.

Instead of Howard, the Phils platooned 2 1B in 1 game, Wigginton and Hector Luna, who were a combined 0-for-5 with an improbable 4 strikeouts.

It was a bit like a strike year scab match.

Charlie Manuel again used Papelbon in a non-save situation and Papelbon, so brilliant as a closer this year, again stank in a win-opportunity.

The highlight of the game was middle relievers Antonino Bastardo and Joe Savery acing the 5th-8th innings, S.O. 6 and allowing no runs.

Joseph Cain Savery has had an unorthodox journey.

In '09, Savery went 16-6 as a minor league starter, shining in AA.

In '10, he went 1-12, giving up 51 walks in 127.1 innings in AAA.

During the '10 off-season Savery was converted into a hitter in the hope that he could recapture his collegiate success as a position player.

In '11, Savery batted .307 for Clearwater. He was later promoted to AA, then AAA, where he was once again converted to a pitcher, but this time a relief pitcher. He compiled a dominant 1.80 ERA with 2 saves and an impressive 25/6 S.O./BB ratio in 25 innings.

He began the '12 season with the Major League Phils for the 1st time in his career.

Monday was the most outs he has recorded in 1 Major League game.  His teaming with Bastardo for shutout middle relief was a good sign for ailing Charlie Manuel, who was forced to bat Hector Luna (career 14 HR in 761 AB) at cleanup Sunday in the rubber match vs. the Marlins due to abounding injuries.

For the Phils, it has to get better.

It seemed to Friday against Miami.  The Phils improved to 28-25 and moved to just 2 1/2 games out of first place.  It seemed so easy, too easy, maybe.

Chooch is enjoying a career year

Cole Hamels (8-1 at the time) was pitching Saturday's game with a chance to step over the red-hot Marlins and clinch the series.

It was not to be.  3 losses later and the Phils are 28-28, .500, a clean slate, 4 GB of 1st and the Wild Card.

Waiting for something great.  Waiting for someone not named "Chooch" or "Cole" to do something spectacular.  Waiting for the return of Mr. September.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told csnphilly.com early last week that Howard was unlikely to return in June.

Howard said Friday on his website, RyanHoward6.com, that "rehab is going very well." He said that he's been hitting in simulated games and that his leg is getting a lot stronger.

We'll see.  Is this the 'fork in the road' that leads to the next lap ahead or is it the 'fork in the road' as in it's time to put a fork in this leg of the franchise, because it's cooked?

One thing is for certain: the sports world can hold onto their hats and exhale.  These Phils aren't sellers.  Reuben Amaro and co. aren't ready to relinquish their 'King of the Hill' crowns just yet.

They've played 56 games, with 106, approximately 2/3 of the season, left to play. 

This season is still theirs to write.

Tuesday 7:05 PM ET

Dodgers: Billingsley (2-4, 4.09 ERA)

(34-21, 13-12 away)

at

Phillies: Lee (0-2, 3.00 ERA)

(28-28, 12-16 home)