Phils Moving Backward

OF Domonic Brown represents the Phils future.

The Phils are in talks to trade Domonic Brown today.

Haven't the Phils heard the phrase "You can never repeat the past?"  Does the organization need 300 copies of the classic novel "The Great Gatsby"-- or perhaps the Cliff Notes or at least a group screening of the latest movie version-- or even its trailer?

The 2013 offseason is one of the most critical and highly anticipated in team history.  Clearly, the Phils are at a crossroads.  They were World Series champions in 2008 and NL Champs in 2009 amidst 5 years of consecutive division titles. Four seasons of decline later, they are a team seeking a reboot.  

If 2012 showed anything, it demonstrated behind the long strong legs of Domonic Brown that the team has been giving up too quickly on homegrown talent in favor of aging free agent additions.  For years, Brown was held back and demoted because he was reportedly "not ready."  Well, once enough of a hole in the outfield forced the team's hand to give him a sustained look due to lack and desperation, Brown strode long and far, capturing an All-Star birth and MLB Player-of-the-Week honors.  

It seemed the Phils were finally acknowledging their future would be paved behind the bat of Brown and the arm of Hamels, two players with tremendous upside potential for years to come.

Then, oddly, the team took a giant step backward-- literally and figuratively on Tuesday.

As if defiantly refusing to accept reality, they resigned OF Marlon Byrd to a 2-year deal.  Reality is that the addition of Placido Polanco at the twilight of his career was a horrible mistake, especially when Adrian Beltre, among others, was available at 3B and would prove incomparably more productive. 

The team parted ways with Polanco at the height of his career in 2005 to make room for young, dynamic, harder-hitting 2B Chase Utley, then claimed him again in 2010 at age 35, making him their 3B.

The decision was a foolish one.  Amaro Jr, brought Polanco back because he was 'one of our own', making a loyalty, heart decision over rational intellect.

Reality was he had passed his prime, was coming off his career worst year and was injury-ridden when they signed him the second time.

CUT TO: Marlon Byrd.

Byrd is 36 and, at best and if healthy, a 20 HR 70 RBI guy.  Can he contribute?  Absolutely.  Is he a piece that takes the organization forward?  Not at all.

What's the old adage?  If you're not moving forward, you're going backward.  Baseball moves are less moving sidewalk and more stick shift with no brakes at the top of a S.F. hill.

Identical to with Polanco, the team parted ways with Byrd in 2005.  Byrd was drafted and developed by the Phillies. He was their 10th rounder in 1999, debuted for the Phillies in the bigs in 2002 and was with them until he was traded to the Nationals in 2005.

The difference is that Polanco has been a multi-batting title/MVP/World Series contender and an anomaly in the field as a multi-position Gold Glove winner.  Byrd has... well, been pretty good with the bat, but nothing great.  He's a better player than his 3 for 43 (.070) '12 start for the Cubs,  but not nearly as good as his '13 postseason for the Pirates: .364/.391/.591 with two doubles, a homer and five RBI in six games.  His 2013 was an admirable comeback year for the aging journeyman: .291/.336/.511 with 35 doubles, 24 homers, 88 RBI and 75 runs.  Counting on more of the same is playing with fire.

Can you honestly even say that starting him in RF instead of 27 year-old Darin Ruf (284 at-bats, 17 HR), which this move signals, is a clear upgrade?    

Ruf and his big swing just got indefinitely benched.

The Phils signing Byrd at 36 says oodles about how they see their chances in the coming 2 years he just signed for.  It's surprising, because with a massive TV deal looming, the revenue is available for a better, bigger name.  For $16 Million, Byrd certainly comes cheaper and for less years than anyone, including OF Nelson Cruz, who the team was courting until they found out his demand was more than they felt this team was worth investing in at this time.

This is not a visionary move, it's a soft and safe one.  It's not big or multi-year, but it also doesn't clearly make the team significantly better now or contribute to a progressive, building toward the future state of being.  It's literally and figuratively a step backward.

The Phils are also pursuing Rays' pitching ace David Price. The Rays seek Domonic Brown and others in return.

The Phils are also bent on adding free agent veteran catcher AJ Pierzynski if talks to retain Carlos Ruiz fall through.  Pierzynski is know as one of the least likable players in MLB: "Everyone wants a villain," A.J. Pierzynski said. "Look at what LeBron James has gone through the past few years. My teammates get the best kick of it. When we go to Oakland, Anaheim, San Francisco, Minnesota, Cleveland, I get loud boos. Guys on my team can't wait to see that and to hear that."  

Like Byrd, he is 36.  Pierzynski is a 15 year veteran who spent last season with Texas, where he hit .272 with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs.

The Phils have invested steadily in their arms of late with multi-year, humongous deals to Hamels, Lee and Papelbon.   Their most recent mega free-agent signing to a position player, however, was 2003 in 1B Jim Thome.

If they do trade Brown for Price, it will merely continue that trend, while overlooking their perennially decreasing offensive productivity, which has directly paralleled their steady fall in the standings and the team's annual decline in playoff hopes.  

In late breaking news, the Phils are deep in talks with the Blue Jays regarding a blockbuster deal swapping All-Star outfielders Brown (26 years-old) and Jose Bautista (33 years-old), who is one of the game's best power hitters when healthy.  However, Bautista has just finished his 2nd-straight season with a season-ending injury.  Reportedly, the Phils would have to throw in Darin Ruf, as well, to complete the deal.

#phillies GM Ruben Amaro deep in serious talks w #bluejays to acquire OF Jose Batista. Can also play 3rd. Phils would deal OF Dom Brown plus

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) November 13, 2013

Deleting Brown from their outfield at this point would make absolutely no sense.  

The Phils discarded OF Pat Burrell after they won the '08 title with him and he promptly won one with SF.  They got rid of Hunter Pence and he won one with SF.  Finally, they parted ways with Shane Victorino and he won the 2013 World Series with Boston.  There may be high hopes for former Phillies outfielders, but it's a tide the Phils would do well to hem, not fuel when it comes to Brown, who offered much of whatever highlights they hold from 2013.