Hamels Wins & Watches His Stock Rise

Hamels looked trade-ably good Monday.

Cole Hamels won his first game of the season, Carlos Ruiz went 4-for-4 and the Phillies came from behind to hand the St. Louis Cardinals only their 2nd home loss of the year.  The First Place Cardinals fell to 12-6, while the Phils moved into a tie for Third Place in the NL East.

The Phils trailed 1-0 at the end of 6 innings, but plated 3 in the 7th inning and one more in the 9th to win it 4-1.  Cole Hamels (1-2, 3.19 ERA) walked 4, but S.O. 9 in 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and just the 1 run.

Hamels had plenty of motivation to shine.  He has been vocal about his desire to be traded to a contender.  The Phillies, meanwhile, have been steadfast in their demands for top-notch prospects in exchange for the premier lefty.  Consequently, Hamels best shot at being traded has been that a contending team's need grows, likely in the form of an injury to a key starting pitcher, which would force that team to give up more than they otherwise might to get him.

Well, that just happened times 2.

Before Monday's game in St. Louis, the Cardinals announced that starting pitcher Adam Wainwright will miss the entire rest of the season due to a torn Achilles ankle injury he suffered while batting on April 25th. 

Losing Wainwright is a titanic loss for the Cardinals, who are off to one of their best starts in recent years, despite a high bar of 2 World Series appearances in the past 4 years. Wainwright has helped his team to a MLB best 2.39 team ERA with a 1.44 ERA this year.  He also won 20 games for them last season, has a lifetime 121-67 record and has placed in the top 3 in Cy Young voting in 4 separate seasons.  His importance to his team cannot be overemphasized.  Needless to say, the Cardinals will seek to replace him.  Hamels had been linked to the Cardinals in trade rumors, even before this injury, during the off-season and preseason.  However, the Cardinals had been unwilling to part with certain key prospects that the Phillies insisted on acquiring in return.

Another team that showed interest in Hamels during the offseason, but refused to surrender the top prospects the Phillies required was the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also announced today the loss of a key (although not as vital as the Cardinals') starting pitcher.

The First-Place Dodgers' Brandon McCarthy was ruled out for the season and part of the next one. McCarthy, who entered the season as Los Angeles' No. 3 starter (because of an injury to Hyun-Jin Ryu) suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that will likely require Tommy John surgery, which has been known to end pitchers careers.

Rookie OF Odubel 'Hair' Herrera.

Phils CF Odubel Herrera had 3 hits Monday, including an RBI single in the 7th, although he was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double.  The exciting 23 year-old Venezuelan rookie is now hitting .300 and has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games.

OF Domonic Brown is finishing a DL stint that has kept him sidelined all season and will rejoin the team soon, which will force someone to the bench.  It's unlikely to be Herrera, who is playing well and who the team is high on.  That leaves either Ben Revere or 31 year-old veteran journeyman Jeff Francoeur.  

Revere, 26, has the edge.  Francoeur started the season hot and even hit a couple HR early, but was signed by the rebuilding Phillies as a role player and nothing more.  Revere, was acquired by the team in 2013 as a piece of the future.  He hit .300 in each of his first 2 seasons with the Phils, and they will give him a lot of room to rebound from his miserable start.  He is hitting a paltry .200 thus far, but Monday had the game-winning hit in the Phils breakout 7th with a 2-out 2-RBI ground rule double to left, which plated Ruiz and Freddy Galvis to give the Phils the lead.

An outfield of Revere, Hererra and Brown would actually have a lot of potential, although an alarmingly lackluster upside when it comes to power, since the vast majority of MLB teams boast power-hitting outfielders.  However, rebuilding teams have to have patience in their players.  Revere has 2 career HR (both last season) and an infamous lack of power, Brown has shown flashes of power in clusters, followed by long outages in his 5-year career.  Notably, in 2013, he hit 27 HR, posted a .494 SLG % and seemed to be finally rising to the hype that had surrounded him for so long.  Then, of course, 2014 was a major step backward, when Brown stumbled to .235 with just 10 HR.   (As noted, Brown has yet to play this year, but will rejoin the team shortly.) 

Hererra hasn't hit his first MLB HR, but has posted terrific power numbers so far.  He sports a .429 SLG % and has 7 extra-base hits, including 3 in 1 game on 4/15.

It will be interesting to see what Manager Ryan Sandberg and company do with the outfield when Brown returns.

Utley Breaks Out

Utley 1, Harvey 0.

After a terrific Spring, Chase Utley started the 2015 season 2-for-22 for a .091 batting average.  Things didn't figure to improve against elite Mets pitcher Matt Harvey (2-0, 2.25, 0.83 WHIP).  In fact, Harvey was acing his first inning in his heavily advertised return to Citi-Field in N.Y. after last year's season-ending surgery prematurely ended his Cy Young bid.

The first 2 Phillies batters were Odubel Herrera and Freddy Galvis.  Harvey struck both out on a total of 7 pitches.  Harvey froze each of the young batters with strike one looking.

With 2 out and nobody on, 36 year-old Chase Utley stepped up to the plate.  He patiently looked at ball one.  Then, he fouled one off.  Next was strike 2 looking.  After the 1st 2 batters went down on strikes, with Utley deep in a funk and Harvey in total command, it didn't look good.

Next pitch?  Utley sent one deep to right, a 350 foot HR, his first of the season, but not his last of the night.  Utley would add an RBI single in the 3rd off Harvey, as well.  It appears that Harvey had enough of getting beat by Utley, because he hit him with a pitch in the 5th (payback for Phils starter Buchanan-- 0-2, 11.42 ERA-- beaming a Met), which capped Utley's perfect night against the Mets Ace right hander.

The Phils lost 6-5 in N.Y. Tuesday, but eyebrows were raised and bases were circled as the Phils hit 4 HR in all.  Phils 3rd baseman Cody Asche hit one of them, a 398 footer off Harvey.

Utley turns a double play.

“It was a fun game to play,” Asche said. “A lot of different things going on in that game, with the hype of Harvey, a couple of pitches getting away from [Buchanan] and them coming back and hitting Chase. It was intense. It’s what you come to expect in games against our division and teams we play so much. Tensions are going to rise now and again.”

In the 8th, Utley faced a new pitcher, reliever Sean Gilmartin.  Utley looked at strike one, then a ball, before taking Gilmartin deep on the 3rd pitch of his first ever at-bat against the rookie.  A 385 foot HR to right gave Utley a perfect night: 3-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 HBP.

His average leapt to .200.  It's a start.  Last season, Utley was voted the NL starting All-Star Second Baseman.  Nights like Tuesday, remind the baseball world why he was an MVP candidate in his prime and Philly fans why we're lucky to call him a Phillies lifer.  Like Schmidt, Utley has a chance to be known in one MLB uniform only.  In a season largely bereft of hope, an Utley perfect night gives fans, if not reason to hope, certainly reason to smile.

Cliff Lee May Never Pitch Again

Cliff Lee left the game in pain Sunday.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- There is a very real possibility Cliff Lee has thrown his last pitch for the Phillies or any other team.

The Phillies' veteran left-hander is hoping his elbow is fine as he waits for doctors' input.  Lee and the Phillies are having noted orthopedist James Andrews, who Lee described today as “Basically, the best in the world at this,” examine his MRI results for a second opinion. If surgery is recommended, Lee, who turns 37 in August, would be out 6-8 months and possibly end his career.

The 36-year-old left-hander didn't pitch after July 31 last year because of a flexor pronator strain in his left elbow. He said the elbow felt normal as he threw two scoreless innings Thursday against Houston in his spring training debut, but he felt discomfort the next day. An MRI on Sunday revealed "very mild inflammation," according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Lee was sober before the press tonight: "So, basically, if I have the surgery this season will be done, possibly my career, I guess," he said. "I don't know. We'll have to see."

None of the three doctors -- Michael Ciccotti, David Altchek or Andrews -- thought he needed surgery last year after a flexor pronator strain put him on the disabled list twice and caused him to miss most of the season. There's a chance what Lee felt in his left elbow Friday is a byproduct of scar tissue build up. Lee is hoping that's the case instead of a worse alternative: surgery to fix the tendon.

"All three are the best in that area, and they all said last year it's in the upper 90s percent chance it'll heal just fine with rest, and like 3% chance you might need surgery," Lee said. "Obviously you're going to take your chances on rest and rehab, and that's what we did.  So, potentially I'm the 3% that needs surgery, and potentially it's scar tissue breaking up and it's normal. But I think it's early to know which one it is."

Lee reiterated that he felt fine after his two-inning start Thursday, his first since July 31. It wasn't until he began warming up Friday that he felt something in his elbow in the same spot he had issues with last year. He isn't sure if he will throw today or Tuesday. His elbow is still slightly sore from receiving a dye injection for the MRI he had Sunday. Knowing his body, Lee said he anticipates feeling "something" in his elbow when he throws in the next day or two.

"It's been months, and it was really mild, but it's just concerning because I knew what it turned into last year, and I just wanted to be open," Lee said. "I wasn't trying to hide anything. I truly felt nothing for months and then all of a sudden there it is after the first time I pitch in a game."

Lee is trying to stay positive with the knowledge that he did everything he could during the offseason to strengthen his elbow and prevent the injury from happening again. Despite that satisfaction, the reality of the situation isn't lost on Lee, who is earning $25 million this season.

The future looked bright then.

He's due a $12.5 million buyout of a $27.5 million club option in 2016.

"Obviously very disappointing with all the stuff I did in the offseason to prevent something like this from happening," Lee said. "It's frustrating. There's still a possibility it's scar tissue and it's normal but there's also the possibility it's coming back and that's very frustrating."

Lee is 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA in his MLB career.  He is 7-3 with a 2.52 ERA in the postseason.

 

Rollins Already Causing Trouble For Phils




Rollins is Reaching Out To Hamels.

Jimmy Rollins appeared on MLB Network Monday with a new look.  Instead of the wistful, 'I love Philly fans' mantra in which he was previously garbed, he sounded upbeat and immersed in Dodger Fever.

He was also reaching out for 'a little help from his friends.'  If you're a Phillies fan, he made it personal.

For business reasons the Phillies traded their all-time hits leader, Jimmy Rollins, to the L.A. Dodgers on December 19th.

Then, they traded away team HR leader Marlon Byrd to the Reds last week.

2014 was arguably Cole Hamels best year ever: 198 strikeouts and a career-best 2.46 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP.  However, Hamels' disgruntled demeanor in the face of the Phils' recent acknowledgement that they cannot win again before at least 2017 has led to widespread trade rumors.

The Boston Red Sox were the front-runners in the Hamels sweepstakes until this week, when all negotiations ended between them and the Phils.  

Ruben Amaro had his sights set on top Red Sox prospect and projected leadoff hitter Mookie Betts.

Boston general manager Ben Cherington, however, has put his foot down on the possibility of parting with the promising 22-year-old from Tennessee, who was Boston’s fifth-round draft pick in 2011.

Nor will the Red Sox GM part with catching prospect Blake Swihart, even though the emergence of Christian Vasquez, another Boston catching prospect, would appear to make Swihart an expendable trade chip, and one whom Amaro might have been willing to take in a deal for Hamels.

Now, Jimmy Rollins, who says he "wants to be a leader" on the Dodgers is beckoning to his pal Hamels, the Phils coveted former NLCS and World Series MVP to join him.

Like Darth Vader reaching out to the mutilated, desperate, helpless Luke Skywalker in "The Empire Strikes Back," Rollins recognizes Hamels' despair on a sinking ship that has finally publicly and actively acknowledged its need for a slow rebuild.  Monday, Rollins took the next step by extending his hand to his friend and former teammate in the most public way possible:

Is Rollins playing dirty?

"I talked to Cole right before I got traded," Rollins said Monday. "And he was excited for me. He did talk about how lovely it would be if we both ended up in L.A. That would be one heck of a move right there, so...

"I know he's a big piece, but if they want to rebuild and get as much as they can from any team, I know it's hard to let go of their one or two prospects that the Phillies are asking for... I definitely feel he wants to be somewhere that he could win."

Hamels does feel kinship with Rollins.  There's no doubt the two California natives are talking and that each man would like to win again.  The bugger question is: Are the Dodgers willing to part with their top prospects Joc Pederson, Julio Urias, and Corey Seager?  The Phillies likely will need a combination of two in order to get the trade done.  Thusfar, the Dodgers have been unwilling to part with any of the three.

However, that could change any day, especially if the Dodgers are bluffing and waiting to see if the seemingly desperate Phillies will cave and pull the trigger without any of said players.  After all, the Dodgers have been clear that: 1) they want to win 2) and win now 3) and are willing to pay any price of any kind at any time (they recently snapped the Yankees 15-year unbroken string with the highest team salary in baseball).  [FYI 2014 team salaries: Dodgers: $238,841,005.  Yankeess: $209,416,323.  Phillies: $175,996,256.]

Is Hollywood headed back to Cali?

However, Amaro and company have stood tall behind their statements that they are in no rush to make a deal.  There is much logic to this approach.  During the season, any successful teams hoping to make a playoff run with some top notch prospects would instantly become Hamels suitors.  That would widen the competition and increase the pot for the Phils, especially considering the fact that any team interested at that point would have to feel confident about a deep playoff run and therefore be more likely to spend emotionally.  

So, waiting until the price is right is lucrative for the Phils.  The Dodgers may be feeling that pull.  In fact, it's quite possible that Rollins' very public statements were not made independently of Dodgers management.  This may have been a plotted push for both sides to return to the bargaining table and work this thing out with the Dodgers now ready to talk top prospects.  Rollins the initiator, Rollins the spark.  Those of us who know him can only smile, even if behind gritted teeth.  He served the Phils well in that role through several winning seasons, division titles, league championships and a World Series Title in an era not long ago-- gone now, but not yet forgotten.

Is Hamels Being Traded?

Hamels, saddled to the last place Phillies, has plenty to frown about.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Hamels, 31, said he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Yankees or Rangers in the AL and seven other teams from the NL, including his hometown San Diego Padres. While most of the teams remain unknown, it's probable that they're all presently more competitive than the Phillies. Hamels, a former NLCS and World Series MVP is in his prime and wants to win again.  With their flurry of offseason moves and hometown edge, the Padres are poised to make a hefty swing at the lefty Ace.  In the AL, the Yankees may have the edge over the Rangers.

The Hamels sweepstakes has commenced.

Hamels won't come cheap with a guaranteed $94 million coming to him over the next four years and a vesting option for an additional $20 million for his age-35 season. It's a lot of money, a contract the 2015 Yankees are unlikely to take on, but on the very big upside, the deal expires before Hamels late 30s. If we use the $1 million the Phillies threw in for the $11 million Rollins is owed in 2015 as a guideline, Philadelphia might only be willing to offer up 10% of their ace's contract. That would end up being around $9-10 million, leaving the Yankees holding the remaining $84 million bill. That's all just conjecture obviously, but keep in mind that if Ruben Amaro is looking for a big return, the more money he takes on, the better package of prospects he will get.

Hamels, who pitched to a 2.46 ERA and 3.07 FIP in 2014 while completing his fifth consecutive season of 200+ innings, would be the No. 1 or No. 2 in the Yankees rotation, putting less pressure on Masahiro Tanaka, lowering expectations for Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi, while pushing CC Sabathia to fifth starter and Chris Capuano to the bullpen.



Hamels has been among MLB's best the past few years.

The Phillies have explored the idea of trading Cole Hamels for a couple of months now, but nothing has been set in stone and no negotiations reached a point anyone would label as being close to a deal. There were rumors the Phillies were asking for a huge haul for Hamels -- understandable given their needy situation -- and the expectation that he would stay put at least until Jon Lester, Max Scherzer, and maybe even James Shields signed. While it's still not clear when a trade would go down, it's becoming more likely that the lefty isn't long for the Phillies after Hamels waived his no-trade clause for the Yankees, the Rangers, the Padres, and six unknown National League teams last week.

That doesn't mean the Phillies can only choose from those nine clubs when figuring out potential Hamels' destinations. Those nine teams won't have to pick up Hamels' $20 million option for 2019 in order to trade for him, however, and that could make a swap a little simpler since one fewer year of guaranteed commitment -- with the option still around should it prove to be worthwhile -- is an attractive proposition.

Peter Gammons, three-time National Sportswriter of the Year, wonders if Hamels is going to bring the Phillies the franchise-changing return they seek. The Padres probably don't want to move potential cornerstone Wil Myers. The Red Sox have firmly decided not to trade Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart to get a Hamels' deal done.  Phils GM Reuben Amaro Jr. is reportedly peeved about this, making Hamels to Red Sox suddenly less likely.  The Dodgers won't move Julio Urias, Corey Seager, or Joc Pederson. The Yankees might have the prospects to complete a Hamels' deal, but not the ones that would rejuvenate the Phillies. History suggests the Phillies are going to be disappointed when they finally do move their best pitcher, but there is a very real chance he won't be that kind of pitcher by the time the Phillies are any good again.

Hamels threw his first (albeit combined) no-hitter on 9/1/14.

All of this is mind-boggling.  Fans have to wonder how they'll feel if Hamels is moved and the Phils have nothing to show for it in coming years.  That was the case when they traded Cliff Lee in his prime, before getting him back again in free agency.  It's likely going to be that they get no significant return for trading veteran Jimmy Rollins this offseason as well.

On the other hand, if they stay put and don't even try to get return for Hamels, then subsequently fail to compete for the remainder of his contract, you bet Amaro will be under fire from fans, yet again.

So, it's a little damned if you do, damned if you don't, but that's why he gets paid the big bucks.

Ultimately, it's a gamble either way, especially if they wait and Hamels gets injured during the season, which would plummet his trade value, which is what happened with Cliff Lee this past year.

Jimmy Rollins' full-page ad in Saturday's Philadelphia Inquirer

The print is a little small so here's the full text:

To the City of Philadelphia,

Words cannot begin to describe what these past 18 years as a Phillie have meant to me. Starting as a teenager from Northern California, becoming a husband and now a father of two beautiful children, I’ve spent nearly half of my life growing up in front of all of you.

We’ve shared a lot of great memories that I’ll cherish forever. From being the “team to beat,” to our great postseason run and raising that World Championship banner, it has been an honor playing in front of the most passionate fans in the world. You let us hear it when things got tough and you rocked “The Bank” when we needed you most.

It’d like to thank the countless staff members throughout the organization that have supported me and the Rollins Family Foundation over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you.
 

To my teammates, you guys are family and always will be. There have been many to come and go over the years and I’ve enjoyed taking the field with each and every one of you. Chase, Hollywood, Chooch, Big Piece … brothers for life.

Lee Thomas, Ed Wade, Pat Gillick, Ruben Amaro and the managers that I’ve played for over the years, Tito, Larry, Charlie and Ryno; thank you for giving me the opportunity and making a kid from Alameda’s dream come true. Mr. Montgomery, thank you for everything.

Love you all! Peace.

Jimmy, Johari, Cam & Lolo

Rollins was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft. He went on to spend his first 15 major league seasons in a Phillies uniform, accumulating 2,306 hits, 1,325 runs scored, 216 home runs, 887 RBIs, 453 stolen bases and 111 triples. He also earned three All-Star selections and one MVP award in 2007, while helping the Phillies win five division championships and a World Series championship in 2008. 

Papelbon Makes National Headlines For All The Wrong Reasons

At Citizens Bank Park, closer Jonathan Papelbon squared off against Philly fans and lost.

Papelbon, behaving like the beastly Boston jock he is, grabbed his crotch while facing the crowd-- or did he?

Either way, umpire Joe West, who, in Papelbon's defense is nicknamed 'Cowboy', ejected the turbulent all-star veteran from the game for seemingly making a lewd gesture utilizing his reproductive organ.

Papelbon appeared to be responding to the raucous boos that serenaded his career worst appearance in relief Sunday.

Papelbon matched a career high by allowing 4 runs in 1 inning, single-handedly causing the Phillies to lose by blowing a 3 run 9th inning lead.  When Papelbon entered, the Phils led 4-1, on the verge of a sweep over Miami.  When he left, they trailed 5-4 en route to a loss.  It was as bad as could be, except the home team had already been playoff-eliminated long before the first pitch was thrown in Sunday's contest.

In 2012, when Papelbon ditched Boston for the Phils, he gave this explanation to 94WIP's "Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team:"

"The Philly fans tend to know the game a little better," he said.  "Being in the National League, you know, the way the game is played."

Sunday, however, he was trying to square dance away from his unflattering improvisational method for either itchy private parts or childish fight-back antics.  Either way, it was an unflattering day for the star reliever, who is set to make $13-million in 2015 and 2016 if he, and the Phillies, don't get their collective wish for him to be traded.

''This is baseball,'' Papelbon told reporters at Citizens Bank Park. ''I had to make an adjustment and I did it and by no means am I directing anything at any fans. When I'm out there and in the moment, the fans are irrelevant to me. I don't see them. I don't hear them. To me, this is pretty stupid, to be totally honest with you.

''They pay money, they want to see a good game and they have the right to boo and do whatever they want to do, but when an umpire gets caught up in that and starts trying to look for extra things he may think are going on -- just umpire the game... I think Joe [West] took it to a different level."

West didn't agree.

'I was just really, really itchy.'

''I told him, `You've got to go,''' West said to reporters. ''And then he charged out of the dugout and his head bumped into my hat. And I grabbed him and I said, `Get off of me.'

''The whole thing started because the fans booed him and he made an obscene gesture. He had no business doing that. He's got to be more professional than that. And that's why he was ejected.''

"By no means was I directing anything at any fans," Papelbon said. "I mean, I have a 4- and a 5-year-old son and daughter. I am not out here doing inappropriate things. Come on this is baseball. This is what we do. Go look at the game and see how many people do that just in today's game…  Joe had no right to grab me by any means so I will file a complaint for that for sure."

See and judge for yourself:

Papelbon: "adjustment" or frontal attack on fans?