What I Think of the Phils Off-Season
This has been one heck of an off-season for the Phillies. Lately the Phils have done some great things when then avoided arbitration with Chooch, Victorino, and Big Joe. Amaro did make what the ESPN people called a Blockbuster trade when he traded away minor-league prospects for Roy Halladay and then traded away the stone-faced killer Cliff Lee for some minor-leaguers from Seattle. We all know the move happened. A lot of people bitched about it. And everyone played the “What-If” game with the topic of “What if the Phillies kept Lee and Halladay?”
Amaro’s actions seemed legit at the time, Lee only has one year left on his contract. He’s going to make $9 million this season, but after next season Cliff Lee is in line for a VERY big payday. We’re talking Johan Santana/CC Sabathia money. Amaro knew that with a depleted farm system, 3 star players up for arbitration this season, and the needs in the bullpen and bench (thank God Beardo is gone, but Brian Schneider, really??), that Cliff Lee’s big payday would have left them strapped. Now the Phillies do have money, but they also have a self imposed $140 million salary cap. But they are trying to stay competitive long term here, instead of loading up the rotation and not having the cash to keep any of the position players.
Now one key I want to focus on is going to be a big deal next off-season. Jayson Werth is a free agent at the end of the year. Barring something horrific this season, Werth should be looking at making Jason Bay money. The Phillies do have a few pretty good minor-league outfielders, but Werth is just too good to let go and play in Boston or New York. I’m really hopeful that the Phillies can resign Werth, after all #isharemybdaywiththatguy.
But just when I was comfortable with the fact that Lee is gone, and started backing the Phillies when friends and family started talking about Lee. Then Lee decided to talk about how he was all fixin for a big payday until he got to Philadelphia. He dropped that whole bomb about wanting to retire in Philly and would take less money to do it. DAMMMMNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! Now how am I suppose to support the Phillies when Lee says romantic things like that.
The bottom line I wish Lee was still here. I wish Brett Myers was still here too. I’m also not completely sold on the Polanco signing, and Brian Schneider, really? But I have been upset with moves the Phils have made in the past and I was proved wrong everytime.
A note to our readers: I am back on twitter @TommymacWFC. I’m not able to twitter 24/7, but I will when I can. Get in touch with me, I love talking sports.
