Remember Ryan Franklin? Of course you do. He was the big free agent signing of 2007. When the Phillies were starved for starters, Gillick worked his magic, let Padilla go for nothing and signed this old friend of his. No one was happy but we were all willing to wait it out and see if he could produce in the National League. All we read about was how his record was so poor due to his lack of run-support on the Mariners (I believe he lead the league). The Phillies brass also shoved the "he is a workhorse who will give you 200-plus innings" down our throat. We tried to overlook his horrid 5+ ERA and put the fact that he is a fly-ball pitcher in the back of our minds. We were patient and hopeful. His spring stats with the Phillies would further boast our optimism. We knew we didn't have gold on our hands, far from it actually...but we all hoped he could give us a chance to win every night he threw the ball. Our offense was massive enough to give him the run-support he needed to rack up some W's. We weren't asking for a Cy Young candidate.So there it was. A 4th or 5th starter with the ability to help our team win every 5th game. And what happened? Franklin, a pitcher who spent roughly 3/4 of his career starting games, was sent to the bullpen, something he hasn't done in over four years. And I don't need to remind anyone reading this how that experiment ended. He struggled...and it wasn't for the better because his replacement, Gavin Shit, sucked just as bad as him.
And where are we two weeks before the 2007 season starts? Back in 2006, with talks of putting one of two starters who can give you a chance to win every 5th day in the Port-O-Potty. I don't know if this is the right move or the wrong one, but I cannot sit here and be comfortable that this will work. I have always considered myself a very optimistic person, especially when it comes to the Phillies. I give our owners, GMs and players every chance to make something work. This has me on edge, however, because history has shown us that an experiment like this may not work. And it isn't ancient history either, it was almost exactly one year ago.
Gillick won't trade Lieber without getting back what he feels is a "fair trade." I also want a "fair trade," but Gillick must understand that Jon Lieber isn't a name that makes teams say Hallelujah. You want to hear something that will make you come close to vomiting? It is entirely possible that we will get more back from Jon Lieber than we did for Bobby Abreu. The best thing we got from Abreu (so far that has produced in the Majors) is Matt Smith. Gillick is clearly asking for a better player than Smith. How sick does that make you? Jon "I pulled my hamstring running from the mound to first base last season because I am a fat, out-of-shape shit" Lieber might get us more than Bobby "I am one of the best outfielders the Phillies have ever seen" Abreu. I can't even write anymore about this...
P.S. I will gladly eat these words if I am proved wrong and a transition is successful. I'd rather be wrong than right on this scenario. I have no problem admitting when I was dumb and I pray I am the one making a mistake here, not the Phillies.
4 comments:
I just don't see Lieber being an effective reliever, so I share in your pessimism and negativity...afterall we're Phillies fans.
Actually, from what you described about Ryan Franklin - Adam Eaton sounds like a better candidate. Lots of injuries, high ERA, etc.
Sure Lieber is a fat bastard, but he's a better pitcher than Eaton, probably with the same amount of value on the trade market too.
I do wonder who would be better in the pen. Lieber doesn't walk people and that is crucial for relievers. I just hope Gillick pulls a "Dellucci" and brings us something April 1st.
I think Lieber should stay in the rotation because if he pitches well as a starter then his trade value will be higher than if he pitches well in the pen.
Post a Comment