5 Players the Philadelphia Phillies Could Do Without
With the Phillies' payroll ($165,976,381) on the brink of the luxury tax, there are several players with either high salaries, poor production or both. Parting ways with these players in any way possible will only benefit the Phillies as they make the push for October.
The Phillies also have an abundance of young and athletic talent that could provide the same means of production with a fraction of the cost.
With these players off the roster, it cannot only potentially free up some much needed salary space, but also help give a younger, more vibrant tone to Philadelphia baseball.
5. Ben Francisco
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In 139 ABs, Ben has been anything but what the Phillies hoped he could be, and since he has only signed a one-year deal for $1.175 million, the Phillies could easily cut ties with Ben. John Mayberry and Domonic Brown have a lot more to offer, and when Shane gets off the DL, it wouldn't surprise me if the team decides to cut ties with Mr. Francisco.
Ben is batting a horrible .216 with a .689 OPS and five home runs. He also has been caught stealing three times in five attempts.
There is nothing special about Ben: below average arm, defense, speed and bat. The question is, why is he even getting a chance to play?
4. Danys Baez
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Probably one of the worst players Charlie Manueal insisted could help this ball club. So far this season he is 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA. He has given up six walks and only struck out seven in 18.1 innings pitched. Hitters are hitting a ridiculous .303 against him, giving up an outrageous 23 hits in his 18.1 inning pitched.
The Phillies do not need some one like this on their ball club, especially because the right-handed Michael Stutes has pitched so well.
Some say he is only on the team because he helps translate with Jose Contreras; well if that's the case, release him and let Jose pay for her services, not the Phillies. His contact is up after the season and throwing him into a trade deal could help sweeten a deal. It is hard to believe the Phillies are paying him over $2.5 million a season.
3. Joe Blanton
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The loss of Joe Blanton to injury has been bittersweet this season. He has struggled to a point where the only games I do not watch are the ones when Joe is on the mound. But on the upside, Vance Worley has pitched great so far, going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA.
A part of me wishes he had pitched well, so the Phillies could use him as trade bait come July. Without a doubt, the Phillies would most likely have to eat a large amount of the remaining $8 million owed to Joe this season, but if Joe had pitched well and was not injured, the Phillies would have had a better chance of moving him.
So far, Joe is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA. YIKES! Batters are hitting a career high .331 off of Joe, giving up 45 hits in 34.1 innings. Double YIKES!
Even if the Phillies can only get a few prospects for Joe, it is better than nothing, because Joe will only be a memory in Philadelphia after the 2012 season.
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2. Raul Ibanez
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Approaching 39 years of age, I believe this will be the last time Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies front office sign a player to a muti-year deal after the age of 35.
Ibanez's numbers have decreased astronomically after having a career and MVP-like year in 2009. That year he went from 34 home runs and 93 RBI to 16 home runs and 83 RBI with 60 more at bats in 2010. Raul is on pace to hit 14 home runs and drive in only 65 runs in the 2011 season.
Raul also ranks 15th in the National League for production as an every day left fielder: .232 batting avg., .292 OBP and a slugging percentage of .361.
It's time to place Raul on the pine and let the young guns get some much needed major league experience. Raul will not be with the Phillies after 2011 and the Phillies need much more production from their left fielder.
You are the model of how all players should approach the game, but unfortunately your time has come—enjoy retirement.
I also could see Raul becoming a major league hitting instructor and maybe even a future manager.
Only time will tell.
1. Brad Lidge
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Like all Phillies Phans, I will always remember Brad Lidge falling to his knees after the final out of the 2008 World Series. It was heaven on earth, but I also remember the three-year, $37.5 million contract and the 0-8 record in 2009.
After one year of perfection, Lidge has been anything but perfect and has been riddled with injury, after injury, after injury. Lidge will be 35 in December and he is far from the pitcher he once was. In 2009, Brad had an 0-8 record with 11 blown saves. He went from one of the best seasons a closer has ever had to the one of the worst seasons in modern baseball. In 2010, Brad appeared in 50 games, blowing another five saves. He did save 27 games, so his numbers were still respectable.
I am almost positive GM Ruben Amaro will decline his 2012 option, so why not try and make a move with him why he still is Phillies property. In July, teams still in the hunt will be scurrying to fulfill their closer needs. The Phillies will most likely have to eat a portion of his contract for the remainder of this season, but at this point, any relief will help make the Phillies a better ball club.
Here is the number one reason why Brad Lidge must go: Ryan Madson. Ryan makes nearly one-third of what the Phillies gave Lidge, and in 2011, Ryan has been simply lights out, going 2-0 with nine saves in nine opportunities. Ryan has only given up one run in 19 innings—wow. Also, opponents are only hitting .182 against him. To move him out of the closer role would simply be moronic.
Thank you for 2008, but $36 million can be spent in a lot of better places, like helping re-sign Cole Hamels to a muli-year deal.
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