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Phillies Utley wins fourth straight Silver Slugger Award

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley won his fourth straight National League Silver Slugger Award on Thursday.

The 2010 Bench

70% of the Phillies’ 2009 plate appearances were taken by the starting eight; only 14% were taken by bench players. With Matt Stairs and Eric Bruntlett gone, the Phillies now need to look for adequate bench players either from within or on the free agent market. I’ve perused the list of free agents at MLB Trade [...]

Year in Review: Jamie Moyer

Over the next few weeks, Phillies Nation will break down each player on the Phillies roster and grade their 2009 season on a very unofficial 1-10 scale. The players will be chosen in no particular order. It was this time a year ago when a quandary was born. Give a 45-year old, soft-tossing lefty a two-year [...]

Utley Wins Silver Slugger Award

Chase Utley wins his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger Award. Players, coaches, and managers selected Utley as the best hitting second baseman in the National League. Utley finished the year with a .282 batting average, .397 on-base percentage, and .508 slugging percentage. Utley hit 31 home runs and drove in 93 runs.

Need for bullpen, spare closer, can’t be taken lightly

Brad Lidge, who had a dreadful season, underwent flexor tendon surgery and his recovery could set him behind schedule. Meanwhile, J.C. Romero could also miss the early going. Bottom line: bullpen is a major issue for the Phillies. While the third base debate continues, here’s the dire situation in back of the Phillies’ bullpen. Brad Lidge was the worst closer in baseball last season. He just had elbow surgery. Ryan Madson again demonstrated his limitations as strictly an eighth-inning option...

Phillies Hot Stove Update

-Buster Olney writes in his column this morning that the Phillies are going hard after a “set-up man/closer safety net” after Brad Lidge’s offseason surgery on a torn flexor tendon. Who could he be talking about? J.J. Putz is an intriguing name on the market, as are Jose Valverde, Rafael Soriano, and Mike Gonzalez. They are [...]

Thursday morning: Phillies dropping hot corner hints

Baseball sources cited by Inquirer scribe Jim Salisbury believe Ruben Amaro has turned his attention toward the free agent trifecta of Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa and Adrian Beltre. Chone Figgins and Miguel Tejada are expected to command too much for the Phillies to cover. [Link] Beerleaguer: Polanco, at the center of this report, would not be my first choice, and I'm uncertain that a move to third, after winning the Gold Glove at second, would be the best move for...

Bring the DH to the NL

In Wednesday’s Philadelphia Daily News, columnist Bill Conlin brought up a great point about the designated hitter. I realize this is probably a moot point, since it’s unlikely this will be voted on anytime soon. However, the case could be made for the NL to adopt this rule. It’s time the NL and AL were on [...]

Just dropped in to see what condition my position was in

For each of the eight offensive positions, here’s the Phillies team OPS at the position, the rank of that OPS in the NL this year, the NL average for the season, the team’s OPS rank in the NL in 2008 and the ‘09 OPS for the position over the NL average OPS for the position [...]

Philadelphia sports hall to induct 14

The sixth class of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted tonight, a group that includes home-raised athletes, some who played for local teams, and sports media.

Phillies like the third-base market

CHICAGO - Two years ago, the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros during the general managers' meetings. But that was an exception, rather than the norm. Although Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he had discussions with several teams about trades since arriving at the O'Hare Hilton on Monday, he never expected to leave the Windy City with a revamped roster.

Phillies apparently looking at 3 for third base

CHICAGO - Ruben Amaro Jr. is not offering any hints about whom he'd like as his next third baseman, but there are indications it could be one of three players.

Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.

Sources: Riggleman to remain Nats' manager

Two people in baseball familiar with the Washington Nationals' plans told the Associated Press that Jim Riggleman will be the team's manager next season.

Rollins, Victorino win second Gold Gloves

CHICAGO - While overshadowed by the postseason exploits of Cole Hamels in 2008 and Cliff Lee in 2009 and the most powerful lineup in the National League, the Phillies owe plenty of credit to their defense for back-to-back World Series appearances.