In other news, Justin Verlander's day was not as successful. In addition to Ryan Howard's homerun, top prospect Domonic Brown showed that he may be ready for the major leagues now. While Brown has impressed all spring, he saved his best appearance for last as he hit a homerun off of Verlander that has yet to land. He also homered off of Phil Coke and hit a bases loaded 2 hit single. Bigger then the two hits was watching this kid work deep counts, make pitchers make mistakes, and battle with two strikes.

Dominic Brown is ready, or very close to being ready to make a jump to the big leagues. He is the real deal and if someone gets hurt, can be recalled and expected to contribute. With that being said, where does a 3 hit game get you? Optioned to the minors. After the game, Brown was called into Charlie Manuel's office and took the news well as he jokingly said, "Going down tomorrow". B.J. Rosenberg and Andrew Carpenter were also optioned. The Phillies reassigned Ryan Vogelsong and Chris Duffy.

Seeing Brown this spring really brings to the front of one's mind the future of the Phillies lineup and outfield. Unless something changes, Brown will be ready for next season. If Jayson Werth is not resigned, Brown would be a perfect replacement, talent wise anyway. Brown hits from the left side of the plate making him a better replacement for Raul Ibanez then Werth. Consider this could be the Phillies lineup in 2011:

1. Rollins S
2. Polanco R
3. Utley L
4. Howard L
5. Ibanez L
6. Victorino S
7. Brown L
8. Ruiz C

That is a lot of "L's" in there! Arguably it is the same place as the Phillies were before the emergence of Werth as a proven slugger. But other than using a bench player such as Ben Francisco in a game against a left hander, it leaves the team lopsided. In addition, late in the game a left handed specialist could cripple a late inning rally. In addition, the team has Ross Gload, another left hander, as their other reserve outfielder.

In some ways this is a great problem to have. The Phillies have a plethora of very talented left handed hitters that can murder right handed pitchers. The problem is, if Jayson Werth does not return, there is no balance in the lineup and there will really be no place to add that balance if Brown replaces Werth. In the end though, Domonic Brown will be fun to watch!

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire

The other interesting news came from Buster Olney of ESPN this week; he claims that his “sources” had reported that the Phillies were talking about swapping 1st baseman with the Cardinals.  That’s right, in Olney’s alternate universe, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols would trade places.  Perhaps Olney’s “sources” were aliens from Mars?  Or maybe it was just the little voices inside his head who yearn to see Olney locked up in a padded room?

The odds of this sort of swap happening are astronomical; it is not even a fair trade.  No offense to Howard, but clearly Pujols is the better overall player.  Yes, Howard is from St. Louis, but this is no reason for the Cards to think they would get him cheap.  And the Phillies could never afford Pujols.  GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was so perturbed at the news, he flat out called Olney a liar.  "It's ridiculous," Amaro said. "It's unequivocally false. It's unfair to Ryan. It's unfair to the organization to have to answer the questions."

Halladay Human

Despite all the drama, the Phillies went on to win today by a score of 5-1.  Roy Halladay gave up his first run of Spring and also walked two batters; all this means is we now have proof that the man is not a robot.  I think we can all live with the 1.00 ERA.

Languishing Lefties

While the starting pitching looks good, some of the relievers do not.  JC Romero will not be ready for Opening Day so one of the young lefties will need to step up to fill the void.  However, neither Antonio Bastardo, Sergio Escalona or Mike Zagurski have looked ready to do so thus far.  Bastardo has allowed 3 runs over 2 innings of work; Escalona has 5 runs allowed in 3 innings; and Zagurski only made 1 appearance.  He is still trying to get back in the groove after Tommy John surgery.  One of these three lefties will need to show that they can do the job and right now, it does not look good.

Pet Peeve of The Week

So many MLB teams these days have radio and TV announcers that leave a lot to be desired.  Realizing that Philly fans were spoiled for decades with the great Harry Kalas, it may be an unfair comparison.  However, during the Phillies-Pirates match-up today, a Pirates announcer took “unprofessional” to a new level.  Tim Neverett, hired in December 2008, does play-by-play for the Bucos.  And today, he did not win any brownie points from Philly fans.

In the middle of the 4th inning, Neverett began praising the team’s mascot, the Pirate Parrot and mentioned how he was harassing Philly fans in the stands.  He went on to say, “I think the Parrot likes this.  There’s no better group of fans to tease than the Philadelphia fans…(pause)…Because there’s no worse fans.  The same people who boo Santa Claus are now getting it from the Pirate Parrot.”

First of all, the Santa Claus incident was in 1968 at an Eagles football game.  Get over it.  Secondly, there are “no worse fans?”  Seriously?  Apparently, Mr. Neverett must be a world traveler who has first-hand knowledge of such things.  While I am not going to waste time comparing Philly fans to experiences I have had elsewhere, I will say that such a general statement is both ignorant and rude. 

A small segment of fans of ANY team are bound to be obnoxious and disruptive.  That is human nature.  You expect to hear this sort of prejudice from those obnoxious fans, not from the radio announcer who is being paid to be objective and professional.  You want rude?  Ok then, BOO YOU Mr. Neverett!  You should be ashamed.

In bigger news, a rumor has surfaced about Ryan Howard being traded for Albert Puhols. While the story is intriguing, it is no way substantiated. Both teams have denied the rumors, and if you think about it,   the trade does not make sense on a lot of levels.

Both players are the same age and their contracts are both up at the end of 2011. One could argue that the Phillies need a right handed bat and the Cardinals could use a left handed bat to offset Matt Holliday. Beyond that, where does this deal make sense? Puhols is a better all around player, Howard is a better run producer. Still, you have to say that Puhols is the better player. 

Why would either team really make this deal? Both players will command about the same amount of money at the end of their contract. Neither knows how the other would respond to a new team and new city. Both are legends in their respective cities. Sure Howard is from St Louis, but when asked he summed it up by saying, "As far as what, living there? St Louis is my home, but as far as the other stuff, I am a Phillie."

Sure it is fun to hear, speculate, and talk about rumors, but lets be real. This is a deal that is just far fetched. 

In other news, Roy Halladay is human as he gave up his first run of the spring. J.C. Romero threw breaking balls and did not experience discomfort. He will pitch in a game this week and is still on track to join the team for their first series at home the second week in the season.

Jamie Moyer made the race for number 5 starter even more interesting. Moyer gave up 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk in 3 innings of work in a "B" game. Meanwhile Kyle Kendrick has been lights out and deserves the job.

Polanco Update: He has a sprained right knee and has been listed day to day. Polanco said he did not think it was too bad. He thinks he will be fine. He is listed as day to day.

One of those players, Aumont, had a very rough start in camp in an exhibition game.  But after that, he made a solid 2 2/3 inning appearance where he did not allow a run.  J.C. Ramirez did not fare as well, appearing in two games and allowing 3 runs over 4 1/3 innings.  Both pitchers are still early in their development and we may not have a real sense of their worth for some time to come.

The third player from the Lee trade is Tyson Gillies who showed some real potential.  He ended his trip to camp with a .286 average in 7 at-bats, including a home run, a double and 2 RBI.  Gillies told the press that camp was a huge learning experience for him and was especially grateful to manager Charlie Manuel for his words of advice; Gillies said, “Charlie told me the things I need to work on, slowing things down. Slower. Slower when I'm hitting. He wants me to be slow with the feet, and quick with the hands. Basically just stay back a little bit more. Keep my hands and everything back and try not to lunge at everything. Let the ball come to me."

While it is endearing to hear those comments from a young player, it also leaves one to wonder what exactly the coaching staff in Seattle has been doing…or not doing.  Gillies has been in the minors since 2007 and no one ever told him not to lunge at the ball?  Or even how to properly approach an at-bat and hit the ball?  It is no wonder then why so many young players develop so many bad habits.  Seems that “coaching” may be a lost art…

Those players that remain in camp will slowly be whittled down to the final 25-man roster.  Starting pitchers, like JA Happ, will see a steady increase in innings.  Happ went 4 solid yesterday in a 5-4 win over the Twins.  He allowed just one hit and struck out 3.  Kyle Kendrick followed today with 4 solid innings of his own, allowing 2 hits.  Kendrick remains on the heels of Jamie Moyer in the competition for the 5th starters spot.

As for the hitters, here is a look at the batting averages for each player still in camp, with at least 5 at-bats:

W Valdez	.750		R Gload	.294
B Bocock	.455		J Castro	.273
C Utley	.438		R Howard	.250
P Polanco	.375		J Rollins	.250
D Wise	.375		B Francisco	.235
D Brown	.350		C Ransom	.200
O Chavez	.333		F Galvis	.182
G Dobbs	.333		J Werth	.136
B Schneider	.333		R Ibanez	.115
J Mayberry	.318		C Ruiz	.100
S Victorino	.313

Chase Utley and Placido Polanco lead the pack among the regular players.  And as expected, Polanco’s transition from 2nd to 3rd base has been very smooth.  He had one rough game right at the start for his only error of Spring, but has been great ever since.  Polanco has 17 assists and turned 5 double plays in 42 innings of work.

As for the still rehabbing players, Brad Lidge is doing well and will start a Double A Spring game on Thursday.  Manager Charlie Manuel announced that is Lidge is not ready in April, Ryan Madson will be given the closer duties.  JC Romero is also progressing, but will not be ready for Opening Day; he did throw some breaking balls today for the first time since his surgery and depending on how he feels over the next few days, he may get to throw to hitters this week.

Kendrick is poised, he has regained his confidence, he has control of all of his pitches, and, if Spring Training ended today, should be the team's number 5 starter. The Phillies are wrong to give Moyer the number 5 job if Kendrick continues to throw this well. 

Everyone knows that Moyer was displeased with his role in the bullpen after Pedro Martinez took his spot in the rotation. Yes, the Phillies are paying Moyer the salary of most team's number 3 starters. But neither matters. What matters is what is best for the team which is Kendrick in the rotation and Moyer out of the pen.

As long as Kendrick continues to pitch well, Moyer going to the bullpen is a no brainer. He would be available for a spot start, he could pitch long relief keeping the team in a game if another starter was ineffective or there was a rain delay. He can pitch 6 or 7 innings giving the rest of the pen a day off if a starter gets knocked out early. He also solves the team's problem for another left hander out of the pen. While he is not a left handed specialist, he would give Charlie Manuel another left handed option. Bastardo and Escalona have shown that neither of them belong on a major league roster.

Unless Kyle Kendrick unravels in the last two weeks of Spring Training, he deserves to be the Phillies number 5 starter. It makes the most sense for the team and will give them a starter that could be a solution for the back end of the rotation for years to come. Sure Jamie Moyer will not be happy about it, but he has been around long enough to know that a club has to do what is best for the team.

The number 4 starter certainly showed that the job was his as J.A. Happ threw 4 impressive shut out innings yesterday. Happ had command of all of his pitches, showed poise on the mound, and looks ready to prove that his rookie season was not a fluke.

The Phillies lineup for today's game is below. Game chat is below and in our new discussion forum.

Phillies Lineup 3/14/2010:

1. Rollins SS
2. Polanco 3B
3. Utley DH
4. Howard 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Ibanez LF
7. Victorino CF
8. Castro 2B
9. Sardinha C

Kendrick P

Today's game will feature J.A. Happ as the starter who is continuing to develop a cut fastball for his arsenal. The Phillies lineup is below. Game chat is in the comments section or our new discussion forum.

Phillies Lineup 3/13/2010:

1. Rollins SS
2. Polanco 3B
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Ibanez LF
7. Victorino CF
8. Francisco DH
9. Ruiz C

Happ P

"If you get a red tag in your locker it means you just died and went down to the minors." That great quote of course is from the movie Major League. 14 Phillies players got red tags in the first cut down of the spring. They were most notably Scott Mathieson, and the three prospects from the Cliff Lee trade, Phillippe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies.

It was surprising that Mathieson and Aumont were reassigned so soon but the Phillies want to give them more innings and in Aumont's case, help him redevelop his delivery. Gillies needs to continue to get at bats and get to a point where he can be able to hit major league pitching. They are trying to get him to slow things down at the plate.

In addition to Mathieson, Aumont, Ramirez, and Gillies, the other 10 players that were red tagged were pitchers Johan Flande, Drew Naylor, Jesus Sanchez, Joe Savery, Bill White, catchers Tuffy Gosewhisch, Kevin Nelson, John Suomi, infielder Freddy Galvis, and outfielder Quintin Berry.

In my boredom today, I decided to scan through this week’s MLB headlines to see what was going on around the league.  Here are a few fun tidbits I came across in my search:

- Yankees shortstop and baseball God, Derek Jeter, sat out of a Spring Training game with flu symptoms.  And then an Angel lost its wings :O(

- The Mets Jose Reyes may not be ready to play on Opening Day.  His thyroid hormone blood levels are elevated and he is not supposed to do anything that could raise his heart rate.  You know, things like showboating on the base paths or talking to Federal agents about his Canadian doctor’s link to performance-enhancing drugs…stuff like that.

- At age 39, Brian Giles, former Padre, has decided to retire.  It was either that or start taking the same magical, fountain of youth pills that Jamie Moyer takes.

- Angels center fielder Torii Hunter told USA Today that Latin Americans are "imposters" in relation to black ballplayers.  Hunter was then rushed to Jose Reyes’ Canadian doctor and diagnosed with “foot-in-mouth” disease.  He was given a “special” injection and should be back to hitting homers in no time.

- Red Sox Nomar Garciaparra also retired this week.  He now has plenty of free time to write a memoir about the many baseball adventures of his gigantic nose.  Did it provide shade when trying to catch a pop fly in the sun?  How many times did the nose save his life by blocking a high, inside pitch?  It will be a must-read.

- Braves Manager Bobby Cox reported that Derek Lowe was suffering from a blister.  "He gutted through it, and it's a mess," Cox said about the blister. "I don't know how he pitched at all.”  I know what he means; last week, I broke a nail and was not sure if I could go on typing.  I toughed it out as I could not disappoint my readers – that is how much I love you guys.

- In an interview with ESPN, Milton Bradley whined that he received hate mail from the Cubs last year.  He went on to note that unless you're "Superman or you're Andre Dawson, Ernie Banks or [in the] Hall of Fame, then it's going to be tough" for African-American players in Chicago.  I don’t suppose his .257 batting average had anything to do with his difficulties?  Oh, and wasn’t Superman a white dude?  Just sayin’…

- Going back to the drug-dealing Canadian doctor, Alex Rodriguez was treated by this same guy after hip surgery last year.  In response to the investigation, A-Rod said, "I am aware of an investigation, and I plan on cooperating.”  The last time he “cooperated” there were no real consequences; so hey, no biggie.

Come on Opening Day!  Get here….quick!

Reyes photo by Jenn

Blanton was in complete control of his pitches today and looked to be in mid season form. Scott Mathieson showed pop on his fastball and might impress enough to be considered for a bullpen role at some point this season. 

The Phillies defense looked much improved from earlier in the spring as they turned 5 double plays. Placido Polanco still makes me nervous at third base every time he makes a throw, but he still has three weeks to get used to playing the position again.

Shane Victorino and Chase Utley had 2 hits a piece and Raul Ibanez homered leading the offense. Victorino's shoulder does not look to be bothering him too much and it certainly has not hurt his stroke. 

Overall the Phillies look very good this spring and look to be ahead of where they were at this point last season. If Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero can get healthy, the Phillies could come out the gate very strong! Lidge has said he will pitch in a game on Monday against the Pirates or a minor league game. If he does, that would put him right on schedule to be ready for opening day!

The Phillies lineup is below. Game chat is in the comments section or on our new discussion forum.

Phillies Lineup 3/11/2010:

1. Victorino CF
2. Polanco 3B
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Ibanez DH
7. Francisco LF
8. Schneider C
9. Galvis SS

If you are not at Bright House Field, the game can be heard on MLB.com.