Ruben Amaro Sees Promise in Confidence-Shattering Team

Ruben Amaro has to like the Phillies, as it is his job.

Apr 21, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr talks with media prior to playing the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Which makes all the stranger what the rest of us are doing here.  Regardless, fountain of eternal hope/hope-ruiner Amaro has taken to a microphone to express the sheer joy he gets from watching these Phillies dangle a .500 record in front of everybody, then run away giggling.

Amaro answered some questions recently, offering up some real gems.

"“Our job is to try to contend every year.”"

So don’t plan that rebuild for any forthcoming years, you cowards.

"“I don’t have a crystal ball that says it will and it hasn’t shown the consistency that would make you think it will. But there are reasons they have those numbers on the back of their baseball cards.”"

To reiterate: Ruben Amaro has NO crystal ball, DOES have baseball cards, which he implements as scouting/evaluation tools.

"“Obviously we haven’t had consistency in the middle-relief corps, but it’s not our biggest problem. We’d like to be better there.”"

It’s tough to argue with the logic that the Phillies’ biggest problem is that they are not a better baseball team.

"“…if we were to lose Ryan [Howard] and [Carlos Ruiz] for an extended amount of time, it would be very tough on us. There are other people who can step up in both cases and keep us afloat, but I don’t anticipate Ryan’s injury being a long-term one.”"

There are other people, yes.  Just like there were other people last year.  And they’re gone now.  What Amaro can’t say in public is how barely believable it is that these other people will be able to carry a team somewhere impressive.

"“Right now, I don’t think it’s unrealistic for us to still think we’re contending in this division. I think we have the talent to compete and contend in this division.”"

So do I, after we win.  After we lose I become an advocate for moving the franchise the Charlotte.