That Balls Outta Here » free agency

Ryan Madson and Phillies Still Apparently Friends After All This Time

Justin Klugh — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:18:37 +0000

It really is that time of year when all of my posts include Ruben Amaro in some capacity, and he becomes this protagonist of the Phillies’ offseason chronicles. Its warm imagery like Ruben staring at some prospect across the table menacingly or throwing coffee in some uppity agent’s face that keeps us from the tightening grasp of winter madness.

And now, we see that Ruben has begun this offseason with the signature complete lack of patience and willingness to compromise that has defined the past few years. In a good way. (more…)

Pete Orr’s Canadian Heritage Not Enough to Keep him on Phillies

Justin Klugh — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:04:39 +0000

Do you like Pete Orr? You probably do. He’s one of the few unhateable people walking the earth.

But this is offseason baseball, when we don’t have a keen slide or a quirky smile to distract us from the numbers. So at this point, nothing Pete Orr does can change his perceived skill level. Who cares if he brings an aura of raw Canadian wilderness to the clubhouse?

Ruben has decided to outright Pete to Triple-A, where he will earn the respect of his peers by being weirdly fast and sort of sometimes competent at the plate. We shall look forward to seeing him again the next time something awful happens to a middle infielder. (more…)

Things the Phillies Could Do Instead of Keeping Jayson Werth

Justin Klugh — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:12:56 +0000

Saw this headline in the Morning Call today, and I did not even read it. I’m bored with the glacial pace of the Jayson Werth storyline, so I’ve cooked up a few plans of my own.

Platoon

I think this might be one of the better options. Call everybody to the clubhouse, which could be hard, since they’re all vacationing in Mexico, but get ‘um there. Then, dim the lights and without any introduction, start playing Platoon on the big screen. Everyone will be so mesmerized that they’ll probably adopt personalities from some of the characters and bring that intensity onto the field.

(more…)