The Zo Zone

Phillies Favorites for DeRosa?

2009-11-18T15:39:53Z

FOXSports.com reported early this morning that the Phillies are the favorite to land Mark DeRosa, according to a Major-League source.

But the Phillies also are seriously interested in Placido Polanco and Adrian Beltre. Other potential candidates like Miguel Tejada could become possibilities, depending how the market develops.

DeRosa hit .250 with 23 home runs and 78 RBIs last season with the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. He hit .285 with 21 homers and 87 RBIs in 2008 with the Chicago Cubs. He had wrist surgery Oct. 26, but his representatives said Tuesday that DeRosa should resume baseball activities before Spring Training.

There are reasons why DeRosa would fit.

He is from the Northeast. He grew up in New Jersey and attended Penn. He has a reputation as a hard worker and good teammate, which the Phillies consider important attributes. He also is not expected to command a major salary, which is why Chone Figgins is not a realistic possibility for the Phillies. DeRosa made $5.5 million last season.

Of course, those same things can be said about Polanco. He played with the Phillies from 2002-05. He is a hard worker, good teammate and also is unlikely to command a major deal. He made $4.6 million last season. But one potential sticking point with Polanco is that he is a Type A free agent. If the Detroit Tigers offer him salary arbitration, the Phillies would forfeit their first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft if they sign him.

The Phillies have liked DeRosa for some time. They talked with him and Wes Helms about joining the Phillies before the 2007 season, but ultimately signed Helms. They also tried to trade for DeRosa last winter. The deal ultimately fell through, and the Phillies signed Raul Ibanez to play left field.

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Park's Preference: Starter or Reliever?

2009-11-18T03:50:11Z

The Phillies are looking to bring back Chan Ho Park as a relief pitcher in 2010.

But what does Park want?

"I want to be a starter again," Park said in The Korea Times earlier this month. "Being a starter is more attractive for me, because I can take over a whole game."

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday that Park is a reliever as far as he has been told from Park's agency.

"His preference is to go to a winning ball club," said Park's agent, Jeff Borris. "There are some clubs that are interested in Chan Ho as a starter. There are some clubs that are interested in Chan Ho solely as a reliever, which would be the Philies. There are some clubs that see him as somebody with some swingman attributes, where he could perform in both roles. We're really not shutting the door on any possibilities right now."

Park talked extensively during spring training about how much he valued starting because his fellow Koreans could watch him pitch. Obviously, watching him is much more difficult when he is a relief pitcher.

But he also was much more successful as a relief pitcher in 2009. He beat J.A. Happ for the final spot in the rotation in spring training, but went 1-1 with a 7.29 ERA in seven starts before the Phillies moved him to the bullpen. Park went 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA in 38 relief appearances.

"I've been pleased with the response that we're getting on him," Borris said.

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Hot Corner Update

2009-11-18T00:40:25Z

We know the Phillies are looking for a new third baseman, but I've gotten a couple questions recently about a couple potential replacements for Pedro Feliz. Namely, how is Mark DeRosa recovering from Oct. 26 wrist surgery? And would the Phillies forfeit their 2010 first-round draft pick to sign Placido Polanco, who is a Type A free agent?

DeRosa's representatives said today that DeRosa's wrist is fine.

"Mark underwent successful surgery on his left wrist," Dr. Gary Lourie said in a statement released late last month. "The procedure was completed with no complications, and I expect Mark to resume full baseball activities well before baseball season begins."

The Phillies certainly would prefer not to give up a first-round pick for Polanco. It remains to be seen if the Tigers will offer Polanco salary arbitration, although I would think it is more likely they would. Obviously, if the Tigers don't offer Polanco arbitration he becomes much more attractive because nobody would have to forfeit a top draft pick to sign him.

Stay tuned.

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Finding Bruntlett's Replacement

2009-11-17T01:42:52Z

The Phillies have bigger fish to fry than finding Eric Bruntlett's replacement as the team's utility player -- they're looking hard for a third baseman and bullpen help -- but it certainly has its importance. It's especially important because they have nobody in the system that can play shortstop for a significant stretch should something happen to Jimmy Rollins.

The Phillies recently removed Bruntlett, right-hander Tyler Walker, catcher Paul Hoover, infielder Andy Tracy and right-hander John Ennis from their 40-man roster. They have become free agents. Bruntlett and Walker will not be back next season, although Philadelphia contacted the agents for Hoover, Tracy and Ennis about possible returns.

Names to watch to replace Bruntlett are John McDonald, Omar Vizquel, Jamey Carroll, Ronnie Belliard and Juan Uribe. Miguel Cairo, who played for the Phillies in 2009, is a free agent and could be a possibility, but I think the Phillies probably would like to go elsewhere.

Bruntlett hit just .171 (18-for-105) with seven doubles, seven RBIs and two stolen bases in very limited action this season. Bruntlett hit a more respectable .217 in 2008, when he had 212 at-bats because of an ankle injury to Rollins in April and came in as a late defensive replacement for former left fielder Pat Burrell.

Bruntlett scored the winning runs in Games 3 and 5 of the 2008 World Series, and is a good guy. Best of luck to him.

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Happ Finishes Second for NL Rookie of the Year

2009-11-16T18:56:28Z

Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ placed second in the Baseball Writers' Association of America's National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Florida's Chris Coghlan won with 104 points.

Happ had 94 points.

Coghlan got 17 first-place votes, but was missing completely on seven of 32 ballots. Happ was the only pitcher to get a vote on every ballot. Coghlan placed second on six ballots and third on two. Happ got 11 second-place votes and 11 third-place votes.

Coghlan led NL rookies in average (.321), runs (84), hits (162), doubles (31), total bases (232), multi-hit games (51) and on-base percentage (.390). Happ was 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA and topped NL rookie pitchers in innings (166), strikeouts (119), complete games (three) and shutouts (two).

Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson received two first-place votes and finished third with 37 points. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen finished fourth with 25 points. The other first-place vote went to Brewers infielder Casey McGehee.

The Phillies removed Eric Bruntlett, Tyler Walker, Paul Hoover, Andy Tracy and John Ennis from the 40-man roster. They are now free agents. Bruntlett and Walker will not be back next season, but Hoover, Tracy and Ennis might.

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A Hot Stove Refresher

2009-11-16T04:03:16Z

Let's catch up with where the Phillies stand as teams can sign free agents beginning Friday.

First, some important dates to know:

The Phillies have until Dec. 1 to offer salary arbitration to their own free agents.
Free agents offered arbitration have until Dec. 7 to accept.
The Phillies have until Dec. 12 to tender contracts to their remaining unsigned players.

Everybody knows the Phillies are looking for a new third baseman. They would love Chone Figgins, but they are not expected to be in the running because he is seeking a reported five-year, $50 million deal. The Phillies already have $106.75 million committed to just 12 players next season, which does not include significant raises to salary arbitration eligible players Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton and Carlos Ruiz, plus upgrades to the bullpen and bench. The Phillies are going to look for a shorter, more affordable contract to fill their void at third. More likely targets are Placido Polanco, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa. The Phillies have had interest in Miguel Tejada in the past, but he also might command too big a contract.

The Phillies reportedly have expressed interest in right-hander Fernando Rodney, but if he can close elsewhere, I imagine that is where he would go.

The Phillies have nine free agents: catcher Paul Bako, infielder Miguel Cairo, left-hander Scott Eyre, third baseman Pedro Feliz, right-hander Pedro Martinez, right-hander Brett Myers, right-hander Chan Ho Park, outfielder Matt Stairs and left-hander Jack Taschner.

Park and Eyre, who are Type B free agents, seem to be the most likely players to return. Ruben Amaro Jr. said he has contacted Park's agent about bringing him back. Eyre, who had elbow surgery last Monday, said he will play for the Phillies or retire. If he decides to play, the Phillies seem interested. He is 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 61 games since he joined the Phillies in Aug. 2008.

The Phillies have told Myers that he will not be back. If Stairs returns, it would on a Minor League deal.

If Feliz returns it means the Phillies' plans to upgrade at third base did not go as intended. Amaro said last week that he has told Martinez that they have not closed the door on his return, but are focusing their attention elsewhere. It seems unlikely Martinez will be back.

Amaro hasn't ruled out Bako's return, but he also said finding a backup catcher is a priority, which indicates they will be looking elsewhere. Taschner is expected to sign elsewhere. It is difficult to picture the Phillies signing Cairo to anything other than a Minor League deal.

The Phillies have seven players eligible for salary arbitration: Blanton, infielder Eric Bruntlett, right-hander Clay Condrey, right-hander Chad Durbin, Ruiz, Victorino and right-hander Tyler Walker. The Phillies are expected to tender contracts to Blanton, Ruiz and Victorino. Durbin is a good bet, depending on how the Phillies rebuild their bullpen. The futures for Bruntlett, Condrey and Walker seem less certain.

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Rollins, Victorino Win Gold Gloves

2009-11-11T21:12:34Z

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino found themselves in rare company Wednesday when they picked up Gold Gloves.

Rollins is the first National League shortstop to win three consecutive Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez in 1997-99, and the first Phillies player to win three consecutive Gold Gloves at any position since Mike Schmidt won nine consecutive at third base from 1976-84. He also is the fifth Phillies player to win at least three Gold Gloves, joining Schmidt (10), Garry Maddox (eight), Manny Trillo (three) and Scott Rolen (three).

Victorino is the first Phillies outfielder to win consecutive Gold Glove since Maddox won eight consecutive from 1975-82.

Rollins led the Majors with a .990 fielding percentage. He committed just six errors, which were fewest in baseball amongst qualifying players. He ranked second in the league in games (152) and innings (1364 2/3), fourth in putouts (212), sixth in total chances (607) and assists (389) and eighth in double plays (72). His career .983 fielding percentage is the second best in baseball history. Only Omar Vizquel is better with a .985 fielding percentage.

Victorino had a .997 fielding percentage, which was the second best in the National League amongst outfielders. He committed just one error. He ranked sixth with 336 putouts. He ranked tied for fifth amongst centerfielders with eight assists.

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Debbie Downer Says Halladay Unlikely

2009-11-11T02:00:19Z

Would the Phillies like Roy Halladay in their rotation in 2010?

Absolutely. But sources said today the chances of the Phillies trading for Halladay this off-season are unlikely. Ruben Amaro Jr. would not address those rumors, but asked about the possibility of trading Cole Hamels, Amaro chuckled.

"Hamels is one of our starters next year," he said. "And we view the combination of Hamels and (Cliff) Lee as strong a top of the rotation as anybody's in the league."

The Phillies believe Hamels will rebound in 2010, and if he does rebound they believe they will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the National League. And because the Phillies believe that, Amaro reiterated that his priorities this off-season are finding a third baseman -- Adrian Beltre, Miguel Tejada, Placido Polanco and Mark DeRosa are possibilities -- and upgrading the bullpen.

There are reasons why a Halladay trade would be difficult. The Blue Jays wanted right-hander Kyle Drabek, left-hander J.A. Happ and outfielders Domonic Brown and Anthony Gose for Halladay before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Phillies balked, kept their top prospects and sent four other prospects to the Cleveland Indians for Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco. The Phillies were unwilling to part with their top talent for two potential postseasons with Halladay. They would be less likely to trade top talent for one potential postseason with him.

Putting together an attractive package for Halladay likely would mean gutting the farm system, when the four prospects sent to Cleveland are considered. There are a lot of pieces that need to fit to make a trade like this. Now, if the Blue Jays come to the Phillies with a reduced asking price then maybe things change, but until then it remains unlikely.

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Four More Phillies File for Free Agency

2009-11-10T01:18:03Z

It is a formality, but Chan Ho Park, Pedro Feliz, Matt Stairs and Paul Bako filed for free agency today.

They joined Pedro Martinez, Brett Myers and Miguel Cairo, who filed Friday.

The Phillies have contacted Park's agent about returning next season, which makes sense at the right price. He pitched effectively in the bullpen, going 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA in 38 relief appearances. The Phillies have told Myers that he will not be back. They have declined Feliz's $5.5 million club option, which means they are exploring other options at third base. Stairs seems unlikely to return, unless they bring him back on a minor-league deal. It sounds like the Phillies will look elsewhere for a backup catcher. Martinez also seems unlikely to return because the Phillies already have Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick and others signed or under their control.

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Phillies Declind Feliz's 2010 Option

2009-11-09T00:08:43Z

The Phillies are going to explore other options at third base.

They announced tonight they have declined Pedro Feliz's $5.5 million club option for 2010. They will pay his $500,000 buyout instead.

"This doesn't preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season," Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative."

There are some intriguing names available at third base. Chone Figgins would be the best third baseman available on the free-agent market. Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa are interesting names. Former Phillies infielder Placido Polanco is expected to become a free agent. He has played second base since he joined the Detroit Tigers in 2005, but has played third in the past.

The Phillies are expected to bring back their remaining seven everyday players - catcher Carlos Ruiz, first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, leftfielder Raul Ibanez, centerfielder Shane Victorino and rightfielder Jayson Werth - which means this could be the Phillies' only opportunity to upgrade their lineup. They have plenty of power, so maybe they look toward finding a quality top-of-the-order hitter. Figgins or Polanco would fit that bill. Figgins hit .298 with 114 runs scored, a .395 on-base percentage and 42 stolen bases this season for the Los Angeles Angels. Polanco hit .285 with a .331 on-base percentage and 82 runs scored.

Like Amaro said, the Phillies still could re-sign Feliz if they don't find a suitable alternative. But there is some risk. Feliz could ask for more than the $5.5 million he would have received had the Phillies simply picked up the option. Or he could sign elsewhere. The Phillies are willing to take that risk.

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Lidge, Ibanez, Eyre to Have Surgery Next Week

2009-11-07T23:21:50Z

It turns out Phillies closer Brad Lidge was more injured in 2009 than he let on.

He will have surgery Wednesday to remove a loose body from his right elbow. He also will have his right flexor/pronator tendon evaluated. If the tendon needs to be repaired, Lidge is unlikely to be ready to pitch by the beginning of Spring Training - although he should be ready a short time after. If the tendon is fine, he should be ready to pitch when camp opens in February in Clearwater, Fla.

Lidge, who went 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA and 31 saves in 42 opportunities, also spent time on the disabled list this season with inflammation in his right knee. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lidge's knee is fine.

Leftfielder Raul Ibanez will have a sports hernia surgically repaired, and left-hander Scott Eyre will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow. Both surgeries will be Monday.

Ibanez went on the disabled list June 18 with a strained left groin. It was later revealed in a Sports Illustrated story that he had a small, but significant muscle tear in his abdomen. It could have affected Ibanez's play the final months of the season. He hit .312 with 22 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .656 slugging percentage in 62 games through June 17. He hit .232 with 12 homers, 34 RBIs and a .448 slugging percentage in 72 games the rest of the regular season.

Eyre is a potential free agent. Amaro said they will decide whether or not they are interested in re-signing Eyre based on the results from his surgery.

Both Ibanez and Eyre are expected to be ready to play by Spring Training.

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Myers Won't Be Back in 2010

2009-11-06T20:28:00Z

Brett Myers will not be back with the Phillies in 2010.

He said this afternoon that Ruben Amaro Jr. informed him that he would not be re-signed. Myers, who the Phillies drafted in the first round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, said he first saw it coming when the Phillies acquired left-hander Cliff Lee in July and when he rarely pitched in the postseason. But he also knew with the salaries the Phillies already had committed that he was unlikely to return.

"Kenny Powers is officially a free agent," he joked in a telephone interview.

Myers went 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in 240 games (183) starts in his Phillies career. He went 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA this season, which was derailed in May with an injured right hip that required surgery in June. Myers rejoined the team in September as a relief pitcher, but strained his right latissimus dorsi muscle that sidelined him for a couple more weeks.

"I'll be fine," Myers said. "I've got friends and family up here, but there's always a time when change has to happen. If I don't fit their plans that's fine with me. There's nothing I can do about it. I can't sit here and be sad about it. It's been great playing here. I've had ups and downs here. It's always tough when you have to leave your family behind, and I consider the Phillies family. I've been with them for 10 years. But like I said, there's always a time when you want to go."

"We decided to go in a different direction," Amaro said.

Myers said he would have been willing to sign a one-year, incentive laden deal to remain with the Phillies, but the Phillies weren't interested. He also said he has no preference regarding starting or relieving with his new team. He said he would like to pitch closer to his Jacksonville, Fla., home. If he starts, he would like to start in the National League. If he is a reliever, he would pitch in either league.

"I just need to keep pitching and be myself," he said. "There's nothing I can change about myself and there's nothing I'm going to change about myself. It's me. It's who I am. I'm going to compete just as hard for another team. If I come across the Phillies, I'm going to try to make it hell on them. I've got friends on my time, but cross that white line and it's game on, you know?"

The Phillies have contacted Chan Ho Park's agent about returning. ... The Phillies will wait for results on Scott Eyre's elbow surgery before they decide whether or not they want to bring him back. ... If Matt Stairs is back in 2010 at all, it will be on a Minor League deal.

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Phillies Pick Up Lee's Option

2009-11-06T19:01:39Z

The Phillies announced their first significant move of the off-season today when they picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million club option.

It was no surprise.

Ruben Amaro Jr. said they have spoken with Lee's agent a couple times during the postseason, and said they would consider thinking about a contract extension for Lee.

"That said, we have some time on that," Amaro said.

Amaro also said they have not decided on Pedro Feliz's $5.5 million club option. Amaro said that decision must be made by Monday.

"More than anything else, what options might be out there for us," said Amaro, asked why the decision on Feliz's option is more difficult than Lee's. "And deciding whether picking up his option is best suited to try to move forward. He had a solid year for us. I like the man personally. He's a great person. He's a great teammate. But I also believe in trying to improve and sometimes a change can be for the better. It doesn't necessarily mean we're going to, but it's something that we're thinking about."

Amaro announced that leftfielder Raul Ibanez (groin), closer Brad Lidge (elbow) and Scott Eyre (elbow) would be seen by team doctors Friday and Saturday. Eyre needs surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow. Lidge is going to get checked for potential loose bodies in his elbow. And Ibanez will have a MRI on his groin. Ibanez also had a tear in his abdomen, which might require surgery.

"We're getting our arms around that to see exactly what kind of damage he has in there," Amaro said of Ibanez's injury.

Amaro also announced that the entire coaching staff has been invited back for 2010.

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A Phillies Hot Stove Primer

2009-11-05T20:03:42Z

You're probably still bummed, but if the Phillies are going to become the first National League team to play in three consecutive World Series since the 1942-44 St. Louis Cardinals they are going to have to have a good offseason. So let's take a look at what's ahead in the coming months.

The Phillies, who have the salaries of Adam Eaton, Geoff Jenkins and Jim Thome finally off the books, already have $97.75 million committed to 11 players in 2010: Greg Dobbs ($1.35 million), Cole Hamels ($6.65 million), Ryan Howard ($19 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million), Ryan Madson ($4.5 million), Jamie Moyer ($8.75 million), Jimmy Rollins ($8.5 million), J.C. Romero ($4 million), Chase Utley ($15 million), Jayson Werth ($7 million) and Raul Ibanez ($11.5 million).

The Phillies have nine potential free agents:

Paul Bako
Miguel Cairo
Scott Eyre - Type B free agent
Pedro Feliz (pending $5.5 million club option)
Cliff Lee (pending $9 million club option) - Type A free agent
Pedro Martinez
Brett Myers
Chan Ho Park - Type B free agent
Matt Stairs

They have seven players eligible for salary arbitration:

Joe Blanton
Eric Bruntlett
Clay Condrey
Chad Durbin
Carlos Ruiz
Shane Victorino
Tyler Walker

Let's look today at the two players with club options: Lee and Feliz.

We know the Phillies will pick up Lee's option, which pushes the payroll to 12 players at $106.75 million. Asked last night if he would like to talk about a long-term deal with the Phillies in the off-season, Lee said, "I haven't really thought about it. It's not up to me. It's up to ... yeah, I'd like to, but I can't force anything. That's out of my control." I'm guessing both sides will talk about an extension, but I also believe Lee is going to be very interested in testing the free-agent market after the 2010 season. If he pitches like he pitched the past two seasons, he is line for a major payday. I think a deal might be tough to reach, but I thought the same thing about Howard last offseason.

Do the Phillies pick up Feliz's option? They could, but if they don't there are options. Chone Figgins easily is the top free-agent third baseman on the market. Adrian Beltre, Juan Uribe, Mark DeRosa, Melvin Mora, Troy Glaus, Hank Blalock and Joe Crede also are out there. How good would Figgins be in this lineup? Fantastic. He hits, gets on base, runs and plays good defense. He sure would look good hitting between Rollins and Utley. Another name is Placido Polanco. He also would look good hitting between Rollins and Utley. He has played third before. In fact, he played there for the Phillies. But is he more comfortable at second base, where he has been since he joined the Tigers? He has not played third since 2005, so would the Phillies even think he can still play there?

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Little Red Machine Can't Repeat

2009-11-05T08:27:52Z

Jimmy Rollins said in Philadelphia last month when the Phillies clinched their third consecutive National League East championship that he wanted to wear Harry Kalas' jacket and shoes during another parade down Broad Street. He said in Denver when the Phillies clinched the NL Division Series that he hoped the Phillies could be known as the Little Red Machine, referring to the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, the last team to win consecutive World Series.

Neither came true when the Yankees beat the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series last night, 7-3.

A few things from the clubhouse before the Ny-Quil kicks in and I pass out:

Pedro Martinez left the ballpark almost immediately after the game. A few reporters got him before he jumped on an elevator, which would have been fine except an obnoxious and perhaps drunk Yankees fan stood next to him and harrassed him. No security jumped in. Martinez indicated he was sick during his start. He left before he could be asked about his future. Rich Dubee said he thinks Martinez could pitch effectively through an entire season. We'll see what his future is with the Phillies, but I tend to think another team will offer him more money than the Phillies would be willing to commit.
Brett Myers and Scott Eyre both said they would like to be back. Both are free agents. Eyre, who is considering retirement, said he would play only for the Phillies. Myers, who could be a starter or reliever elsewhere, said he likes both roles.
Asked how he felt about his performance, Ryan Howard said, "I feel cool. I feel cool. I think the only thing you can do now is go home and relax and come back for Spring Training."
"Are they better than we are? For this series they were," Charlie Manuel said of the Yankees. "They've got the trophy. We don't. We gave it up, but we're going to get it back."
Manuel, on if he considered replacing Martinez with J.A. Happ to face Hideki Matsui in the third inning: "Pedro, he knows how to pitch. He's got experience. I had to let him face that guy. We can go down 4-1 and we can definitely rebound there. But I had to let him - it wasn't the time for me to take him out."

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