Results tagged ‘ Kyle Kendrick ’
Kendrick, Francisco Tendered Contracts
The Phillies will tender contracts to both Kyle Kendrick and Ben Francisco.
Neither is a surprise.
The Phillies have very little starting pitching depth, so non-tendering Kendrick would have been a risk because it would have allowed him to become a free agent. Had Kendrick then signed elsewhere it would have left Vance Worley as the favorite for the fifth starter’s job. We know injuries happen in the rotation, so it’s always good to have depth.
Francisco was a no-brainer. He could be platooning in right field with Domonic Brown or Ross Gload next season.
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Looking for a holiday gift(s)? The 4th annual Philadelphia Sports Book Signing Extravaganza is Friday from 7-10pm at Barnes & Noble, The Court @ Oxford Valley Mall, 210 Commerce Blvd., Fairless Hills, Pa. Ray Didinger, Anthony Gargano, Glen Macnow, Jayson Stark, Randy Miller, Greg Cosell, Reuben Frank, Mark Eckel and myself will be on hand to sign copies of our books and talk sports.
I’m also signing books from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park. So if you can’t get to Barnes & Noble on Friday night, try the ballpark on Saturday. Thanks!
Moyer, Dobbs Become Free Agents; Unlikely to Return
It looks like the end for Jamie Moyer and Greg Dobbs in Phillies uniforms.
The Phillies said today that Moyer and Dobbs, who was eligible for salary arbitration, have become unrestricted free agents. Both players could return in 2011, although it is highly unlikely. The Phillies placed both players on waivers earlier this week to expedite the process for them to become free agents, which is a pretty good sign they don’t plan to bring them back. Once they cleared waivers, each player filed for free agency.
The waiver process also allowed the Phillies to clear two spots on the 40-man roster.
Moyer, who turns 48 next month, finished the season on the disabled list with an injured elbow. He is going to pitch Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic to see if he can pitch and possibly get a contract before Spring Training.
Looking Ahead: Six Free Agents, Three Arbitration Eligible Players
You probably still have your NLCS hangover, but I thought I’d give everybody a quick look at the Phillies’ offseason. They have six potential free agents and three players eligible for salary arbitration.
Here is a look:
FREE AGENTS
- Jayson Werth. The Phillies and Werth are going to say the right things in the coming weeks. The Phillies are going to say they would love to bring back Werth, which is true. And Werth is going to say he wants to come back, which also is true. But the reality is different. The Phillies already have more than $145 million committed to 16 players in 2011, and Werth is going to be one of the top free agents on the market. Ruben Amaro Jr. has said several times the Phillies can’t have a roster full of $15 million-a-year players, which is what Werth could be making soon. Outfielder Jason Bay received a four-year, $66 million contract from the New York Mets last winter. Werth should command more. Bay hit .267 with a .362 on-base percentage and a .493 slugging percentage in the three seasons leading to free agency. Werth hit .279 with a .376 on-base percentage and a .513 slugging percentage the past three seasons. The numbers show Werth is a better hitter than Bay. He also is a better fielder and base runner. And there seems to be little doubt Scott Boras, who is Werth’s agent, will be seeking the big-time deal Werth has waited his entire career for.
- J.C. Romero. The Phillies have a $4.5 million club option on Romero, but it is unlikely to be exercised. The Phillies are expected to rely next season on Antonio Bastardo instead. And while Romero went 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA the last two seasons, he also missed time with injuries and has walked (42) more hitters than he has struck out (42).
Phillies Add Kendrick, Keep Brown, Dropps Dobbs
The Phillies announced their NLCS roster.
They added Kyle Kendrick as the 11th pitcher, kept Domonic Brown and dropped Greg Dobbs.
“It’s great,” Brown said, who went 0 for 1 and scored a run in the NLDS. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be on the roster, but it has turned into another great experience for me.”
Ruben Amaro Jr. said manager Charlie Manuel made the final decision. He said Manuel felt Brown “would bring a little bit more to the table. It was a tough decision. Charlie ultimately felt like it was the right thing for us to do.”
Brown hit .210 (13 for 62) with three doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs during the regular season. Dobbs hit .198 (32 for 163) with seven doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs. Manuel said Brown’s and Dobbs’ offense was equal. He said Brown’s speed was an advantage over Dobbs, although he said Dobbs’ experience and ability to play the infield were important.
Not important enough.
“I thought that maybe my postseason experience and how well I’ve done in the postseason might play a role in it,” Dobbs said. “Being an older veteran, more experienced, more versatile, I thought that would play in my favor. Obviously, it did not.”
The NLDS Roster
The Phillies just announced their NLDS roster.
Greg Dobbs, Domonic Brown and Antonio Bastardo are ON. Kyle Kendrick, Danys Baez and David Herndon are OUT.
Here is how it looks:
- Pitchers (10): Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin and Bastardo.
- Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider.
- Infielders (7): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Wilson Valdez, Mike Sweeney and Dobbs.
- Outfielders (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload and Brown.
The Phillies obviously feel with Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt they do not need 11 pitchers, which cost Kendrick a spot. Dobbs could provide insurance should something happen to Rollins, who missed most of September with an injured hamstring. If Valdez had to play, the Phillies would have nobody to backup Polanco or even Utley.
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Aligning Big Three to Face Braves
Expect the Phillies to align the Big Three to face the Braves next week at Citizens Bank Park.
Rich Dubee said today there is a “good chance” Roy Oswalt will pitch Friday against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, which would allow Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Oswalt to pitch against Atlanta.
It only takes a simple switch to make it happen.
Kyle Kendrick, who currently is scheduled to pitch Friday, would pitch Saturday. Oswalt, who is scheduled to pitch Saturday, would pitch Friday. Oswalt still would be pitching on normal rest, so there is little risk involved.
“As long as (Oswalt) is feeling fine, there’s a real good chance,” Dubee said. “I don’t think there’s any downside to pitching Oswalt, Hamels and Halladay. They are our front three starters. I would think if you have two series with the Braves you’d want the best guys available, if possible.”
The switch also would allow Hamels, Halladay and Oswalt to pitch against the Braves on Oct. 1-3 at Turner Field, if necessary. The Phillies entered tonight’s game against the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium with a one-game lead over the Braves in the National League East.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Rollins Remains Day to Day with Hamstring Injury
Jimmy Rollins remains day-to-day with tightness in his right hamstring.
He hobbled around the bases in the third inning last night in a 10-6 victory over the Marlins. He reached on a double and scored on a single, clearly having trouble running. Wilson Valdez took his place in the fourth.
Charlie Manuel indicated dehydration could have affected Rollins, who was ill.
“He’s better today,” Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. “I’m not sure when he’s going to play, but he’s better. We don’t think it’s a long term issue.”
Any chance he plays tomorrow night against the New York Mets at Citi Field?
“It’s possible, but he could miss the whole weekend,” Amaro said. “He could play tomorrow. He could play Saturday. He could play Sunday or Monday. I don’t know yet.”
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Amaro said if the Phillies have decided on Saturday’s starter — it’ll be either Kyle Kendrick or Vance Worley — he didn’t know.
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The Phillies cut loose Nate Robertson after last night’s dreadful effort. They also placed Scott Mathieson on the DL.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Projecting the Rotation
The Phillies have not said if Kyle Kendrick, Vance Worley or Nate Robertson will be pitching Saturday against the Mets at Citi Field.
We know Roy Halladay is pitching Friday and Roy Oswalt is pitching Sunday. That keeps the Phillies in position to set up their rotation so Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels face the Braves in both three-game series against them later this month. Here is how the Phillies could setup their rotation. Days of rest are in parentheses. Four-days rest is normal rest. Five-days rest is an extra day of rest:
- Monday at FLA: Joe Blanton (5)
- Tuesday at FLA: Cole Hamels (5)
- Wedneday at FLA: Roy Halladay (4)
- Sept. 16: OFF
- Sept. 17 vs. WASH: Roy Oswalt (4)
- Sept. 18 vs. WASH: Kendrick, Worley or Robertson (6)
- Sept. 19 vs. WASH: Blanton (5)
- Sept. 20 vs. ATL: Hamels (5)
- Sept. 21 vs. ATL: Halladay (5)
- Sept. 22 vs. ATL: Oswalt (4)
- Sept. 23: OFF
- Sept. 24 vs. NYM: Blanton (4)
- Sept. 25 vs. NYM: Kendrick, Worley or Robertson (6)
- Sept. 26 vs. NYM: Hamels (5)
- Sept. 27 at WASH: Halladay (5)
- Sept. 28 at WASH: Oswalt (5)
- Sept. 29 at WASH: Blanton (4)
- Sept. 30: OFF
- Oct. 1: Hamels (4)
- Oct. 2: Halladay (4)
- Oct. 3: Oswalt (4)
The way this sets up, no Phillies pitcher will have to pitch on short rest down the stretch. It also gives the big guns most of the starts with the fifth starter getting just three.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Offense Shows A Flash
The Phillies showed they still have some life in their bats last night in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Marlins.
They have averaged 4.59 runs per game this season, which surprisingly ranks fifth in the National League. They led the league in runs per game in 2009, averaging 5.06. They ranked second in 2008, averaging 4.93. They ranked first in 2007 (5.51) and 2006 (5.34) and second in 2005 (4.98). You have to go back to 2002 to find a Phillies offense that averaged fewer runs than the 2010 Phillies. The 2002 Phillies ranked seventh in the league, averaging 4.41 runs per game.
This is what the Phillies offense is — it’s the first week of September, not the first week of June – so nights when they score one or two runs should no longer be a surprise. In the past the offense carried the Phillies into the postseason. But unless something dramatic happens the final month of the season, pitching is going to have to carry them into the postseason this year.
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Charlie Manuel dropped Jimmy Rollins to fifth in the lineup in Game 2. Rollins has been struggling lately, and for much of the season. According to Fangraphs.com, Rollins has hit line drives only 16.8 percent of the time this season, the lowest level of his career. He has hit infield pop flys 10.5 percent of the time. That is lower than 2008 (11.8 percent) and 2009 (13.7 percent), but higher than his 2007 MVP season (7.5 percent).
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Vance Worley pitched OK in Game 1, but did he pitch good enough to bump Kyle Kendrick from the rotation? Manuel and Rich Dubee are down on Kendrick after the way he pitched Prince Fielder on Sunday, so it will be very interesting to see what they do.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Kendrick Optioned, Carpenter Recalled
The Phillies optioned Kyle Kendrick to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and recalled Andrew Carpenter to take his place on the 25-man roster.
Carpenter is 7-6 with a 3.41 ERA in 18 starts this season with the IronPigs.
It is possible Carpenter takes Kendrick’s place in the rotation. But here’s another possibility: the Phillies make Carpenter a long man in the bullpen until J.A. Happ rejoins the rotation in five days.
Or the Phillies make a trade for starting pitching help.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer reviewed my book today. Check it out!
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Todd Zolecki
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