Results tagged ‘ Matt Stairs ’
It's Opening Night
Moments from the pregame fesitivities:
The Phillies showed a video montage before the ceremonies began. The three loudest cheers? Matt Stairs‘ homer in Game 4 of the NLCS, Joe Blanton‘s homer in Game 4 of the World Series and Brad Lidge striking out Eric Hinske to win the World Series.
The players walked from the street to the back of the ballpark, past the World Series trophy and onto the field.
Charlie Manuel raised the 2008 championship flag.
Miss America Katie Stam sang the National Anthem. I like her.
One member of the 82nd Airborne Parachute team missed the ballpark. Hope he’s OK.
Could Sheffield Fit in Philly?
The Detroit Tigers surprised everybody this morning when they released Gary Sheffield, who is owed $14 million this season.
Sheffield is a right-handed, power-hitting corner outfielder.
The Phillies are looking for a right-handed, power-hitting corner outfielder.
Is there a match here?
There could be, but there are some things to consider. First, the Tigers released Sheffield because they said they wanted more versatility on their 25-man roster … and they actually could have used him as a DH. Can Sheffield still play in the outfield? He obviously would have no choice with the Phillies. Second, Sheffield told the Detroit Free Press that his first preference is the Tampa Bay Rays, although I’m not sure how that would work because the Rays have Pat Burrell and Gape Kapler. But if Sheffield prefers to play in the American League, where he can DH, the Phillies obviously aren’t a match. But if Sheffield, who has 499 home runs, can’t find a match in the American League the Phillies would make some sense.
That is, if he isn’t looking for regular playing time.
Got it so far?
But even if the Phillies think Sheffield can play in the outfield and if Sheffield is OK playing in the National League in a non-everyday role, the Phillies still would have to release or trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs to make room for him. The Phillies have been trying to trade Jenkins this spring, and I believe that continues to be their preference: move or release Jenkins and keep Stairs.
FOX’s Ken Rosenthal reported today that the Phillies are unwilling to eat Jenkins’ $8 million salary, which includes a $1.25 buyout on a 2010 club option. But if that is the case, maybe Sheffield could change their thinking.
Why? Because the Phillies only would have to pay Sheffield $400,000. In essence, they would be paying Sheffield $8.4 million to get a right-handed bat for their bench compared to paying Jenkins $8 million.
Other things to consider:
Sheffield was hitting .178 (8 for 45) with three homers and five RBIs this spring. He walked 13 times for a .387 on-base percentage, but had a .378 slugging percentage. He also hit .225 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs in 418 at-bats last season, when he played just six games in the outfield.
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Reds 10, Phillies 3 – 2/27
The Phillies dropped to 0-3 in Grapefruit League action, but Charlie Manuel isn’t concerned.
He finally is seeing a little life from his offense. Shane Victorino went 2 for 3. Raul Ibanez went 1 for 2 with one RBI. Greg Dobbs went 1 for 2 with one RBI. Matt Stairs went 0 for 3, but he crushed a ball to right field that died on the warning track because of the wind. And J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson allowed a combined one unearned run in three innings in relief. Dave Borkowski threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
“We’re starting to swing better,” Manuel said. “We hit some balls hard today. That’s going to come. I’m not worried about our hitting. That’s definitely going to come. We’re playing a lot of guys that we’re trying to take a look at.”
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Manuel said Jayson Werth, who hasn’t played in the first three games, will play tomorrow against the Tampa Bay Rays at Bright House Field.
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Pat Burrell will be in the house tomorrow.
“Strike him out,” Manuel said.
How will you do that, Charlie?
“We’ll go right at him,” he said.
Todd Zolecki
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