Congratulations to the Braves, who clinched a postseason berth with a win over the Marlins last night. Though Atlanta still has a shot at the NL East title, they're more likely to play the National League's second Wild Card team in a one-game playoff once the regular season ends. Here are some links from the NL East…
- Trading for Gio Gonzalez and bringing back Davey Johnson were some of the most important moves the Nationals made last offseason, GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Rizzo called Wilson Ramos Washington’s “catcher of the future,” but made it clear that the Nationals will have lots of playing time for Kurt Suzuki next year.
- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen “blew his second chance” with Miami and doesn’t deserve another one in the opinion of FOX Sports writer Jon Paul Morosi. The Marlins stuck with the outspoken manager after his comments about Fidel Castro in April, but there are rumblings that his job is no longer secure.
- Someone like Nick Swisher could be “the ideal offensive fit” for the Phillies’ lineup, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News writes.
- MLBTR's Mark Polishuk previewed a possible extension for Kris Medlen earlier today.
Agreed on Swisher… just depends on his price. Still would need a center fielder though.
I have ZERO clue why any Phils fan would want Swisher. Unless you yearn for the return of Pat Burrell and Hunter Pence with a contract that’ll make Werth’s contract look like Jose Batista’s.
Yeah I have ZERO clue why anyone would want a guy with a .360ish obp with 25-30 home run power and is going to post a mid .800 ops.
I agree with you. Swisher approach at the plate would be a welcome influence that this lineup has been missing SINCE guys like Burrell and Werth left. He is a guy that actually makes a pitcher work, and helps to get the starter out of the game.
IMO part of the Phillies problem in the past few years is that they became a lineup full of guys (Rollins, Victorino, Howard, Pence, Ibanez) who swung at EVERYTHING. Aside from Ruiz and Utley (when healthy) no one actually works a count or knows when to take a pitch.
The only thing that worries me about Swisher is the numbers its going to take to lock him up. He’s supposedly targeting Werth numbers (which is obviously just a negotiation tactic… no way he gets that) but either way, I think whoever gets him is going to overpay.
Jon Paul morosi is taking a real risky stand there.
Of course RAJ would be interested in Nick Swisher. He is Hunter Pence all over again.
Annoying personality? Check. Defensive liability in a corner outfield position? Check. Overrated bat? Check. Padded stats by feasting off bad pitching? Check (his awful playoff numbers).
Of course RAJ won’t bother to look at Swisher’s stats pre-Yankees. You know before he was plucked to be a middle line-up hitter in a stacked offense that plays in a park and a division that is to say the least…hitter friendly.
So perfect. These are all of the things I said about Pence at last year’s deadline when my Braves were rumored to be interested in him. Then Frank Wren being the genius that he is- agreed with me by trading for Bourn, not Pence. However I was ripped to shreds and so was Frank. I remember having a handful of bandwagoners try to sell me on the fact that Pence was “a plus defensive RF” and “an adequate defensive CF” Shz-Yeah!
Swisher’s plate approach is WAYYYY different than Pence’s. Hunter has never seen a pitch he didn’t like, even if it was three feet outside of the strike zone. Swisher actually makes a pitcher throw pitches, and works counts, which is something the Phillies sorely need among their free swinging lineup.
Defensively, Swisher will never win a Gold Glove (or shouldn’t, see Bobby Abreu), but he is smart enough to play within himself. Pence routinely turns a base hit into a triple by diving straight ahead and missing the ball.
The Phillies have not had a RH bat that actually makes a pitcher earn their out since Burrell and Werth left. The guys that we have put up there in to fill that void (Mayberry, Pence, Wigginton) are clueless. I would certainly welcome Swisher in this lineup.
Plus, think of the goodwill in the clubhouse from having Swisher and Papelbon re-enact their stupid shaving commercial day in and day out!!!
remember when the nationals said jesus flores was their ‘catcher of the future’? If Ramos gets injured after spring, no more opportunities, I bet
As a Mets fan, I’m REALLY HOPING they are naive enough to sign up for Swisher. He’s looking to break the bank and can easily help the Phillies as they begin circling the drain. If they want to sign a long term deal for an over rated player in a last ditch effort to try and keep that window open, I’m all for it! It’s not going to work and they’ll be paying for it for quite some time. Go get em Phillies!
Like the mets arnt paying the same when they signed Jason bay that has not worked out either
Like the mets arnt paying the same when they signed Jason bay that has not worked out either
Like the mets arnt paying the same when they signed Jason bay that has not worked out either
I can’t stand Swisher. As a Phillies fan, I don’t know if my team needs any more swagger, but his plate discipline (his only good quality outside of the little-league Yankees Stadium and the offensively stacked lineup) would be welcomed. I’d hate to have to see that stupid smirk, but if he can fill the 6 or 7 spot in the lineup with a relatively consistent bat, I might get over it.