As of July 6th, below .500 and over seven games behind the Braves, is it finally time to sell and start over?
By Dave Holcomb
On July 6th, before taking the field against the first place Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia sits at third place in the National League East at 42-45. The Phillies are 7.5 games behind both the Braves and the Reds for the final wild card spot.
Phillies fans got used to playoff baseball from 2007-2011, and with a city known to have loyal, harsh fans, it’s hard to say the organization should give up on them. But, with an aging roster that is nowhere close to its 102 win team from 2011, it may finally be time to have a fire sale, again.
Infielders Chase Utley and Michael Young are free agents after this season, and pitchers Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon have high salaries that will have many suitors.
In particular, Papelbon, who makes nearly $13 million per season, seems expendable. Detroit seems to be a good fit with their struggles from the closer position in recent years. The other three players will be at least 35 on opening day next season.
Rumors suggest Toronto is interested in acquiring the second-baseman, and many teams would love to gobble up Cliff Lee. The Phillies could get quite a few young players.
In the latest episode of PickinSplinters’ podcast “Around the Diamond”, host Dave Holcomb did argue for both sides and concluded it is hard to see the Phillies as sellers. It’s a tough sports town, and as of now General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. does not want to sell.
“Let’s see how they can finish before the All-Star break,” said Holcomb on Around the Diamond. “That will determine whether the Phillies will be buyers or sellers.”
The Phillies have two more games at home against Atlanta, and then play seven games versus Washington and the Chicago White Sox before breaking for the All-Star game. All the games are at Citizens’ Bank Park.
Philadelphia showed signs of life this week taking two out of three from the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 53-32, the best record in the league.
That stretch, and games the weekend after the All-Star break, could certainly push Amaro to one side or the other.
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