Phillies Odds and Ends

Cody Asche goes yard in Allentown.
Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr.

Some notes on the Phillies off-season and upcoming Spring Training.

• The Phillies are hyping up Ryan Howard's character in efforts to trade him. No offense to the second best power hitter in Phillies history, but no one is trading for character, they need a baseball player. I'm shocked actually at how incapable the Phillies have been at trying to deal their first baseman. Yes, he is owed an absurd amount of money, but the Phillies could handle that in-house. You would think some AL team would take 23 homers from a lefty DH. He certainly is more productive, when price is removed, than the players that Kansas City and Tampa Bay obtained.
• Despite what they say, I do believe the Phillies would release Ryan Howard before the season, and should. Yes, he's owed $60 million. He's going to get that whether he plays here, doesn't play here, or we pay someone else to pay him. He's blocking up a roster spot on a team that can no longer afford to have him on the field. Releasing Howard frees up roster spots, line-up spots,  and overall playing time. If they have to pay him, so be it. They have to anyway. Moving Howard out before he gets ten-and-five rights in May is imperative. If that means a buy-out, then do it.
• Wandy Rodriguez won't be on the 2015 team, or even in camp. He failed his physical, and then somehow signed in Atlanta. To me, this sounds like a mutual parting where an excuse was needed. Is there no longer room in the Phillies rotation? That could only be true if Cole Hamels is not moving right now. Perhaps that's true. This could also mean that Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez or Adam Morgan, among others, are benefitting. Right now you'd have to pencil in a rotation of Hamels, Lee, Harang, Williams, and Buchanan.
• Speaking of Cole Hamels, if the San Diego Padres do not want to include Wil Myers in a trade, I'd say thanks, but no thanks. I like Austin Renfroe, but his AA numbers don't cut it on their own. Austin Hedges is also a player I like, but his offense took a step back in AA last season too. Even the two of them as the centerpiece of a deal leaves me concerned.
• If the Phillies can move Hamels and pick up a catching prospect, either now, or during the season, I still see opportunity to move Carlos Ruiz. We know that Arizona is looking for help behind the plate, as could Pittsburgh. Both teams would be intriguing trade partners.
• Ben Revere may price himself out of town if his arbitration case goes the distance. He and Dom Brown both filed yesterday, and both now will submit their salary desires. While Revere's $1.9 million salary was reasonable last year, the limitations of his game cap him only slightly above that in mind. The Phillies should take a chance at selling high on Revere, as they have some decent centerfield options in the system.