It just happened that things went their way that specific year. The Phillies won the World Series with Hamels and Brett Myers as their 1-2. Before Lee and Halladay even joined. Baseball is weird.
no, we get what you're saying, but what we're saying is that the goal from the start of this group's regime was to rebuild the franchise and make it an elite org in every facet. that's the end-game here..not winning 1 World Series and then going on to be a shit org like the Phils thereafeter. and doing this doesn't include giving up draft picks to buy expensive 30+yr old free agents every year and collecting contracts that are gonna become albatross/horrendous deals mid-way through. it's a balancing act..they're playing the both the long and short game and to excel at both, they have to be smart about how they move. like for instance; the reports that they won't be giving up any draft picks to sign vets that have been extended QO's..well, that's because they value draft picks and the farm. which goes right along with them turning their nose up at the idea of dealing any of their Top 3 prospects last season. this free agent frenzy and 2yr run has fans taking their eye off the ball. Kasten was clear about the plan and has basically kept to it. the most i could see them doing is building trade packages around our outfield depth because it's really the strongest point of the org right now..overpaid/accomplished vet OF's, OF kids coming up the pipeline, a valued OF'er like SVS. out of our farm arms..Urias, Holmes, and Windle aren't likely to move and we're way thin in terms of infield studs. they have plenty of work to do.
I was just going to say, the Phillies won the WS before they started going all in with big trades and big contracts. Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Howard, Utley, etc... all signed big deals after their last WS and the Phillies have nothing to show for it. In fact, they are now forced to trade Hamels in hopes of getting something for the future, and they are so desperate to bring in a big haul for Hamels that they might screw it up and get nothing. The Phillies are actually a perfect example against spending recklessly.
The Angels, Tigers, Rangers, Cubs, Mets, and Dodgers are all examples of teams that have spent a lot of money in recent years and have nothing to show for it.
The more I think about it, the more the DH or, even more directly, the rule discrepancy between the AL and NL is really starting to irk me. It's just complete BS. Pick one fucking rule for both leagues, it's one sport!
Yeah, Carlos mentioned that as well. Isn't fair that a NL team can lose a player because he wants to DH towards the end of a long term contract.
The DH gives the AL a safety net with guys like Hanley, but TBH if he continues hitting at .300/20 HR's, his bat won't be a premium at the DH position.
Not to mention the NL HAS to have versatile bench guys. You can't live a season without having like 2-3 guys who are versatile but in the AL you can live with a dude who can't play defense anywhere but can hit cause double switches aren't likely You can also say you'll protect relievers more cause you have less thought about taking them out, whereas NL you have to worry about when the pitching spot comes up Idk. Make one damn rule, it's an unfair advantage in constructing a roster
Even with the DH, I don't think I would have gone after Hanley. The DH helps in day-to-day team management with giving guys rest and easier bullpen management, but I don't know that I would construct a team much differently with or without it. By signing a guy who you expect to be a DH you lose a lot of the day-to-day roster flexibility. Most AL teams don't have a true DH anymore.
I don't think anyone with his frame should be a DH. The dude is an athlete. But no refined defensive skills whatsoever. Kinda sad. Can't even hide him at 3B because of his awkward footwork, slow transfer and terrible arm. He's just not skilled defensively.
Could probably play 1B and not be terrible at it, meanwhile hitting well enough to justify being at 1B. Yeah, he's so weird defensively to me. He's a bad defender whose best position might be one of the hardest, SS. Man can he fucking rake though
I got this! Ok, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the NL gets to DH. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the AL gets to DH. On Sunday, the DH is illegal. Now, synchronize your pitching staffs so your best hitting pitchers go every other day while you only rest players on off days after the DH day...
don't tell MLB, but... back in the day when i played in a HS winter league they had a temporary rule (since disbanded) where you could use one DH and one DR every inning you could use different guys, anyone except those already in the lineup was really cool as a player, since we played doubleheaders every SAT and SUN but was a headache on the scorekeepers
