Right Off Russell

Here’s some perspective on the next opponent for the O’s. Thanks to Peter aka Whole Camels at The Good Phight.

The Phils are in 1st place in the NL East. Do you feel as if the team is playing to its potential? What does it feel like not having to play catch-up?
The Phillies led for a good chunk of 2008 as well; a mid-summer swoon allowed the Mets to catch and pass them, leading to another come-from-behind September.

As to whether they’re playing to their potential, by and large, no I don’t think they are. Jimmy Rollins (see #3) has been dreadful, as has basically the entire pitching staff. Even Cole Hamels has been less-than-advertised. The offense, aside from Rollins, has been more than expected, and the loss of Raul Ibanez and the inevitable regression of guys like Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz is going to hurt really badly if the pitching staff doesn’t get its act together.

Ibanez just went on the 15 day DL. What’s it like having him on the field? How does the team make up for him while he is out?
Again, hopefully the pitchers will right themselves, and Rollins will at least come close to his prior performance, which will mitigate a good bit of the dropoff. He will be replaced by some rolling combination of John Mayberry, Greg Dobbs, and Matt Stairs, which might not actually be that terrible.

Staying healthy is something that 37 year old outfielders struggle with; we all knew (or should have known) this when he signed that deal last winter.

There seems to be some concern over Rollins .217 average. What else is he bringing to the table if not his bat?
He remains an excellent defensive player, but it seems like his baserunning and basestealing has suffered, as well. I’m not sure I would buy any of the “leadership” ideas, either.

What area on the team is struggling the most?
Pitching, particularly starting pitching, which has the runoff effect of killing your bullpen, which we saw plain evidence of during this week’s sweep by the Blue Jays. They need help, and soon.

As July approaches, who are the players that the Phils are targeting in trades?
Among the players who are realistically available, the names we hear mentioned most are Brad Penny, Jarrod Washburn, and Jason Marquis. I don’t really care for any of them, but I probably prefer Washburn. Probably another bullpen arm in there, too.

If it were me, I’d sell the farm to Cleveland for Cliff Lee. But that ain’t happening.