The Sports Idiot

In last night’s Game Four of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees we saw the offensive team finally use the shift to their advantage.  With Mark Teixeira at the plate and Johnny Damon standing on first base, the Phillies put the shift on.  Damon proceeded to do one of the smartest things I have ever seen a baseball player do.  He stole second base, doing a feet first slide and popping right up to his feet.  He then raced to third, where there was no one to cover the bag.  Dude stole two bases on one pitch.  Damon then scored the game winning run when Alex Rodriguez hit a double later in the inning.

In a series that base running figured to be a factor, this may turn out to be the biggest play of them all.  The ironic thing is that most of us figured it would be the speedy Phils who would use their base stealing ability to wreak havoc, not old ass Johnny Freaking Damon.

Back on track.  Burnett was stellar last night, putting the ball exactly where he wanted it and outsmarting the Phillies lineup.  Pedro was almost just as good, fooling Yankee hitter after Yankee hitter.  There really is not anything bad we can say about what either guy did on the mound last night.

Which brings us to the point of this entry.  Is this going to be one of those epic World Series’, like the previously referenced 1992 slate between the Twins and Braves?  Right now it certainly looks like it has the potential, but there are some key missing pieces.

Where in the hell are Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez?  Headed into the WS there was no doubt that these dudes were having statement postseasons.  Through two games in the WS, however, they are a combined  two for 17 with 12 Ks.  Yes, that is correct, and those two lone hits were both Howard doubles, giving him and his monstrous one RBI the edge in the matchup.  If this series is going to be one of legend, then both of these guys are going to have to figure it out.

Another missing piece, and what could be their eventual downfall, is the bully for the Yankees.  Mariano Rivera may be the best closer in the history of ever, but he can not pitch two innings every night.  If the Yankees do not get solid work from at least two more members of the bully, they do not stand a chance at winning this series.

Going into this thing we said Phillies in six.  Hopefully we are wrong, for the mere fact that a Game Seven would be epic.  In order to make that happen, either ARod or Howard are going to have to show up.  Whichever one decides to first, may just be wearing the championship uniform.

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If you own Sherrill, look at Jim Johnson.  No, Johnson is not setting the world on fire, but he is next in line for saves and does get a few strikeouts over time.

Downs?  You obviously need to have him backed up with Jason Frasor.  Frasor has bee a bit disappointing in the saves department, as he only has three on the season.  Hell, he only has seven since the start of 2005 after nabbing 17 for the Blue Jays in 2004, but this season he is helping out in ERA and WHIP too.

Qualls?  Jon Rauch is there for a reason, and that reason will become apparent if they move Qualls.  Remember last year, when Rauch was the closer in DC before getting shipped out to Arizona?  Yeah, he racked up 17 saves for the Nationals, and will rack up some for ‘Zona if they trade Qualls.

If Cordero gets moved things could be interesting.  Dave Weathers is still there, and he is performing well once more.  Also pitching well is Arthur Rhodes.  Which of these old heads will get the nod?  My bet is Weathers, but do not be shocked if Rhodes gets a look or they do a bullpen by committee.

In the Philadelphia version of the trade, the Phillies were to send Happ, Michael Taylor, Carlos Carrasco and Jason Donald all to Toronto.  The Blue Jays declined the offer, which is about as good of an offer as I can see them getting. 

Taylor, who entered the year as the sixth ranked prospect in the Phillies’ system, was promoted earlier this month to AAA Lehigh Valley, is very highly regarded by the Phillies right now, and could be called up in September when the rosters expand.  After raking to a tune of a .333 batting average and 0.977 OPS in AA, Taylor has been having his issues in AAA.  That being said, he just came off a six game hitting streak that has his average sitting at .263 for the Iron Pigs, with two homers in 38 at-bats.  Hopefully the six game streak was a sign of things to come, and Taylor gets things going.
 
Carrasco, the Phillies second best prospect headed into the year, has had a rough season so far in AAA, as he is currently sporting a 5.18 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.  He is going to have to do much better than this if he wants to be the future #2 starter for the Phillies, but his 112:33 K:BB ratio shows that he still knows how to get strikeouts while keeping command of his pitches.  That may not carry over to the Bigs, and it will be interesting to see if Carrasco gets a call in September himself.  As things stand now, Carlos is not ready for the next level, but a 2010 arrival date should be expected.

Jason Donald started the season as the fourth ranked prospect for the Phils.  Like Taylor, Donald struggled when he got to AAA.  Unlike Taylor, however, Donald is no longer in AAA, but rather back at the Gulf Coast League, which is a rookie league.  He is doing better since being demoted, but still not gaining any traction with his bat.  Donald was heralded as the heir apparent to Jimmy Rollins, but his career is trending in the wrong direction for a 24 year old at this point.

All in all, a very solid offer for Halladay, and one I am surprised the Blue Jays turned down, but I can see the logic.  If the Phillies are going to get a current Major League ace like Roy Halladay, they are going to have to part ways with their best pitching prospect.  While that may have been Carrasco back in March, it is now clearly Kyle Drabek, who the Phillies have allegedly labeled as untouchable.  Personally, I do not see how the Phillies can expect Toronto to give up Halladay and not get the best pitching prospect from the team they send him to.  You have to give up something to get something, especially when that something is the arguable front runner for the AL Cy Young award.