The Departed Don't Match Up

It is no secret that, right now, Raul Ibanez is making the Phillies look very smart. The Phils' phormer left fielder, Pat Burrell, is struggling in Tampa with a .238 batting average, 1 homer and 8 RBI, 6 runs scored with a .681 OPS. The new left fielder, Ibanez, is GD wrecking opposing pitchers with a .355 batting average, 7 homers, 17 RBI, 20 runs scores and a 1.142 OPS. Furthermore, Burrell's new club, the Rays, are 3-4 when Burrell drives in at least one run. Our Phillies are 9-2 when Ibanez has at least 1 RBI. Also, Burrell has hit safely in 12 of the Rays' 19 games, while Raul has hit in 16 of the Phillies 19 games.

There's no debate, at this stage, that the Phillies made the right call when they let Burrell go, and signed Ibanez to man left field. Hopefully, this will hold true throughout the rest of the season, all the way into the post season. Trends would perhaps suggest that Ibanez will cool off soon, as his career batting average in May is 45 points lower than in April (.293 career April avg. in 213 games, .248 career May avg. in 215 games). His drop off in career OPS in those same months is even more drastic- .844 in April, .713 in May. But, don't you fear, as Rauuuuul's career June OPS is .900 (his best month) in 193 career games. The bald basher bounces back, baby.

Ahead, we'll have a look around Major League Baseball and check out some departed Phillies' offensive statistics, so far this season, matched against the current Phillie in his position.

Aaron Rowand, CF- 17 games played, .283, .819 OPS, 2 homers, 9 RBI, 6 runs, 0 steals.

Marlon Byrd, CF- 15 games played, .328 avg, .858 OPS, 2 homers, 13 RBI, 8 runs, 0 steals.

Shane Victorino, CF- 19 games played, .291 avg, .800 OPS, 2 Homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs, 3 steals.

Jim Thome, 1B(/DH)- 15 games played, .218 avg, .772 OPS, 4 homers, 10 RBI, 11 runs.
Ryan Howard, 1B- 19 games played, .276 avg, .887 OPS, 4 homers, 15 RBI, 12 runs.

Placido Polanco, 2B- 19 games played, .268 avg, .725 OPS, 0 homers, 13 RBI, 9 runs, 0 steals.

Chase Utley, 2B- 19 games played, .357 avg, 1.142 OPS, 7 homers, 20 RBI, 18 runs, 2 steals.

Scott Rolen, 3B- 20 games played, .321 avg, .808 OPS, 2 homers, 8 RBI, 11 runs, 1 steal.

Pedro Feliz, 3B- 19 games played, .333 avg, .889 OPS, 2 homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs, 0 steals.

Bobby Abreu, RF- 19 games played, .301 avg, .864 OPS, 0 homers, 12 RBI, 9 runs, 8 steals.

Jayson Werth, RF- 18 games played, .261 avg, .827 OPS, 2 homers, 10 RBI, 15 runs, 2 steals.

The only position where the advantage goes to a former Phillie, is right field. Abreu appears to be more productive than Werth, so far in April. Center field performance is debatable, as Marlon Byrd is doing well this year, but Shane bests him with runs, steals and RBI. All other comparisons are easily won by the current P-Squaders.

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

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