Polanco is Back Thanks, in Part, to Ibanez

I was happy to be wrong in doubting the Placido Polanco rumors, as they sprung up Wednesday night. Not so much because I am in love with that signing, but because I am relieved that the only vacant position on the starting defense is filled, an the team can now focus on filling the remaining holes in the pitching staff.

The acquisition of Polanco is a solid one. Based on the expected impact on the actual lineup (Shane Victorino moves from the 2 hole, down to the 7th spot and Polanco brings his discipline to the 2 slot), this addition should be an improvement. Declarations that the Phillies dropped the ball by signing "a declining hitter" are considerably premature. Yes, at the time, it seemed that the Phillies may have overpaid last offseason when they gave Raul Ibanez a 3 yr/$30 million contract, but that was proved to be a good move as Ibanez began the season in scorching fashion and became an all star for the first time in his career. Could the same be in the cards for Polanco? Time will tell.

The best detail of this signing may have been that Raul Ibanez acted as a recruiter on behalf of the Phils. Ibanez and Polanco are neighbors in Florida and work out together during the offseason. According to Scott Lauber, "About two weeks ago (Phillies GM) Ruben Amaro Jr. paid a visit to Polanco, letting him know the Phillies were interested in reacquiring him to play third base. From there, Ibanez became the club’s chief recruiter, encouraging Polanco to rejoin the Phillies." Very cool, Raul. Oh, excuse me...I meant, RAUUUUULL!!

---------------------------------

Details on the Lakewood BlueClaws' holiday toy & food drive with mascot Buster and Santa Claus on Saturday, the 19th....click here.

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!

Comments

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. ...

Mike McGuire Living a Dream With Favorite Team

LAKEWOOD, NJ- Every young ballplayer grows up wishing he could play for his favorite team. Mike McGuire has an opportunity to do just that after signing with the Phillies organization in July. McGuire was a 43rd round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 2008 amateur draft out of the University of Delaware. Early scouting reports liked McGuire's abilities, despite some arm trouble. He advanced as far as High A Level Kinston last season. While there, he posted an 0-3 record with a 5.46 ERA in 9 games, 8 of which were starts. The Indians weren't happy with McGuire's efforts this spring and released him. McGuire caught on with the Sussex Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League, where he stayed in shape and pitched against other formerly affiliated minor leaguers. As a starter with the Skyhawks, McGuire went 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 8 outings. From there, just as all players in those independent leagues hope for, the 24-year-old McGuire got noticed. The Phillies wer...

Harry's Plaque Has Misprint

At the ballpark today for the first time since Harry Kalas was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame on Friday, I noticed an error in the text on his plaque. Verbage on the plaque reads like this... Voice of Phillies baseball on radio and TV for 39 seasons. Teamed with Richie Ashburn from 1971 until 1997. Harry was on the air for all of Mike Schmidt's 548 home runs, five Phillies no-hitters, seven National League Championship Series, three World Series, the first and final games at Veterans Stadium and the Citizens Bank Park 2004 opener. Received the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 2002 for "Major Contributions to Baseball" and was inducted into the broadcasters' wing at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. His calls were legendary, especially his signature home run call, "Outta heeere." On October 29, 2008, he brought utmost joy to Phillies fans: "The 0-2 pitch, swing and miss , struck him out. The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 Worl...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog