While you were watching the Phillies get swept by the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night – a team that seems to do the exact opposite of the Phillies – there were some real, actual bits of news that came about. And unlike endless speculation about who I think should be traded, its something that you might actually be interested in!
Prior to the 3-1 loss at the hands of the best team in the National League, Ruben Amaro spoke candidly about the state of the team, specifically about the fate of Chase Utley. Commenting for what appears to be the first time on of Utley's future with the team. While Chase is the player with the most trade value on the roster, Amaro envisions him staying with the team for the long term.
His comments jibe with an earlier report that the Phillies are currently working on an extension with the second baseman. Although CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury doesn't have any hard and fast details about the money or the years, the fact that there are rumblings about an extension bode well for fans who don't want to part with the lifelong Phillie. This blogger is among them.
In other personnel news, outfielder Domonic Brown was placed on the seven-day disabled list due to suffering a concussion during Tuesday night's game while diving for a fly ball in left field. Per MLB's rules, Brown's trip to the DL was mandatory, and as a result, the Phillies called up Steve Susdorf from Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Susdorf, a 27-year-old OF/1B with six years in the Phillies organization, has a .304/.371/.432 line in 1,784 at-bats. He's got all of 32 home runs in that span, with 122 doubles. Susdorf, who is the very definition of a career minor-leaguer, is likely going to be back in the minors as soon as Brown is activated from the DL. In his first career at-bat in The Show on Thursday, Susdorf hit into an inning-ending double play, which is about a fitting start as there is for a player making their debut on the 2013 Phillies.
While we are on the subject of career minor leaugers, Michael Martinez has once again been called up to the Phillies. After designated Humberto Quintero for assignment, the Phils opted for the light-hitting Martinez, who provides “depth” in the broadest sense, despite having a career batting average of .188. Good times for Phillies fans.
With the sweep in St. Louis, the Phillies have lost five straight, and have fallen to four games under .500. After a strong finish to the first half of the season, they've come out swinging and missing since the break, and they are suffering for it. With a three game series against the tough Detroit Tigers coming up, the Phillies are in the direst of straights. While Amaro has remained optimistic about the team's chances, it's high time to admit that the season may very well be a lost cause.
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