The news broke late last night. Cliff Lee is signing back up to be a Phillie. What great news for Phillies fans and for fans in general.
Cliff Lee turned down the fat cash from the Yankees {spit} What a great thing to see a professional do. Take less money to play the game where he wants to play, for the fans who want him. What a reception this man will get when he steps back onto the mound at Citizen’s Bank Park. Think JD Drew but on the opposite end of the scale.
So as Ironpig fans… my condolences to those of you who are Yankee {spit} fans. I know we have some in our ranks. It’s ok. All in fun. The real question is how will this impact the 2011 Ironpig roster?
Without a doubt, Blanton will be gone. Kendrick will most likely not be a starter. The most capable would be Blanton, but you also have guys like Bastardo in there. Although a lefty, he seems a strong candidate for the 5th spot of a rotation with 4 who would be a #1 pitcher on most teams. You can have a rotation with a Righty (Halladay) Lefty (Lee) Righty (Oswalt) Lefty (Hamels) and Lefty (Bastardo). Let’s see how spring training treats everyone. Also, don’t leave Drew Carpenter out of the discussion as a fifth starter. (and I’m not just saying that because he sent a recipe for Frito pie in for the Noise Nation charity cookbook) 🙂
The Phillies current 40 man roster contains a good number for 2011 Ironpigs.
Pitchers:
Drew Carpenter – Yes, if he has a super strong showing in spring, he could make the show.. chances are high he will be at The Coke this season.Sergio Escalona – He’s been here before. I have a feeling it will be tough to get a spot in the Phillies bullpen
David Herndon – Last year he rode the Phillies bench to keep him around after being a Rule 5 draft. With the full season at the MLB level he can be designated down to the minors for more seasoning.
Kyle Kendrick – Unless he accepts a long relief role with the Phillies, he will be a Pig.
Scott Mathieson – Scott can go either way. His fastball was a little too straight last season and if Bruce Sutter can get him ready to go.. a strong spring will put him in the running against Madsen. Could go either way.
Vance Worley – Worley did well last year. Another prospect who needs seasoning. Count on him in Reading or Lehigh Valley
Mike Zagurski – Another who needs to be in AAA for another season.
Catchers:
Dane Sardinha – Like McArthur… He’ll be backTuffy Gosewisch – Has a chance to be in Reading or Lehigh Valley depending on spring performance
Erik Kratz – Recently signed, he could have a possible spot with the Pigs. Probably looking to land a back up role for the Phillies, he could also be an early release if Brian Schneider outperforms him in the spring.
Infielders:
Brian Bocock – I don’t see him beating out Valdez, but you never know. Shortstop will be there for the Pigs.Michael Martinez – Like Kratz, being recently signed could mean quickly released… but let’s see. He could stay on with us.
Matt Rizzotti – Unless something drastic happens, he will be the Ironpig’s first baseman. If Andy Tracy returns, it will most likely be in a player/coach role.
Jeff Larish – A veteran AAA infielder, I would imagine he is the Ironpig’s 2nd or 3rd baseman.
Outfielders:
Domonic Brown – I see him starting in the Lehigh Valley and finishing the season with the Phillies. Think All Star break. Depends on if/who the Phillies pick up to replace Werth.John Mayberry – Suffering an injury early in the winter leagues, Mayberry might have a tough time in the spring. If he does well, he could find himself filling Brown’s outfield spot in Philly until Brown is ready.
Rich Thompson – Thompson is probably the strongest choice I have to return to the Pigs. He could be the only 2008 Ironpig to continue for 4 seasons and his popularity is only matched by Andy Tracy. Not to mention his hustle in the outfield and on the bases.
As far as the other roster spots.. the Pigs will see what the Phillies drop down unto them and there will be a 4th outfielder. There will be 4 to 5 starters and there will be a full roster on opening day.
Guess time for opening day 2011…
SP – Drew Carpenter
C – Dane Sardinha
1B – Matt Rizzotti
2B – Wilson Valdez
3B – Jeff Larish
SS – Brian Bocock
RF – John Mayberry
CF – Rich Thompson
LF – Domonic Brown
Just my thoughts. Feel free to add your own in comments.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
With this signing, Look for Brown to platoon with Fransico in right. Has big of a signing Cliff Lee is for now, it is all about what you do when you get to the big dance. 10 and 2/3 innings pitched, 10 runs allowed. Just keeping things in perspective.
Buried in all that was the really important news: Drew Carpenter sent a recipe for Frito pie in for the Noise Nation charity cookbook! If Drew can send in a recipe, more of us should.
Unbelieveable. Who is #1 and who is #4 in that rotation? It is a nice problem to have if you can support the payroll. I think they will give Vance Worley a genuine shot at becoming the #5 starter. I would also think they would consider moving Ibanez in addition to Blanton to save contractual money if they can find another younger cheaper outfielder, particularly a right handed hitter with some power. Overall the need to go younger/cheaper for the rest of the payroll may open up a better opportunity for Domonic Brown and Vance Worley to get playing time in the Majors . They now have to take advantage of it and execute. We shall see.
So true. The pitching is there. Now to keep away injuries and get the rest of the team to hit consistantly and every day. When one player slumps, the others need to pick up the slack. I wonder if the high number of consecutive sellouts impacts how much the team is spending.
I guess since Drew sent in a recipe I can too *goes to Facebook and sends recipe to Dan*
Ok, you can stop asking now, LOL.
Other than that I completely agree Dan…I think that is a very likely opening day Pigs lineup. Now I just have to make sure I can make it to opening day!
only one? You certainly can beat Drew at this.
“Although a lefty, he seems a strong candidate for the 5th spot of a rotation with 4 who would be a #1 pitcher on most teams.”
Where do you make some of this stuff up?
Bastardo has spent all winter working in the Dominican League as a LOOGY-type relief pitcher. He is currently not even working on being a starter.
Worley in Reading or Lehigh Valley?
Unless he gets hit by a bus in ST he’ll either be in LVH or in Philly as a long man/5th starter. No chance in hell he’s back in Reading.
The Phillies are going to be going through the arbitration process with Kendrick and he’s going to be making more than $1 million dollars either way for the 2011 season.
Unless the Phillies bring someone else in, and with Blanton all but looking gone, he’ll be fighting for the fifth starting spot likely with Worley in ST, not with Bastardo.
I more imagine based on contract seeing Kendrick as the fifth starter starting the year and Worley in AAA.
all good points Lefty33. I’m gonna take a wild stab at the opening 24 for your 2011 ‘Pigs:
OF (4):
Thompson
Brown
Matt Miller
Brandon Moss
(notes: Mayberry starts with Philly, then switches with Brown and sulks his way through the second half of 2011 in Allentown one more time)
INF (5)
Matt Rizzotti
Brian Bocock
Josh Barfield
Jeff Larish
Pete Orr
(notes: Overbeck, Garcia, Bozied, outside chance Galvis may see time up from Reading. Valdez starts the season in Philly. Schoenberger on the outside looking in.)
C (2)
Kratz
Sardinha
SP (5)
Bump
Feierabend
Worley
Bonine
Naylor
(notes: I’ve got both KK and Carp in Philly to start the year–with KK as the #5 and Carp as the long reliever. Worley to get regular starts in LHV until/unless injury (big 4) or ineffective (KK+DC). Possibility of some veteran/bum here as well–just guessing on Naylor as next guy up from Reading.)
RP (8):
Herndon
Matheison
Zagurski
Schwimmer
Stutes
DeFratus
Perez
Meyer
(notes: escalona back to reading. )
Look, it’s all just a guess. Best I could do on 12/25. Anyone else wanna venture?