Serious question: Why is Miguel Cairo still a member of the Philadelphia Phillies?
I thought of that question when he came up to bat in today’s 4-2 loss to the Braves. Cairo came up to lead off the 8th inning and promptly got a hit. However, his stat line for the season: 2-15. That’s ridiculous.
I remember when Cairo was brought in. He was here because it didn’t look like Chase Utley would be ready to start the season, so Cairo was brought in as a veteran backup. After Utley was ready to start the season, Cairo was kept around as the right-handed bat off of the bench. That was his role. Not something he was used to doing, but that’s what he was kept around for.
He’s not doing that. Since that is the case, he needs to go. He’s not doing anything beneficial to the team currently. When he finally got a start last week, he came out of the game after the 6th inning. Cairo is just no longer useful to a major league team.
I first brought up the Cairo situation a few weeks ago when Chooch was coming off the DL. I was originally campaigning to keep Lou Marson around and cut Cairo loose. That would have left Marson as a backup catcher and Chris Coste as the right handed bat off the bench and 3rd catcher. Coste could also play first base if it came down to it.
Now, I don’t like that idea. Marson needs to play every day and being in Lehigh Valley is the best thing for him right now. I think Ruben Amaro needs to cut Cairo and go out and get a veteran bat for this team.
The Phillies need more than a washed up old second baseman to have off of the bench.
Get on that Ruben.
-KK
