Phinally Philly

Sixers GM Ed Stefanski plans to talk to UFA Andre Miller and his agent on Wednesday. Clearly the Sixers have interest in bringing him back, but at the right price. The two sides will start some preliminary talks and go from there. Experts are saying Miller will be looking for a 3-year deal worth around $ 10 Million a season. The Sixers have the ability to sign him to more money then any other team in the NBA. However, the money spent must fit their plans for filling out the rest of the team. 

Another scenario reported by ESPN’s Ric Bucher was a sign-and-trade involving the Portland Trailblazers. In return Portland would send PG Steve Blake, who played under new Head Coach Eddie Jordan in Washington. The deal would obviously be more complex then that but you get the gist.

So sometime Tomorrow we may know a little bit more about the Point Guard situation.

Andy Miller, Andre Miller’s agent did say that Andre’s first option is to stay in Philly. 

Stay Tuned.

-Mike Santa Barbara

*** Follow Me on Twitter Mike__SB ***

Well, Antonio Bastardo’s shoulder sprain has officially landed him on the 15 day disabled list. This brings up the inevitable question: who is going to take his place?

There are many different names being tossed around at this point. The most popular ones being talked about at this point are Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, Andrew Carpenter, and Kyle Drabek. There’s always the possibly of a spot start out of the bullpen from someone like Chan Ho Park as well.

As of today, it seems as if Carrasco will finally make his major league debut. He has been touted as the best pitching prospect in the Phillies’ organization for years now. He has been viewed as the legit #2 pitcher behind Cole Hamels. IN a weird coincidence, if he does get the call on Thursday, it will be right after Hamels. I just haven’t thought Carrasco has developed the consistency that is needed to pitch in the big leagues, but the team needs to find out what they have with this kid. He has a lot of potential, and it’s about time he takes the next step and plays with the big boys. Read the rest of this entry »

Over at The Fightins, one of their readers sent in one of the best bits of information to come out of this season. The Mets’ announcers have taken to calling the short porch in right field at Citi Field, “Utley’s Corner.” Here’s the post at the Fightins.

You can watch the video clip from MLB.com here.

I can’t even begin to describe how awesome this is. Obviously, the name came about because of the 2 HRs that Utley hit to that section in the Phils’ series against the Mets earlier this month.

When has there ever been a part of a stadium nicknamed after an opposing player, especially a player on a major divisional rival? I don’t think it’s ever happened. It just goes to show how much Utley has taken the place of former Met killer Pat the Bat. I’m going to make every attempt to make this name stick.

One of the comments, from everyone’s favorite animated GIF extraordinaire, Tug Haines, said he wanted to get in before someone started the “Utley’s Corner” blog. Well, I grabbed the domain, and now I’m asking you peeps to help me figure out what to do with it.

It’s most likely going to be a redirect here for the short term, but I want to make something with it. Any suggestions? Let me know.

-KK

(My apologies for that terrible attempt at art up there)

Ever since acquiring Elton Brand last off season questions have risen as to whether or not Brand is right for this team. Those questions multiplied after Brand only played 29 games in his first season with Sixers before suffering a season ending injury to his shoulder which required surgery. On top of that Brand did not play well in those 29 games, he had trouble adjusting to the Sixers running style.

So the question is, should the Sixers trade Brand?

First off could the Sixers pull it off?
Read the rest of this entry »

First, an apology. I’ve been away for a few days. Been a little busy with moving back home from college. I should be back to normal posting schedules this week.

Anyways, how bout them Fightins? Finally winning a series against an AL opponent with Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Jimmy Rollins was benched yet again, with Eric Bruntlett getting the start. He’s been pretty bad offensively, but the Phils haven’t been getting any offense out of the SS position anyways, so no biggie. Cholly says Rollins will be back in the leadoff spot in Tuesday’s game after Monday’s off day. Hopefully J-Rolly can get it together finally.

Jamie Moyer finally won back to back starts for the first time in forever. I’ve been a Moyer fan since he came to Philly, so I always like to see him succeed. It may just be because he wears the awesome Liberty Bell stirrups, but maybe it’s because he wins games.

Brad Lidge was tested right away with a bunt attempt when he came in for the ninth. He fielded it well, but had no shot at the runner. It was good to see he could move off of the mound in order to get to it though. He ended up making things interesting, as usual, but got the save.

The Phillies needed this series win. They have been struggling and have allowed the Mets to creep back into the division race. The key for this season is to get consistent. They just haven’t been doing that yet so far.

After Monday’s off day, the Phillies get back to National League play with a series against the Braves in Atlanta, with Joe the Pitcher going in the opener.

And as for this week’s poll question? I’m taking the Phillies, mostly because they need to win more than 12 gams in July.

-KK

Was it worth it? HELL YES!

Adam Morrison

Basically the Flyers didn’t have many selections this season. We had zero picks in the 1st and 2nd due to the Chris Pronger trade and our trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2008. Our 2nd this year was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning as a conditional pick on the acquisition of Valclav Prospal for a playoff run. Since we won our 1st two rounds we ended up not having a pick in the first two selection rounds this year.

Read the rest of this entry »

Holmgren wanted a hammer. The fans wanted a hammer. Why is there so much to complain about when we see the check at the end of the meal?

When looking at the bill for a healthy dose of destruction on the blueline it doesn’t exactly look like the Flyers should have been interested. This year’s first rounder cost them a nice little crack at Jordan Schroeder, John Moore, Kyle Palmieri, and Carter Ashton. This year is supposed to be the deepest draft since 2003 (think of Fleury, E. Staal, Horton, Zherdev, Vanek, Coburn, Phaneuf, Carter, Brown, Seabrook, Parise, Getzlaf, Burns, Kesler, Richards, Perry, Bergeron, and Carle just to name a few). Now we currently have to wait until round 3 to hear from the Flyers again barring any trade. On top of that add Joffrey Lupul (pronounced Jeffery according to Gary Bettman), a young 50 point forward capable of 25-30 goals a season. Then throw in our 1st last year, Luca Sbisa, who played very well for the Flyers as an 18 year old defenseman before being shipped back to the WHL for the remainder of the regular season. Oh, and of course tack on our first rounder in 2010 for good measure. Also, if Pronger re-signs with the Flyers we have to give Anaheim our 3rd rounder after the contract is signed as well.

So what does all of this give us in Pronger? Let me quickly point out that Pronger is under contract for only one more season at $6.25m. Let me also point out that he will be 35 on October 10th this year. Doesn’t give you all that much hope based on what we gave up right? It looks terrible yeah?

Well, you’re wrong.

Read the rest of this entry »

Reading lefty Joe Savery mows down the Eastern League

Savor the Minors Joe

There’s only a limited time before Rueben Amaro tags the minor’s hot horse to rescue the big club: Joe Savery. The Reading Phillies ace, unlike his brief rehabbing teammate, has been lights out this year. I plugged Savery as a guy to watch last week, but he deserves some more (virtual) column inches than just stats.

Although a pitcher, at Rice University Savery stared both at the plate and on the mound. He grew up as a Texan that ate and breathed baseball. A great Houston Press article discusses his youth and collegiate struggles prior to blasting off.

After being drafted with the 19th-overall pick in the 2007 draft, Savery pitched mediocre ball with Clearwater.

“At the end of last year, to be honest, I was throwing 84 to 86 mph,” Savery said. “The way my arm felt – it’s not that you think it’s over, but in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, ‘I’ve had a surgery. Maybe my arm’s just not cut out for this. Maybe this is as good as it gets.’

Read the rest of this entry »