Articles by Mike Frohwirth (74)
(This contribution comes to us from Mike Frohwirth, who envisions what the MLB Dream Job experience might be like for a rabid Phillies fan.) MLB Dream Job 3/25 I'm going to write some notes on this private blog, so I can chronicle the experience. Could be book-worthy! Still can't believe I won the Dream Job! […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth The internets have been rife with talk about the Phillies organization's recent decision to "give up on the 2012 season." Many "Phillies fans" seem rather eager to bury the team, and to proceed to dance on their metaphorical graves. But has the Phillies' organization really "given up?" Let's look at the Phillies' […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth Photo: Philliedelphia/Lindsey Crew If you agree with the statement made in the title, you are excused from reading the remainder of this post. This post really shouldn't even be necessary, just like posts themed "Wilson Valdez Is Not Good. At All.", or "Offering Kyle Kendrick Arbitration: Not What You Would Call "Smart" […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth Even without All-Stars Chase Utley and Ryan Howard available, the Phillies are still a formidable team, and a playoff contender. Their starting rotation may very well be the best in the National League. Their bullpen is more than serviceable, their defense is above average, and Messrs. Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence are […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth Phillies' General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has no reason to reveal his personnel plans and valuations to the media. It would be quite disadvantageous for the Phillies' organization if opposing franchises had such knowledge at their disposal. Amaro's best course of action is to mix truth and fiction, when divulging information […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth With the injuries to All-Star 2B Chase Utley, and AA-quality utility infielder Michael Martinez, there has been some complaint about the Phillies' offseason decision to trade AAA-quality utility infielder Wilson Valdez. Though Valdez' two unaccomplished seasons on the Phillies' payroll left a sizeable statistical trail supporting Phillies' General Manager Ruben Amaro, […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth Prior to the 2011 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox acquired 1B Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres, in exchange for three highly-regarded minor league prospects. Despite Gonzalez' status of one of MLB's elite hitters, it was an expensive price to pay, considering that Gonzalez would be eligible for free […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth Philliedelphia/Corey Shaw The Phillies avoided arbitration with Kyle Kendrick on Friday, agreeing to a $3.585MM deal for 2012. The right-hander is expected to serve as a long reliever, and as insurance for the starting rotation. Kendrick, who made $2.45MM in 2011, would likely have made between $3 and $4MM in arbitration, […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth The Phillies' signing of reliever Jonathan Papelbon to a free agent contract worth a minimum of $50MM (4 years/$50MM, with a $12MM option for Year 5) was surprising this early in the offseason. Was it a smart acquisition by the Phillies? Let's look at the pros and cons of the move. […]
Posted by Mike Frohwirth When St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa announced his postseason pitching rotation, there was jubilation- among the Phillies' fanbase. As Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter pitched in the division-clinching win on Wednesday, he will be unable to pitch until Game 3. But LaRussa also made the surprising move of holding his 2nd […]