Major League Baseball may award contracts based on past performance, but players need to establish more of it before they earn playing time. The Phillies' Domonic Brown went from National League All-Star to being part of a platoon in which he has to share the left-handed portion. Brown expressed to the media yesterday that he feels slighted for his playing time that continues to diminish.
Megan Montemurro of the Delaware News Journal reports that Brown does not seem to understand why he is not starting:
"I come from making the All-Star team last year to platooning and playing every second or third day," Brown said. "It's definitely different. I just wish I could be in there every day. I don't know if they've got a different plan or what. I know they want to see other guys, which is fine with me."
Brown said he doesn't know what else he needs to do win back his full-time job in left field. He was told coming into the season he would be the everyday guy in left field, which happened for three months until his struggles emerged and the outfield became more crowded with the signing of Grady Sizemore in June. Brown has said previously that he has a good relationship with Sandberg, dating to their time together in the minor leagues.
The key phrase in Montemurro's report: "until his struggles emerged".
The day of Brown's complaints, he went into the day with a -2.1 WAR. This put him well ahead of B.J. Upton, who had a -1.3 WAR, for the worst mark in the league. With poor defensive play and poor offensive play, how can Brown feel so entitled? If anything, Brown should be saying that his play is unacceptable and he needs to work his way back into the lineup with consistent play.
There are plenty of names that come to mind, including former rookies of the year Bob Hamelin, Eric Hinske and Chris Coghlan. All three stormed onto the scene but were unable to maintain that pace. All three found themselves part-time players soon after their rookie success. Brown's performance has done the same to him.
Yet, Brown looks to blame others. In his comments to Montemurro, the front office took some of the blame.
"I don't necessarily think that it's up to Ryno, you know what I mean?" Brown said. "He's just the manager. It's whatever the guys up top (in the front office) have in store, what their plans are. We'll see."
So if we are to understand Brown, the front office had Brown begin the season as the starter, with hopes that he play poorly and they have to replace him? If anything, Brown's play has been a poor reflection of the evaluation skills of the front office. In the end, that will be what causes the front office to go into a new direction next season.
