PHILLIES PHODDER

As the Phillies continue to free-fall, despite the fact that the GM Matt Klentak feels they are "not regressing,"there is much bitching from fans about the current woes of the team. The Phillies are on a pace to lose 100 games. Attendance is poor. The organization seems "clueless and confused" as pitcher Vince Valasquez deemed his own recent terrible performances.

But no one seems to offer any solutions. Here are my answers, from now until the July trade deadline:

* Fire pitching coach Bob McClure.

Not one of the young pitchers are getting better. Valasquez is lost. Eichoff is 0-5. Many have jockeyed back and forth from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley. The common denominator is McClure. He was fired in Boston and Kansas City Get rid of him now before he further pollutes the staff. Star fresh with a guy whom the young hurlers can relate to and grow with.

Larry Andersen is too good to take out of the broadcasting booth, otherwise he would be the man. Someone similar to LA is needed.

* Release Michael Saunders.

What's the point? He stinks. You won't get a very good prospect for him anyway in July, so cut him loose now in order to open a spot for a younger outfielder, such as Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens or Roman Quinn.

* Start to trade players to open roster spots.

 Obdubal Herrera an Tommy Joseph to the Giants, who need outfield help and a solid first baseman. Joseph played for San  Francisco before. In return, insist on their top pitching prospect.

I would look to move Camaron Rupp later in the summer. Jorge Alfaro will make the team next spring training. Play catcher Andrew Knapp more until then.

Seek to trade more players who are not the future. Cesar Hernandez' trade value will never be higher, with 2B Scott Kingery playing well in Reading. In July, trade Howie Kendrick, Jeremy Hellickson and Daniel Nava. Once spots are open, start promoting the kids, namely Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins. Give them big league experience and give the fans hope.

* Improve the bullpen

Sidearmed  lefty Hoby Milner isn't on the 40-man roster, but he is pitching well in Lehigh Valley, so bring him up and add him to the roster. Pitchers Ben Lively and Ricardo Pinto deserve shots. What do you have to lose?

* Think positive!

Stop with the negative outlook. Instead of thinking, "we can't bring this kid up in case he fails", think positive in that he will continue to hit in Philly Stop with the losers mentality. Don't strive to be average- strive to be excellent and demand no less.

* Discipline

There is none. When a player fails to hustle he isn't fined, benched or scolded. You don't reward bad behavior. Manager Pete Mackanin continues to make excuses for his lazy, stupid players.Maybe they just aren't that good and he knows it?

* Play aggressive ball

Pittsburgh and Colorado recently have played aggressive baseball against the Phils, stealing bases and putting pressure on Phillies' pitchers. Play with a reckless abandon. Play fun, exciting baseball. Again, what do you have to lose?

The Phillies need a guy like Dave Cash  in the clubhouse. Cash played second base for the Phils in the early 70s. He installed a positive, fresh, inspiring attitude with the then young squad of Phillies, including Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, with his motto "Yes We Can!"

 The Phillies need a sparkplug, some life, a rallying cry, a leader by action not just words. Quinn could be that guy but we won;t know unless he is given a shot.

* Middleton and McPhail - Where are you?.

The majority owner and president of the club need to have a press conference soon, not only to assure  and encourage the fan base, but to be honest and visable and let the city know that they care to. In that way it may help convince everyone that hope is on the way and not to give up.

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I used to like reading Todd Zelecki, the beat reporter for the Phils, who writes on phillies.com.  Now I can't stand him. He is nothing more than an apologist for the Phillies organization,

The media in the city need to stop sucking up to the front office and be honest with the fans. Stop worrying that a critical article may piss off the organization. Light a fire under the front office, The baseball fans deserve better.