PHILLIES PHODDER

My thoughts on the sorry-ass Phillies..

Last night was Bark in the Park at Citizens Bank Park. There were 367 dogs in the stadium. Not counting the dogs on the field wearing Phillies uniforms.

The Phils again only managed 3 hits, two of them coming in a meaningless 9th inning rally. The bum, Obdubel Herrera, laced a double off the right field wall. It was against a Cincinnati pitcher who was mopping up with a 5-run lead.

I still think Herrera should be sent down to Lehigh Valley. The team should replace him with Roman Quinn, who would bring speed and  excitement to this lifeless squad. Bat him lead-off and let him generate runs with his legs and put some pressure on the opposition.

Plus it sends a message to Herrera- all-star or not- to wake up, along with the other slacking players like Franco and Saunders.

I wish it was July so this team can finally turn some pages and start reshaping the roster. Trade useless vets like Saunders, Hellickson and Kendrick, who have no future here. Trade Joseph, Herrera and Rupp to open spots for prospects.

Do something!

Until then, the team will continue to flounder. Attendance will be low. The fans will be frustrated and depressed, if they still care.

Pete Mackanin is lucky he got a contract extension. Managing a canine club like the one he is saddled with is enough to get a skipper fired, if he hadn't just gotten an extension.

But the front office is delusional too. GM Klentak has no clue, and he has no clue or connection with the fans or the pulse of the city.

Andy MacPhal is missing in actin, as is owner John Middleton, both probably too embarrassed to show their faces in public. A press conference would reassure fans that the front office cares and will make changes. Saying nothing just compounds the thought process that this front office doesn't really give a damn.

I get it that young guns like Hoskins, Cozens and Alfaro can't be promoted to Philly until spots are open. Hope Klentak is working on making those openings. The media in Philadelphia is soft, most agreeing that the Phillies should not making any big changes. They should stay the course, take their lumps and lose 100 games for the first time since 1961.

Bringing up the kids to get their feet wet for the rest of the summer not only gives the prospects much-needed experience, but it also gives the loyal fans some hope and a reason to watch.

The most exciting prospect, Scott Kingery, is still at Reading. The supposed best arms in the system, such as Sixto Sanchez, are in low A ball of the farm system. So, it's still going to take a while until the organization is competitive again.

Spending some hoarded cash starting this off-season will help, as it will at the end of 2018, when free agents such as  Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are available on the market.

Or maybe the Angels will lose their minds and want tot rad emike Trout.

As I expressed to Steve Trevelise recently on WIP radio, this summer won't be as much fun without baseball. I'll go to a few games and watch a  few when I'm bored or miss baseball. And I should be used to the Phillies being out of the race by Memorial day.

Even worse than being angry or frustrated, I just don't care anymore. It's not about only being a front-runner. Phillies baseball just isn't fun. Who needs the aggravation? Why should I care when the team and organization doesn't seem to care?

Yet the General Manager claims this current Phillies team has not digressed, even though they are the worst team in baseball.  The Baseball Draft is coming up next week. Sure looks like the Phillies will also have a high pick next summer as well.

Maybe Bark in the Park should be every night at Cirizens Bank park. Watching the mutts last night were the best part of the evening.And they weren't the canines on the field.