PHILLIES PHODDER

Did you read Marcus Hayes' column in the paper this morning? It's concerning the Phillies and it's a total joke.

I've been expecting Hayes to write  an article, ripping the Phillies, especially GM Matt Klentak, for his many blunders. He and team president Andy MacFailure and owner John Middleton have made a bad team even worse. They are historically- bad, on pace to lsoe well over 100 games.

Yet Hayes thinks Klentak is OK and even applauds his patience in not trading key players.

No wonder he hasn't written such an article, tearing apart Phillies management. Turns out he is a shill for the Phillies as well, like many of the current, mediocre media in Philadelphia nowadays.

I guess mediocre can appreciate mediocre.

Hayes called for the firing of Eagles GM Howie Roseman during the off-season, yet he praises Klentak?

He asserts that trading only Pat Neshek so far ( for marginal prospects from Colorado) is "enough." The team should "stand pat", yes this great ball club that will lose over 100 games. Don't break 'em up jsut yet...

Hayes states that problem-child Odulbel Herrera has "minimal character flaws." and that pitchers Hellickson and Benoit- two underachieving vets who need to go- provide "stable leadership" to this disaster of a team.

Hayes is a pompous jackass when he belittles the loyal, frustrated fans for "crying" about this woeful team, siding with Klentak, who chooses to ignore the plea for help form the fans.

Hayes couldn't be more off-base on this one. The Phils may not get equal value if they unload the low-hanging fruit like Hellickson and Benoit, Nava and Kendricks are injured, so they may not get dealt until the August waiver period, and guys like Herrera, and Franco continue to wallow and may need a change of scenery. I get all of that.

I agree that Trading Tommy Joseph may a risky move, but let's face facts- Joseph is what he is, a nice player, but he sure doesn't have the ceiling like a Rhys Hoskins, who continues to play well at the Phillies' front office is super-conservative when it comes to their young players is an understatement.

When you are in a situation like the Phillies find themselves in, sometimes you need to think out of the box  and take chances. Look at what the Yankees did with their young prospects.

Joseph needs to go to make way for Hoskins. It makes no sense at all for them to split time for the rest of the season, nor does it make sense for Hoskins to "simmer" at Leigh Valley as Hayes suggests.
 Shades of Ryan Howard all over again.

John Middleton. where are you? You came out in early May, when the team was holding it's own, chest all puffed out, proclaiming on the radio that you would "do whatever it takes to bring a championship to Philadelphia."

Since this team has imploded we do'n' see or hear form Middleton. He hides in shame in his bunker at Citizens Bank Park.

He doesn't reassure the "crying" fans that changes will be made and that this losing summer will not be tolerated. Someone has to pay for putting the fans through this hell.

Instead, Middleton counts his money, the same cash he has been sitting on for years, the same coin he promises to spend on free agents down the road. We will see.

I don't trust this front office. They screw-up too often with poor player evaluations, bad free agent signings, lackluster trades, and less-than-thrilling draft selections.

Aren't all the empty seats this summer at CBP speaking to Middleton? Or is he as stupid as the people he hired?

John Middleton, show us you care. Do something!