Call to the pen
Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies 2017 Team Preview

By Bobby Mueller

Aug 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) catches the fly ball of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Washington Nationals won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) catches the fly ball of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Washington Nationals won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Offseason Subtractions

Catcher Carlos Ruiz—Ruiz was traded last August after more than 10 years with the Phillies. Even at the age of 37, Ruiz had a good enough on-base percentage to grade out nearly average as a hitter when league and ballpark effects are taken into account. He was also a positive behind the plate and a popular player in Philly.

First Baseman Ryan Howard—For all the criticism Ryan Howard has received over the last half-decade, he seems like a genuinely nice guy. And he was a good player for five years early in his career. It’s just that the contract he signed may have been the worst contract in baseball history. In April of 2010, he signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension. According to FanGraphs WAR, he hasn’t had a season since he signed that contract during which he was even league average. In four of those seasons, he was below replacement-level.

There’s just no way around how bad he was in the last half of his career. But, to end this on a brighter note, he was one of the team’s most charitable athletes and volunteered in the community regularly.

Relief Pitcher David Hernandez—Hernandez was the second-most used reliever in the Phillies bullpen last year, and was near the top of the list in strikeout rate, but the Phillies let him go and he signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants for $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. Meanwhile, the Phillies will pay Joaquin Benoit ($7.5 million) almost twice as much as Hernandez earned last year ($3.9 million). They’ll also pay Pat Neshek $6.5 million. I’m not sure there’s enough difference among the three relievers for this to be a good idea, but at least it’s not my money they’re spending.

Outfielder Peter Bourjos—Bourjos only spent one year in Philadelphia before leaving as a free agent in the off-season. He was below average with the bat and, despite his reputation for being an excellent fielder, graded out below average with the glove. He took his talents to the South Side (White Sox).

Hitting Coach Steve Henderson—Henderson had been with the Phillies since 2012 before getting the axe at the end of last season. The Phillies scored the fewest runs in baseball last year, not that it can all be blamed on the hitting coach. You can only do so much with the talent you’re given.

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