If you eliminate Chase Utley from the aging members of the Philadelphia Phillies, you have either unhappy professionals or past-their-prime stars. And the faithful show no patience for yesterday’s heroes.

GENUINE INSIGHT

The Discount Market:

Baseball guarantees only extend to financial rewards for a successful track record, which means marquee athletes can victimize franchises with fleeting health, poor performance and/or a negative attitude.

According to Ryne Sandberg, the clubhouse atmosphere was a problem but not because of Jimmy Rollins, Marlon Byrd, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz or Utley. No, two names surfaced: Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon. While number 58 earned most of the fans’ angst, Lee’s name also popped up a time or two.

The southpaw’s signing approval went to the highest branch on the pecking order: John S. Middleton. And you might remember the other bidders besides the mystery team: the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Now, if Lee’s sound and dominant, Ruben Amaro Jr. could digest just $6.5 million of his remaining $35.8 million to move him near July 31 for two top-ten prospects from another club. Previously, the calculation here was for 2015’s balance and the buyout, but–on second thought–$25 million for only one of Lee’s campaigns would probably be preferable to another ace’s multiple years at $30 million each.

Papelbon’s inking was due to Ryan Madson‘s slow-moving agent. That stated, if the right-hander and Scott Boras had accepted the so-called $44 million offer to re-up for four tours, Madson would be entering his final 162 without throwing a pitch. And fans would be barking about a decision that produced no saves at $11 million each for three summers. On the other mound, Cinco Ocho in red pinstripes has fired 198 frames and allowed 44 earned runs for a 2.00 ERA with 106 saves in 121 chances for a success rate of 87.6 percent–90 percent (109 saves) is top-tier closing.

After swap-related comments from Lee and Papelbon became public, the faithful reacted with a go-elsewhere attitude, but the closer’s gesture last September on the way to the dugout drew the loudest condemnation. During, however, the hammer’s suspension, Ken Giles notched his first MLB save. And he will eventually get his ninth-inning experience in 2015 without the pressure of the standings.

Two organizations still need a closer for next season: the Milwaukee Brewers and the Toronto Blue Jays. While this is not a new development, their front offices have until February 20 to fill these jobs, and the negotiated price for Papelbon will be the determining factor. Meanwhile, Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are getting consideration for these spots and setup roles with other teams.

While two relievers were on the mend–their readiness still in doubt–K-Rod held down the ninth frame for the first time since 2011. However, the Brew Crew is not sure he can produce those stats again this year. And preferring certainty, they want to acquire Papelbon for two affordable campaigns.

The Blue Jays are considering Rodríguez, Soriano and–for financial reasons–Burke Badenhop. But Soriano had a total collapse from July 28 through last September. During that time, he appeared in 23 games for 21 innings but allowed 17 earned runs for a 7.29 ERA with only seven saves in 11 opportunities for the Washington Nationals.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, management will have to eat $6.5 million each for two years of the embattled closer’s contract. The opinion here, however, is that the Brewers could agree to cover $6.5 million and $9 million respectively. Moreover, getting a premier fireman at $15.5 million for two 162s is an average of $7.75 million, which compares favorably to the annual $11 million the Chicago White Sox will pay for their new hammer. Ergo, expect more negotiations with Milwaukee.

PLAYER BY BY BY & ODDS 8/1 2/20 2/20 Papelbon 80% 55% Brewers Lee 75% 05% None Papelbon 80% 30% Blue Jays

The Numerical Bible:

In addition to Papelbon, here are three relievers the Brew Crew or the Blue Jays can consider along with other organizations interested in backend of the bullpen arms.

Closers:

Papelbon, 34: 66 Gms., 66 1/3 Inn., 39 Saves, four BS, a 2.04 ERA, a 2.53 FIP, a 3.50 xFIP, a 2.86 SIERA, a 0.90 WHIP, a 1.7 WAR and a 4.20 K/BB for $13 million.

Soriano, 35: 64 Gms., 62 Inn., 32 Saves, seven BS, a 3.19 ERA, a 3.08 FIP, a 3.92 xFIP, a 3.31 SIERA, a 1.13 WHIP, a 0.7 WAR and a 3.11 K/BB for a free-agent estimate of an annual $6 million.

Rodríguez, 33: 69 Gms., 68 Inn., 44 Saves, five BS, a 3.04 ERA, a 4.50 FIP, a 2.91 xFIP, a 2.58 SIERA, a 0.99 WHIP, a -0.6 WAR and a 4.06 K/BB for $3.2 million last summer.

Badenhop, almost 32: 70 Gms., 70 2/3 Inn., one Save, 13 Holds, three BS, a 2.29 ERA, a 3.08 FIP, a 3.64 xFIP, a 3.30 SIERA, a 1.26 WHIP, a 1.0 WAR and a 2.11 K/BB for $2.2 million in 2014.

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In my opinion, the articles here represent the thinking of a front-office baseball man and occasionally field personnel. Reading people is the answer to their decisions: past, present and future. Also, the humanizing element highlights their successes, challenges and pitfalls regarding mental, emotional, and physical factors.

There will be a published Storyline and/or Red Alert each week. Storyline features multiple stars and Red Alert highlights a specific player.

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recently since their track-record listing are these four; click the archives for Tal Venada for all other reviews.

Red Alert: The Winning Bid for Hamels, Phillies

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Storyline: Molding the Third Phillies’ Core

Storyline: What to Expect from the Phillies

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The publication date of this review was January 29, 2015. If this is not a recent date, check my author archives for my latest piece at Tal Venada.

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Storyline: Debating Trades and Rumors for the Phillies

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Storyline: Asche vs. Early Utley Through the Phillies’ System

Storyline: Trading Lee, a Phillies’ Mistake

Retitled Storyline: Lee vs. Halladay as Phillies

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