Though general manager Ruben Amaro never should have traded Cliff Lee in the offseason, he somehow acquired Roy Oswalt from the Houston Astros for J.A. Happ and a couple of single A guys. I’m not sure if Ed Wade is trying to help out his former squad, once again, but on behalf of Phillies fans we’d like to say, “Thank you, Eddie.”
Oswalt gives the team three number-one-caliber starters. He has been terrific in his career after July with an ERA of well under 3.00. The tough right-hander has pitched in a World Series, in 2005, though he struggled in that game against the Chicago White Sox. He was outstanding in the playoffs leading up to the Series, however.
The 6-0, 190-lb hurler reminds some of Orel Hershiser with his pitching style. There’s a fair amount of movement on Oswalt’s pitches. When he is going good, he will throw his pitches with a tail over the corners of the plate. This makes it tough for hitters from both sides of the plate. Oswalt has been an innings-eater in his career. He has pitched 200-plus innings six times to date. The Phillies now have three pitchers in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt that should give the team an honest effort of 7 innings or more on most occasions. This is key for a suspect bullpen, which is what Philadelphia currently possesses.
The Phillies, barring an injury or something unusual, will have a strong starting staff for the next few years as Oswalt is signed through next year with an option for 2012. Oswalt will help the team in more ways than one. He is a fabulous fielder and is a very capable bunter. These fringe benefits can be huge in a playoff or World Series game. Another impressive thing about this acquisition is that he (Oswalt) has a great record and ERA to date at Citizens Bank Park. As I have strongly stated before, Amaro never should have traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. As the team got little in return for a guy who is a Cy Young candidate in the American League this year. But to pull off a trade in which he (Amaro) got one of the best pitchers in the National League for what essentially ends up being Oswalt for Happ is an awfully shrewd deal on his part.

The Revived Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels is a different pitcher right now. He is better than he was in 2008 at this point in his career. You heard me. I said he’s better than he was in 2008 when he won the World Series MVP. And carried the Fightin’ Phils on his back through the playoffs and to a Championship Ring. “Why is he better?” you ask. My retort entails two words, cut fastball.
This might be his best pitch at present. He uses it like a slider. And he is throwing it with extreme authority right now. The lanky left-hander struggled early because he was trying to learn how to use his new toy. He figured it out. Hamels did what I had implored him to do in the offseason. He trained harder, throwing much more than usual. And he added a third pitch. Some will say he has four pitches, but I’m not one of them. Hamels’ curveball has never been much to write home about. He has difficulty with his command of the deuce.
His fastball has a real good snap to it right now. He is hitting 95 mph on the gun on a regular basis. Courtesy of a stronger arm, due to the offseason workouts. His changeup is one of the very best in baseball. And he now can throw a cutter. Hamels will throw any one of these pitches at anytime in the count. Opposing hitters are guessing wrong a lot. Hamels also appears to be more confident on the mound. He’s not getting too far down on himself when the other team gets a hit on him or scores a run. I worried that Hamels may never regain his 2008 form. I can stop worrying, because he’s even better now. I do have one beef though, and it’s not with Hamels. It’s with the offense when the lefty is hurling. They need to score more runs for this guy. Hamels should have at least four more wins.

New Hitting Coach

Hitting coach Milt Thompson was replaced by former Phillies outfielder Greg Gross. Gross was a former manager Larry Bowa’s hitting coach from 2002-2004. Manager Charlie Manuel felt that the players needed to hear a new voice as far as the hitting was concerned. The team has been decimated by injuries this season. But the offense was up and down even when their big guns were healthy. It’s a shame that a good guy like Thompson had to be the fall guy for the Phillies’ lackluster bats, but that’s the way it works in sports. If one particular area is not carrying its weight, usually a coach gets fired.

The Eagles

As I previously wrote, I do not think the Eagles will make the playoffs this season. My reasoning is more to do with a subpar offensive line and a defense that lacks enough play-makers, than the fact that Kevin Kolb is in his first year as the starter at quarterback. I don’t think the team would have made the playoffs with Donovan McNabb either this year. Philadelphia has an extremely difficult schedule. And they are set to play the AFC South division. With the likes of the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, McNabb has had his struggles against these teams over the years. And let’s not forget a vastly improved Houston Texans team.
The Birds will also play tough teams like the Green Bay Packers on opening day, the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers, and the Minnesota Vikings. And let’s not forget two games against the Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins each.
If the team is to make the playoffs, however, some important things will need to happen. The offensive line will have to protect Kolb efficiently. The defense will need to generate pressure from their front four and not have to blitz quite so much. The blitz should not be a reliant. Defensive end Trent Cole cannot be the team’s only legitimate pass-rusher again. Others will need to step up their games. Hopefully, rookie Brandon Graham can apply consistent pressure from the left defensive end spot. Better secondary play will be a must this year. There were too many touchdowns through the air against the Eagles last year. The front seven must be more physical this season. As long as middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is healthy, that should happen. He is clearly the most important player on that defense. Without Bradley last year, the defense lacked the necessary attitude to dominate.
The Eagles must get better play from their strong side linebacker. Whoever that may be. Akeem Jordan is now running with the first team. The SAMs struggled mightily in covering opposing tight ends last season. That has to be straightened out. Nate Allen will need to play like a veteran at free safety instead of the rookie that he is. The team will need capable play from the right cornerback position. Ellis Hobbs appears to be the favorite for that job.
Of course the passing game will need to be steady. But Philadelphia must develop a more consistent running game. LeSean McCoy has to become a player opposing defenses will respect. A reliable running game is imperative for a young quarterback. And most importantly, the team needs to stay relatively healthy. This is not a squad that can afford to lose key players. If all of these things happen, then perhaps the Birds can sneak into the playoffs this season.

A New Sixers President

Ed Stefanski was fired from one of his positions with the 76ers. He is no longer the team’s president. He has been replaced with Rod Thorn at that position. Stefanski will remain as the team’s general manager. He has been below average in my opinion as both the GM and team president. Sixers’ fans have witnessed poor decision after poor decision from him. The hiring of Eddie Jordan to coach this team was a horrendous idea. Jordan was not a good fit for the team’s personnel. And Elton Brand is taking up a large portion of the team’s cap. But he is not worth the money he is getting. Brand is a shadow of his former self. Bringing in Brand was another one of Stefanski’s big errors. Hopefully, Thorn will add some sense to the basketball decisions that are made this year and beyond.
Thorn and Stefanski worked together with the New Jersey Nets when the team reached the NBA Finals. The duo is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle once again in Philly. It is a bit curious, however, that Thorn’s contract is a year longer than the two years Stefanski has left on his. I am a bit surprised the Sixers former president wasn’t let go altogether.