Comments on: Three reasons the Phillies won’t sign Josh Hamilton

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:10:04 +0000

You’re forgetting a right-handed caveman roaming right field.

By: mazblast

mazblast — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:21:50 +0000

Sure, Bourn is going to have to settle for a one-year deal. Right. Yeah. Uh huh.

By: fljerry2

fljerry2 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:26:04 +0000

2010 Utley Howard and Ibanez was 3,4,5
3 lefties. I’m sure contract will spell out any drug or alcohol problem and contract will be null. I myself would love Hamilton on my team.

By: phillyreese215

phillyreese215 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:49:41 +0000

bj upton is even worst. please RAJ just sign bourn youklis and ross to one year deals. and spend the rest of the money on the bullpen. thank you, diehard phillies fan.

By: 13arod

13arod — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:45:00 +0000

they can sign b.j upton

By: mungman69

mungman69 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:02:14 +0000

Please don’t sign Hamilton

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:56:56 +0000

I would probably have to nominate any Astros outfield of the last five years that had Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and anyone other than Michael Bourn in CF.

By: muckthefets

muckthefets — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:55:14 +0000

I’d definitely prefer either of the Upton brothers to fill an OF spot over Hamilton. Specifically for the defense they would bring to the table, and they’re both not slouches at the plate although they don’t put up the power #’s that Hamilton does.

By: hisgirlgotburrelled

hisgirlgotburrelled — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:52:49 +0000

He’s been playing pretty well over the last 3 years in spite of those problems. Everyone is just broadly saying “he’s a risk because he was an addict.” But he’s not now. And anyone saying he’s a risk to relapse for the next 5 years is just as much as a guess as me saying he won’t.

No don’t never mind issues staying healthy because I specifically mentioned it as being the biggest reason.

By: historiophiliac

historiophiliac — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:50:06 +0000

And, also, chew and caffeine…plus, he’s drama and that’s not just about his addictions.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:38:59 +0000

Did he actually forget Hamilton is a drug addict actively declining in performance and sure to decline every year he plays from here on out? Because those are better reasons to avoid signing Hamilton IMO. Just say no Rube.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:28:57 +0000

I don’t know him personally, but my guess is that in the next 5 years he won’t become addicted to drugs again and end his career.

Because the problem with Hamilton isn’t just being a rehabilitated drug user, he also has an issue with alcohol. Ask anyone who has dealt/is dealing with those issues, and they never go away. He’s already had one highly publicized relapse (I’m thinking two, but can’t remember). What if he relapses again, and decides to check into a detox facility?

Never mind that he has issues staying healthy as well and is on the wrong side of 30.

By: xmatt0926x

xmatt0926x — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:42:21 +0000

I have zero faith that they could sign Hamilton and I don’t care either way, but the point that makes least sense to me is saying no because he’s a lefty. If Hamilton batting left against lefties is still better than any right handed option then who cares? I believe Hamilton has a pretty decent OPS against lefties.

By: hisgirlgotburrelled

hisgirlgotburrelled — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:39:06 +0000

I still don’t get this. Why can’t they just come out and say “we think Josh Hamilton could relapse into a drug addiction”? I mean, what else are you saying when you say “he’s a risk because he was once a drug addict”? I don’t know him personally, but my guess is that in the next 5 years he won’t become addicted to drugs again and end his career. That’s just a guess. So, impeccable intangibles just went from “biggest reason” to “yeah I know about it.” My “biggest reason” in the not-signing-him side is that he plays hard and seems to hurt himself because of the way he plays, and the Phillies cannot afford another high-salary injured player in 2013.

I would like to cancel out the first reason of him being a lefty. Of the 3, Utley, Howard, and Hamilton, Hamilton has been better over the last 3 years. Not adding a lefty who would be the best lefty in the lineup because you have Utley and Howard is kind of stupid.

By: illadelphiasphinest

illadelphiasphinest — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:26:18 +0000

Salisbery is a Dingelberry. Guy doesnt know his head from a hole it the wall. Look i agree with the lefty heavy lineup, but if you look a bit further down the road to 2014 the phillies should not re-sign Utley a 35yo with two bad knee to a big long term deal there for leaving a HUGE hole at the 3 spot in the order. Who fills it??? Certainly not anyone currently on the roster. So it makes scense to sign Hamilton abd bat him 3rd this season and bumping Chase up to 2nd. Chase his LHP decent, and so does Hamilton. The only issue is Howard who cant touch LHP even it you gave him a redwood tree to swing. Maybe the addition of Hamilton could help Howard out with his approach and swing. Who knows?? His second point about the money. Come on really…. The Phillies are printing money down on Broad and Pattison they have it. And if they want to continue to make it they will spend it. Another lack luster offseason, and dissapointing season will drive fans away. His third point. What is not to love about a guy who can hit 40HR, 120+RBI, and actually hit .300? He is what Ryan Howard was supposed to be!!!! In a perfect world Id like to see Howard moved down and out of the cleanup spot and fill it with a Cody Ross type player. At least Ross can hit over .250 while still giving you 20+HR, n decent RBI potential. Im sure prople are gonna kill me but does this lineup not look better then say if the added an Angel Pagan(a lot of people perfer him to BJ Upton) to bat 2nd n stuck with Brown, Ruf, Mayberry, Schierholtz. I dont like the idea of LF n RF both being platooned at all again this season!! Heres my lineup for 2013.
Rollins-S/SS
Utley-L/2b
Hamilton-L/CF
Ross-R/LF
Howard-L/1b
Ruiz-R/C
Brown-L/RF
Ruf-R/LF
Frandsen-R/3b

By: philswfc08

philswfc08 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:22:32 +0000

I don’t think writing a big check is a big deal anymore…their local TV deal is about to be renegotiated and they will have significantly more to spend as it is going to be based on the most popular years the Phils have ever had. i’d love to see them take the risk…might as well, they are already tied down with aging stars…push all in!

By: paperlions

paperlions — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:03:33 +0000

Holy cow, that would be the worst outfield defense in living memory.

By: bleedgreen

bleedgreen — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:53:55 +0000

Dare I say it, Dom Brown is quick enough to play center field if he could get his coordination under him. Hamilton in RF, Ruf in LF and Brown in Center?

By: ame123

ame123 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:48:49 +0000

Phillies need a true CF, espcially if they are serious about giving Ruf playing time in left. Hamilton is really a corner outfielder now.

By: danaking

danaking — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:47:43 +0000

As Craig said, none of the three might be a deal-killer. All three together? The match gets worse all the time.

Of course, Ruben Amaro has his mysterious ways.