Phils Add Ibanez, Braves Stand Pat

[SOURCE MLB]


Looks the Phillies and their anemic lineup have added that big bat in the outfield to help drive in runs: Raul Ibanez. Wait a second, their lineup isnt anemic, its maybe the best lineup in baseball! How come the Phillies are adding a 30HR/100RBI guy to their outfield while the Braves are still "focusing all of their efforts on A.J. Burnett"? How come I can write a blog post, create a photo illustration, check my email, listen to a podcast and drink coffee while working on two monitors but Frank Wren can't talk with more than one player at the same time? I still have hope Wren will pull out a couple of surprises before the New Year... but I don't have as much hope as I did a month ago.

Upside for the Braves: Raul Ibanez is a left-handed hitter. So when you're facing Utley, Howard and Ibanez in a row.. that's three straight lefties. Pretty nice for us opposing teams.. you know, if we had a left-handed starter....

The Phillies signed Ibanez to a 3 year, $30M deal. He has spent thirteen season in the majors, playing for Seattle and Kansas City. His 2008 Stats with Seattle: .293, 23HR, 110RBI, 85R
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One Reason to Like Cole Hamels

[SOURCE ESPN]


He's young, tall, attractive, has a girlish voice, and has a World Series ring strapped around one those delicate fingers of his... but he's a Phillie. A dastardly Phillie, and there is no question that he nears the top of my "Most Hated, Want to Kill, But Wouldn't Mind Switching Places With" list. But finally.. we have a reason to like Cole Hamels.

Your words, Mr. Hamels:
"For the past two years [the Mets] have been choke artists... that's kind of what we believed and I think we're always going to believe that until they prove us wrong."

Choke artists! The Mets! Hah! Truer words have never been said! And for the third straight year, the Mets and Phillies are talking smack during the offseason. If the Mets even dare to respond to the World Series Champion and defending back-to-back division winners, they must be losing their damn mind. I'd like to see Carlos Beltran proclaim his team as the 'team to beat'... so that Ryan Howard can put down his delicious Subway sandwich and beat him with a stick.

Let's hope a year from now the Braves can start talking a little smack and make this division interesting again.
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