Ruben Amaro: We May be Sellers in July

Earlier I posted about the closed-door meeting that Charlie Manuel conducted last night after an embarrassing three-game sweep courtesy of the New York Mets. Now comes word from Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, that Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr has chimed in on Manuel's lashing.

Asked if the lashing was needed, Amaro responded saying, "Most undoubtedly, it was deserved." Amaro also stated there was no need for him to chime in during the meeting last night and that, "Charlie handled it very well."

Just like all Phillies fans, Amaro is not any bit happy with how the team is playing and leaving us all to scratch our heads. "I don't like the type of baseball we are playing. We're playing fundamentally unsound baseball, missing cutoffs and making mental mistakes. We're better than what we are showing. How much better? I don't know. But we're better than this. Regardless of who is in or out of our lineup we should be better."

Amaro then went on to state something Phillies fan have not been accustomed to in the past five seasons. "July is far ahead. We just have to get back on track. But if July comes around and we're playing like this, we'll be sellers. How we play now will determine whether we'll be buyers or sellers in July."



Those are some pretty heavy words from the Phils GM. While I am extremely frustrated with the Phillies right now, I am somewhat happy to see that the frustration of the teams play has prompted Manuel and now Amaro to come out publicly and put the warning out there.

If this doesn't get the Phillies fire going, I am not sure what will. Regardless of the absences of both Utley and Howard, this team should still be winning games, shit they should be scoring more runs too. But with the MLB's worst bullpen ERA at 5.47, relievers allowing the second-highest batting average against in the majors (.286), and relievers striking out only 57 batters (second worst in the National League), when the lineup does hit the bullpen cannot shut down the opponent.

At least three games every week it is just about a given the starting rotation will not give up more than two or three runs. Even with this depleted lineup, the Phillies should still be able to muster out four or five runs during those games.

If July rolls around and the Phillies' current struggles continue, there will be a large yard sale at Citizens Bank Park, something no Phillies fan ever expected to experience before the start of this season.