What's this forum's thinking on Russell Branyan?
My 2 cents worth:
1. Walt probably had to offer a group of good players on the list of PTBNL
in order to get Branyan on the roster before Sept. 1. (to be eligible for post season)
2. Branyan may be a rental. But, then, there's no guarentee on
Scott Rolan's shoulder. Those shots he takes last a short
time and (as I understand the medical concern) they can
cause the bone to actually to decline in density. Surgery
may or may not help.
3. Branyan fits the TLR mold -- a veteran with some skills
who can fit into the offensive and defensive scheme. Is he
Scott Rolan at Scott's best? No. Can he play D like Scott
as his best? No. But can he produce O and D close to
what Scott Rolan can produce now?
Good Question. I'd call it 60-40 "yes."
+++
My guess on the PTBNL -- at least players similar in quality
that Walt probably will have to give up:
Relief Pitchers: anyone on the Memphis staff. The Phils could use
some help NOW in their bullpen. But they would have had to move
immediately to pick up someone who could be put on a post-
season roster, like a Falkenborg, Cate, or a Worrell. So I'm kind of
surprised that didn't happen. I don't think Walt would expose Perez on a list.
Which leads me to believe -- if it's a pitcher, it will be someone
down in the system who can help out the Phils next year or the
next. So any of the relievers at Springfield could be there, including
Motte, though I personally would prefer to see what Motte can do,
and I'd rather keep McClellan around for another year or two also.
Starters? Not Hawksworth, but Parisi, Haberer, Narveson
are good possibilities.
Position players:
Infield: newly acquired Barden (3b) might be useful to the Phils.
Also, E. Gonzalez (2b) or McCoy (mid-IF).
I would hope that Hoffauir and Craig and the ss at AA (whose
name eludes me for the moment) are not on the list.
Outfield:
Not sure -- after the top couple of OF prospects -- how they are
ranked in the system, but I would think that, for Branyan, Walt may
have had to expose Haerther and Marti. I would hope that
Schumaker, Mather, and Stavinhoa are not on the list.
Catcher:
Please, not Anderson, Yarbrough or (my defensive specialist) Pagnozzi.
Likely as not, the Phils will go with a pitcher -- that's what I would
do, but then, I'm just a lowly fan, with little to do on a Saturday
morning, putting my 2 cents out there!
--ArRedbird
