About a month ago, an enormous percentage of the Philadelphia Phillies faithful were making bold proclamations about World Series appearances and World Series wins.
With the semblance of an amazing starting pitching staff, there was not much reason to think anyone was being completely unrealistic.
Optimistic? Perhaps.
Completely unrealistic? No.
All of a sudden, the team has one spring training injury, and everyone hits the proverbial panic button.
Yes, it is Chase Utley, and yes, Chase Utley is one of—if not the—best players on the team.
Let us try to remember, however, that this team has got some other pretty good players, like Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, Carlos Ruiz, etc.
The Phillies also still have those four guys at the top of their rotation.
Please do not take this the wrong way: Utley is an amazing player, and a presence in the lineup that is not easily replaced—if replacement is possible at all.
But here’s my question: Why even try?
I’ve been hearing for days that the Phillies should pick up Michael Young, who is, admittedly, a really strong player and a very good right-handed bat.
I know how Philadelphia fans are, and thus, I let it go—until today.
Earlier today, I heard on a Philadelphia sports-radio show (the epitome of sports-fan “mental midgetry”) that, and I quote, “The Phillies should trade Roy Oswalt for Michael Young.”
Are you serious? We do not even know the extent of Utley’s knee problems (not yet, anyway).
It is this panic that forces hands into very bad moves. Thank goodness Ruben Amaro Jr. is not quite so rash.
What happens if you trade one of your four aces for Young?
You’ve got a stopgap who is still a borderline All-Star, but you’re down one pitcher from what had been your biggest strength.
Now, what happens if Utley returns by mid-May or earlier? I’m certain the Phillies would have no problem finding at-bats for Michael Young, but again, would the move be—in retrospect—a good idea?
Of course, it could go the other way.
Oswalt’s sometimes balky back could go awry, and he could miss two-thirds of the season, and Utley could not come back at all.
The point I’m trying to make is that the team will cross that bridge immediately before it burns, and so to all the fans out there coming up with these hasty ideas—please chill out!
I understand that it’s something to talk about.
I also understand that Utley is not your everyday player, and that his importance to the team should never be underestimated. I also understand that he deserves every chance in the world to right the ship that is his own body.
I personally believe that he will.
I’d love to hear your take on this subject, Phillies fans. If you think that I’m the one who is off his rocker, please, by all means, tell me. I can handle it!
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