Phillies

Everyone is Going to Be Talking About the Phillies This Month

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jul 1st, 2013 · 12:30 PM EDT

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Get used to articles like this one from Tim Brown of Yahoo! about the Phillies’ decision to buy or sell (hint: it should be sell!):

These Phillies aren’t exactly those Phillies. Some of the names are the same. Even a few of the games are familiar, given the proper amount of distance and whimsy. Over five years, they’d hoisted themselves into the game’s elite. Constructed by Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro Jr. (and even Ed Wade), marshaled by the charmingly competent Charlie Manuel, encouraged by a long sellout streak at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies had their time. Yesterday was theirs. Today, though. What to do about today?

They were the definition of mediocre last season. In this one, they’re in a 15-rounder for mediocre, one they are at the moment losing. In the NL East alone, the Atlanta Braves have the better team, the Washington Nationals the deeper organization. A month from the trading deadline, the Phillies entered Sunday 8 ½ games out of the division lead, 7 ½ games out of a playoff spot, possess an offense and starting rotation that glitter with reputations yet are statistically average, and find themselves in the later innings swaying to the worst bullpen in the National League.

Good, if not unrevealing read from Brown.