Another One Bites The Dust

Michael Martinez is the latest infielder to fall victim to
the injury bug.

The bad news from Phillies camp just keeps coming. The injury bug seems to be relentless this March in Clearwater Florida. Today in a Spring Training game vs the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, Phillies infielder Michael Martinez was hit in the foot with a pitch by Orioles pitcher Jim Johnson. Martinez stayed in the game and later scored a run but was taken out the next half inning before he had a chance to take the field to play defense. Martinez was seen leaving the clubhouse in a walking boot and it was later learned that he had indeed broken a bone in his foot. There is no timetable for his return but he is widely expected to start the season on the disabled list.

Along with Ryan Howard & Chase Utley as other injured infielders, the Phillies look in dire need of some infield help. They currently have only 7 (seven) infielders left in camp. Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco (day to day, injured finger), Freddy Galvis, Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome, Pete Orr and Hector Luna. Thats not exactly a star studded infield  that is going to put fear into any opposing pitching staff. With Polanco healing from an injured finger after also being hit by a pitch earlier in the week, Charlie Manual really has to get everything out of the remaining infielders in camp.

Or the team will have to make a deal.

David Wright would be the perfect fit
for the 2012 Phillies

I actually have an idea when it comes to this subject. Call me crazy but hear me out on this one. Move Polanco (when healthy) to second base (until when and if Utley comes back) and trade for New York Mets third baseman David Wright. Now I know David Wright is a free agent at the end of the 2012 season but he would be a really good fit in Philadelphia for the season, and maybe longer. Polanco's contract is up at seasons end and heck they Phillies even thought of shipping him out of town this off season. So obviously he is not in the Phillies plans after this season. David Wright's salary for 2012 is $15 Million and is due a raise at seasons end to somewhere in the neighborhood of $18-$20 Million a season on the open free agent market. Im not saying he would be in the Phillies long team plans but for 2012 I say go for it. The Mets are not going to resign him at seasons end anyway (or at least that is what's expected) the Phillies need help and they have some pieces that the Mets (might) want.


I know the Phillies Pitching staff is amazing and with Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all being in the NL Cy Young discussion, but the Offense with all the injuries has the potential to be dreadful. I read an article today that said the Phillies may win a 6th straight National League East Division but they have very well could have one of the worst offense's in all of baseball. You can read the article by Jonah Keri on Grantland HERE . This was truly a great article, please go read it.

Placido Polanco 

Some people may agree with me on the David Wright thought and some may call me insane and that i am grasping for something that may not be possible. Maybe the Phillies are going to have to "tread water" with the cast of characters they have until Howard and Utley can make it back into the line-up, but I say go for it and get the prize of the 2013 free agent pool now. Let him see what its like to play in Philadelphia not a visitor, not as a member of the Mets. I know the city and the fans would embrace him, much like the fans did with Hunter Pence, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

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