Shapiro's Spins....

[Alex]

Thome somehow felt we were not going to be competitive next year. However, we went 30-30 over the last 60 games with NO THIRD BASEMAN, LITTLE PRODUCTION FROM CATCHER, little production from left-field, little production from shortstop AND second base, AND we had Dave Burba and Charlie Nagy starting.

Next year we could count on A healthy Matt Lawton, anyone besides Travis, and a healthy Einar, and a full season of Karim, all which could have meant a better than .500 team.

Unfortunately, Shapiro would tell anyone who would listen that we would not be competitive for two more years, and he seemed to tell it with gusto, like he was proud of this "accomplishment".

I did several warnings many months ago that you never admit you are going to suuck for two more years, it's not the way the game is played.

It appears that Shapiro was trying to set the bar as low as possible so that he could look real good for the upswing. I think the plan may have backfired.

It appears Jim Thome was all ears, and didn't want to waste his time "rebuilding".

[viper123]

I agree about setting a bar which actually Shapiro admitted in a press conference that he shouldn't put limits on the teams progress. But open your eyes Thome didn't leave to win with Philly, he left for money! How many did the Phillies finish in back of the Braves last year. How have they improved themselves and please don't tell me David Bell. The fact of the matter is moeny talks and THome walks

[Alex]

Well, to complicate things, why didn't Shapiro and Dolan offer a buy out option at 6 million per year for two more years, (suddenly the contract is "worth" 75 million), then add a few incentives such for attendance and if he hits 30 home runs add three million a season, if he drives in 90 runs, add three more million.

It seems that the carrot Shapiro and Dolan dangled was really a dumb one.

[viper123]

I agree the MVP voting was a horrible incentive but I disagree with giving him guaranteed money when he is 38-39. I would bet that he will no longer be the player he is know by that time. We should have offered performance incentives not voting incentives