With all due respect to the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup limp and pitching pain, one connected question remains open: What about this team's defense?
Formerly ranked among the best in the business, Ryne Sandberg's projected 2014 squad doesn't wear the same collective leather.
Carlos Ruiz should remain in red pinstripes for reasons that go beyond his late-season offensive surge. 'Chooch' still stabilizes the pitching staff. With a new pitching coach soon-to-be hired and a number of new arms to be seen on the mound, retaining this veteran backstop would be the right choice to make.
Ryan Howard has never been a great defender. But, when he's healthy 'The Big Piece' makes the routine plays and works on his infield throws with sincerity.
Darin Ruf might be Howard's understudy. He's a better defender, plain and simple.
Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are still excellent defenders. Along with Ruiz, this combo helps the Phillies to be legitimately deep up the middle.
Cody Asche is a solid major league fielder who should only get better as he settles in at his new Philadelphia spot. Until super-prospect Maikel Franco proves otherwise, Asche is the Phillies' hot corner man.
Domonic Brown and Ben Revere aren't great outfielders and that's a problem. Brown's arm is good, while Revere's never will be. Revere can track balls, whereas Brown still hasn't learned that skill. Since they can't be fused into one man, the team will have to live with their defensive liabilities.
Right field was a problem this season. This key position might remain a sore spot into next year if the Phillies plug this hole with a purely offensive part.
In summary, Ruiz' return would keep the plate in place. While the infield is good, the outfield hardly sports the stellar defense that was seen during those playoff-run years. Play that problem through another entire season, then combine it with the other roster issues, and general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. might lose his job by next October (at the latest).
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