Listen to Charlie

After a quickie meeting with Jimmy Rollins, here is what Charlie Manuel said about Rollins: "Jimmy can get in the count 2-1, 3-1 quite a bit. Then he'll chase a ball up out of the strike zone and hit a fly ball to center field. I talked to him about that - being a little more selective and getting a better ball to hit. Learn and practice that way."

Can you imagine if Jimmy actually followed Charlie's advice? Rollins is the face of the Phillies, played an enormous part in bring the city a championship, and is the best defensive shortstop in Phillies history.

But the guy drives me nuts at the plate.

Rollins still has a nice compact swing and enough speed to be an impact hitter if that's what he chooses. If he ever decided to get over his Napoleon complex and become a professional hitter, he could have a monster season.

But don't hold your breath....

Six Reasons why Joe Blanton will get traded

If I had to place a bet right now, my money is going on Joe Blanton pitching for someone not named the Phillies this season. There is plenty of evidence that suggests the Phillies want to trade Blanton.

1. The Phillies payroll is at the breaking point and Joe Blanton is due $8.5 million this season. Is anyone willing to take on all of that salary? Not a chance in hell. But Blanton might be worth two or three million to some team.


2. A two-year, $7.5 million contract for Kyle Kendrick. Ruben Amaro calls it "cost certainty." I call it your number five starter.


3. According to philly.com, the Phillies attempted a trade for AJ Burnett.


4. Ruben Amaro's comments leave some room for the possibility of Blanton going bye bye: "Right now, I think we're pretty comfortable with our rotation," Amaro said. "I like the way we set up. Vance had a very good year last year. Joe Blanton, if he's healthy, is going to be a good pitcher for us. That is still an 'if' because of the year he had."


5. Charlie Manuel: We have six starters. He's definitely one of those guys." One of those guys? Not exactly a ringing endorsement.


6. Rich Dubee: When asked if Kendrick could start 25 or 30 games he said "Very much so. I think there probably would be a lot of teams comfortable with Kyle Kendrick as a starter."

Joe Blanton will be gone after this season, so if they trade him now they can save a little cash which they can always use later on fifth starter if need-be. And Kyle Kendrick is perfectly capable of taking Blanton's starts.

Of course there isn't much behind Kendrick, and you never can have too much pitching....