Steve Phillips' NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

From an ESPN chat. This chat comes with the dillagii official "word of caution".

Mandatory Linkage: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=15311
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What should the Reds do with Josh Hamilton?? 2 HR in 2 starts, great fielder, how do they find him time??

STEVE PHILLIPS
I think he'll get enough playing time considering they'll have to rest Ken Griffey Jr. Ryan Freel plays a hard center field and at times gets hurt, and Adam Dunn needs to be replaced defensively at the end of just about every game. If he can get 350-400 plate appearances over the course of this season, he'll have a chance to continue to develop his game. He's an amazing story.
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Should I be concerned about the Cubs lack of hitting early on?

STEVE PHILLIPS
Of all the components of the game--hitting, pitching, defense--the one I'd be least concerned about with the Cubs is hitting. They have some big bats that have gotten off to slow starts. Alfonso Soriano's too good of a player to hit .200 for the season. Pitching and defense are bigger questions for the Cubs.
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Who is the better defensive center fielder for their career, Jim Edmonds or Andruw Jones?

STEVE PHILLIPS
Andruw Jones is the better defensive center fielder. I'd take either one on my team, but Andruw covers more ground and has a better throwing arm than Edmonds. He's a close second, but I have to go with Andruw.
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I see that a lot of ESPN guys have picked the Brewers to win the NL Central. Do you think they have a chance? If so, do they have what it takes to get to the World Series? It's been a long time since I could ask that question!!

STEVE PHILLIPS
I think the Brewers are going to win the Central, because I like their pitching depth better than any other team in the division. Ben Sheets has to stay healthy, but I think they can do it. They're going to need the young position players to step up to the next level offensively, and they'll have to tighten up their defense, but I think they'll do it. The big question is, do they have enough belief in themselves to do it?
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[Transmogrified Tiger]

Phillips must've saved up the stupid for BBTN or the other portions of the chat. Hard to argue with his answers, even if the first one didn't really answer the question(Joe Morgan style).

[cardinalkarp]

I think the Brewers are going to win the Central, because I like their pitching depth better than any other team in the division. Ben Sheets has to stay healthy, but I think they can do it. They're going to need the young position players to step up to the next level offensively, and they'll have to tighten up their defense, but I think they'll do it. The big question is, do they have enough belief in themselves to do it?

The Steve Phillips kiss of death. Sorry Brew Crew.

[Hungary Jack]

I think the Brewers are going to win the Central, because I like their pitching depth better than any other team in the division. Ben Sheets has to stay healthy, but I think they can do it. They're going to need the young position players to step up to the next level offensively, and they'll have to tighten up their defense, but I think they'll do it. The big question is, do they have enough belief in themselves to do it?

The Steve Phillips kiss of death. Sorry Brew Crew.

Yup. Might as well put Ben Sheets and Prince Fielder on the cover of SI with the title "Championship Dreams Brewing in Milwaukee"

[Dillagii]

He is Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkk :cheers: Lets hope he will "entertain" us with his stupid comments throughout the season.

[Phyrkrakr]

I think the Brewers are going to win the Central, because I like their pitching depth better than any other team in the division. Ben Sheets has to stay healthy, but I think they can do it. They're going to need the young position players to step up to the next level offensively, and they'll have to tighten up their defense, but I think they'll do it. The big question is, do they have enough belief in themselves to do it?

The Steve Phillips kiss of death. Sorry Brew Crew.

Yup. Might as well put Ben Sheets and Prince Fielder on the cover of SI with the title "Championship Dreams Brewing in Milwaukee"

Not Fielder...he's on my fantasy team.

Real quick, what's the GG numbers for Jones vs. Edmonds, since they both started in the NL around the same time?

[GatewaySnayke]

I think the Brewers are going to win the Central, because I like their pitching depth better than any other team in the division. Ben Sheets has to stay healthy, but I think they can do it. They're going to need the young position players to step up to the next level offensively, and they'll have to tighten up their defense, but I think they'll do it. The big question is, do they have enough belief in themselves to do it?

The Steve Phillips kiss of death. Sorry Brew Crew.

Yup. Might as well put Ben Sheets and Prince Fielder on the cover of SI with the title "Championship Dreams Brewing in Milwaukee"

Not Fielder...he's on my fantasy team.

Real quick, what's the GG numbers for Jones vs. Edmonds, since they both started in the NL around the same time?

Jones' first full season was in 1997, and he has won one every year since 1998.

[BW23]

Real quick, without looking, I think both have won GGs each and every year since Edmonds got into the NL...except Jimmy didn't win one last year and Jones did.

[stlmark]

I don't see how Jones is better defensively then Edmonds. I also don't think Edmonds is better then Jones. I would have to say they are even. I would also say that their throwing arms are about even.

[Bo Hart]

Jones may have lost a step in the outfield but I do think he's better than Edmonds. He has more range out there.