RUBEN AMARO, JR’S (DRUNK?) HISTORY

PhilliesDrunkHistoryLogoPart 1: MODUS OPERANDI

On November 3, 2008 – Phillies announced 43 year old Ruben Amaro, Jr is promoted from Assistant GM to General Manager.

3 days later he sent the legendary Pat Burrell into the world of free agency.

The system that Amaro and Marti Wolever, the Director of Amateur Scouting, helped to create had zero luck drafting or developing any outfielders.  They needed a left fielder.  The landscape of free agency was mediocre.  One name stood out from the other free agents, or maybe it was one age—36 years old.  Those 36 years of age belonged to Raul Ibanez, who was coming off a year with 23 HRs and 110 RBIs.  He seemed like a decent stop-gap for a year or two.  What more could he be at 36 years old?

43days into his reign as GM, Ruben signed Raul for 3 years.  A 36 year old for 3 years?!  Baseball insiders felt that a two year deal would get it done, especially since Raul let it be known that Philly was his first choice.

This first contract, where he signed an aging veteran to a contract longer than most felt needed, would become Ruben Amaro, Jr’s modus operandi.   In case you didn’t believe it, he resigned 46 year old Jamie Moyer to a 2 year extension.

Did Ruben care that Moyer finished the 2008 year by going 1-2 in the post season with an ERA of 8.84? Nah.  Those are just stupid stats.

65 days into his reign as GM, Ruben Amaro, Jr signed the oldest arm in all of baseball for two more years and $13M.

Raul went on to have two good years.  As most predicted, his numbers dropped in the third year.  His defense was quite atrocious.

We rate the Raul signing:

3_shots_tipsy

Moyer’s ERA hovered near five both years and injuries crept up on him as he got closer to 50 years old.

We rate the Moyer signing:

5_shots_hammeredAnd so it began.  Aging players signed for a year or two or more too long…..

*Disclaimer…we have no proof that Ruben was drunk when he made these or any deals in this series. However, it would make these deals much more understandable if he were.

If ya enjoyed this, please share.  For more articles and nonesense follow: @ViolationsGreg on Twitter and Violations Greg on Facebook.