Post by White Sox GM (Michael) on Jul 21, 2014 19:43:20 GMT -5
Oren's Phillies currently find themselves in a fight for a NL Wild Card spot in the season's final weeks. However, this team is not just built for one season. The offense is full of players with promise for years to come, and the team has plenty of cap space to add to the rotation. I recently sat down with Oren to discuss the present and future of the Phillies.
Your team plays in the NL East, one of the most competitive divisions. How do you respond to that level of competition?
The way to respond to the high level of competition is to compete back. I love being in a competitive division because the accomplishment of winning is so much better. To be able to keep up with the marlins, nationals (not really longterm competition), and especially the mets is by mixing a combination of youth with high upside, and proven players who are a bit older. Ive done a good, not great job of that so far, but ive got a great future i believe so I will stay compeltely competitive for many years to come.
Your infield is the hallmark of your success. Do you plan to keep it all together?
Nobody is ever untouchable, however, it is unlikely i move the pieces to my infield. Shortstop is the only position i will consider moving because i want a better shortstop, Ive got Andrus and Brad Miller for my future, and I am hoping that brad miller can be a cheap option that is a stud for me moving forward. If not, i am completely happy with andrus at shortstop because he is still quite good and helps me win the SB category. The rest of my infield im unlikely to move, however, i am always looking to trade.
The starting rotation has been described as weak in the past. How do you plan to combat these assertions?
My starting rotation is a bit on the weaker side, but my ERA and WHIP are still both very good, my ERA being top 5 in the NL. I've got some starting pitching that can be very good in the future in gibson who is improving, as well as ray, matzek and wisler who all have upside to be #2 starters in the mlb. I believe that they will push my rotation to be good, and then with my free agency money adding pitchers to round out the rotation for the next few years.
How do you plan on using all of your cap space in 2015?
I plan to use the majority of my cap space in free agency to get some good starting pitchers, as well as solidify my outfield. Apart from that, i am also looking to add some picks/good prospects using my cash and potentially other pieces that are not part of my core.
Describe your general plans for the franchise moving forward.
My plans are to add more players to my young core and make the phillies a team that has a mix of young prospects and a young great core so that we can compete for the years to come.
What does your workout playlist look like?
Lots of pump up songs, Lose yourself and Can't stop are two of the best ones when doing those heavy compound lifts. But my ipod is currently broken so
Which of your Minor League players is most likely to be a stoner and why?
Im hoping all of them are stoners, so i can relate better
Can you come up with a better Pablo Sandoval nickname than "Panda"?
Panda is a pretty great nickname for him, i dont think i could
Would you rather eat a dish called Cesar Puello or Tanner Scheppers?
Cesar makes me think more about food, so im gonna go with that.
Any final thoughts?
I think bryan should win the lil' bitch award.
Well, that's all the time we have. Thanks again to Oren for agreeing to the interview.
Your team plays in the NL East, one of the most competitive divisions. How do you respond to that level of competition?
The way to respond to the high level of competition is to compete back. I love being in a competitive division because the accomplishment of winning is so much better. To be able to keep up with the marlins, nationals (not really longterm competition), and especially the mets is by mixing a combination of youth with high upside, and proven players who are a bit older. Ive done a good, not great job of that so far, but ive got a great future i believe so I will stay compeltely competitive for many years to come.
Your infield is the hallmark of your success. Do you plan to keep it all together?
Nobody is ever untouchable, however, it is unlikely i move the pieces to my infield. Shortstop is the only position i will consider moving because i want a better shortstop, Ive got Andrus and Brad Miller for my future, and I am hoping that brad miller can be a cheap option that is a stud for me moving forward. If not, i am completely happy with andrus at shortstop because he is still quite good and helps me win the SB category. The rest of my infield im unlikely to move, however, i am always looking to trade.
The starting rotation has been described as weak in the past. How do you plan to combat these assertions?
My starting rotation is a bit on the weaker side, but my ERA and WHIP are still both very good, my ERA being top 5 in the NL. I've got some starting pitching that can be very good in the future in gibson who is improving, as well as ray, matzek and wisler who all have upside to be #2 starters in the mlb. I believe that they will push my rotation to be good, and then with my free agency money adding pitchers to round out the rotation for the next few years.
How do you plan on using all of your cap space in 2015?
I plan to use the majority of my cap space in free agency to get some good starting pitchers, as well as solidify my outfield. Apart from that, i am also looking to add some picks/good prospects using my cash and potentially other pieces that are not part of my core.
Describe your general plans for the franchise moving forward.
My plans are to add more players to my young core and make the phillies a team that has a mix of young prospects and a young great core so that we can compete for the years to come.
What does your workout playlist look like?
Lots of pump up songs, Lose yourself and Can't stop are two of the best ones when doing those heavy compound lifts. But my ipod is currently broken so
Which of your Minor League players is most likely to be a stoner and why?
Im hoping all of them are stoners, so i can relate better
Can you come up with a better Pablo Sandoval nickname than "Panda"?
Panda is a pretty great nickname for him, i dont think i could
Would you rather eat a dish called Cesar Puello or Tanner Scheppers?
Cesar makes me think more about food, so im gonna go with that.
Any final thoughts?
I think bryan should win the lil' bitch award.
Well, that's all the time we have. Thanks again to Oren for agreeing to the interview.
