Is this the time to call up top prospect Domonic Brown? Many say he's the answer why others want him to prove his talent at AAA. Currently Brown is with AA Reading, where he is hitting .308. Brown could be a 5 tool player and a spark to Phillies success.
Domonic Brown can do it all. As I mentioned before, Brown has been hitting well above the 300 mark this season in AA. He has a impressive arm and blazing fast speed, especially for a guy of his size. He stands at 6'5". Brown has a power bat, that has only improved. Last season with A Clearwater and AA Reading Brown hit 14 long balls. This season he already has 10.
Brown is a phenomenal athlete. The only problem is who knows how he will do against big league pitching. Let's face it, he hasn't seen many quality pitchers, besides the occasional guy on a rehab assignment, or another star prospect, and he won't see anything but washed up vets in triple-A.
The Phillies do not want to rush him, but the team needs someone to get them going. Whether it's testing out Brown in left field, getting Jimmy Rollins and/or JA Happ back , or shaking up the bench, something must be done. Guys like, Utley, Howard, and Werth will eventually get back into the groove of things, as they have experienced slumps before and will/are working hard to fix holes in there swings, etc. But what about guys like Raul Ibanez and Greg Dobbs. These players have not been performing for long extended periods of time. Dobbs' last good season was in 2008 where he lead the NL in pinch hits. However, his hit total was cut in half last year. And, in 2010, he hasn't done any better, with only 9 hits in 69 plate appearances. Raul Ibanez, won Phillies' fans hearts after tearing it up before the 2009 All-Star break. In that season he lead all NL outfielders in votes for the all-star game. But his hamstring injury limited what he could do for the rest of the season. After a horrible second half, Ibanez was dropped to the 6th hole, and his average dipped from .319 to .272. Like Dobbs, he isn't doing any better this season. His average is at .247 and his home run total is at 4, about 20 less from where it was at this point last season.
Ultimately, Dobbs would be the easier one to replace, as he is due only 1.25 million this season. The Phillies could cut him outright, like they did with Geoff Jenkins and Adam Eaton, pay his salary, and then be done with him. As for Ibanez, he is due about 17 million dollars over the next two years. As well, he has a team option for a 4th year at about 11 million which they can buyout at the end of next season. Ibanez, could still become a contributer, but may not get the opportunity to if Brown gets the call. Cutting Ibanez, would be a nice thing to do as he could easily get a starting role else where, like his old home Seattle. But, it would not be so pretty for the Phillies, as they would ow him more then 17 million dollars, to play on another team.
As for now, I think you cut Dobbs, and keep Brown down in the minors. Ibanez then would remain the staring left fielder. Brown then takes a short visit to triple-A Lehigh Valley, until extended rosters in September. If Brown plays well in September, you take him aboard on your playoff team, and see if he can't give you a spark off the bench. This also could help, judge how much they need Werth. If Brown becomes the David Price of the 2010 playoffs you could give him the RF spot.
As for Dobbs, there are plenty of players in AAA that could do just as good as him and probably better. John Mayberry jr. could be a option. He's seen time with the team, most notably mid season 2009 when Ibanez went down with a hamstring injury. He displayed raw power, but poor strike zone judgement. Tagg Bozied has been outstanding with AA Reading. Hitting behind Brown, he has the ability to play the corners like Dobbs. He's hit 12 home runs this season, and has a 'ok' batting average, which has been high 270s lows 280s throughout this season.
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