How is Ruben Amaro Still Employed?

Ruben Amaro's continued employment with the Phillies only proves my theory that corporations (of any kind) prefer mediocrity to innovation and competence.  Think I'm wrong?  If I was, Amaro never would've said this:

"Amaro, however, did bring Werth into the discussion when asked about leftfielder Raul Ibanez‘ 2010 season.

Ibanez 'was still a pretty productive player and . . . his numbers are not all that different from Jayson’s last year,' he said. What did [Ibanez] have, 83 RBIs? Jayson had 85. [Ibanez] didn’t have as many opportunities as Jayson did to drive in runs.

“Clearly, Jayson had more runs scored [106 for Werth and 75 for Ibanez] and his on-base percentage and stuff were better, but [Ibanez] had 37 doubles and five triples. . . . The difference in their production was not all that great.”

This comment is interesting for two reasons.  One, Amaro is clearly trying to save face by justifying his signing of Raul Ibanez a couple of years ago.  By attempting to prop up Ibanez's performance (while cutting down Werth's), he's proactively trying to deflect criticism from both the fans and media.  Let's be honest about all of this though.  Ibanez is in a clear state of decline, and at this point is worse than Werth in every facet of the game.  Going into his age-37 season, Ibanez will be make $13M, thus making him nearly untradeable.  Essentially, Ibanez's presence on the 2011 roster is the primary reason the Phillies won't be able to re-sign Jayson Werth.

Two, Amaro's comment shows he lacks a fundamental understanding of how runs are created.  He still views offense through the lens of run production, rather than run creation.  In his world, all of the credit for run creation is given to RBI men that drive in runs.  As I've mentioned before, this point of view is fundamentally flawed because (a) it assumes the act of driving in runs is a skill (which it's not), and (b) completely ignores the skill involved in getting on base.  Getting on base is probably the most important aspect of run creation.  If players don't get on base, the only way for a team to score is via the solo home run.  I don't think I need to tell you that this isn't the most efficient way of scoring runs. 

My favorite part about Amaro's quote is when he says, "The difference in their production was not all that great."  Just looking at offensive production, Werth created 39.9 weighted runs above average (.397 wOBA), while Ibanez created 10.1 (.341 wOBA).  Werth got on base more often, slugged for a greater average, ran the bases more effectively, and was a slightly better defender.  Using WAR as a measure of value, Werth outpace Ibanez, 5.0 to 1.8.  In other words, Werth was an All-Star quality outfielder, while Ibanez was a fringe starter.  To me, the difference in production was huge.  Then again, I'm using objective measures, while Amaro is trying to save his own ass.  If it wasn't for a massive difference in age (and race), I'd openly wonder if Ruben Amaro and Britney Spears were twins separated at birth.  They both exhibit the similar levels of baseball knowledge and questionable judgment.

Phillies Still Interested in Retaining Werth?

A couple of days ago, ESPN's Jayson Stark reported the following on the negotiations between the Phillies and right fielder Jayson Werth:

"Here’s one Phillies source on the odds of his team finding a way to keep Jayson Werth: “No chance. None. Zero.” In the end, it might not even be the annual dollars that will force the Phillies to move on. It’s their unwillingness to go beyond three or four years for a player who will turn 32 next May."

When Phillies GM Ruben Amaro caught wind of Stark's report, he apparently went ballistic:

“That’s unequivocally a false statement,” Amaro said. “That did not come from me and I would not express that.”

Ok.  I'm sure Amaro wouldn't express that he has no interest in retaining Werth--at least not publically.  He's not stupid.  I'm sure if he finds away to pawn Raul Ibanez and his $13M salary off on some poor soul (Brian Sabean anyone?), he'll make a real attempt for Werth.  Until that happens, I don't expect for there to be any real movement on the Phillies end.  Going into 2011, all of their starting outfield slots are filled.  Ibanez will be in left, Victorino in center, and super prospect Dominic Brown will be in right.  Unless the National League decides to unexpectedly adopt the DH rule, there's no place for Werth to play.  They're not going to bench Ibanez, and they shouldn't stunt Brown's growth.  He's ready to play in the big leagues, and he deserves the shot to show everyone what he can do.

I'm sure Amaro and the Phillies like Werth, but I've never gotten the impression that they liked him that much.  I understand that.  Werth is not a sexy player.  He's one of those players that's great at nothing, but good at everything.  Players like Werth tend to be undervalued league-wide.  Factor in Werth's age, I can understand why an old school type of GM like Amaro would be apprehensive about signing a 32 year old corner outfielder with no exceptional strengths.  I'm not saying he's right (because he's not).  I'm just saying I understand his thought process.  

Jayson Stark is a pretty well respected baseball writer with a history of having great sources, especially within the Philadelphia sports scene.  While I take any trade and free agent rumors with a grain of salt, I'm much more likely to believe a guy like Stark than I am Amaro.  It's not that Amaro isn't trustworthy.  I'm sure he is.  My reasoning is that Amaro has a vested interest in keeping all of his options open.  Sometimes that includes withholding information from the public.  Stark's only interest is in reporting the information.