I have heard from several sources that Werth is not a nice person.
He is not fan friendly, down right rude to them, some members of the media cringe when they have to deal with him...........
Lineup without Utley would be Rollins, Polanco, Ibanez, Howard, Victorino, Brown, Ruiz, and Valdez.
Werth has been horrible and if they can swing a deal to get Oswalt with Brown coming up I'm all for it.
Now, until Utley comes back, I would hit Brown 3rd. Ibanez just is not that good right now imo. Brown would get a lot of confindence hitting in front of Howard to start off. That could be huge later on. His strikeout rate has gotten better through the minor leagues so hitting third, to me, would not be a problem in the short-term. Lets see what this kid can do and with Utley out, this the perfect time to put him in a spot where he will see a lot of fastballs.
You can't just throw Brown in 3 hole and ask him to save the season. Ibanez has surprisingly hit well in the 3 hole. Put Brown in 6 hole with little pressure and if he responds well move him up.
I don't think you would be asking him to save the season, but I see your point. I just think his confindence would be at an all-time high hitting in front of Howard. When is Utley due back? If Brown were to hit 3rd, it would not be for too long, but the amount of fastballs he would see could get him off to hot start. I don't think there would be a lot of pressure because he knows it would only be temporary. And yes, Ibanez has hit well in the 3 hole and they are both left-handed so who knows. I would just love to see what he could do in front of Howard for couple of weeks.
I know what your saying and I'd like to see what Brown could do, but that's a lot asking a kid. He has barely played in Triple AAA and putting him in the 3 hole to wake up the Phillies offense isn't a good idea. Kid has gotten a lot of hype and you want him to be in a position to succeed. If he struggles early in the three hole his confidence could go down the tubes especially a city like Philly. People around here think he is the savior and cure to all problems. Even guys like Pujols and Utley didn't hit three spot right away.
Do what Braves and Marlins did with Heyward and Stanton hitting bottom of the order then eventually move up.
Upton more upside than victorino... Gimme upton and Dom brown in the of with oswalt and we got ourselves a wildcats team.... Just need to make the playoffs... No style points for first