Scott Franzke Assesses Phillies Before Trade Deadline
By Chris Stigall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Scott Franzke addressed the state of the Phillies as they come out of the All-Star break and approach next week's trade deadline.
Franzke told Chris Stigall on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that despite the speculation around the team, they don't seem distracted by any lingering rumors.
"I don't think it's on their mind when they get out there between the lines. I think each guy is going to be different and each guy has an individual responsibility to prepare the best they can, even in the face of that, whether it's Hamels or Papelbon or whatever. Papelbon doesn't at all seem affected by if. I don't know if Cole is? The last two starts just haven't been good. My guess is it's probably more mechanical than anything else."
Regarding Papelbon, he does not feel any of the comments made criticizing management by the team's all-time leader in saves has any impact at all.
"They don't consider him a distraction. I don't think he has a negative influence on the clubhouse. He is who he is and I think most of the guys know him well enough that if he does something crazy or says something silly, a lot of the guys just brush it off."
Franzke was also very positive about the debut of pitching prospect Aaron Nola, who made his first Major League start this week against Tampa Bay.
"I like Nola. I like watching him. I loved the fact that the crowd brought so much energy. They were so excited to see him. I think that was cool...It's not 45,000 rocking the joint, but there was definitely some energy there that night and they were hanging on every pitch that he was throwing. It was cool to see."
