Then Amaro made an even stronger statement about his struggling team, saying the Phillies "have one of the best nine in the game."
Presumably, he meant the eight position players manager Charlie Manuel sends out on a nightly basis, particularly when shortstop Jimmy Rollins is in the lineup.
"I'll challenge anybody if they don't think we have one of the best nine in the field," Amaro said.
The general manager did not rule out the idea of making a deadline deal for pitching help but said it would depend on the health of starter J.A. Happ and reliever Ryan Madson. Happ has made just two starts this season because of a strained left forearm and Madson has been on the disabled list since April 29 with a fractured toe.
"Pitching is always the issue," Amaro said. "Everybody is always looking for the same thing at the trade deadline. Again, a lot of it depends on how Happ progresses. We have to get Madson back and then I like our chances. That's the most important development for us right now - getting healthy."
Amaro is not oblivious to the fact that his team has stumbled for the last month, primarily because the bats have disappeared. During an 8-17 stretch, the Phillies have batted .221 and averaged 2.5 runs per game.
The general manager insisted that the last month is an aberration.
"The guys have track records and they're . . . championship-caliber players and they will be again," Amaro said. "They're struggling, some of them, but they've had past success. They just need to play better and they will."
Amaro was asked if he was trying to send a message.
"The message is we have good players and they'll be good again," he said. "That's my opinion. We've gone through a tough time, but it's not like the first time we've gone through a tough time . . . but we're going to be OK. We're concerned, yes, but I think we're going to be OK. What were we last June, 4-14?"
