Good baserunning has long been a tenet of Manuel's teams. It extends beyond stolen bases. He wants to see more runners take the extra base, from first to third or second to home on a single.
"You don't have to be a real fast runner to do that," Manuel said. "You have to be a smart runner. That is a must."
His team has an 83 percent success rate in 2012 and a six-year average of 83.5 percent. Beyond Rollins and Pierre, Manuel does not see many other potential stolen-base threats on his current roster.
"On a good year," he said, "Utley will steal us 20 and be thrown out once or twice."
Utley has stolen 20 only once, in 2009.
The manager would like one more player who could steal around 25 bags.
Pierre is a free agent at season's end and could be headed elsewhere. Even if he does return, it will almost certainly be in a smaller role than in 2012. It's difficult to assume similar volume of production.
The 35-year-old outfielder is enjoying his highest rate of success ever. He has stolen 35 bases in 42 attempts for an 83 percent rate. He was a career 74 percent stealer before 2012 and led the league in caught-stealing seven times.
"I've learned to be more patient," Pierre said.
Victorino stole 24 bases in 28 attempts before being dealt. He averaged 30 steals per season from 2007 to '11. The top three centerfielders on the free-agent market - Michael Bourn (39 steals), B.J. Upton (30), and Angel Pagan (25) - represent speed options.
"Before, we had one of the best small-ball teams going because we didn't have to bunt," Manuel said. "We'd steal on you. We'd steal two bases on you. We had a high percentage. We were manufacturing runs that way. It was a big part of our offense."
Ruf debuts
Darin Ruf waited four days before making his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter Friday. He popped out to third.
Manuel said he considered starting Ruf on Saturday against the lefty Dallas Keuchel. Ruf, who socked 39 homers at double-A Reading, understands his limited role.
"I've been here five days," Ruf said. "These guys have been here 140. They have put themselves in a position to make a run at the playoffs. Anyway I can help, I'll do it gladly."
Extra bases
Manuel said Carlos Ruiz will start Sunday and expects him to catch every other day - at least. Ruiz, still not 100 percent from a tear in his foot, ran well Friday and reported feeling fine Saturday. . . . The Phillies will face 18-game winner and Cy Young candidate R.A. Dickey in Monday's series opener at New York. Cliff Lee will start for the Phillies.
Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @magelb.
