June 9 -- JOE TABLE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Phillies officials wouldn't confirm it last night (heck, some wouldn't even address it). But there's strong reason to believe the Phils will finalize a minor-league contract for Jose Mesa before the weekend is over.

Mesa, 41, was released by the Tigers last Sunday after posting a 12.34 ERA in 16 games. But, as we all know, the Phillies are desperate for bullpen help, especially since Tom Gordon and Brett Myers are making slow progress from shoulder injuries. The Phillies watched Mesa work out this week, but my multiple calls to his agent, Mitch Frankel, weren't returned. Usually, that's a sign that something is up.

Charlie Manuel said last night that he hadn't received any word from management about the Phillies signing Mesa, so he wouldn't address how he may use the veteran right-hander, who ranks 13th on the all-time saves list with 320. Mesa is also the Phillies' all-time saves leader with 111 from 2001 through 2003, but his tenure with the team ended in 2003 when he became so detested among fans that then-manager Larry Bowa wouldn't pitch him in home games. When Mesa was allowed to walk via free agency after that season, the idea of him returning to the Phillies seemed as preposterous as Paris Hilton going back to jail.

Oh well. Clearly, anything can happen.

Also, within this notebook, Cole Hamels tells me he's not Paul Lo Duca's biggest fan.