NASHVILLE -- Sorry I've been away for a while. Lots of stuff to sort through in my notebook. Most of this will be in the 50-center tomorrow, but I wanted to pass along a few bits of info and some quotes from Pat Gillick.* If the Yankees include center fielder Melky Cabrera in a deal for Johan Santana, sources say they probably won't pursue Aaron Rowand. Here's the thing: the Yanks' payroll without Santana is about $205 million. If they acquire Santana, they'll be agreeing to pay him about $25 million annually, boosting their payroll to about $230 million. So, that's another team seemingly out of the Rowand running. But if the market for Rowand is receding, Gillick wouldn't say. He did, however, reiterate the Phillies' interest in re-signing Rowand, if the contract terms are right. The Phillies appear willing to offer three years for $36-39 million with a vesting option for a fourth season, but that's it. "We'd like to have him back," Gillick said. "We want him back. He's the type of player who's good on our club. He's good for the fans. He plays hard. But again, we have to look at length of contract."
* Gillick said it's "50-50" that the Phillies will acquire a pitcher through a trade vs. free agency. He also said he's optimistic they'll make a move before leaving here Thursday.
* Of the free-agent pitchers recovering from arm injuries, Gillick said the Phillies had the most confidence in Randy Wolf's health. But with Wolf off the market, they're planning to look at Kris Benson next week in Arizona. Benson, who missed last season with a torn rotator cuff, will throw for at least nine teams. The Phils also may pursue Bartolo Colon, Jason Jennings or Matt Clement.
* The Phils won't re-sign Jon Lieber. "We don't have any interest in Jon," Gillick said.
* Gillick reiterated that right-hander Adam Eaton has begun a rehab program to strengthen his balky shoulder. And although Eaton won't need surgery, Gillick said his health makes him "a question mark." See why the Phillies are looking for another starter?
Taking one last spin through the lobby before I call it a day. For now, I'll leave you with this (and some of you have weighed in already): If the Phillies don't re-sign Rowand, what's your level of confidence in Jayson Werth in right field?
2 comments:
I'm pretty sure I speak for the whole when I say I have very little faith in Werthless playing right field.
He had one good month and that's about it.
Scott, what does Pat Gillick think about the two guys I mentioned earlier? I'm curious as to how Gillick might be thinking for the Rule 5 draft.
Wow ... for hitting just a shade under .300 with an OPS 100 points higher than Victorino's, for playing a brilliant right field and proving himself to be a heady baserunner, for playing a key role in the best September we've had in Philadelphia in a long, long time, for that we call him "Werthless"?
Were you watching the games, Rob?
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